Stainless vs Aluminum - Why buy SS?

[trnjackie23]

My bought used S0 SS was spotless after a year of wearing it and I probably could not have said the same if it was the aluminum model. I keep seeing posts on Reddit on how people scratch their alum glass already etc so going for SS again on the S3 was a no brainer. Plus, it looks much classier instead of looking like an actual gadget.

 

[FrisbeeK9]

I bought the SS version of the AW3 while my wife got the aluminum. We've never had Apple watches before so we wanted to try them both.
I've been wearing the SS AW3 for about 5 days now and tried on my wife's aluminum for the first time.
Wow, it is like wearing nothing but air. The SS version is extremely heavy compared the the aluminum.

I had the aluminum sport v1. The composit back gave my skin a horrible allergic reaction. I guess I’m allergic to nickel. So I moved to the SBSS and never looked back. Not to mention I prefer SS feels like more of a watch from I guess the weight and durability. To each their own.

 

[bluespark]

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!

Get over yourself. Watches aren't merely functional objects. They also have a fashion component that is at least as important as functionality to many people. With watches, stainless steel is generally viewed as more "premium" than aluminum -- this would be true even if Apple's marketing were exactly the opposite. If you disagree, fine, but turning up your nose at people who feel differently reflects far more on you than on them.

 

[Frankfurt]

Coming form a SSBS S0 with link bracelet I chose this time around the SG Nike version and paired it with the link bracelet. The saving I "invested" into AirPods. The SSBS is without a scratch even after two tears of wearing. Based on my experience with the SG Alum version I will decide what to get next. I prefer to spend less given the upgrade cycle of about two years - and the matte finish of the SG looks surprisingly nice with the link bracelet.

 

[bluespark]

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.

Exactly -- it's entirely a personal preference. If I had bought mine mostly for fitness, I probably would have gone for aluminum as well. But for my use, I prefer SS -- simple as that.

 

[bruinsrme]

Why buy ........?
Great question.
There is no reason to buy anything more than the aluminum watches.
However, when you pay visit to see the different cases the perception and appreciation changes.
The only reason why you’ll buy what you buy is because the case fits your taste and not necessarily your budget.

 

[bevsb2]

My first watch was stainless. When I got the Series 2 SS it was just too heavy. I switched to Aluminum and it is so much more comfortable (for me) to wear. I was also bothered by all the scratches on the stainless case. The only thing I miss is the modern leather band that I used on my stainless. For that reason alone I kept my original SS watch to wear for a dressier look at times.

 

[44267547]

My first watch was stainless. When I got the Series 2 SS it was just too heavy. I switched to Aluminum and it is so much more comfortable (for me) to wear. I was also bothered by all the scratches on the stainless case. The only thing I miss is the modern leather band that I used on my stainless. For that reason alone I kept my original SS watch to wear for a dressier look at times.

I do agree the stainless model scratches relatively easily. At least in terms compared to the aluminum model, the 7000 series aluminum is very durable.

The good thing about the stainless model, is the scratches can be removed, as where the aluminum model scratching, it cannot. Definitely advantages to both the stainless and sport model.

 

[bruinsrme]

My first watch was stainless. When I got the Series 2 SS it was just too heavy. I switched to Aluminum and it is so much more comfortable (for me) to wear. I was also bothered by all the scratches on the stainless case. The only thing I miss is the modern leather band that I used on my stainless. For that reason alone I kept my original SS watch to wear for a dressier look at times.

Spoil yourself and go ceramic

 

[Applenoob34]

Get over yourself. Watches aren't merely functional objects. They also have a fashion component that is at least as important as functionality to many people. With watches, stainless steel is generally viewed as more "premium" than aluminum -- this would be true even if Apple's marketing were exactly the opposite. If you disagree, fine, but turning up your nose at people who feel differently reflects far more on you than on them.

Says the guy who Uses the word “premium” in his argument. If Apples marketing used the words “more excellent” in their descriptions, you’d be using that phrase also. I’m not the one turning up my nose at anyone. In fact, I’d argue it’s the exact opposite.

 

[s0mojo]

Was in a similar boat, I really wanted the SS but costs stopped me so went with alu, also the site I bought the watch from rarely had the 42mm SS in stock so. No regrets though, loving the damn thing, can't wait to go jogging with it with a BT headset!

 

[bluespark]

Says the guy who Uses the word “premium” in his argument. If Apples marketing used the words “more excellent” in their descriptions, you’d be using that phrase also. I’m not the one turning up my nose at anyone. In fact, I’d argue it’s the exact opposite.

I used “premium” in quotes because I was responding to a post that made an issue of that word.

 

[JulesK]

This has been said earlier, but this is a meaningless argument because watches are so personal. That's why there are literally thousands of different watch models out there, virtually all of which (including the ones that cost tens of thousands) do nothing more, functionally, than a $15 Timex. I've purchased each generation of the Apple Watch in regular SS because that's what I'm used to (having owned a lot of mechanical watches), and I think it looks dressier with the right leather band (but also looks great with brightly colored Sports bands). But I thought very hard this time with the S3, because, functionally, the Cellular Sports version and the SS version are the same, and if they put a sapphire crystal on the Sports watch, I'd get that because I'll likely upgrade every year and the cost savings would be nice. But scratches on the crystal would drive me crazy because most of the time the face is "off", so I want with SS again as I've had great luck with the sapphire crystal. (If the Apple watch had a regular bezel, the crystal material wouldn't be an issue. Virtually all Casio G-Shocks have mineral glass crystals, and they take a ton of abuse without problem because the crystals are protected by the bezels.) Maybe not a rational decision, and certainly not one grounded in functionality, but it's what I liked. That should be enough for everyone on this forum unless there are real cost constraints, in which case great that the Sports models are functionally equivalent.

 

[Boardiesboi]

I've had the aluminium S0 and S2 Nike+ and have since bought a S3 SS Hermes and can honestly say I can never go back to aluminium.

The aluminium is lighter on the wrist but it's more prone to dints and scratches.

The SS is definitely more durable (both SS case and sapphire crystal screen). I've banged it a few times since I've had it and it hasn't been affected at all. The heavier weight also feels more substantial on the wrist.

The SS is also much easier to dress up (with a Hermes or classic leather band). It also suits almost any sport band or sport loop.

 

[Luba]

Coming form a SSBS S0 with link bracelet I chose this time around the SG Nike version and paired it with the link bracelet. The saving I "invested" into AirPods. The SSBS is without a scratch even after two tears of wearing. Based on my experience with the SG Alum version I will decide what to get next. I prefer to spend less given the upgrade cycle of about two years - and the matte finish of the SG looks surprisingly nice with the link bracelet.

I’m running the same experiment. After two SS, I bought both the SB and SG, and decided to go with SG to see under how I wear an AW how badly the screen scratches after 1 year. IMO, I think in terms of looks SS and SB are tied for first, but SG comes a close 2nd. I did notice during the two weeks I had both SB and SG, the screen on the SG reflects ambient light less. Truly, not a big deal at all, but if one is in need of a tiebreaker, one can use that.

 

[Sword86]

I can’t justify buying an aluminum AW. My opinion. How I justify double the price for SS is 1) because I would always be lamenting that I didn’t buy what I wanted and 2) When I go to drop the difference (on anything reasonably expensive where it kills me to pay more) I simply halt buying any other ‘luxury’ items on my radar at the same time and run a mental tally of the so-called savings and apply them towards my ‘primary’ purchase.
For example; I wanted to buy one of those pod coffee machines. Nope....a kettle and a bodum work fine. Apply the money to the watch, in this case. Easy. One way or another, the money was leaving. For me, often on on frivolous things. I just save and divert it. I can’t afford to just buy everything my little heart desires like some people.
When I have arrived at accumulating this ’difference’ I spring the cash for the item and never look back.

S

 

[Luba]

I can’t justify buying an aluminum AW. My opinion. How I justify double the price for SS is 1) because I would always be lamenting that I didn’t buy what I wanted and 2) When I go to drop the difference (on anything reasonably expensive where it kills me to pay more) I simply halt buying any other ‘luxury’ items on my radar at the same time and run a mental tally of the so-called savings and apply them towards my ‘primary’ purchase.
For example; I wanted to buy one of those pod coffee machines. Nope....a kettle and a bodum work fine. Apply the money to the watch, in this case. Easy. One way or another, the money was leaving. For me, often on on frivolous things. I just save and divert it. I can’t afford to just buy everything my little heart desires like some people.
When I have arrived at accumulating this ’difference’ I spring the cash for the item and never look back.

S

Sort of what I’m thinking of foregoing the purchase of a luxury mechanical watch means I can buy Apple Watches for the rest of my life without consideration.

 

[44267547]

Sort of what I’m thinking of foregoing the purchase of a luxury mechanical watch means I can buy Apple Watches for the rest of my life without consideration.

To Me, I find it more pleasing to purchase an Apple Watch Over a mechanical watch. But I think that comes down to the customization of the Apple Watch that I like the most about it and how it continually keeps improving.

 

[canyonblue737]

I bought the SS version of the AW3 while my wife got the aluminum. We've never had Apple watches before so we wanted to try them both.
I've been wearing the SS AW3 for about 5 days now and tried on my wife's aluminum for the first time.
Wow, it is like wearing nothing but air. The SS version is extremely heavy compared the the aluminum.

Then I started to research the differences between the two. I read that the screen brightnesss is different so, I live in FL so we have plenty of sun, I took them both outside and there is definitely a noticeable difference. The ion-x glass is brighter.

So I was wondering what is the main drivers for people buying the SS version?

• Sapphire glass is stronger? I put a screen protector on the ion-x which is invisible. Watch manufacturers use sapphire glass because the watches are suppose to last 5, 10 years. The AW3 will be obsolete in 1-2 years. The ion-x glass is also more shatter resistant than sapphire.
• Weight - The SS version is almost twice as heavy - it's night and day when trying them on - crazy.
• Cost - The SS is $240 more

Am I missing something big? The SS is shiny while aluminum is matte? I'd prefer matte, the gloss looks girly in my opinion but everyone is different. I thought there were bigger differences that justified the price increase, I should have done more research.
However, I am still within my 2 week return window.

I'm torn on which version to get my wife. I had the SS Apple Watch Series 0 (the first generation) and liked the "heft" of it but I was used to heavy watches. I got rid of the AW after just 4 months when that version was too slow, not waterproof and disappointed me when it came to fitness tracking. My wife hasn't worn a watch in years (other than at dressy events and then only the tiny female formal style watches) and typically wears those lighter than air Fitbit bands. That said I'm still leaning towards getting her a stainless steel watch... why?

1. Stainless Steel comes with a SAPPHIRE screen. I wear a Garmin 5S with a sapphire screen and I have smashed this thing so many times into concrete walls and metal corners and yet it looks totally flawless after nearly a year. My Apple Watch SS also was flawless when I sold it after 4 months (the SS band scuffs but is easily polished, the screen was perfect.) It seems the ion-x glass in the aluminum watch is far, far more easily scratched in day to day use. I see you mentioned a screen protector but I haven't really seen one that is "invisible" as you mentioned, most have peeling edges, bubbles, gaps etc. that I've seen. What do you use? BTW: I tend to hate screen protectors. I don't want my wife to get a scratch on day 1 and have to see it all the time because the Apple Watch tends to have a black screen which highlights the scratch more than a typical mechanical watch with a white or colored face.

2. I think the aluminum AW looks nice, and certainly is fine for casual sporty use. IMHO the shiny stainless goes a long way to making the AW a dressier watch that doesn't look out of place in more formal settings. It also looks more like jewelry on a woman's arm IMHO. Bottom line? The aluminum doesn't look as nice.

Why am I considering NOT getting her the SS?

1. Cost. I'm not sure she will really "love" the AW and I could see her eventually just wearing it some of the time and mainly for workouts... the flip side is also true, if she totally falls in love with the thing then I'd be inclined to trade her up to new models every year and doing that with the sapphire versions would be far more expensive which also isn't great. I tend to think of stainless steel and sapphire belonging on less "disposable" watches/jewelry. I'm blessed to be able to afford that but it still seems wasteful.

2. Weight. Like you mentioned the 38mm aluminum watch is ridiculously light. Consider my wife seldom wears watches and likely has never owned a watch with anything approaching a 38mm it might go a long way to get her "used" to wearing a watch if it doesn't weigh much.

Decisions decisions.
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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.

Out of curiosity how did your aluminum series 0 hold up over the last 2 years? Any scratches or dents to the body or screen?

 

[Nell]

My aluminium silver sport watch is essentially perfect after 2.5 years. I got stainless steel as a change this time and love it. I don’t really see annual upgrades as necessary do fully expect to wear thus one for a couple of years st least (maybe more).

 

[cwosigns]

Seems like the other replies are just people with with SS versions with no defense to my comparison - which are making them angry I guess.

I’m not sure why you think anyone needs to defend their purchase to you. I have three SS Apple Watches (OG, and two Series 2–one silver and the other black). I bought them because I wanted them. I liked the premium build materials and thought they were the most versatile with respect to bands.

 

[BSben]

I got the first SS version and ever regretted it. I actually like the weight of it, and was never that keen on the plastic back.
I was going to upgrade this time around, but as the first generation is actually still pretty good and the new ones are only available as 4G models (SS) I gave it a miss as my provider doesn't support AppleWatch 4G. Next year I will though, as my stainless steel link band doesn't look that great with aluminium.

 

[ersan191]

Bought SS for my First apple watch and thought it was a waste for me.. bought Aluminum AW3 and have no regrets.

Get whatever you want, if you plan on wearing it every day then the price difference isn't a big deal if you have to look at it all day every day. But for me, I'm good with saving the $ this time (which I can never say about apple products since I go for the best).

Same here, bought the stainless S0 and then got an aluminum S3 - it feels cheaper and I'm not sure if it's just me but it feels like the screen gets fingerprint smudges a lot easier, I find myself wiping off the aluminum watch constantly. I can see the Aluminum S3 a lot better in daylight, but I just figured that was because it was much brighter. The aluminum watch also looks kind of tacky compared to the SS.

The biggest issue is that, yes, I wanted to upgrade my watch a year after I got it - and the value depreciated a lot faster than I expected so the S0 didn't sell for very much. I expect to buy new Watch versions every year so I don't see any reason to spend a bunch of money on one every year, especially when the stainless versions don't hold their value at all.

The heavier SS irritated me a lot as well, it either needed to be too tight so it didn't move around or it would slip around and be annoying. The aluminum I don't have that problem with.

The people jumping down this guy's throat are hilarious - he asked a genuine question and you're all getting bent out of shape defending your SS purchases. You should just be able to say "personal preference" and move on if that's your reasoning.

 

[Traverse]

Decisions decisions.
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Out of curiosity how did your aluminum series 0 hold up over the last 2 years? Any scratches or dents to the body or screen?

For the body, I've been amazed. The aluminum look like new and i've banged it on cement and knocked it for years.

The screen had a few micro scratches only noticeable in direct sunlight, about about a month ago I banged the front of it on a metal rod in a glass desk and now it has a pretty nasty and notice scratch on the front glass.

 

[BeefCake 15]

The AW3 will be obsolete in 1-2 years.

How so? People that bought Series 0 are still using it fine for its purpose...