Stainless vs Aluminum - Why buy SS?

[Fireball Dragon]

Xenomorph has hit all the points I was probably going to make.

I understand what the OP is coming from. I had an aluminium watch at launch (Space grey) and getting SS never even crossed my mind. I recently got a SS SB series 3 and couldn't be happier. I justified it as it was only £210 more than the aluminium, and considering I'll be wearing it pretty much 24/7 (apart from running and cycling as I use my Garmin for sports!), it is definitely worth the extra bit of cash.

Also, I thought weight would be an issue, but I concur that the added weight of the SS does enhance its premium feel. Further thoughts on why I went for SS over aluminium are on my blog if you're interested.

https://andykumar.net/2017/10/16/apple-watch-series-3-stainless-steel-space-black/

 

[barthrh]

I originally ordered aluminum and cancelled it for SS. I did this after reading threads about scratching. I wouldn't be able to deal with scratches on the glass and I also refuse to put a screen protector on a watch. No screen protector is 100% perfect, they all eventually start to peel, and I can't deal with having a screen protector on a watch. You don't get scratches on sapphire. I have a 20 year old "normal" watch with sapphire crystal that I beat the crap out of and the glass is pristine.

In the end, it's an extra $200 but when I look at the watch the shiny SS looks so much nicer, especially with a (3rd party) leather band. No regrets.

 

[gjamesm42]

In my opinion the aluminum looks cheap.

 

[bbeagle]

"Values things differently" - what makes the SS more valuable?

You honestly can't think of reasons people would want different things and value things differently?

There are reasons people choose an Xbox vs a Playstation, an iPhone vs an Android, a Porche vs a Toyota.

Some people want more heft or substance to their watch, want something shinier, $200 isn't much to them, think the SS looks nicer with certain bands - i.e. they care differently about style than someone with an aluminum watch does.

Do you know that there's also a ceramic version of the watch that starts at $1,299?

 

[tonoboon]

may I ask OP , why stainless not 18k gold ?
[doublepost=1508523005][/doublepost]If I've to choose one SS come first , the shiny of the SS get the watch look nice.

 

[newellj]

I thought hard about SS and decided not to.

1. The upcharge is significant and likely not to be recaptured on resale relative to the Sport/Nike+ AW, which I'd expect to be selling within 2-3 years.
2. Sapphire glass is more scratch resistant, but also far more likely to shatter.
3. Sapphire glass has much greater reflection than the ion glass, which is a negative for outdoor use.
4. The greater risk of scratches on the ion glass is easily managed with AppleCare+, which is surprisingly affordable for the AW.

 

[Applenoob34]

The amount of people on this thread that took offense to the OP is hilarious.

I’m a huge Apple fan, but the amount of people that used the word “premium” to describe their watches just shows how brainwashed they are by Apple. I picture a bunch of people walking around just saying “premium” out loud in their best British accent. Lmao.











Premium!

 

[naturalstar]

You’re going to find people vocal about the SS and people vocal about the aluminum. This is my first time getting a Watch as well. I went back and forth, but ultimately chose the SS. I (finally) chose it based on

1) my existing watch collection - all of my current analog watches from dressy to casual are stainless steel in varying finishes with link or leather bands. If I’m to wear this watch all day and most likely more often than my other watches going forward, it needs to be on par with my existing watches.

2) aluminum reminds me of a fitness watch - I have a history of ignoring fitness watches after a while. No style. It’s better if I look at my Apple Watch as a watch with added fitness capabilities, not the other way around.

3) I saw both in the wild on other wearers and the silver aluminum always looked dull and like another fitness watch. The SS was more eye catching and looked like a watch. I will admit here that the space grey aluminum doesn’t look bad, but it’s not what I personally wanted.

4) Sapphire glass may be slightly dimmer, but I don’t worry about scratching or dinging my current watches, so I’m not getting ready to get nervous over dinging the screen on this watch.

5) Outside of a couple of woven bands and the Nike bands, I have by far been attracted to leather and link bands on the nicer end. Some of the bands would outdo the aluminum, IMPO.

Anyway, in sum, it’s about my own personal style/tastes. Get what you want, what you feel most comfortable with in price, comfort, style, etc. There’s no right or wrong in this, just what’s right or wrong for you. None of us truly know one another, or the influences that bring us to our ultimate choices. Take that SS back and get the aluminum watch you desire and enjoy it.

 

[riverfreak]

Premium. And price point.

 

[nburwell]

I had the S2 SG Alu, and I now have the S3 SS Silver. I prefer the SS because I like the look -- it looks more like a normal watch that I wear on a day to day basis. I can pair it with any bands to dress it up or dress it down. Worth the money IMO.

Couldn't agree more. I started off with the S0 aluminum. Had it for a year, sold it and went without an AW for a year and a half. About 6 months ago I bought a S0 SS and absolutely loved it. I was disappointed that the only SS S3 you could get had LTE (which I have no use for), so I upgraded my S0 SS for a S2 SBSS.

Like @USC_Gamecock said, the SS are easier to dress up and down (especially the SBSS IMO). My wife has an aluminum AW which she absolutely loves. But she primarily uses the watch to work out with, where I use mine to tell the time, vet text messages, Apple Maps, weather, etc.

 

[Traverse]

I bought the aluminum Series 0 because it was a new and niche product that I knew would get drastically better later.

I’d like a Stainless Steel Series 3. I feel that it has mature as a product and has a sufficient life to warrant an $800 purchase.

I think they look a little dressier and classier.

 

[Leica Dad]

I think people have different needs when it comes to buying an Apple Watch.
I had a SS AW0 before, because I wanted something looks more like a real watch at that time. This time around, I wanted a fitness device that can help me keep track of my health, therefore the aluminum AW3 model with lighter weight make sense.

I do still love the loop of the SS or Black SS watch, weights more but feel more premium compare to the aluminum. So it really depends on what you are looking for, there is no right answer to this, we all want different things at different time. Which is the reason Apple offers all these colors and material choice.

I also purchase a used SB SS series 2 and is waiting for shipment. It's going to be use for testing purpose, but I might wear it sometimes if I I'm going somewhere more formal and don't need the LTE. I paid lesser than half of it's original retail price, it is crazy how fast they depreciate.

 

[techspin]

The SSSB looks verrry nice. BUT I wear this thing to sleep and use it for all my workouts so it's aluminum for now for the lightweight feel.

 

[ericg301]

for a device that needs to be replaced every 2-3 years, why not get the cheapest one?

my aluminum is so light sometimes i have to make sure im actually wearing it

 

[bambooshots]

my aluminum is so light sometimes i have to make sure im actually wearing it

And this is one of the biggest reason I got the SS. If I'm wearing something like a watch I'd like to feel its presence.

Off course, that feeling is subject to personal preference. But as a guy if I wear/carry something I do like it to have some heft to it.

I far prefer my S0 SS watch to my gf's aliminum S2 watch.

 

[Lennyvalentin]

Am I missing something big? The SS is shiny while aluminum is matte?

I can't testify as to your needs and opinions of course, but what most people may not have noticed is that the alu watch actually starts to corrode after a time. I have visible black blotches on the underside of my silvery alu watch case, especially in/around the lettering, where salt corrosion is ever so slowly eating into the metal, making the letters increasingly difficult to read. There also appears to be galvanic corrosion around the side button where tiny bites of metal is missing, as if the button and the watch body are made of different materials and the side button has stripped tiny amounts of material off the case of the watch.

None of this can be seen when the watch is being worn normally. It's just details that show up under close scrutiny.

 

[ftaok]

Some folks have skin allergies or sensitivity and can't wear certain metals. Perhaps the aluminum will make their skin blister whereas the SS won't.

 

[macnmac]

too many 1rd world problems

 

[newellj]

I can't testify as to your needs and opinions of course, but what most people may not have noticed is that the alu watch actually starts to corrode after a time. I have visible black blotches on the underside of my silvery alu watch case, especially in/around the lettering, where salt corrosion is ever so slowly eating into the metal, making the letters increasingly difficult to read. There also appears to be galvanic corrosion around the side button where tiny bites of metal is missing, as if the button and the watch body are made of different materials and the side button has stripped tiny amounts of material off the case of the watch.

None of this can be seen when the watch is being worn normally. It's just details that show up under close scrutiny.

I think you need a lower salt diet. Smile/wink, but seriously. The reason most people don't notice it is that it doesn't happen to most people's watches.

 

[donster28]

I just switched my SS SB cellular with the Nike+ SG cellular and I can never be more satisfied. I saved CAD$300+.

I used to have the Series 0 SG aluminum and that thing never developed a scratch on the screen and the aluminum part was perfect when I sold it after a year. Believe me, I scrutinize my gadgets under bright light every so often and the Ion-X Glass remained pristine with normal use with no abuse.

The SS SB I returned was great and felt classy but to me, spending the extra money for it while it's still the same old design since it was introduced is not worth it. Also, every time I get home, I had to clean the stainless steel part apart from the glass and back. With the aluminum, the aluminum part stays clean.

One other deciding factor for me was the weight of the aluminum...it's just right for me. Also, we now get a ceramic back! Without this, I would have stayed with the SS.

And what about those Nike+ exclusive watch faces? You don't get those with the SS.

Lastly, I've been debating whether or not the watch is going to get a radical re-desing next year. If it does, I will not feel as bad now. I will definitely get the SS then though.

 

[lordofthereef]

Screen protectors don't last very long for me. I have tried multiples, and honestly, if I were to continue going with screen protectors its easier to just pay the difference with the SS and move on. That said, I am not worried about scratches. Resale on these things is awful. I expect it to be awful next year too. I do, however, plan on keeping this watch a while, at least two years I'd say. The watch finally has everything I wanted in an Apple watch and a tiny part of me regrets not just getting the SS.

As far as screen brightness, that's the nature of sapphire. It doesn't allow as much light through. My wife has an s0 SS and has never complained about visibility, and I know the brightness is much lower on the first gen than the subsequent stainless models.

 

[44267547]

In my opinion the aluminum looks cheap.

And it's no offense to anybody that enjoys the sport model for their own reasons, I also did not care for the sport watch when I owned it. Primarily because I felt it was so light, it felt almost toyish to me. I prefer the weight of the 316 L stainless that gives the watch a more premium feel when wearing it. And virtually any band could be paired with the stainless model as well.

 

[riverfreak]

I just switched my SS SB cellular with the Nike+ SG cellular and I can never be more satisfied. I saved CAD$300+.

I used to have the Series 0 SG aluminum and that thing never developed a scratch on the screen and the aluminum part was perfect when I sold it after a year. Believe me, I scrutinize my gadgets under bright light every so often and the Ion-X Glass remained pristine with normal use with no abuse.

The SS SB I returned was great and felt classy but to me, spending the extra money for it while it's still the same old design since it was introduced is not worth it. Also, every time I get home, I had to clean the stainless steel part apart from the glass and back. With the aluminum, the aluminum part stays clean.

One other deciding factor for me was the weight of the aluminum...it's just right for me. Also, we now get a ceramic back! Without this, I would have stayed with the SS.

And what about those Nike+ exclusive watch faces? You don't get those with the SS.

Lastly, I've been debating whether or not the watch is going to get a radical re-desing next year. If it does, I will not feel as bad now. I will definitely get the SS then though.

Is the ceramic back in the decision matrix? I’m still in my 14 day window. Maybe I should return my SS so I can get one with the ceramic back? Can I see the ceramic back on the front? Does it look better?

 

[donster28]

Is the ceramic back in the decision matrix? I’m still in my 14 day window. Maybe I should return my SS so I can get one with the ceramic back? Can I see the ceramic back on the front? Does it look better?

Only the cellular versions have a ceramic back. The ceramic is mainly the round see through cylinder that houses the heartbeat sensors.

 

[csurfr]

And this is one of the biggest reason I got the SS. If I'm wearing something like a watch I'd like to feel its presence.

Off course, that feeling is subject to personal preference. But as a guy if I wear/carry something I do like it to have some heft to it.

I far prefer my S0 SS watch to my gf's aliminum S2 watch.

Personal preference is absolutely right. I had a S2 SS and the weight bothered me when running. For my S3 I went with the Space Grey. It's almost like wearing nothing, at just under 50% less weight than the SS. That said, I can see the draw to both directions. I feel that more bands look nicer with the SS than do with the aluminum. I'm not going to wear an Apple Classic Buckle with the stainless lugs on the space grey aluminum watch.