Wear and tear after A YEAR?... titanium SB/natural OR graphite stainless? Thoughts?

[canyonblue737]

I was likely going to buy a Pro tomorrow (or whatever they call it) but if it is only 49mm, that just won't work for me, way too large.

That said I plan on buying *something* so I'm coming up with backup options. I assume the regular Apple Watch will continue to have stainless options. Anyone with a graphite stainless for a year or more... how did the coating hold up? Any scratches? I used to have space black stainless which was nearly impervious but I've heard the graphite DLC coating isn't as strong... is that true? Would you buy the color again or go silver stainless?

I suspect Titanium will NOT be an option for the regular Apple Watch but again the same question if you have had a titanium Apple Watch for more than a year... how did the natural titanium hold up? What about space black titanium? scratches? blemishes? would you buy your color again, do you think space black titanium looks too close to aluminum colors?

Thanks everyone, I'm still coming to terms with not being able to get my Pro, first world problems I know!

 

[skyhawkmatthew]

I got my Ti Series 7 in December. There's a little scuffing on the case, but I feel it's just patina that you'd be able to brush back to the original finish if you wanted. Absolutely no marks on the screen, which is a night and day difference to my previous Al watches. I use this watch for a lot of hiking and cycling so it does get knocked around and the glass on my old watches picked up all sorts of scrapes and marks.

Edit: to answer the second part of your question, yes I would 100% buy the Ti again.

 

[Itinj24]

The Graphite SS is not using DLC like the Space Black did. It uses PVD which is not as strong as DLC.

I did manage to scratch the crap out of my SBTi, which is DLC, rubbing it up against some rock while digging a trench. Also scratched the case on my SBSS Hermes rubbing it against bathroom tile so while you don’t have to be extra careful with DLC, you need to be at least a little careful because it does scratch.

 

[mavis]

The nice thing about natural Ti is that it can very easily be restored to a like-new finish with a graphite eraser (not sure what they're actually called - the gray erasers used for ink). Alternatively, you can polish it to a mirror finish, and it seems to be more scratch resistant than SS, when polished. I had several silver SS Apple watches for years (2015-2021) and I always polished them every few months to remove incidental scuffs and scratches, but after polishing my natural Ti S7 this summer, it still looks absolutely perfect. I've posted detailed instructions in case you're interested in doing the same with your watch, but yeah - looks like this:

And the button side:

 

[canyonblue737]

Those all look great. Makes me want to go natural Ti. Hopefully that will be an option, rumors say the Editions are being canceled leaving Ti exclusive to the huge 49mm Pro.

 

[Monkswhiskers]

Wow, that tre ally looks like the SS (my personal favourite) but has the bonus of being lighter of course.

 

[mavis]

Wow, that tre ally looks like the SS (my personal favourite) but has the bonus of being lighter of course.

Exactly. Shiny like SS (just a shade darker) but lighter and more scratch resistant.

 

[Itinj24]

The nice thing about natural Ti is that it can very easily be restored to a like-new finish with a graphite eraser (not sure what they're actually called - the gray erasers used for ink). Alternatively, you can polish it to a mirror finish, and it seems to be more scratch resistant than SS, when polished. I had several silver SS Apple watches for years (2015-2021) and I always polished them every few months to remove incidental scuffs and scratches, but after polishing my natural Ti S7 this summer, it still looks absolutely perfect. I've posted detailed instructions in case you're interested in doing the same with your watch, but yeah - looks like this:

View attachment 2052105

And the button side:
View attachment 2052107

I just ordered the Ultra and must do this! Looks amazing! Where can I find those instructions you speak of?

 

[Al Rukh]

I own a S7 SBTi for close to a year. No scuffing or deep scratches on the case or screen. Never used a case nor a screen protector. It has taken knocks on metal surfaces, dropped on ceramic tiles from table height, and I occasionally rinse it with mild hand soap. The durability is insane.

 

[bthompson]

I had the graphite s6 and now have a SBTi 7. The graphite scratched way to easily and I was really unhappy with it. The SBTi has been great, I did scratch the case on a rock but it was my fault

 

[deeddawg]

I suspect Titanium will NOT be an option for the regular Apple Watch but again the same question if you have had a titanium Apple Watch for more than a year... how did the natural titanium hold up? What about space black titanium? scratches? blemishes? would you buy your color again, do you think space black titanium looks too close to aluminum colors?

My nearly two year old SBTi S6 is pristine.

Whether it looks close to aluminum colors is irrelevant to me -- I don't care what others might think about what watch model I have.

 

[Itinj24]

My nearly two year old SBTi S6 is pristine.

Whether it looks close to aluminum colors is irrelevant to me -- I don't care what others might think about what watch model I have.

Never understood all that hooplah about Ti looking like the Al. I got Ti for its lightweight and durable properties. Plus it has the sapphire crystal. That said, I I’ve had both and I don’t think they looked anything alike.

Yeah I managed to scratch up my SBTi pretty good but if it was aluminum, it would’ve probably chewed it up.

 

[8CoreWhore]

The Ultra will look better once it gets beat up. But not while wearing formal attire, but it's not for that. If you're in jeans having a beer, a beat up Ultra will look way better than clean and new.

 

[Boardiesboi]

So do we know if the titanium on the Ultra is the same as the S7 natural Ti?

Rumours before the event suggest that the titanium on the Ultra is stronger?

 

[Itinj24]

So do we know if the titanium on the Ultra is the same as the S7 natural Ti?

Rumours before the event suggest that the titanium on the Ultra is stronger?

if I’m not mistaken, I believe it was marketed as having aerospace grade titanium which is grade 4, the best and strongest of all the pure, unalloyed titanium grades.

Whether they actually use grade 4 or not is questionable. I had to Google it.

 

[Boardiesboi]

I believe it was marketed as having aerospace grade titanium which is grade 4

Was this mentioned in the keynote? Cos I can't find any details on the type of Ti on the Apple website.

 

[Itinj24]

Was this mentioned in the keynote? Cos I can't find any details on the type of Ti on the Apple website.

Let’s go to the Keynote… gimme a few and I’ll brb.

 

[Itinj24]

Was this mentioned in the keynote? Cos I can't find any details on the type of Ti on the Apple website.

FF to 25:04. The presenter clearly says, “It starts with the case, that’s made from aerospace grade titanium…”

As an aviator in my previous career, I knew that’s what I heard because it gained my attention.

But again, not sure if this just marketing mumbo jumbo or if it’s really the case (pun intended)

 

[Boardiesboi]

FF to 25:04. The presenter clearly says, “It starts with the case, that’s made from aerospace grade titanium…”

As an aviator in my previous career, I knew that’s what I heard because it gained my attention.

But again, not sure if this just marketing mumbo jumbo or if it’s really the case (pun intended)

Thanks so much for checking this.

Can only trust what apple says until someone gets their hands on one and can compare the hardness and durability against the S7 Ti models

 

[xDKP]

Never understood all that hooplah about Ti looking like the Al. I got Ti for its lightweight and durable properties. Plus it has the sapphire crystal. That said, I I’ve had both and I don’t think they looked anything alike.

Yeah I managed to scratch up my SBTi pretty good but if it was aluminum, it would’ve probably chewed it up.

Yeah I had the same "Aren't you annoyed that it looks like the space grey aluminium from a distance"

Well... No not really. I bought the SBTi because of weight, durability, sapphire and because it looks amazing brushed up close from where I see it. Amazing piece

 

[Itinj24]

Thanks so much for checking this.

Can only trust what apple says until someone gets their hands on one and can compare the hardness and durability against the S7 Ti models

Yeah, no problem. I was 99.99% confident that’s what was said but I had to confirm.

As far as comparing to the S7 Ti, I don’t know what grade of titanium was used in that but according to my Google search, it doesn’t get better than grade 4 on the pure titanium side so it’s either the same or better.

After Apple’s claims of sapphire on the camera lenses and Apple Watch screens, YouTuber Jerry Rig Everything debunked those by testing with Mohs hardness picks. They scratched at a level 6 which is consistent with gorilla glass. Sapphire scratches at a level 8. So who knows…

 

[Jackbequickly]

My SBTi looks like brand new. Apple is only offering a little over a hundred buck for trade so I will keep it in case I do not like the Ultra.

 

[Itinj24]

Yeah I had the same "Aren't you annoyed that it looks like the space grey aluminium from a distance"

Well... No not really. I bought the SBTi because of weight, durability, sapphire and because it looks amazing brushed up close from where I see it. Amazing piece

Exactly. The aluminum watches look more like plastic to me. Just a matte textureless finish. Ti on the other hand has a beautiful satin sheen brushed finish. They look nothing alike. Not even close.

 

[Pug72]

Here's a reference to the aerospace grade titanium from the Apple site info.

 

[MacGiver]

The Ultra will look better once it gets beat up. But not while wearing formal attire, but it's not for that. If you're in jeans having a beer, a beat up Ultra will look way better than clean and new.

🤔🤔🤔