Why is availability of SS so poor?

[raqball]

I disgree, I'm outside all the time, and my sport watch is holding up wonderfully. Not a scratch on the glass.

That's great but most forums (fitness watch) are littered with posts about screen scratches on watches that are not sapphire.. I had a non sapphire fenix 3 when it was 1st released and it looked like it had been through a war zone after a few months.

Maybe I am just more clumsy than others as I do whack watches up against stuff all the time but I personally will never buy another fitness watch without a sapphire display.

Part of this is my OCD.. Some can live with scratches, dents or dings and see these as battle scars.. Me? Watch, phone, computer et al, if they get any noticeable damage they are sold and new undamaged is purchased. LOL

Some argue that save the $$ --> get a screen protector. That's fine I suppose but I personally have no interest in putting a screen protector on a watch as to me it looks tacky..

As far as the pricing of the AW goes, I think they are fairly priced. And yes, I do agree the Aluminum version is a killer bang for the buck deal.. Pricing wise I'll compare to Garmin.

AW S2 Aluminum non sapphire = $400
AW S2 SS sapphire = $600
Garmin fenix 3HR sapphire = $600
Garmin fenix 5 non sapphire = $600
Garmin fenix 5 sapphire = $700

The AW does more smartwatch type functions and the Garmin is more fitness related but price wise, the AW is a good bargain in either Alum or SS..

I have a fenix 3 HR and an AW series 2 SS right now and I have a fenix 5 sapphire version on preorder. I like the AW for some things and the fenix line for others.. Overall though, I do think the aluminum AW is the best bang for the buck.

I'd personally never even consider the alum version because it lacks the sapphire display.. Sure maybe the non sapphire won't scratch but it's a dice roll... You won't have a scratch until you have one and then it's to late to change your mind and spend the extra for the protection.. Like I said, I am OCD about scratches, dents and dings so for me, part of the reasoning is not only for the protection, but for piece of mind..

My .02

 

[bevsb2]

I disgree, I'm outside all the time, and my sport watch is holding up wonderfully. Not a scratch on the glass.

Agree. My aluminum series 2 with sports band that I wear daily doesn't have a mark on it. My Generation 0 SS with modern buckle that I use for dress had marks all over the stainless steel from the get-go.

 

[Kyle76]

I just called Apple to trade in my new aluminum Space Grey model for SS with Milanese loop. Only two stores in NC had them in stock. I'll be traveling very close to one on Saturday and plan to stop in and pick it up. I decided that I like the stainless look better, and the sapphire crystal is one of the features I really like on my current watch. I have long arms, and it's not unusual for me to bump my watch from time to time.

 

[raqball]

I just called Apple to trade in my new aluminum Space Grey model for SS with Milanese loop. Only two stores in NC had them in stock. I'll be traveling very close to one on Saturday and plan to stop in and pick it up. I decided that I like the stainless look better, and the sapphire crystal is one of the features I really like on my current watch. I have long arms, and it's not unusual for me to bump my watch from time to time.

Another bonus of the SS is that if the casing gets scratches, they can usually be buffed / polished out whereas that's a no go with the Alum..

 

[ajm222]

i got the stainless because i wanted both a piece of jewelry, and a smart watch/activity tracker. expensive, but i killed two birds with one stone. i used to be really into nice mechanical watches but it has been ages since i've owned one. sold most of the ones i had. i also wanted something with a sapphire crystal for obvious reasons. the apple watch gets me all of this and more. the drawback of course is that while expensive, by the time i get bored with it and want an upgrade i won't likely be able to sell it. and eventually it may even be effectively worthless. my mechanical watches mostly held their value even after many years.

i had been waiting for apple to send me a stainless on white sport band, but kept randomly checking istocknow and the apple website. sure enough a 42mm on milanese loop popped up and I snagged it just this week. sent back the space black because i can't polish it and had noticed some issues with the finish and some really tiny marks out of the box. and i think i finally realized i do like the regular stainless better. i actually put an armorsuit screen and body protector on it (crazy, i know). might decide to remove them soon. but for now it should be well protected during the first few weeks/months of ownership until the newness wears off.

 

[iKnowMr.Jobs]

I think you're right that the aluminum sports model is a better value, but the SS is a better fashion choice, IMO. I decided to take the plunge on the sports model, and while it was very comfortable to wear, I didn't like the look of it. I've swapped it out with a SS purely for aesthetic reasons.

I got the SS from the start and I never regretted it. I really like the additional weight of the stainless steel models. Its much closer to a piece of jewelry than the Aluminum models, which really look like a tiny iPhone. When most people notice mine, they aren't entirely sure its even an Apple Watch because its much nicer looking than the Aluminum ones. I don't know if thats a testament to the difference that $200 really does or poor marketing on Apple's part.

Long and short, most people aren't gonna pony up the extra $200 for the SS, but as long as theres enough of us, Apple will happily continue to take our money

 

[GoSUV]

I have to agree with the view that the SS has its value due to the sapphire crystal display, sharper looking case and much better coordination with a wide variety of bands. While I have never owned any expensive Swiss mechanical watches nor think watches are jewelery, I do appreciate the toughness of the sapphire crystal display because my other cheap quartz watches get scratched up easily - I'm not talking about scuffs on the watch's body - that's "battle scars" and I could care less since it mostly won't affect the watch's function, but scuffs and scratches on the display bothers me a lot since it eventually affects your ability to look at the screen when the micro scratches become a spider web of scratches.

While some may say that the aluminum AW's hold up well for you so far, there are people who live in environments where watches with sapphire crystals simply makes more sense. Imagine having to commute through packed subways like sardines to and from work everyday and fighting with people walking too fast or too slow in underground narrow tunnels, some people walk with their cellphones to their face and never pay attention to where they are going and constantly bumping into you, their heavy briefcases swinging at and hitting your arms, then you know why the SS AW is worth it for the sapphire crystals display alone.

 

[44267547]

Another bonus of the SS is that if the casing gets scratches, they can usually be buffed / polished out whereas that's a no go with the Alum..

You made two great points in your last two posts. I agree that the Sapphire display is easily an insurance protection for the screen against scratches. And from my experience with the sport watch when I did own one, was I did scratch ever so slightly, which you could see in the right light. And the stainless casing is easy to remove scratches.

 

[maflynn]

Another bonus of the SS is that if the casing gets scratches, they can usually be buffed / polished out whereas that's a no go with the Alum..

Perhaps but my Alu model doesn't have scratches but the SS is a scratch magnet.

I'm not saying the SS is inferior, just that most people don't see the value in spending 200 and upwards on the same watch. Its my contention that Apple is focusing more on the sports/health area that the lower priced model seems to sell towards rather then fashion conscious buyers who want a piece of jewelry. Don't get me wrong, I really like the SS model, but I didn't want to spend that much money on the watch. Other people do, and that's fine, I don't know the purchase of it, as its a fine watch.

 

[ajm222]

checking istocknow regularly and seeing more and more watches show up at my local store, several of them stainless steel. 12 aluminum and 6 steel. but most of the steel (4) are 38mm. seeing similar numbers at other locations.

 

[democracyrules]

Perhaps but my Alu model doesn't have scratches but the SS is a scratch magnet

Could you provide scientific evidence that stainless steel is more scratch magnet than aluminum? The cost of aluminum is lesser than the stainless steel due to the durability.

 

[maflynn]

Could you provide scientific evidence that stainless steel is more scratch magnet than aluminum? The cost of aluminum is lesser than the stainless steel due to the durability.

Its more of my opinion based on seeing people post here. We see many more comments about buffing out, or asking how to buff out scratches then seeing people post about nicks or scratches in the Alu.

That's not say the Alu doesn't get scratched, but the regular alu (non-black) is a brushed finish so even if there is a scratch, it may be harder to see it then on a highly polished surface like stainless steel.

As an example, take the highly polished black iPhone, there's a lot of chatter (and complaints) and how easy that iPhone shows scratches, because it polished. Likewise the stainless steel watch is highly polished and scratches are more visible. While you can buff out those scratches the fact remains they're more visible - at least that's my personal observation.

YMMV and that's fine, but I don't see using Stainless Steel as an advantage worth an increase in price - at least the 200 dollars we see between the two models.

 

[raqball]

I don't see using Stainless Steel as an advantage worth an increase in price - at least the 200 dollars we see between the two models.

I agree with this.. $200 is quite the increase for what you get. I think $150 would be fair and $200 if it came with an extra band. I'll again use Garmin fenix's as my example because I buy them yearly when the new version is offered.

All the Garmin's are all SS so the only options / price differences are for non sapphire or sapphire. If you chose sapphire it's a $100 price difference BUT you also get an additional watch band in the box with the sapphire models..

For the price of the AW SS you should get more for your $$$$ than what you do. If Apple tossed an extra band in the box then I'd see more value with the SS version @ the current $200 price difference.

I still think people should opt for the sapphire.. You won't have a scratch on the non sapphire screen until you have a scratch and then there is nothing you can do after the fact..

 

[bevsb2]

I loved the look of my 1st generation SS with modern buckle band when I first got it. After getting multiple scratches on the stainless steel however, it just didn't look that great anymore to me. The scratches don't buff out entirely and it doesn't take long for them to recur anyway. I'm not hard on my watches. I have a Series 2 aluminum now as well which I wear daily and it doesn't have any marks at all. Just my opinion, but I find the pristine Series 2 aluminum watch more pleasing to the eye.

 

[Kyle76]

I recently read in a review that the sapphire crystal can be harder to view in direct sunlight because of glare that the Sport's screen doesn't have. Any truth to this?

 

[raqball]

I recently read in a review that the sapphire crystal can be harder to view in direct sunlight because of glare that the Sport's screen doesn't have. Any truth to this?

If true, it's so minor that I've never noticed it on any watch.. My S2 SS is easily readable in direct sunlight and I use it outdoor quite often for cycling, running and swimming..

 

[Kyle76]

If true, it's so minor that I've never noticed it on any watch.. My S2 SS is easily readable in direct sunlight and I use it outdoor quite often for cycling, running and swimming..

Good to hear! The review was for the original watch, I think. I'm sure the new, brighter display helps a lot.

 

[44267547]

Could you provide scientific evidence that stainless steel is more scratch magnet than aluminum? The cost of aluminum is lesser than the stainless steel due to the durability.

There is no scientific evidence behind 7000 Series Aluminum and 316 L stainless. Both metals have different consistencies, being they're completely separate elements.

The 316 L stainless used on the stainless Watch is a very soft metal that scratches easily, but has the ability to remove light scratches with polish and restoring its luster.

The 7000 Series Aluminum is very durable and lightweight, but once scratched, it can't be removed.

 

[satchmo]

As far as the pricing of the AW goes, I think they are fairly priced. And yes, I do agree the Aluminum version is a killer bang for the buck deal.. Pricing wise I'll compare to Garmin.

AW S2 Aluminum non sapphire = $400
AW S2 SS sapphire = $600
Garmin fenix 3HR sapphire = $600
Garmin fenix 5 non sapphire = $600
Garmin fenix 5 sapphire = $700

The AW does more smartwatch type functions and the Garmin is more fitness related but price wise, the AW is a good bargain in either Alum or SS..

I think a more fair Garmin comparison to the S2 Aluminum non sapphire would be the Forerunner 235
It's only $329 at Amazon. It's arguably, a better sport watch...perhaps not as stylish or functional.
So pretty close call...it depends if you want to pay an extra $80 for that.

 

[iLunar]

I got the SS from the start and I never regretted it. I really like the additional weight of the stainless steel models. Its much closer to a piece of jewelry than the Aluminum models, which really look like a tiny iPhone. When most people notice mine, they aren't entirely sure its even an Apple Watch because its much nicer looking than the Aluminum ones. I don't know if thats a testament to the difference that $200 really does or poor marketing on Apple's part.

Long and short, most people aren't gonna pony up the extra $200 for the SS, but as long as theres enough of us, Apple will happily continue to take our money

My SS 42mm just came in today, and I have to say, it's gorgeous. I'm very happy I made the switch to the SS. It looks and feels like a really watch and not a piece of electronics on my wrist. Admittedly, it's a total fashion/aesthetic choice, but I'm very glad I got it.

 

[Kyle76]

I ran across this video today.

 

[44267547]

I ran across this video today.

This was the original Apple Watch debut video back in September 2015.

 

[iKnowMr.Jobs]

My SS 42mm just came in today, and I have to say, it's gorgeous. I'm very happy I made the switch to the SS. It looks and feels like a really watch and not a piece of electronics on my wrist. Admittedly, it's a total fashion/aesthetic choice, but I'm very glad I got it.

Glad you like it! Like I said, it all comes down to preference. Some people will choose to shell out the extra cash for it, some won't. Some will buy the aluminum and scoff at people who buy the stainless steel. Almost like...hey, actual watches and jewelry.

 

[raqball]

Glad you like it! Like I said, it all comes down to preference. Some people will choose to shell out the extra cash for it, some won't. Some will buy the aluminum and scoff at people who buy the stainless steel. Almost like...hey, actual watches and jewelry.

Agree... People will always defend their purchasing decisions.. I personally do not view any of my activity watches as jewelry and I opt for sapphire just for the added protection.. If I could get an Alum AW with sapphire display then I'd probably opt for it over the SS for the weigh difference alone.

I view my AW and my Garmin as tools and not as jewelry though.. For the AW I have 2 bands and both are sport bands. For my fenix I have 3 bands and all are sport bands. I might get a leather band for my fenix 5 but have not decided yet..

 

[44267547]

My SS 42mm just came in today, and I have to say, it's gorgeous. I'm very happy I made the switch to the SS. It looks and feels like a really watch and not a piece of electronics on my wrist. Admittedly, it's a total fashion/aesthetic choice, but I'm very glad I got it.

That's what makes the stainless stand out. It looks and feels premium.