Why I returned my Sports model for SS

[KarimLeVallois]

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

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.[/QUOTE]

I had the SS, not the SBSS

 

[fischersd]

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.

Well, I've had my link for more than two years and it's not showing any signs of wear (likely wore it every day for the first 6 months, but now I only wear it for dressier occasions). I have a number of nylon and sport bands that I swap out all of the time. Big fan of the leather and nylon bands @ ClockworkSynergy.
It was a big pill to swallow (the S0 SBSS, Link Band, AC+ and taxes came to about $1600 CDN), but I'm very glad I got it.

There's lots of knock-off link bands out there. I'm actually going to see if this one actually is the same (looks like they're using Apple's photos) https://www.amazon.ca/Apple-Watch-Band-Replacement-Disassembling/dp/B01EJ04S22/

 

[newellj]

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.

Congrats! I thought this through for myself but sort of looked at it from the other end of the telescope and decided to stay with aluminum LTE Nike+. I think I'm still comfortable with that decision, based mostly on the assumption that I'm probably only going to wear this for 2-3 years and the upcharge for SS seemed stiff. But your logic is at least as valid as mine and I've got a few more days in the return window so I'll re-process along the lines you mentioned. :thumbup:

 

[sonicrobby]

Then I got the basic (non-LTE) Sports model, before returning for the LTE version due to the ceramic back.

As someone who has kept away from the watches but now considering one, can you explain more about the ceramic back and why you returned it? What are the downsides to it, and what do the other models have instead?

 

[newellj]

As someone who has kept away from the watches but now considering one, can you explain more about the ceramic back and why you returned it? What are the downsides to it, and what do the other models have instead?

I'm not FBD, but here's the skinny AFAIK. Regular wifi/GPS watches have a "composite" back that houses the sensors. The LTE versions, which includes the Sport, Nike+, and the stainless steel and other high-end bodies, have a ceramic back. I've read reports here that the composite back, which is softer, eventually can get somewhat scratched up, and people felt that they were getting less accurate heart rate readings. I don't know whether the clear "lenses" over the LED sensors are actually tougher on the ceramic version, so I don't know whether ceramic vs. composite could actually affect HR accuracy.

 

[Fireball Dragon]

Congrats! I thought this through for myself but sort of looked at it from the other end of the telescope and decided to stay with aluminum LTE Nike+. I think I'm still comfortable with that decision, based mostly on the assumption that I'm probably only going to wear this for 2-3 years and the upcharge for SS seemed stiff. But your logic is at least as valid as mine and I've got a few more days in the return window so I'll re-process along the lines you mentioned. :thumbup:

I'd say at least try out the SS. I went for the space black as I love this colour for gadgets (was a 'white' Apple guy before). My MBP is space grey, iPhone is space grey, so it made sense to get the watch to match. I also feel it goes much better with a range of dress styles and looks more discreet than the shiny standard SS. Some say that bands may be more difficult to pair (really?), but I've found this to be okay. I put a pic of the bands I own in the article on my blog. My biggest reason for going space black is (and I cannot stress this enough!) the DLC. The visible scratches on the SS model would drive me nuts! I know they can be buffed out with a cod cape cloth, but I don't think I'd be happy to do that every so often.

As someone who has kept away from the watches but now considering one, can you explain more about the ceramic back and why you returned it? What are the downsides to it, and what do the other models have instead?

I returned the composite back as I found a very slight mark on it, just days after use. I could see that my launch AW, despite being taken care of, also had some scratches on the composite back. For an extra £70, a ceramic back, option for LTE and double the storage seemed like a wise move.

In a nutshell, the aluminium sports models come in 2 versions. non-LTE (composite back) and LTE (ceramic back). All of the SS models have LTE and a ceramic back.

 

[44267547]

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

That would be the first I have heard of this. There are hundreds of forum members who own the link bracelets and I have never heard complaints from them. From Owning the space black stainless link and regular link Stainless bracelet, both of those are nothing short of ingenious in the highest quality. Never had issues with any of them.

 

[xDKP]

That would be the first I have heard of this. There are hundreds of forum members who own the link bracelets and I have never heard complaints from them. From Owning the space black stainless link and regular link Stainless bracelet, both of those are nothing short of ingenious in the highest quality. Never had issues with any of them.

It's one of my favorites as well - LOVE my Apple Link and the quick adjustment is just pure genius compared to the options from all other producers on the market - they should get some kind of innovation award for it.

 

[Fireball Dragon]

May I ask, how do you guys find the additional weight of the link bracelet? I cannot seem to find out how much it weighs.

 

[KarimLeVallois]

May I ask, how do you guys find the additional weight of the link bracelet? I cannot seem to find out how much it weighs.

The extra weight makes it feel so premium, loved the weight. I even used the link for running before I got my Series 2 lol

 

[Fireball Dragon]

The extra weight makes it feel so premium, loved the weight. I even used the link for running before I got my Series 2 lol

Haha, seriously!? I remember going for a run with my fenix 3 / metal bracelet combo and didn’t feel too great. But changing straps on the fenix 3 was a hassle.

Do you know what the combined weight is of the SS and metal link bracelet?

 

[KarimLeVallois]

Haha, seriously!? I remember going for a run with my fenix 3 / metal bracelet combo and didn’t feel too great. But changing straps on the fenix 3 was a hassle.

Do you know what the combined weight is of the SS and metal link bracelet?

Yeah, was easy to wash sweat off too, couldn't be bothered getting a sports band and swamping all the time.

https://robservatory.com/the-all-in-one-apple-watch-spreadsheet/ Seems 125g total weight. You can also use it for weighted squats! lol

 

[fischersd]

Haha, seriously!? I remember going for a run with my fenix 3 / metal bracelet combo and didn’t feel too great. But changing straps on the fenix 3 was a hassle.

Do you know what the combined weight is of the SS and metal link bracelet?

From this page: https://www.imore.com/apple-watch-specs

42mm Apple Watch Series 3 GPS + Cellular (stainless steel): 52.8g
42mm steel link bracelet: 75g

So total weight is 127.8g

Edit: D'oh! @abdulkar.im beat me to the punch. Shoulda refreshed the page.

 

[KarimLeVallois]

From this page: https://www.imore.com/apple-watch-specs

42mm Apple Watch Series 3 GPS + Cellular (stainless steel): 52.8g
42mm steel link bracelet: 75g

So total weight is 127.8g

Edit: D'oh! @abdulkar.im beat me to the punch. Shoulda refreshed the page.

Your numbers seem more accurate as mine could have been earlier watches, so slightly lighter maybe?

 

[xDKP]

The extra weight makes it feel so premium, loved the weight. I even used the link for running before I got my Series 2 lol

Wow ha ha okay I love mine and I’m with you regarding the weight and feel. Really a stunning piece but must say I don’t use it for any kind of exercise

Might be able to but love the facts that with a push of a button I get a whole new watch - still one of my favourite parts of the design. Run 3-4 times a week and always change to a Nike or sports strap

 

[JaisHTX]

My S2 was SG Alu.

My S3 is SS Silver.

I won't be going back to Alu. I also workout/train 1-3 hours/day (depending on the day), 5 days a week, and I don't even notice the watch on my wrist. I got the Milanese version because I don't like the Apple sport band. I got this one on Amazon, it's great because of the standard way the band latches, and it also looks pretty dang cool against the SS Silver

 

[Fireball Dragon]

Thanks for the links, guys. Much appreciated.

75g seems pretty reasonable. I think my fenix 5 with the link bracelet for that comes to ~175g!

One thing that strikes me is that the sports bands are showing as around 44g! Would never have thought that they would weight more than the aluminium sports watch face.

 

[copulate]

is the space black pretty similar to iPhone's jet black?

 

[swarlos]

I bought my Watch on launch in 2015 which was the Space Gray sport version in December 2015 I purchased a Space Black SS Series 0 with the link bracelet for a great deal and loved it.

So when it came to getting my series 3 I knew without question I’d have to get the Space Black again. It’s so sleek and sexy.

There’s plenty of people that I’ve seen on Reddit selling official space Black links for good deals.

I wouldn’t worry about the durability of the links either cause I’ve hit it on plenty of hard surfaces and have seen nary a scratch. I honestly don’t believe that review that said the coating wore off after just a week, that’s a load of bunk.

 

[44267547]

is the space black pretty similar to iPhone's jet black?

Not at all. They do both have a similar shine. But the Apple Watch space black scratch resistance is almost impervious with the diamond like carbon coating with the 316 L Stainless. The Jet black uses an anodized aluminum and scratches very easily.

 

[gemnilocs]

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.

Agreed...I had the aluminum for the series 0 for the series 2, I got SSBS....and for the 3, I got the SSBS again....I can't imagine not having the SSBS...and having ran or worked out with garmin 910, working out with the SSBS is fine for me....dress it up or down.

 

[the future]

Not at all. They do both have a similar shine. But the Apple Watch space black scratch resistance is almost impervious with the diamond like carbon coating with the 316 L Stainless. The Jet black uses an anodized aluminum and scratches very easily.

Also the jet black phone is much darker than the space black watch.

 

[tgara]

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.

Yeah, a lot of folks, including me, did that. I wanted black just because all my watches up to the 2015 release of the Apple Watch, were steel. My most recent watch before the AW was an Omega Seamaster 300M, which I still love. In retrospect, the black didn't go with my clothes or my style. And the band options that go with black/gray are much more limited. Not so with silver or stainless steel. With my new AW Series 3 in Stainless, I got exactly what for me was the right watch.