Why I returned my Sports model for SS

[Fireball Dragon]

Okay, so it's been an interesting few weeks. First I had no plans to get the Series 3. Then I got the basic (non-LTE) Sports model, before returning for the LTE version due to the ceramic back. I then had buyers remorse again and just went for the SS SB, a watch I really like from launch back in 2015.

I thought that the SB looked a little too 'shiny' for my liking, but now that I have it, can honestly say that it looks great! I just wanted to share this small journey, and hopefully, it can help anyone else who is on the fence between the Sports and SS models, particularly the Space Black version.

I'm just really happy with it. Honestly, don't know why I didn't go for this version from the very beginning.

https://andykumar.net/2017/10/16/apple-watch-series-3-stainless-steel-space-black/

 

[BrianSoCal]

Okay, so it's been an interesting few weeks. First I had no plans to get the Series 3. Then I got the basic (non-LTE) Sports model, before returning for the LTE version due to the ceramic back. I then had buyers remorse again and just went for the SS SB, a watch I really like from launch back in 2015.

I thought that the SB looked a little too 'shiny' for my liking, but now that I have it, can honestly say that it looks great! I just wanted to share this small journey, and hopefully, it can help anyone else who is not the fence between the Sports and SS models, particularly the Space Black version.

I'm just really happy with it. Honestly, don't know why I didn't go for this version from the very beginning.

https://andykumar.net/2017/10/16/apple-watch-series-3-stainless-steel-space-black/

Congrats! I just picked up my SSSB on Friday and I am thrilled so far; I had a Series 2 white ceramic Edition, so it's a big change but a welcome one. I really wanted the grey ceramic this time around, but the black is just so beautiful I went SS this time around.

 

[ReeseATPH]

Congrats! I just picked up my SSSB on Friday and I am thrilled so far; I had a Series 2 white ceramic Edition, so it's a big change but a welcome one. I really wanted the grey ceramic this time around, but the black is just so beautiful I went SS this time around.

Until you get out into sunlight... then I was wishing I had the aluminum.

 

[Fireball Dragon]

BrianSoCal Thanks, mate! I also picked it up on Friday! Amazing colour and look. Truly in awe. The edition looks great in grey, but double the price and I really like the space black version. Now in the future, if there was a ceramic space black, that may win me over.

 

[gatorknight904]

Stainless Steel Silver or Black is the only way lol. I started with a SG sports model on series 0 and will never go back.

 

[xDKP]

Congrats - beautiful watch! I've never had an Aluminum AW - saw both models side by side when S0 launched and just think the feel and look of the SS models with the added sapphire display is amazing - worth every penny

 

[Fireball Dragon]

Congrats - beautiful watch! I've never had an Aluminum AW - saw both models side by side when S0 launched and just think the feel and look of the SS models with the added sapphire display is amazing - worth every penny

Thanks! I really wanted the SS SB at launch, but paired with the link bracelet was a fair lot of money to fork out for a gen 1 product. Now that I've owned and handled both personally, will always go for the SS with subsequent generations.

 

[xDKP]

Thanks! I really wanted the SS SB at launch, but paired with the link bracelet was a fair lot of money to fork out for a gen 1 product. Now that I've owned and handled both personally, will always go for the SS with subsequent generations.

Yeah felt the same way - went with the Space Black with a black sports band for my first gen and added some leather straps etc. to make it nice - With S2 I moved to the clear SS with brown leather and found a nice deal on a link bracelet and my god this is a nice combo (SB or clear SS looks stunning both of them)...

And those who say the alu watches are way better for running etc. really need to own one of these before judging - I have run three marathons this year alone with my steel S2 without a problem at all.. Not like it's an oversized swiz watch or anything

 

[Fireball Dragon]

Yeah felt the same way - went with the Space Black with a black sports band for my first gen and added some leather straps etc. to make it nice - With S2 I moved to the clear SS with brown leather and found a nice deal on a link bracelet and my god this is a nice combo (SB or clear SS looks stunning both of them)...

And those who say the alu watches are way better for running etc. really need to own one of these before judging - I have run three marathons this year alone with my steel S2 without a problem at all.. Not like it's an oversized swiz watch or anything

I've used a fenix 3 for 2 years, and the weight was okay. Use a forerunner 935 now. With the sports band, the weight difference is ~20g, so shouldn't make a difference to running.

I actually prefer the added weight for daily wear, tbh. Makes the watch feel a lot more premium and substantial.

PS: If you're on Strava, would be good to follow you. Here's my profile: https://www.strava.com/athletes/7283344

 

[xDKP]

I've used a fenix 3 for 2 years, and the weight was okay. Use a forerunner 935 now. With the sports band, the weight difference is ~20g, so shouldn't make a difference to running.

I actually prefer the added weight for daily wear, tbh. Makes the watch feel a lot more premium and substantial.

PS: If you're on Strava, would be good to follow you. Here's my profile: https://www.strava.com/athletes/7283344

Totally agree regarding the weight - paired with the link the heft is making it feel way more like a premium product...

Yeah have been a Nike Plus runner since the first iPod nano came out and still use it. Ideally I think I would use the build in app for running (music controls and just build-in-bullet proof) but I have so many miles invested in the Nike community including ongoing challenges with friends

 

[Fireball Dragon]

Totally agree regarding the weight - paired with the link the heft is making it feel way more like a premium product...

Yeah have been a Nike Plus runner since the first iPod nano came out and still use it. Ideally I think I would use the build in app for running (music controls and just build-in-bullet proof) but I have so many miles invested in the Nike community including ongoing challenges with friends

Ah, okay. I used to use Nike before moving over to Strava in late 2014. Primarily, because I cycle as well (although running is my primary sport). I felt the same way when switching, and managed to find the patience to manually upload 2 years worth of runs to Strava. Didn't have the patience to go further back! haha

 

[xDKP]

Ah, okay. I used to use Nike before moving over to Strava in late 2014. Primarily, because I cycle as well (although running is my primary sport). I felt the same way when switching, and managed to find the patience to manually upload 2 years worth of runs to Strava. Didn't have the patience to go further back! haha

Wow two years is a pretty great effort as well. How do you like the Strava app for the watch?

 

[nburwell]

Stainless Steel Silver or Black is the only way lol. I started with a SG sports model on series 0 and will never go back.

I agree 100% here. I started with the silver aluminum back when the AW was originally released because I honestly didn't want to fork over the money. After I sold it, I went to the S0 SS and just recently purchased the S2 SBSS. I don't think I could go back to another aluminum AW.

 

[Fireball Dragon]

Wow two years is a pretty great effort as well. How do you like the Strava app for the watch?

Tbh, I only tried it with my launch AW. I wasn’t impressed. I have a very capable Garmin which is excellent, but may try the SB AW and see how the Strava app fares on the AW.
[doublepost=1508191161][/doublepost]

I agree 100% here. I started with the silver aluminum back when the AW was originally released because I honestly didn't want to fork over the money. After I sold it, I went to the S0 SS and just recently purchased the S2 SBSS. I don't think I could go back to another aluminum AW.

Totally! I’m thinking why I didn’t get the SS sooner. The Ali looks nice, but you don’t realise how much better the AW experience can be until you’ve used the SS. Especially the Space Black one which is drop dead gorgeous!

 

[WarHeadz]

Once you go Stainless you don't go back. It makes the aluminum models feel like toys.

 

[Frankfurt]

Once you go Stainless you don't go back. It makes the aluminum models feel like toys.

Well, I went from SS S0 to SG Alum S3 and I really like it. I kept the black link bracelet from S0 and paired it with the LTE S3 SG Alum.
There is no sense in spending $230 more for a gadget you change every two years. For the savings I bought airpods. Great combo.

 

[Fireball Dragon]

Well, I went from SS S0 to SG Alum S3 and I really like it. I kept the black link bracelet from S0 and paired it with the LTE S3 SG Alum.
There is no sense in spending $230 more for a gadget you change every two years. For the savings I bought airpods. Great combo.

I do agree to some extent. But I spent more on my iPhone than the watch, and that also has an upgrade cycle of ~2 years.

My logic is that the watch is going to be on my wrist pretty much 24/7, and (in my own use) will get as much attention (if not more) than my other gadgets. Price bump was £210, and over say 2 years, that’s not much of a difference to pay for something that will get used so much.

 

[44267547]

The stainless model at least offers the sapphire display which is a huge advantage to protect against scratches. Because once you scratch that display on the sport model, it's permanent. And to me, there's nothing worse than looking at a 38/42 mm display with scratches on it. So if that means to justifying spending extra money for the stainless model for the Sapphire alone, it's worth it.

 

[KarimLeVallois]

I've used a fenix 3 for 2 years, and the weight was okay. Use a forerunner 935 now. With the sports band, the weight difference is ~20g, so shouldn't make a difference to running.

I actually prefer the added weight for daily wear, tbh. Makes the watch feel a lot more premium and substantial.

PS: If you're on Strava, would be good to follow you. Here's my profile: https://www.strava.com/athletes/7283344

Not going to say I told you so, but... lol

 

[bniu]

Space Black Stainless Steel is my favorite. Goes well with a sport band for workouts and pairs well with my link bracelet for dressier occasions. I only wish there was an all black classic buckle for the times I want some leather.

 

[ReeseATPH]

I agree the space black is gorgeous... my only issue is when I held one next to a Nike Aluminum. Aside from the extra watch faces on the Nike which I really like... the aluminum watch had a sharper brighter screen. The aluminum watch even seemed to have a larger screen surface area.

The black stainless definitely appears premium and better constructed next to an aluminum but I guess for me, the screen was the clincher.

 

[Fireball Dragon]

Not going to say I told you so, but... lol

Haha! Yup, the difference over the aluminium can only be appreciated once you've tried it. Totally agree!

Space Black Stainless Steel is my favorite. Goes well with a sport band for workouts and pairs well with my link bracelet for dressier occasions. I only wish there was an all black classic buckle for the times I want some leather.

I would like the link bracelet, but £550... jeez! Maybe one day...

 

[BrianSoCal]

I would like the link bracelet, but £550... jeez! Maybe one day...[/QUOTE]

The link bracelet doesn't get the best reviews either.

 

[KarimLeVallois]

I would like the link bracelet, but £550... jeez! Maybe one day...

The link bracelet doesn't get the best reviews either.[/QUOTE]

I had a SS link with my Series and loved it, no problems at all

 

[BrianSoCal]

The link bracelet doesn't get the best reviews either.

I had a SS link with my Series and loved it, no problems at all[/QUOTE]

A lot of reviews said the bracelet scratched easily and the coating rubbed off. Sounds like you got a good one.

From Apple website:

This finish is NOT Diamond Like Carbon (DLC). The bracelet looks great when new, however, within a week or so, the finish starts to rub off. This happens just from wearing it at the office. It runs off where your bracelet rubs against your desk and keyboard. I complained to Apple and they replaced it. I immediately sold this bracelet and the watch and bought a stainless steel watch. I will be ordering the stainless bracelet because the construct is great. I like the clasp and the ability to adjust the links. However, stick with the all stainless version, Do NOT waste your money on the black bracelet. You will be sorry.