Stainless steel vs Aluminium

[QCassidy352]

Not sure what you all are doing to your aluminum watches - I've had mine more than a year and have no marks whatsoever.

Worth noting that SS depreciates MUCH faster than the aluminum, so it gets expensive if you want to upgrade every year.

 

[ManicMarc]

Not sure what you all are doing to your aluminum watches - I've had mine more than a year and have no marks whatsoever.

Worth noting that SS depreciates MUCH faster than the aluminum, so it gets expensive if you want to upgrade every year.

I'm torn between the two. I think it's best to just go with whatever you think looks nicest.
The screen is much nicer to look at on the aluminium (as the glass is thinner and lets through more light), but the in my view SS does look nicer when the display is off, which is most of the time.

Hasn't this always been a dilemma for geeky digital watches

 

[44267547]

Not sure what you all are doing to your aluminum watches - I've had mine more than a year and have no marks whatsoever.

The ion-Glass is durable, but the scratch resistance is terrible. And keep in mind, everybody treats their watch differently, so you might have a watch that’s in better condition, but it all depends what it comes in contact with.

Worth noting that SS depreciates MUCH faster than the aluminum, so it gets expensive if you want to upgrade every year.

I think everyone that purchases the stainless already is plenty aware about the depreciating value, but they also don’t care. (I also assume that most consumers don’t upgrade their Apple Watch on an annual basis, just a few select members on here.)

 

[The Game 161]

The ion-Glass is durable, but the scratch resistance is terrible. And keep in mind, everybody treats their watch differently, so you might have a watch that’s in better condition, but it all depends what it comes in contact with.



I think everyone that purchases the stainless already is plenty aware about the depreciating value, but they also don’t care. (I also assume that most consumers don’t upgrade their Apple Watch on an annual basis, just a few select members on here.)

Well yeah a full priced SS model which Is 850 here in UK on the comparison sites you can sell it for about 330 at the moment so it’s bound to go down in price. You would be buying for the look that’s for sure and it will cost you a lot but people who buy SS money wise are hardly struggling if you are buying iPhones every year too.

 

[Thai]

Let’s face it...Apple Watch is NOT a need...it is a want. It is a luxury companion to your iphone and is great for daily convenience.

It is NOT a financial investment to any degree. Thinking of it that way is a failed argument.

I buy my SS because it works great, great for my daily life/workflow, and i am anal. I do not like looking at scratches on my devices...especially the display where my eyes gravitate to every single time i look at it.

I don’t give a rat’s a$$ that it depreciates more than something else. I kept my Series 0 for 4 years and now i pass it on to my son who wears it everyday and loves it. I will do the same with my Series 4.

 

[Ludatyk]

Think i’m Leaning to SS as my next Apple Watch but not sure wether to go space black SS or normal. Normal SS just looks better to me and you can tell the difference with space black from a distance hard to tell if it is really SS or not.

I was deciding between the two... but from a band perspective. Visually speaking, the SS model fits with more bands compared the SBSS.

Don’t get me wrong, the SBSS is stunning to look at and marvel at... but it’s a great point of it being hard to differentiate between a SBSS and Space Gray aluminum model from a distance.

I tend to think mostly of the band aspect, it’s one of the key reason to having a Apple Watch... at least from my opinion. I’ve got 5 bands already and I’m sure I’ll get more in the future.

 

[Thai]

I was deciding between the two... but from a band perspective. Visually speaking, the SS model fits with more bands compared the SBSS.

Don’t get me wrong, the SBSS is stunning to look at and marvel at... but it’s a great point of it being hard to differentiate between a SBSS and Space Gray aluminum model from a distance.

I tend to think mostly of the band aspect, it’s one of the key reason to having a Apple Watch... at least from my opinion. I’ve got 5 bands already and I’m sure I’ll get more in the future.

I agree with the band arguments. But why do you care what others think of what you wear?

As for bands, i have tried them all with my Series 0 SS. I always gravitate to Apple own bands because of quality and fit & finish.

 

[The Game 161]

I was deciding between the two... but from a band perspective. Visually speaking, the SS model fits with more bands compared the SBSS.

Don’t get me wrong, the SBSS is stunning to look at and marvel at... but it’s a great point of it being hard to differentiate between a SBSS and Space Gray aluminum model from a distance.

I tend to think mostly of the band aspect, it’s one of the key reason to having a Apple Watch... at least from my opinion. I’ve got 5 bands already and I’m sure I’ll get more in the future.

True, i have about 3-4 different bands and every time i see a SS model it looks good no matter if you have the Milanese loop or a sport loop. Just looks so good.

 

[Ludatyk]

I agree with the band arguments. But why do you care what others think of what you wear?

As for bands, i have tried them all with my Series 0 SS. I always gravitate to Apple own bands because of quality and fit & finish.

Ahhhh, come on. To some degree we care what others are thinking.

Well, I can’t speak for everyone. But I like to think that people who dress meticulous, cares what others think. And even if you’re not the one that don’t put much thought into the way you dress.

People like the idea of being complimented on their attire. Not that I’m saying we should care, I’m just pointing out why we care what others think.

 

[Thai]

Ahhhh, come on. To some degree we care what others are thinking.

Well, I can’t speak for everyone. But I like to think that people who dress meticulous, cares what others think. And even if you’re not the one that don’t put much thought into the way you dress.

People like the idea of being complimented on their attire. Not that I’m saying we should care, I’m just pointing out why we care what others think.

Fair enough. But this is an Apple Watch, not Rolex. Not exactly a trend setter (in traditional way) nor really all that expensive because most people don't even know that Apple Watch can get expensive with different case metal. I had to explain many times to different people what made my Series 0 SS different from the cheaper models.

 

[raqball]

My Fitbit died the other day and I am considering getting an AW again as Best Buy has them on sale for $50 off....

I only use it to track sport activities and don't wear it other than that. I play racquetball 3-4 times a week for about 2 hours per session. The lighter Aluminum works better for me in this instance but I know the SS is more durable.

For me the Aluminum wins out due to it weighing less but my usage is minimal and specific..

 

[Thai]

My Fitbit died the other day and I am considering getting an AW again as Best Buy has them on sale for $50 off....

I only use it to track sport activities and don't wear it other than that. I play racquetball 3-4 times a week for about 2 hours per session. The lighter Aluminum works better for me in this instance but I know the SS is more durable.

For me the Aluminum wins out due to it weighing less but my usage is minimal and specific..

Personally, if you are using it like that, then get a cheap Fitbit or Garmin. Apple Watch is overkill.

 

[raqball]

Personally, if you are using it like that, then get a cheap Fitbit or Garmin. Apple Watch is overkill.

I've had 2 Fitbit's recently and both died after a few months use and were not very accurate... I am debating getting another but am tired of their trash quality.. I was considering the Charge 3 but it's got horrific reviews...

I also have a Garmin fenix 5 but it's way to heavy for racquetball use.

Edit> Also considering trying the Inspire HR.. Has better reviews than the Charge but I am tired of throwing money at that company....

 

[rawCpoppa]

After owning a gold aluminum series 0 that flaked and pitted I am all for stainless steel now. Purchased a renewed SBSS series 3 off Amazon for $225 and I can’t tell if it was ever used before. Aesthetically better looking than any of the aluminum cases. Monolithic looking. Hardly ever see scratches or corrosion/ flaking in threads on here related to the SS Apple watches so that’s all I’ll be going in future from now on.

 

[Thai]

https://www.apple.com/shop/refurbished/watch/stainless-steel-44mm-series-4

Apple refurbished has both SS and Space Black...just saying....

 

[44267547]

Well yeah a full priced SS model which Is 850 here in UK on the comparison sites you can sell it for about 330 at the moment so it’s bound to go down in price. You would be buying for the look that’s for sure and it will cost you a lot but people who buy SS money wise are hardly struggling if you are buying iPhones every year too.

Bolded: Yup, that’s why I Purchased the stainless steel Apple Watch, strictly for the aesthetics and sapphire display. I would gladly spend the extra money on the Apple Watch stainless model in the future again, because I do like the weight of the stainless, the durability of the sapphire and it just feels more premium in general. To me, that’s all I could ask for.

 

[jbachandouris]

If you buy stainless steel, plan on keeping it until it stops or giving it away. Resell value is horrible. I upgraded from SS AW3 to SSAW4.

I couldn't sell the AW3 at all, even at $300 WITH Milanese loop. I'm about to trade it in to Apple.

 

[PaladinGuy]

If you buy stainless steel, plan on keeping it until it stops or giving it away. Resell value is horrible. I upgraded from SS AW3 to SSAW4.

I couldn't sell the AW3 at all, even at $300 WITH Milanese loop. I'm about to trade it in to Apple.

No doubt the resale value is awful. However, it just feels so much more like a real watch, and the sapphire is so much better. I detest scratches on a watch crystal/display.

 

[TotalMacMove]

I think now that I know I love the apple watch, my next one will be SS that i will keep for years.

 

[44267547]

If you buy stainless steel, plan on keeping it until it stops or giving it away. Resell value is horrible. I upgraded from SS AW3 to SSAW4.

I couldn't sell the AW3 at all, even at $300 WITH Milanese loop. I'm about to trade it in to Apple.

On the flipside, I almost would rather trade in my Apple Watch anyways to Apple, why? It’s easier, I don’t have to deal with scammers online or sketchy unknown individuals in person, even though I would take a hit on the trade-in value, but I would rather deal with Apple than I would with someone trying to waste my time haggling with me over my Apple Watch selling locally.

 

[TotalMacMove]

On the flipside, I almost would rather trade in my Apple Watch anyways to Apple, why? It’s easier, I don’t have to deal with scammers online or sketchy unknown individuals in person, even though I would take a hit on the trade-in value, but I would rather deal with Apple than I would with someone trying to waste my time haggling with me over my Apple Watch selling locally.

In the 8 years I have been selling stuff locally, I have hardly ever ran into this issue of “having to deal with sketchy individuals”. So many people have this stigma about selling online/locally these days its ridiculous. You are scared or “dont want to deal with the trouble of haggling” so you sell your year old items to apple for hardly anything when you could easily get 3x that. Selling any electronics on craigslist/facebook is easy as fk, and I have made tens of thousands of dollars by flipping stuff on the web. When someone texts you trying to haggle, just dont reply.. even though that haggle will probably still result in 3x the amount apple gave you.

But hey.. if you are that comfortable in life that $150 means nothing, then i can respect you wanting to just trade everything in and be done with it. Same can be said for trading your car in versus selling privately.

 

[The Game 161]

On the flipside, I almost would rather trade in my Apple Watch anyways to Apple, why? It’s easier, I don’t have to deal with scammers online or sketchy unknown individuals in person, even though I would take a hit on the trade-in value, but I would rather deal with Apple than I would with someone trying to waste my time haggling with me over my Apple Watch selling locally.

How does the process work with the trade in? Do you get money off straight away from buying the new one or do you get money separately?

 

[FunnySid]

I honestly prefer SS. Although I never went with aluminum, I have no idea how the quality is and how does it look like on m wrist. I would love to see some good reviews on it. Moreover, according to Watchista, SS works better.

 

[MileHighPilot]

While true that SS is classic and shiny. I had SS with my Series 0. Love it. It is a scratch magnet however.

ive settled on getting a stainless steel but im still debating the color
is the silver really more prone to scratches than the space black and if so is it because of the finish

With the sapphire glass in front, ceramic back, sapphire over lens on back, and then add in DLC coating, you have a watch that is ENTIRELY very scratch resistant.

i like the black but my real watches have always been silver
does the space black get brassy in color after a while like some watches

I was deciding between the two... but from a band perspective. Visually speaking, the SS model fits with more bands compared the SBSS.

i agree
in regards to real watches silver watches are the most popular and that is why i am debating on what color stainless steel watch to get

I've had 2 Fitbit's recently and both died after a few months use and were not very accurate... I am debating getting another but am tired of their trash quality..

both of my daughters have had issues with fitbits the last couple of years
it appears the quality has taken a steep descent

https://www.apple.com/shop/refurbished/watch/stainless-steel-44mm-series-4

Apple refurbished has both SS and Space Black...just saying....

now they only have gold or that would have enticed me to buy one now

 

[CWallace]

ive settled on getting a stainless steel but im still debating the color. is the silver really more prone to scratches than the space black and if so is it because of the finish

My three-year old Series 0 silver stainless held up pretty well, but it did have minor scratches.

My one-year old Series 4 Space Black stainless is still pristine.

i like the black but my real watches have always been silver. does the space black get brassy in color after a while like some watches

One year in and it looks the same as it did the day it came out of the box.