Struggling between Stainless Steel and Space Grey Aluminum

[brig2221]

Anyone else see sawing back and forth between choosing the Aluminum (space grey for me) or Stainless Steel model?

I think the Stainless Steel model will be more versatile, but I worry about how much it will weigh and comfortability vs. the Aluminum model. Then again, I can get the Aluminum model, dress it up with the leather band I want, and still save $100.

I think the answer will ultimately come to trying them both on in the store ahead of time, but in the interim, I am really going back and forth.

 

[Dave245]

Anyone else see sawing back and forth between choosing the Aluminum (space grey for me) or Stainless Steel model?

I think the Stainless Steel model will be more versatile, but I worry about how much it will weigh and comfortability vs. the Aluminum model. Then again, I can get the Aluminum model, dress it up with the leather band I want, and still save $150.

I think the answer will ultimately come to trying them both on in the store ahead of time, but in the interim, I am really going back and forth.

I was at first but after seeing the amount of bands and choice for the SS I'm now really certain on the SS with bright blue Leather Loop and a couple of sport bands as extras (white and black) also the fact that the SS will be more durable has also helped.

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

Saving $150 gets you mismatched bands. Struggle with that?

What's your concern about weight? The sport bands are the 2nd heaviest band after the link bracelet so the aluminum version will still be "weighty."

 

[brig2221]

I was at first but after seeing the amount of bands and choice for the SS I'm now really certain on the SS with bright blue Leather Loop and a couple of sport bands as extras (white and black) also the fact that the SS will be more durable has also helped.

Those are exactly the bands I was thinking of if I get the SS. I was originally looking at the dark brown leather loop, but recently changed to the blue. Decisions decisions...

----------

Saving $150 gets you mismatched bands. Struggle with that?

What's your concern about weight? The sport bands are the 2nd heaviest band after the link bracelet so the aluminum version will still be "weighty."

I am struggling between choosing the Aluminum vs. Stainless Steel casing. I can get whatever bands I want for either, but the SS casing model is $200 more.

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

Those are exactly the bands I was thinking of if I get the SS. I was originally looking at the dark brown leather loop, but recently changed to the blue. Decisions decisions...

----------



I am struggling between choosing the Aluminum vs. Stainless Steel casing. I can get whatever bands I want for either, but the SS casing model is $200 more.

If you're sticking with leather loops it won't look too bad as there's no polished chrome connectors to clash with the matte aluminum case.

Let's put it this way. You're much more likely to induce a scratch than shatter the crystal (screen) so maybe the sapphire screen alone is worth the $200? AC+ will cover shattered screen but not scratches which are considered normal wear and tear.

 

[mac.cali]

It's funny how a few grams of weight and people are thinking its too heavy. I would just go with which one looks better and not consider the weight. I'm still leaning towards space gray because of the look. I prefer all black colored devices and the space black is way too much for a 1st gen product. This is just my opinion on someone who doesn't fancy watches that much.

 

[Totalkharnage]

I was exactly the same with price and gen.1 steering me towards the space grey Sport but I know if I get that I'll regret it when I see the stainless steel.

I regretted not buying the 6 Plus iPhone 6 and getting the 6 so not going to make the same mistake again

My advice, if you can afford it and looks are important to you - get the stainless steel. Best thing though, is wait until you can see one in person in the store, but we all know us geeks will be ordering the second preorders go live on the 10th

 

[Piggie]

It's funny how a few grams of weight and people are thinking its too heavy. I would just go with which one looks better and not consider the weight. I'm still leaning towards space gray because of the look. I prefer all black colored devices and the space black is way too much for a 1st gen product. This is just my opinion on someone who doesn't fancy watches that much.

I'm totally confused.

One moment people are saying Aluminium is cheap and unlike other devices watches should feel heavy as heavy denotes a premium watch. The gold being the most sort after and heaviest.

Next moment we have people worried that the stainless model is going to feel too heavy on the wrist.

crazy crazy!

 

[Mascots]

I, too, had this struggle. Decided to save the buck on the first go-around and go Space Grey and then if it is something I'll integrate into my life, I'll go with Stainless in the future generation.

 

[M-5]

I am going back and forth as well. My ideal watch would be the SS paired with the milanese or black leather strap. Although, I'm not sure if it's worth $300 more than the space grey aluminum watch which I also think looks rather nice.

However, I feel that the sapphire glass will be somewhat necessary for a watch which is more prone to being banged around against things as it's being worn on your wrist (as opposed to a phone in your pocket). I also thing the weight of the stainless steel is a huge plus, making the product feel much more "premium."

I also feel as though the space grey aluminum watch will be a very popular choice, and I don't really know how I will feel wearing that particular watch and (perhaps often) seeing other people wearing an identical one. So for me, perhaps the SS is worth it.

 

[Dave245]

Those are exactly the bands I was thinking of if I get the SS. I was originally looking at the dark brown leather loop, but recently changed to the blue. Decisions decisions...

----------



I am struggling between choosing the Aluminum vs. Stainless Steel casing. I can get whatever bands I want for either, but the SS casing model is $200 more.

Yea the reason I'm doing this is the leather loop for daily wear and the sport bands (white and black) for the gym or even just to wear daily, of course this could change when I see/try them on in the Apple Store next month.

I do think personally that the extra cost for the SS is worth it for the Saphire and protection against scratches. Also be used the SS has the extra band choices.

 

[bnekic]

I'm going with silver aluminum that way I can get pretty much any band I want. Plus I'm not gonna spend $600+ on gen 1.

 

[TallManNY]

I'm torn as well. The SS seems nicer to me but the Sport seems a safer buy since I suspect this is something I replace in two years with a later generation. (Though I hate the 1st gen arguments since I've got an operational 1st gen iPad and iPod, though iPad is handed down to family member and iPod is rarely used. 1st Gen can be just fine is my argument.)

I will have to check them out in person and read the reviews. If the reviews are: "This is something you will want to wear all the time." Then I might stretch for the SS.

 

[jmmo20]

I had my doubts until I realised how glossy the stainless steel version is. I hate glossy metals. So I have no other choice but to get the silver aluminium one.

 

[JohnApples]

I had my doubts until I realised how glossy the stainless steel version is. I hate glossy metals. So I have no other choice but to get the silver aluminium one.

This was me. After the initial reveal in September, I was dead set on the black SS version, as long as it wasn't ridiculously priced. The renders of course looked beautiful. After seeing some real-life photos of it though, it looks way too glossy and fingerprint-prone for my taste. Space gray sport is the one I'm going with for now, but I might change my mind if I see it in person at the store.

 

[betabeta]

Not a question in my mind, I think the black aluminum is beautiful with black band.

It's gen1, before you know it you will be buying a gen2.

 

[AFDoc]

Anyone else see sawing back and forth between choosing the Aluminum (space grey for me) or Stainless Steel model?

I think the Stainless Steel model will be more versatile, but I worry about how much it will weigh and comfortability vs. the Aluminum model. Then again, I can get the Aluminum model, dress it up with the leather band I want, and still save $100.

I think the answer will ultimately come to trying them both on in the store ahead of time, but in the interim, I am really going back and forth.

Nope, going with sport this round. I want a black watch and will not shell out 1k for the black SS on a first edition like many others have said.

It's funny how a few grams of weight and people are thinking its too heavy. I would just go with which one looks better and not consider the weight. I'm still leaning towards space gray because of the look. I prefer all black colored devices and the space black is way too much for a 1st gen product. This is just my opinion on someone who doesn't fancy watches that much.

I, too, had this struggle. Decided to save the buck on the first go-around and go Space Grey and then if it is something I'll integrate into my life, I'll go with Stainless in the future generation.

What they said.

I also feel as though the space grey aluminum watch will be a very popular choice, and I don't really know how I will feel wearing that particular watch and (perhaps often) seeing other people wearing an identical one. So for me, perhaps the SS is worth it.

So you buy things because of what others will think and not what you like? The shame of having something someone else has!! That's sad.

 

[kingofwale]

had my eye set on ss model with link bracelet... until i found out it's 3 times more expensive than the base model. NO WAY IN HELL I'm paying that much.

so... 350 watch, here I come

 

[brig2221]

had my eye set on ss model with link bracelet... until i found out it's 3 times more expensive than the base model. NO WAY IN HELL I'm paying that much.

so... 350 watch, here I come

Yeah, I'm thinking the Aluminum Space Grey might be the better call for a first gen, and then maybe look at a SS for gen 2. I'm just going to resign myself to the fact that I need to wait until April 10th to try them on in person before I decide.

Another thing to consider is the what the resale value will be on these. I think that will go along way towards deciding how much to spend on these gen 1 watches. I doubt they will have near the resale value of other Apple products, although time will tell.

 

[J4B3]

Tough decision; I say go with what you like best, ignore the noise.

For what it's worth; all black/black with a mild color accent seems to be the popular trend among $5,000+ watches. Just looking at all the 2015 releases on the Watchville app -- Rolex, Omega, Longines, Tag, etc... it's black watch, black watch, black watch. The gorgeous 2015 New Everose Yacht-Master Rolex is actually black with black rubber ("Oysterflex") band -- it's $25,000 (lol). Not many polished SS models surprisingly.

This is all aesthetics though, not really an answer to the aluminum vs steel debate. But as far as aesthetics go, watchmakers are loving the black on black.

 

[Exile714]

A lot of people on here are saying they will buy aluminum first, in anticipation of Apple Watch 2 coming out.

Here's my question: If you're planning to get Apple Watch 2, is anyone considering the resale value of Apple Watch 1? Surely the SS model will fetch more at resale than the aluminum, but by how much?

Will people looking for a used Apple Watch put a $200 premium on perfect sapphire glass? Probably not, but maybe a $100-$150 premium. If it's $100, then the real price difference between the SS and the aluminum is cut in half.

Aluminum: $400, resale for $200. Total cost: $200
SS: $600, resale for $300. Total cost: $300.
Edition: $10,000 resale for $0... Lol, you don't care if you bought the Edition, silly.

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

A lot of people on here are saying they will buy aluminum first, in anticipation of Apple Watch 2 coming out.

Here's my question: If you're planning to get Apple Watch 2, is anyone considering the resale value of Apple Watch 1? Surely the SS model will fetch more at resale than the aluminum, but by how much?

Will people looking for a used Apple Watch put a $200 premium on perfect sapphire glass? Probably not, but maybe a $100-$150 premium. If it's $100, then the real price difference between the SS and the aluminum is cut in half.

Aluminum: $400, resale for $200. Total cost: $200
SS: $600, resale for $300. Total cost: $300.
Edition: $10,000 resale for $0... Lol, you don't care if you bought the Edition, silly.

Yep, you'll recoup more of the cost buying the base model, as with all iDevices.

 

[J4B3]

A lot of people on here are saying they will buy aluminum first, in anticipation of Apple Watch 2 coming out.

Here's my question: If you're planning to get Apple Watch 2, is anyone considering the resale value of Apple Watch 1? Surely the SS model will fetch more at resale than the aluminum, but by how much?

Will people looking for a used Apple Watch put a $200 premium on perfect sapphire glass? Probably not, but maybe a $100-$150 premium. If it's $100, then the real price difference between the SS and the aluminum is cut in half.

Aluminum: $400, resale for $200. Total cost: $200
SS: $600, resale for $300. Total cost: $300.
Edition: $10,000 resale for $0... Lol, you don't care if you bought the Edition, silly.

That's an intersting point. People who buy used are looking for a bargain and want to get the most value for their dollar as possible. This is why the base models always recoup the most value (16GB iPad Air 2 might be the exception). I'm really not sure if someone will pay $300 for a used SS watch when they can spend the extra $50 and get a new model with the latest features. There is also the possibility that sapphire will trickle down to Sport models in the future, similar to the iPhone trickle-down strategy. I guess it doesn't need to be said that if one is worried about resale, you risk the least by spending less.

 

[Presonance]

I had this same conundrum, Space Grey Aluminum or Stainless.

Finally I decided that since it's a first-gen product, I'm going to get the cheaper one. Next gen I'll get the Stainless if I think it's worth it.

I don't plan on selling it, rather keeping it as a collectors item, so it makes even more sense for me to get the cheaper one.

 

[matrix07]

Anyone else see sawing back and forth between choosing the Aluminum (space grey for me) or Stainless Steel model?

Yeah.. I'm dead set on Space Grey because it's the cheapest. Now I have too much time to think and I'm beginning to consider the SS. Damn..