Wanting Stainless Steel After Buying Sport

[redman042]

Yeah I'm pretty much settled at this point that I'd much rather have the SS over the SG Sport. My SS order ships mid-June and I have until next Tuesday to request a return on my SG Sport. Will likely pull that trigger this weekend. I might be without a watch for a week or two depending on what deadline Apple gives me for shipping it back. I can live with that. I'll own this watch for at least two years (I'm not planning to upgrade to every new version).

It's really an issue of looks. The shiny SS case just looks so much better than the SG aluminum to me. I'm not sure why I feel that way. The aluminum is very well made, arguably stronger than the SS from what I've read, and has a perfect matte finish on it. It's also lighter weight. It's a great watch. But I keep looking at it, and wanting the shiny one instead. The SG is very dark and the whole watch lacks contrast. The matte finish almost takes on a slight purple hue in certain lighting. I'm just not loving it. Also I like the feel of the sport band, but still finding I want one with more visual appeal, ie. the LL.

My initial desire for the SS was based on durability. I was reading about scratches on the Ion X glass and got nervous, so I placed the SS order. But after reading more posts since then, I see just as many complaints about scratches on the SS case, the occasional damage of the sapphire screen, and the sensitivity of leather straps to water and sweat. So I suppose it's not really about durability any more (other than the sapphire being more scratch resistant). It's about look and feel. I want to look at my wrist and go "wow". Right now I get the wow factor from the functionality and the look/feel of the software, but not the hardware. I like the SG, but I don't love it.

As someone who hasn't owned a watch for 20 years, and never a nice one, this is a surprising conclusion for me. But I'm going to get the watch I want and enjoy it thoroughly.

 

[Yptcn]

Maybe when/if they make a SS Watch with a brushed finish I'll upgrade when the next gen comes out. The mirror finish totally kills it for me. The Sport feels "premium" enough to me. Get a nice third party leather or stainless link band and dress it up and you're good to go.

I agree with you , I love the brushed finish of my sport !
I finally bought a milanese because I'm afraid the sports bands will be too warm in summer and it's perfect with it.
The "clasp" is brushed as are the top of the lugs . Only the tiny corners are shiny and are a sort of reminder for the bracelet itself which I do not find to shiny .
I have worn mixed metals all my life and love the look...for example the Cartier Trinity ring ;-)

 

[mac.cali]

I sold my SG for a nice profit. Then I placed the order for a SS and applied the difference to it. I have the SS now, and I was thinking it was going to be a better upgrade. I'm not so sure SS is for me. Don't get me wrong the benefits of SS are better than the SG, but I haven't worn a watch in over a decade so I'm not sure if it's worth it to me to keep the SS. I'll see if it grows on me. If no the SG will be fine since they both do the same thing, software wise that is.

As far as bands are concerned, I don't see myself buying them. Like I said I'm not a watch person, so I don't fancy that sort of thing. Just IMO.

I'm making my decision soley based up my taste for the watch. Not financially, since I'm more than comfortable with the price of SS and it's bands it offers.

 

[J4B3]

So my SS arrived a couple hours ago. Wow, this thing is... shiny. You definitely notice immediately where the extra $200 went, the entire experience from packaging to Watch is very premium.

The display is very reflective, absolutely giving it a jewelry-like appearance (this can be a pro or a con). The colors are little bit softer compared to the SG sport.

The Taptic feedback is also a bit softer (I assume this is due to resonance differences between Al and SS).

I'm actually not fully sold on it, but it's very, very nice. Just a couple first impressions for those considering the switch.

 

[redman042]

I sold my SG for a nice profit. Then I placed the order for a SS and applied the difference to it. I have the SS now, and I was thinking it was going to be a better upgrade. I'm not so sure SS is for me. Don't get me wrong the benefits of SS are better than the SG, but I haven't worn a watch in over a decade so I'm not sure if it's worth it to me to keep the SS. I'll see if it grows on me. If no the SG will be fine since they both do the same thing, software wise that is.

As far as bands are concerned, I don't see myself buying them. Like I said I'm not a watch person, so I don't fancy that sort of thing. Just IMO.

I'm making my decision soley based up my taste for the watch. Not financially, since I'm more than comfortable with the price of SS and it's bands it offers.

I tried to convince myself to stick with the SGS on the basis that $300 more (for a SS + LL) was too much for nothing more than better materials and a shiny appearance. From a cost standpoint, that argument makes a lot of sense. But then I look at my SGS and just feel like the SS would please me much more. And I know I'm going to be wearing the watch for 2 years +. I haven't been a watch wearer for 20 years, but I am now. So in the end I had to toss out the cost based argument (I can afford either) and look at it from more of an emotional standpoint: which one would give me maximum enjoyment. The answer is the SS + LL.

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So my SS arrived a couple hours ago. Wow, this thing is... shiny. You definitely notice immediately where the extra $200 went, the entire experience from packaging to Watch is very premium.

The display is very reflective, absolutely giving it a jewelry-like appearance (this can be a pro or a con). The colors are little bit softer compared to the SG sport.

The Taptic feedback is also a bit softer (I assume this is due to resonance differences between Al and SS).

I'm actually not fully sold on it, but it's very, very nice. Just a couple first impressions for those considering the switch.

I sure noticed in the store that the sapphire had a different, more jewel-like look, than the Ion-X. It was striking.

Hope the taptic differences are very minor. I like the strength of the haptics on my SGS.

 

[enthawizeguy]

i returned a defective sport and got ss with leather loop as well as made them give me a free black sports band.

 

[gusping]

Not sure why since I absolutely loved the look of the Sport when I tried it on in an Apple Store but the look has grown off of me in just a day of owning it. Wasn't a big fan of the stainless steel initially but I'm not sure the Sport feels as much like a premium watch as I had hoped. To be blunt I feel like Apple could've done better with the designs of both but I'll likely end up buying the Watch version of the first redesign. Am I the only Sport owner that has fallen a bit out of love with the design?

I got the SS model but returned it. It looks nice however at the end of the day, you're paying nearly double the amount for the same product. Plus, the coating on the sapphire screen scratches off making it looked like the sapphire screen is scratched when it isn't, which defeats the point of a sapphire screen in my opinion.

 

[Paulando]

I switched. I bought the Sport but I really underestimated the Apple Watch's value as a piece of 'jewellery' (for want of a better expression), and something that looks nice to wear. The Sport doesn't really deliver on this, but the steel version absolutely does (plus I went down to the 38mm model which looks less like a smartwatch on me and more like a regular watch). It also elevates the sport band to something that looks cool to wear, like on the Ikepod Horizon.

A watch really needs to be something you're comfortable with wearing day in day out, and if the Sport does that does that for you then that's fine, but it wasn't quite there for me.

 

[pilot1226]

I wouldn't go so far as to say I want the SS version, but damn the lack of availability of bands for the Sport. It's a killer.

I'm one of those people who need things to be "right" and match fully, so I wouldn't pair a Sport with any of of the Apple bands with SS, or the third party bands which are so clearly a different metal.

It definitely limits your choices, and for that reason I occasionally question choosing the Sport. I also find there's something very attractive about the crown on the SS, which just generally looks to be of higher quality than on the Sport?

I do prefer the matte finish of the Sport, though, and the fact that it's lighter, and was cheaper.

I totally agree. It's called OCD! I'm hoping to have the Sport get me through for a few years until the technology develops more and the industry starts to develop and then get a SS model.

My take is I'm investing in new hardware to show Apple I want this and for them to keep making it. While one person is like a drop of water in an endless sea, all of the drops together mean something and shows them that this is what their customers want...


I actually preordered a 42 SGS and then cancelled it and have since re-ordered it. I think the biggest thing I wasn't taking into account is that the phone can be updated with a new OS. This is huge and I skipped over it in my pro/con list. Try running an iPhone 6 on iOS 3! Gross!

 

[redman042]

Just received my 42mm SS Black LL. What a classy looking watch. I'm really happy with my upgrade.

There are a few little details I am getting used to. The crown is much stiffer. I do notice the weight difference (not a bad thing). The LL does click a little as my wrist flexes (and at first I mistook it for haptics). The haptics are dampened somewhat by the higher mass of the watch and I have missed a few notifications. I knew all this before I chose to upgrade, and the differences are minor. I've only been wearing it for a few hours, and expect I will quickly get used to these things. In any case, I am much more pleased with the look and feel compared to the SGS, and now I really feel like the Watch is something special.

 

[SIR-Blade]

I have the Space Grey with BSB, ordered during the pre-order phase, and am seriously considering sending it back.

Why?

Because at the moment you are unable to purchase the black link bracelet separately. I incorrectly assumed, as it turned out, that on hearing you could purchase separate bands, thought great, I can "bling" up my Space Grey with a lovely black link bracelet.

All my previous watches have been Stainless Steel link, and to me, the fluromaster band just looks "cheap".


So guys. What to do?

Send to back, or hold in the hope they make the black link bracelet available sometime in the future?

C'mon Apple. Give us customers a choice please. It's not like they will be making a loss on this option, as I'm pretty sure they would charge around £400 for it.

 

[redman042]

I have the Space Grey with BSB, ordered during the pre-order phase, and am seriously considering sending it back.

Why?

Because at the moment you are unable to purchase the black link bracelet separately. I incorrectly assumed, as it turned out, that on hearing you could purchase separate bands, thought great, I can "bling" up my Space Grey with a lovely black link bracelet.

All my previous watches have been Stainless Steel link, and to me, the fluromaster band just looks "cheap".


So guys. What to do?

Send to back, or hold in the hope they make the black link bracelet available sometime in the future?

C'mon Apple. Give us customers a choice please. It's not like they will be making a loss on this option, as I'm pretty sure they would charge around £400 for it.

In my opinion you should just order the Space Black SS watch. Combining their most luxurious bracelet with their entry level watch body just doesn't seem like a good idea to me.

 

[01silver4]

The SS to me is worth the extra $200, I like how you can dress it up and dress it done. The sport to me even if you try to dress it up, it just doesn't Have the same bling factor as the SS. Check this photo out, a good example of dressing the SS up and and down. The best of both world if u ask me.

 

[redman042]

Day 2. Enjoying the SS + LL more every minute. The band "clicking" isn't even noticeable anymore. I'm more used to the haptics too. I'm getting skilled with putting on and adjusting the LL strap. I'm really enjoying the look of this watch and the shine. Yes the sapphire is more reflective but this is a watch, so I won't be reading web pages on it, and for I watch I actually prefer the shinier sapphire because it looks more jewel like.

This is really a slick watch.

 

[audirs5]

I want a sport w a sapphire screen.

I can't really tell the difference between the backs, but ceramic SOUNDS nice.

I used to sell watches.. Michael Kors and Armani pushed out ceramic watches heavily..... One day, I was putting together a display which consisted of a teacup, on TOP of another teacup, with the ceramic watch in the middle of the cup...

And this wasn't a fixed display. It was a window display that easily gets bumped.

Well I dropped the entire display and everything shattered.

Thats my ceramic story.

 

[audirs5]

Not sure why since I absolutely loved the look of the Sport when I tried it on in an Apple Store but the look has grown off of me in just a day of owning it. Wasn't a big fan of the stainless steel initially but I'm not sure the Sport feels as much like a premium watch as I had hoped. To be blunt I feel like Apple could've done better with the designs of both but I'll likely end up buying the Watch version of the first redesign. Am I the only Sport owner that has fallen a bit out of love with the design?

I think I'm the only person who just sees this as a toy somewhat? For some reason I can't see this as a luxury item I would wear to a formal setting. IDK,

 

[x-android]

Not sure why since I absolutely loved the look of the Sport when I tried it on in an Apple Store but the look has grown off of me in just a day of owning it. Wasn't a big fan of the stainless steel initially but I'm not sure the Sport feels as much like a premium watch as I had hoped. To be blunt I feel like Apple could've done better with the designs of both but I'll likely end up buying the Watch version of the first redesign. Am I the only Sport owner that has fallen a bit out of love with the design?

just think of it this way. wear your watch as you normally would. when gen 2 comes, will order ss.

 

[stocklen]

I too went from the sports watch to the Stainless Steel.

Anyone else notice the difference in the digital crown? Many say it is 'stiffer' but the press action of mine is significantly different to the sports watch.

The sports digital crown had a definite click when pressing it. The stainless steel is way more 'mushy' and seems to travel less. Takes some getting used to, especially trying to double click as it hardly feels like pressing anything at all.

.. to the point where I thought that it was faulty!

Anyone else experienced this going from sports to stainless steel?

 

[mac.cali]

I tried to convince myself to stick with the SGS on the basis that $300 more (for a SS + LL) was too much for nothing more than better materials and a shiny appearance. From a cost standpoint, that argument makes a lot of sense. But then I look at my SGS and just feel like the SS would please me much more. And I know I'm going to be wearing the watch for 2 years +. I haven't been a watch wearer for 20 years, but I am now. So in the end I had to toss out the cost based argument (I can afford either) and look at it from more of an emotional standpoint: which one would give me maximum enjoyment. The answer is the SS + LL.

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I sure noticed in the store that the sapphire had a different, more jewel-like look, than the Ion-X. It was striking.

Hope the taptic differences are very minor. I like the strength of the haptics on my SGS.

So you're not a person who upgrades yearly for the latest tech? Thus your reasons to stick with SS since you will be keeping it longer?

 

[redman042]

So you're not a person who upgrades yearly for the latest tech? Thus your reasons to stick with SS since you will be keeping it longer?

I do upgrade my iPhone yearly, but I don't plan to do that with my watch. I don't see a need to. It's for telling the time, glancing at notifications, and other quick tasks. The things that I upgrade my phone for (faster processor, better camera, etc) mostly don't apply here. And I expect there will be a lot of improvements to the software on this watch over time.

 

[mac.cali]

I do upgrade my iPhone yearly, but I don't plan to do that with my watch. I don't see a need to. It's for telling the time, glancing at notifications, and other quick tasks. The things that I upgrade my phone for (faster processor, better camera, etc) mostly don't apply here. And I expect there will be a lot of improvements to the software on this watch over time.

All valid points. Unless they put some new tech in the next version that most have to have.

 

[thatappleguytoday]

All valid points. Unless they put some new tech in the next version that most have to have.

Pretty much the Apple way every time

 

[5105973]

The SS to me is worth the extra $200, I like how you can dress it up and dress it done. The sport to me even if you try to dress it up, it just doesn't Have the same bling factor as the SS. Check this photo out, a good example of dressing the SS up and and down. The best of both world if u ask me. View attachment 558442 View attachment 558444

Wow, those are good photos for demonstrating how much the look changes depending on the band. Your SS link band really dresses it up. I wish I could afford one at this time. Though I do hope to get a pink modern buckle eventually that will make my watch dressy in a feminine style.

My wanting to dress the watch up in feminine leather bands is the reason I went with the SS. But day to day, I wear different colored sport bands and I do think overall I would have been more comfortable with the lighter weight of the Sport watch and it would have matched my largely casual lifestyle. I think I would have found reasons to be happy with my choice no matter which one I'd gotten.

 

[redman042]

All valid points. Unless they put some new tech in the next version that most have to have.

If they put enough tech in to make me want to upgrade in a year, then they earned my money, and I'll make much of it back by selling the old one.

But I expect they will focus more on the software.

 

[MICHAELSD]

The desire has subsided quite a bit since I do like the Sport's design. Stainless steel and sapphire make for a more typical high-end watch but there isn't enough differentiation IMO.