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Stainless vs Aluminum - Why buy SS?
- Thread starter dseg42
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Your aluminum AW3 screen is already all scratched up? Wow. That was fast.
In regards to brightness of the SS screen, remember you can INCREASE the brightness setting on the watch, btw!
Polished SS gives the watch more of "piece of jewelry" appearance and tends to work with other accessories a little better. Like cuff links for example.
I have an aluminum AW and I notice while shopping for bands the bands that would give more of "classy" impression have polished hardware that would match the SS model.
While I feel there are plenty of bands that make the aluminum models look nice the SS model fits that role a little bit better.
That said I'm ok without drawing attention to my Apple Watch when there are other people wearing watches that cost as much as the vehicle I came to event in.
I have an aluminum AW and I notice while shopping for bands the bands that would give more of "classy" impression have polished hardware that would match the SS model.
While I feel there are plenty of bands that make the aluminum models look nice the SS model fits that role a little bit better.
That said I'm ok without drawing attention to my Apple Watch when there are other people wearing watches that cost as much as the vehicle I came to event in.
I upgraded from a Space Gray Aluminum S0 to a Stainless Steel Series 3 yesterday. It's noticeably heavier, but after a few seconds I don't notice it much on my arm. It look more premium and feels more premium. Right now I feel constantly aware of it like I need to baby it, but that will go away soon.
I can't speak for that forum member, but the Ion-Glass is highly similar to the glass used on the iPhone displays. If you take care of it properly, you won't have an issue with it scratching. But like anything, it depends on the environment and how you treat your watch. Most will say that the Glass on the sport model is fairly durable, not nearly what the Sapphire display is on the stainless model.
I have an Apple Watch Series 0 in Silver.
It has no scratches on the glass and more than a few scuffs on the stainless steel (which is necessary to give it character).
The watch is going strong and I just got a Series 3 Space Black SS so I can have both a Silver and a Space Black Apple Watch.
Aluminum is great for exercise and movement, making it more of a SportWatch.
I got the Stainless Steel for its surgical grade cleanliness and shiny quality.
I am a Fossile and Rolex kinda guy and those finishes are so much better in Silver, which Apple doesn't use. Stainless still gets that Shiny Silver quality even if Apple does not use the material.
As for shiny being girly, don't buy an iPhone. They're all shiny.
Also, don't buy a brand new car.
Or silver. Or gold. Or anything expensive.
It has no scratches on the glass and more than a few scuffs on the stainless steel (which is necessary to give it character).
The watch is going strong and I just got a Series 3 Space Black SS so I can have both a Silver and a Space Black Apple Watch.
Aluminum is great for exercise and movement, making it more of a SportWatch.
I got the Stainless Steel for its surgical grade cleanliness and shiny quality.
I am a Fossile and Rolex kinda guy and those finishes are so much better in Silver, which Apple doesn't use. Stainless still gets that Shiny Silver quality even if Apple does not use the material.
As for shiny being girly, don't buy an iPhone. They're all shiny.
Also, don't buy a brand new car.
Or silver. Or gold. Or anything expensive.
Interesting thread, I have a Tissot T Touch that I don’t wear, this is because it feels like a block of granite on my wrist due to the thick high quality stainless steel case. It feels uncomfortable.
So yesterday I got my Series 1 aluminium 42mm with white sports strap. I have a blue Defense Edge machined aliminium protective case on it and I love it.
Way more comfortable to wear and looks awesome!!
To me the cost of the SS model isn’t worth it, but to others it is..
It’s all about personal preference.
So yesterday I got my Series 1 aluminium 42mm with white sports strap. I have a blue Defense Edge machined aliminium protective case on it and I love it.
Way more comfortable to wear and looks awesome!!
To me the cost of the SS model isn’t worth it, but to others it is..
It’s all about personal preference.
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The aluminum is prone to chipping and the screen will scratch. A screen protector on a watch is incredibly tacky and based on all reports I have seen on them (on the watch) they will fall off because of the constant pulling at the edges.
I have an s0ss and an s3ss. After two years of absolutely abusing the S0 (yard work, working on cars, hiking, etc) and a quick polish on the stainless it looks identical to the brand new S3. Zero scratches on the screen.
I tried an s3 aluminum and it picked up scratches on the screen after three days and I pampered that thing since it was new. I returned it.
So in a round about way my wife and I did the same experiement. I tried an aluminum for three days and we both decided her next upgrade had to be stainless, aluminum wasn’t an option.
Now, if they come up with a sapphire/aluminum option that would be interesting.
I don’t believe the aluminium watches are ‘prone’ to chipping. That makes it sound like the material is not fit for purpose and in my experience the aluminium finish is very durable. I’ve had my watch for a year now and so has my wife and neither has any chips or scratches. The cheaper price means it’s replaceable every 2-3 years to me and the lightweight feel is nice for exercising. I used to hate going for a jog with my stainless Sub jangling about on my wrist and the aluminium AW is a nice weight in my view.
A stainless Rolex Submariner is just a little bit heavier than a Apple Watch. Lol.
And worth a penny or two more.
I have 3 Rolex hidden in my closet as I wear an AW every day. I feel somewhat guilty...
[doublepost=1515305840][/doublepost]The price difference amortized over 2-3 years is irrelevant. 5-8 dollars a month is nothing.
Anodized aluminum chips and scratches, that’s just how it is. You see posts on here all the time of chipped/scratched watches.
Except nobody factors the Apple Watch cost per month, they factor the total cost of what the Apple Watch is at the time of the purchase. It's a piece a tech, not an investment of anything like a vehicle or house.
Your Post is more of a generalization. That's not 'just how it is', as the anodized aluminum is very durable and the majority of Sport Apple Watches likely are not prone to chipping. The cases you read on a tech forum are those just reporting their own personal experiences, its a vocal minority, not the majority.
Apple won't offer sapphire with the aluminum sport model. Because it would conflate and compete with the stainless model that offers the sapphire display, which would take sales away from that specific model. Also, The Ion-X glass is more specific to the sport model, because its not prone to shattering like Sapphire is.
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As has already been added, I don’t pay for my watches monthly, I buy them in full at the time of purchase so the cost is immediately apparent.
I was only speaking for myself in any case. For a throwaway gadget with a limited shelf life, £329 for the aluminium is at the absolute limit I would be willing to pay. I don’t even need cellular as it’s pointless for my uses when my phone is with me anyway. I certainly don’t answer the phone when out running. The stainless model here is an eye watering £599 so nearly double the price of the aluminium. I can’t even entertain that price and trying to justify it by pretending it’s paid for with monthly instalments doesn’t wash for me.
I don’t believe aluminium watches are prone to chipping. I’m sure you can get chips with serious abuse just like we have people asking how to polish out scratches on stainless steel Apple watches. My watch has not been babied and gets a good use and I’ve not had s single chip or scratch. My wife’s is in good nick too and she wears bracelets around it often. If anodised aluminium is good enough as a durable coating in the automotive and aircraft industry, it’s good enough for a watch casing.
Don’t get me wrong, the stainless AW looks lovely, I just don’t think it’s worth its initial retail price. They are a good secondhand buy.
To me the SS watches are totally worth the cost (SS 0 to SS 3). As has been said many times before, it’s personal preference and wallet size.
Saphire is much better than the glass. It isn't something you will notice until you mark or damage the glass.
The aluminium body is weaker than the SS and as such will chip and dint if you bash it against things.
Unfortunately those differences mean a weight and cost penalty.
I would buy a sport for doing sport things where I would expect it to be bashed around, as it is cheaper. I would buy an SS to wear as a watch, rather than a fitness companion.
The aluminium body is weaker than the SS and as such will chip and dint if you bash it against things.
Unfortunately those differences mean a weight and cost penalty.
I would buy a sport for doing sport things where I would expect it to be bashed around, as it is cheaper. I would buy an SS to wear as a watch, rather than a fitness companion.
My personal experience:
I bought the Series 0 at launch. SS w Link Bracelet. Beautiful. Couldn’t scratch the screen if I tried. Then started hearing rumors of the Series 2 coming out. And as I’m an Apple fanboy I always have to upgrade to the latest and greatest. So when the S2 launched I ordered the aluminum Nike+ version in space grey. Scratched the screen and chipped it within the first month.
The reason I tried aluminum in the S2 was because I figured why spend the extra $$ when I’m upgrading every year (even though it doesn’t stand up to wear and tear like SS).
Series 3 launch rolls around one year later justifying (for me personally) my reasons for sticking with aluminum. Ordered the Nike+ again.
So those are my reasons. However if money was not an issue I would go w SS every time. So IMHO if you plan to upgrade every time aluminum seems to be the prudent choice. But ultimately to each his/hers own for whatever their reasons.
PS- at the beginning of this forum people were ripping the thread starter for a few reasons. Lay off, this is what forums are for no matter how stupid YOU think it is. Don’t like the thread? Don’t participate in it. So many defensive (and way too sensitive) people with too much time on their hands.
I bought the Series 0 at launch. SS w Link Bracelet. Beautiful. Couldn’t scratch the screen if I tried. Then started hearing rumors of the Series 2 coming out. And as I’m an Apple fanboy I always have to upgrade to the latest and greatest. So when the S2 launched I ordered the aluminum Nike+ version in space grey. Scratched the screen and chipped it within the first month.
The reason I tried aluminum in the S2 was because I figured why spend the extra $$ when I’m upgrading every year (even though it doesn’t stand up to wear and tear like SS).
Series 3 launch rolls around one year later justifying (for me personally) my reasons for sticking with aluminum. Ordered the Nike+ again.
So those are my reasons. However if money was not an issue I would go w SS every time. So IMHO if you plan to upgrade every time aluminum seems to be the prudent choice. But ultimately to each his/hers own for whatever their reasons.
PS- at the beginning of this forum people were ripping the thread starter for a few reasons. Lay off, this is what forums are for no matter how stupid YOU think it is. Don’t like the thread? Don’t participate in it. So many defensive (and way too sensitive) people with too much time on their hands.
I got the aluminum just after launch and it went to my wife after I got the S2 aluminum at Christmas last year - it was with us for 2.5 years and has held up quite well (now with her father to see if he/his wife want to jump in), my S2 had a couple more dings on it (and went to my aunt) but was still in pretty good shape... We're both on S3 aluminums now - I would love to go SS (my parents got them at S0 but now have aluminum S3s), but I don't yet have the funds to justify that since I've been replacing them annually - I really want a SBSS link (or space gray ceramic to be honest), but it's tough when they cost over a grand and are presently improving so much on an annual basis... some day!
People with any concept of money factor in the cost over the lifetime of a purchase, not just the initial purchase price. When you make a value decision that is the metric you go with.
If you control budget at a company and make a purchase that is a depreciating asset (like an Apple Watch) monthly tends to be the metric you think in as it will hit your budget that way.
Aluminum just isn’t an option for me due to the screen. I scratched the one I tried in three days. I couldn’t scratch my s0 with two years of heavy abuse.
As far as shattering goes that is more theoretical than anything, real world testing shows there is either no difference or the saphire is less prone to shattering than the glass.
I just got my s3 space black...
I replaced my s3 nike aluminum....
Im loving the weight of stainless... It feels more premium...
Aluminum is too light for me.
And i like that glossy finish
I replaced my s3 nike aluminum....
Im loving the weight of stainless... It feels more premium...
Aluminum is too light for me.
And i like that glossy finish