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Which Watch?

  • Series 10 Slate Gray Titanium

    Votes: 52 51.5%
  • Ultra 2 Black

    Votes: 49 48.5%

  • Total voters
    101

roland.g

macrumors 604
Original poster
Apr 11, 2005
7,461
3,206
So. Coming from a DLC coated Series 4 Stainless Steel Space Black which still looks brand new, not a nick or a scratch on it anywhere.

Going to a Series 10. Don't love the Aluminum aka Sport for the ion-x glass that is inferior though the Jet Black mostly matches my Series 4 SBSS finish. So that leaves me with a choice of either the:

Series 10 Titanium in Slate Gray w/ either Nike Sport Band or Slate Grey Milanese (assume all my Series 4 bands will fit??) for $749 or $799.

OR

Ultra 2 in the new Black with either an Ocean Bank or the Black Milanese (and I think there is some band compatibility but they are dwarfed) for $799 or $899 depending again on which band I choose.

Any input?

How does the Ultra casing hold up to knocking into door knobs and such?
 
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u2u2

macrumors member
Oct 7, 2015
66
44
GTA
I have had several models/finishes since the first Apple Watch… Wore an Ultra 1 for a year and an Ultra 2 since it was released. No concerns with any and they all hit their share of door frames, knobs, corners, etc. The U2 is still 100% battery health. Crazy good. Considering ordering a black U2 with the matching titanium band. Don’t want to lose any functionality and don’t care for the series 10 straps. The new titanium straps were overdue and will be a plus in my view.
 
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Pug72

macrumors 68020
Mar 18, 2012
2,178
2,103
England
Current main watch is Ultra 2 with an old Series 7 (graphite) for sleep tracking.

I've gone for slate S10 ,and ordered the slate link bracelet separately as it was delayed, this year for a change.

Really wanted a black Ultra and would have if it was an updated U3. Can't justify £800 to change colour.
Will be keeping the U2 though so will still have the choice on style. May even get the new Milanese strap for it.


For you though the Ultra 2 will be a worthwhile change. I'm a little concerned about the durability of the black colour as it's unknown what it's made of. Plus with the harsh edges, a chip or scratch is more likely.
 

Loge

macrumors 68030
Jun 24, 2004
2,836
1,312
England
I would like to know how dark the slate is, for instance is it darker than graphite which was not really dark at all in some lighting?

I have the SBSS in Series 2 and finally going to upgrade. Will probably get the ultra in black, as I don't think the aluminium one is coated. Was considering SB Hermes but that's gone now. My SBSS casing still looks pristine after 8 years.
 

roland.g

macrumors 604
Original poster
Apr 11, 2005
7,461
3,206
I would like to know how dark the slate is, for instance is it darker than graphite which was not really dark at all in some lighting?

I have the SBSS in Series 2 and finally going to upgrade. Will probably get the ultra in black, as I don't think the aluminium one is coated. Was considering SB Hermes but that's gone now. My SBSS casing still looks pristine after 8 years.
I saw some hands on videos after the Glowtime today and the Slate was darker and more 'black' than I thought it would be and while I do like the sleek look of it, I am considering going with the black Ultra 2 for a change and the rugged look. If I hate it within my 2 weeks, I'll return it for the titanium. I thought about trading my series 4 but only getting $50 for it, I might as well keep it for sleep tracking. I don't think I really need the apnea and could always were the ultra on occasion.
 

FMRabides

macrumors newbie
Sep 18, 2024
4
0
I would like some confirmation about the DLC coating on Black Ultra 2 whereas Series 10 Titanium depicting PVD coating. Is that correct? The coating might help me decide my next purchase.
I currently own and use the Apple Watch 6 Titanium SpaceBlack and the brushed finish looks like new, with no scratches or dents whatsoever...
 

Bazooka-joe

macrumors 603
Mar 12, 2012
5,323
3,733
Swindon, England
I would like some confirmation about the DLC coating on Black Ultra 2 whereas Series 10 Titanium depicting PVD coating. Is that correct? The coating might help me decide my next purchase.
I currently own and use the Apple Watch 6 Titanium SpaceBlack and the brushed finish looks like new, with no scratches or dents whatsoever...
My understanding is that DLC is more resilient to scratches
 

DrRadon

macrumors 65816
Feb 14, 2008
1,198
866
My assumption is that the ultra did not get an update because the chip in the ten is essentially the same as the series 9/ultra 2, just smaller. So one would think that the ultra 3 naturally would have some versions of better internals compared to the series 10.

They might have said that the new sip has improved neural engines, or I dreamed that up.
 

DrRadon

macrumors 65816
Feb 14, 2008
1,198
866
My understanding is that DLC is more resilient to scratches

No one tested that yet. But one would hope it is. The comparisons to a phone nine years ago that had 7 layers of coloring to a watch that dos not constantly get rubbed in and out of pockets and only has a small ring of coating with 30 layers via modern Technologie… well should be a different story. Be prepared to see one blower up on YouTube by Friday.
 

FMRabides

macrumors newbie
Sep 18, 2024
4
0
Does anybody know whether the coating is DLC or PVD in series 10 Titanium? And, what about black ultra 2?
 

deeddawg

macrumors G5
Jun 14, 2010
12,420
6,529
US
So. Coming from a DLC coated Series 4 Stainless Steel Space Black which still looks brand new, not a nick or a scratch on it anywhere.

Going to a Series 10. Don't love the Aluminum aka Sport for the ion-x glass that is inferior though the Jet Black mostly matches my Series 4 SBSS finish. So that leaves me with a choice of either the:

Series 10 Titanium in Slate Gray w/ either Nike Sport Band or Slate Grey Milanese (assume all my Series 4 bands will fit??) for $749 or $799.

My experience has been that the Space Black titanium watches were as resilient as the SB stainless steel watches. I would expect similar from the Slate titanium S10.

Your series4 bands should fit. Be cautious with the Milanese loops, they can beat up even the sapphire displays.

As for S10 vs Ultra2 - they're pretty different in size/bulk/weight. If you've not tried an Ultra in person I'd do so before making a choice.
 

Loge

macrumors 68030
Jun 24, 2004
2,836
1,312
England
Think I'm settled on the black ultra, as a replacement for my Series 2 space black SS.
 

Treborray

macrumors regular
Jul 13, 2024
103
69
Philadelphia
I have had several models/finishes since the first Apple Watch… Wore an Ultra 1 for a year and an Ultra 2 since it was released. No concerns with any and they all hit their share of door frames, knobs, corners, etc. The U2 is still 100% battery health. Crazy good. Considering ordering a black U2 with the matching titanium band. Don’t want to lose any functionality and don’t care for the series 10 straps. The new titanium straps were overdue and will be a plus in my view.
theres been alot of reports with photos of scratches on the black finish. Even on the first day. Some of the YouTube tech reviewers have reported scratches as well.
 

DrRadon

macrumors 65816
Feb 14, 2008
1,198
866
There are so many photos of scratches on the black ultra. I was trying to upload them here. Im a noob haha.
The guy that posted on reddit actually was able to while the „scratches“ of the watch. I think it’s just a bunch of social media commentators hyperventilating in negativity. Never had that before.
 
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SASA101

macrumors newbie
Mar 1, 2021
2
2
It's a hybrid coating/method of application. Apple event statement - "Diamond Like Carbon PVD coating" What they have done is apply Carbon particles via the standard sputtering or evaporation Physical Vapour Deposition method. Full on Diamond Like Carbon involves Carbon and Plasma assisted chemical vapour it's an expensive but very hard coating (8000 vickers), PVD is cheaper to apply and usually involves titanium particles, it is softer (2-3000 vickers) . Apple's are combining a more friendly mass production method but adding harder Carbon. I suspect but have no insight the Edition watches, less production and expensive at the time probably used traditional DLC. I suspect the hybrid version will be harder than PVD traditional but not as hard a full on DLC. In the name of fairness Rolex use PVD also on their limited Submariner.
 

FMRabides

macrumors newbie
Sep 18, 2024
4
0
Where does it say that the black Ultra 2 is DLC coated. I think it is only PVD and will scratch.
I would like to know because for me PVD=dealbreaker whereas DLC=take my money. ;) My AppleWatch 6 Space Black Ti with DLC looks like new and I have used it while hiking, swimming, biking,...
 

Pug72

macrumors 68020
Mar 18, 2012
2,178
2,103
England
It's DLC, but those bezel edges will scuff regardless.


rl9abwjh28rd1.jpeg
 

chadamorrill

macrumors 6502
Sep 13, 2007
399
178
Orlando, FL
... Ultra 2 in the new Black with either an Ocean Bank or the Black Milanese (and I think there is some band compatibility but they are dwarfed) ...

I don't think old/non-Ultra bands are dwarfed at all, personally. They will fit differently, though, so your sport bands may need an extra hole (I went from 2 empty to 3 empty to get it to fit snugly. Also had to remove a section of my metal bands).

IMG_3270.jpg
sport.jpg
 
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Treborray

macrumors regular
Jul 13, 2024
103
69
Philadelphia
The guy that posted on reddit actually was able to while the „scratches“ of the watch. I think it’s just a bunch of social media commentators hyperventilating in negativity. Never had that before.
Yea I saw that one. But that was just one of the bunch. I watch tech reviews daily. Guilty hobby of mine lol. Some of the YouTube reviewers have also shown some scratches as well. But hey if I’m wrong and they are just making this up that’s great because I really want this color bad! I’ve had the original Ultra since release day 😍. I do tech reviews myself so I always gather the facts before I attempt to purchase the product.
 
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