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Stainless vs Aluminum - Why buy SS?
- Thread starter dseg42
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It’s not pointless. As someone looking at getting the S3, I too am curious about the differences - as told by real users.
Speaking purely for myself, aluminum. Some of what I do involves a lot of arm motion and I don't feel like I want to have the heavier SS case on my wrist.
I strongly prefer aluminum for running, but I agree that the stainless (black or regular) looks nicer as a day-to-day watch. I've always found the sapphire screens to be more resistant to smudging on the stainless that I've worn.
But reading through this thread makes it abundantly clear that the best option is to own one of each
I'm primarily a weight lifter, but I run a minimum of four days a week. I stopped wearing my stainless Watch while lifting weights because of almost accidental damage. But you adjust to the weight of the stainless after while, even when running it's not noticeable.
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In my opinion, the weight of the stainless steel is not a big deal when running. It is neglible. I think it is unwise to pass on the stainless just because it is a little heavier when running, versus the aluminum.
I work in a professional, conservative environment and dress up daily. The SS looks much better with my wardrobe than the aluminum.
I have a SS, silver aluminum and a Nike +. I'll go walking every day with whatever watch I happen to have on that day. Once you get used to the SS watch, the weight difference is not even noticeable when between watches. I prefer the look of the SS watch but I bought all three to wear because I like to have the variety. I even have the ceramic edition from last year that I still enjoy wearing. They're all different looks/styles.
The Stainless model actually weighs 40% more over the aluminum. So there is a difference, its a matter of adjustment.
That’s pretty subjective though. I work in a professional office environment everyday and dress smartly and the aluminium is fine. I can’t see how a polished metal and a matte finish make any difference in terms of looking smart? If I want to look even more professional I would wear a dress watch anyway and leave the wrist gadget at home.
There is another forum member who said he works in a heavy Corporate environment where a lot of the upper executives all wear the sport aluminum model. I believe it's all about how you carry yourself. You can wear the sport watch and still make it look really nice with a specific band or outfit.
I quite agree. Smart watches are very thin on the ground where I work, in fact there are only two of us that have them. The other person with an Apple Watch is a factory supervisor and has a space Grey Series 1 that is battered beyond belief that it looks pretty cool.
My boss has a Rolex Sub, his boss is a group director and wears a £50 Seiko 5 lol. The owner wears a Hublot that costs twice the price of my house and a vintage IWC. Most others around the offices either don’t wear watches or have dress watches. My AW doesn’t even stand out to be honest, nobody really cares what’s in your wrist. I just wear a rotation for my own enjoyment.
I love the shine of the SBSS compared to the aluminum one.
I run all of the time w my AW3 SBSS using a Nike band too. No issues whatsoever
Same here - total non-issue.
Then again, maybe it's the $11K Rolex on the other wrist that keeps 'em quiet.
(J/K)
I have owned both the Series 0 SS and, now, a Series 3 SS. I seriously don’t understand the hateful answers you’ve got to such a sincere question. I’m sorry to read this kind of thing here...
Well, answering your question, for me the Apple Watch aluminum looks a bit Fisher & Price toy-ish. I don’t mean to offend people that like the looks of it - great for you to use a device you actually admire aesthetically - but for me the combination of Stainless Steel and Classic Buckle makes it look like a real watch instead of a fitness tracker or a piece of plastic on the wrist.
Again, this is a subjective perspective, but that’s how it feels to me, watches are and should be made of stainless steel.
Whichever model you choose to keep, though, I hope you’ll be happy with it, my friend.
I’m sending a picture of one of my favorite combos.
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*Everything is subjective* and it is certainly true that you will find in business dress environment people wearing smart watches like Garmin's, Aluminum Apple Watches, rubber fitbits etc. all paired with suits and dresses AND its also true that I don't think people will look negatively at the combination either. HOWEVER, I personally find that the stainless steel models of the Apple Watch look far more like classical watches than the others I mentioned and for many including myself it feels better to wear a watch that blends more conventionally with business attire, even if society doesn't care anymore.
As for working out, I run with my SBSS AW S3 every single day, lift with it, bike etc. and never once for even a moment did it feel "heavy" etc. I do pair it with a Nike band or Apple Sports Band when doing workouts.
As for working out, I run with my SBSS AW S3 every single day, lift with it, bike etc. and never once for even a moment did it feel "heavy" etc. I do pair it with a Nike band or Apple Sports Band when doing workouts.
Of course it's subjective but that's still the reason I prefer the SS. I have a coworker who wears the aluminum version, and I think it looks terrible with a suit. Also, since I have both a work phone and a personal phone, I would never leave my watch at home as the watch enables me to leave my personal phone in my office all day and only cart around my work phone.
I like watches too much to choose only one to wear everyday. I declined a works phone as I didn’t want to carry around two phones, if end up just leaving it on my desk. I don’t think any Apple Watch truly looks amazing with a suit to be honest, but that’s just me.
When I see an Apple Watch, I pay more attention to the band than I do the actual physical casing of the Apple Watch. I really do think you can make it look anyway you want based on the band, it just depends on how somebody carries themself. I'm partial to the Stainless model, mainly for the added Weight and Saphirre display over the aesthetics.
I bought an Apple Watch recently and had to decide between aluminum and stainless steel.
I found this thread really useful for discussing the reasons why a person might prefer one or the other. So I'm grateful to the OP and everyone else who contributed their perspectives.
I ended up choosing the aluminum but I see there are really good reasons for the SS, as well.
It would be great if we could all try to be a little less defensive when someone gives a different perspective than our own.
I found this thread really useful for discussing the reasons why a person might prefer one or the other. So I'm grateful to the OP and everyone else who contributed their perspectives.
I ended up choosing the aluminum but I see there are really good reasons for the SS, as well.
It would be great if we could all try to be a little less defensive when someone gives a different perspective than our own.
I think there is tension because there are two types of opinion that clash.
The aluminium version doesn’t get a very good rep on here for some strange reason. We’ve had views that it ‘looks like a child’s toy’, ‘chips and scratches easily’, ‘looks cheap’ etc. I think those of us that own them find that quite insulting to read. The SS looks nice and I’d never rubbish it to make myself feel better about what I’ve bought, I just question the fact it’s double the price. It’s still a nice watch, I just wouldn’t buy it or make out it’s inferior. You’re unfortunately going to get defensive conversations, just like we’ve had Plus owners versus standard iPhone owners elsewhere.
People live for validation. We all hate to see others not agree with our choices. To be honest the real answer isn't to be insulted that others think it looks toy like, cheap, or chips and scratches easily (all valid opinions) but instead not care what others think and pick what you enjoy.
Especially when comments are from complete strangers.
But it's good to hear viewpoints and opinions. As long as it's not mean spirited, debate and discussion is what forums are for. Pretty boring if everyone agreed on things.