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Those who were deciding between the Stainless Steel or Sport Watch

I bought the SS mainly for the saphire screen. Given what I put my watch through, I'm sure it would have been scratched by now had I gone for the Sports. I do not expect it to last "a fair few years." The battery will give out after 2 or 3 years, and by then I expect a new edition will be available and I'll want to upgrade instead of paying Apple $$$ for a battery replacement.
 
I went SS because of look and durability. If you already looking at spending $400 for the sports, why not put a few more in and get the model that will last you and look nice in any setting? Let's face it, the sports look cheap and people can tell the difference easily. I expect to keep this for a few years so having a model that I can wear comfortably at any occasion is worth the few extra hundred.

Is it expensive? Absolutely! I'd rather spend and get the right version the first time versus not really getting what I want.
 
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I went for the sport watch. It was the fitness features that persuaded me to get the Apple Watch at this time. I was also considering a Garmin 920. The internal heart rate sensor was the clincher for me.

I do like the look of the SS, but it's too much money for a Gen 1 product. It's extra weight was also a -ve factor for me.

I've smartened up my sport watch with a milanese loop for non-exercise wear.
 
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I preferred the look of the SS, but I got the Sport after using both of them in the sun the Sport was way easier to see in bright sunlight, which was important to me.
 
lionsy said:
I preferred the look of the SS, but I got the Sport after using both of them in the sun the Sport was way easier to see in bright sunlight, which was important to me.
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That is my biggest complaint with the SS. There is a pretty big difference in sunlight viewing. If you have not seen the two side by side outdoors, it is very noticeable.
 
The space gray sport looked silly with a suit so I went with the classy SS.

Different reasons for different folks.
 
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Black Magic said:
I went SS because of look and durability. If you already looking at spending $400 for the sports, why not put a few more in and get the model that will last you and look nice in any setting? Let's face it, the sports look cheap and people can tell the difference easily. I expect to keep this for a few years so having a model that I can wear comfortably at any occasion is worth the few extra hundred.

Is it expensive? Absolutely! I'd rather spend and get the right version the first time versus not really getting what I want.
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I understand that logic, but an extra $200 is more than 50% of the sport
 
I bought the 38mm sport because I thought the price for the SS was an awfully big premium to pay for a device that does the same thing...especially a first generation device that I still wasn't sure I even wanted to wear every day. Now I wish I had ponied up for the 38mm SS :(

Why the change? After seven weeks of using my Sport, it still looks pristine... so it's not the added durability (although that could be important as time goes on). My reasons are more aesthetic. I do think the Sport is a great looking watch, but the SS is even more beautiful. This is a device you will wear every day, all day. I now fully appreciate the convenience it provides, and I think it is worth paying even more than I paid for my Sport. I'm not a fan of gold, so personally I think the AW SS is the best looking smartwatch on the planet, and I think the AW Sport is the second best looking. I may one day decide to sell my Sport and buy a SS, but for now I still think the Sport looks great with the bands I have.

Sean
 
mattopotamus said:
I understand that logic, but an extra $200 is more than 50% of the sport
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True but the material is significantly better. Also, I usually divide up the cost of the device over the amount of years I plan to use it. I expect to get a good 4 years out of this one at least so cost of ownership is a little more tolerable.

I'm thinking the Apple Watch will be updated on a 2 year cadence. Design will mostly stay the same with new bands being introduced every so often.
 
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I got the SS because it only takes a few minutes to buff out scratches on the case and the watch is literally back into like-new condition. Plus, the watch face doesn't accumulate scratches at all. Those two things drive me crazy on my iPhone so I knew I had to get the SS if I wanted to wear it for 2 years, maybe even 3.

All the watches still look good after a few weeks. Let's revisit this topic in a year.
 
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Agree. I wouldn't consider getting a case for my SS because it's not needed. If you would have skimped and got the sports, a case would need to be considered.
 
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Honestly, looks had a lot to do with it for me. I like nice watches and feel good when I'm wearing something with great materials and that looks the part. I don't mean that in a show off kind of way, just the price difference means I'm gonna feel better about putting it on every day, add to that the better material quality and the improved durability, it made the case for the SS. I got mine with the sport band but plan on getting a few more leather bands later,
 
I went with the aluminum sports watch. I liked the SS , but didn't want to spend that much for the watch. I'm happy with my choice. I have added the Milanese loop band, which looks just fine with it. I plan to add other bands to change up the look!! I have not had any problems with scratched , it still looks brand new!!
 
Went with the sport model myself. Did this because it is a 1st gen item and it was cheaper.
 
Went with SS because I wanted it to feel like my other good watches. I also didn't like seeing scratches on the composite back of a coworker's SGS model. Plus, I think the SS looks better on other straps and bracelets.

I know it's a "first-gen product", but I believe that we won't see a substantial revision for quite a while. WOS2 covers nearly all the complaints that early reviewers and users have had.

Lastly, I wanted to take the AW seriously and use it every day, instead of saying to myself, "Eh, it's the first one, I'll just spend less and not get the model I really want." I expect to have it long enough to get a couple battery replacements -- so, 4-6 years, at least?
 
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dhlizard said:
IMHO the SS looks substantially better than the lower priced models. And it seems it is much more durable since I have read repeated complaints of wear, chipping, discoloration and skin irritation with cheaper models.
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You seem to be cherry-picking isolated issues without wider context there a bit.

Of course every product will have specific units with issues, just as the stainless steel Apple Watch has had isolated cases of the back becoming detached, the bands not staying clasped, skin irritation, scratches, units overheating and Digital Crowns becoming stuck.

There are many reasons why someone would choose the stainless steel model over the Sport, and vice versa; however, I don't think isolated incidents should really come into account when making a decision.

For what it's worth, I bought the Sport as I think it looks fine, and didn't want to pay extra for the stainless steel.
 
I bought a sport (and love it) solely because it's Gen 1 and the premium didn't seem worth it.

That being said, I have some buyers remorse. When I bought the watch I looked at it solely as an apple device not a watch. From a style standpoint, the watch is just so much more versatile. I used to alternate between sport watches and metal watches, but now that I'm hooked on the features I basically don't have a metal watch to wear.

Next purchase will be SS, so to each his own
 
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originally I bought the Sport version thinking I would be ok with it. I too always had that buyer remorse mostly due to the fact the SS can be dressed up much better and also the color combos with the band are not as limited as the SG sport. I just broke down and bought the SS and sold my sport. The SS and leather loop combo looks great with a suit.
 
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