Apple Watch Ultra: Titanium finish less durable?

[AppleTLDR]

I don't know if it's just me or not but the Titanium finish of the Apple Watch Ultra seems to have a coating akin to the Aluminium Apple Watch. Notice how in the photo below, the light scatters across its surface. The Apple Watch Edition, by contrast, is a brushed titanium finish.

I've ordered an Ultra but I'm a bit concerned about scratches and chipping. I know that the natural titanium of the edition could be easily restored with a refinishing pad. But I get the impression that this isn't the case with the Ultra owing to the texture.

it also seems to have a slight chamfer around the raised casing that I'd imagine is going to chip or get dinged rather easily. Does anybody else have any thoughts on this?

 

[profets]

I'm not sure, but in so many hands on, the outer edge of that bezel looks scuffed or chipped or something quite a bit. Guess need to wait and see. I think with use if it gets worn or scuffed it could have a cool look though.

 

[Kylo83]

Yes titanium is bad I had it on my series 7 and after 1 week it scratches so I returned it and got stainless steel and after one year it’s perfect; this ultra watch is gonna be less durable than the stainless steel makes no sense, even apple staff say don’t go titanium as the demo units get mad scratches

 

[AppleTLDR]

I'm not sure, but in so many hands on, the outer edge of that bezel looks scuffed or chipped or something quite a bit. Guess need to wait and see. I think with use if it gets worn or scuffed it could have a cool look though.

Ah, that's interesting! I haven't noticed this myself in the hands-on I've seen. Do you happen to have any links to examples of this by any chance?

 

[Apple_Robert]

It is going to get scratched no question about it, unless you aren't the main market for this type watch.

 

[Kylo83]

I'm not sure, but in so many hands on, the outer edge of that bezel looks scuffed or chipped or something quite a bit. Guess need to wait and see. I think with use if it gets worn or scuffed it could have a cool look though.

So much for the durable and strong watch; it’s gonna look worse than the stainless steel ones; never has my stainless steel watches damaged

 

[douglasf13]

Watch cases are meant to protect internals. That’s why the Ultra’s case extends up to protect the screen. Embrace the scratches.

 

[AppleTLDR]

Yes titanium is bad I had it on my series 7 and after 1 week it scratches so I returned it and got stainless steel and after one year it’s perfect; this ultra watch is gonna be less durable than the stainless steel makes no sense, even apple staff say don’t go titanium as the demo units get mad scratches

I've always stuck with the SS for that reason. Though I'd hoped they might have stuck with the brushed finish as I could easily restore it as and when needed. I polish my steel SS7 all the time.

 

[Kylo83]

Watch cases are meant to protect internals. Embrace the scratches.

No my stainless steel watches always end up looking New Years later, the one time I had titanium I hated it so returned it, so it’s not durable to have that Finnish

 

[AppleTLDR]

Watch cases are meant to protect internals. Embrace the scratches.

I really wish I could lol. I have major OCD. That's on me, it isn't Apple's responsibility. But I want to try and pick the option that will bother me the least if that makes any sense 😅

 

[profets]

Ah, that's interesting! I haven't noticed this myself in the hands-on I've seen. Do you happen to have any links to examples of this by any chance?

Ah shoot, it was from browsing around, maybe twitter during early hands on. Looking at some further - there's the slightest chamfer along that outer edge, and I think its causes reflections that came across like scratches to me.

 

[douglasf13]

No my stainless steel watches always end up looking New Years later, the one time I had titanium I hated it so returned it, so it’s not durable to have that Finnish

I’m saying it’s somewhat silly to be concerned about scratches in an outdoors watch. I know those whose $10k Rolex looks well worn, as it should, so I’ve always been a little confused why people around here are concerned about it in a relatively inexpensive watch. My stainless steel AW is scratched to heck.

 

[Kylo83]

I’m saying it’s somewhat silly to be concerned about it in an outdoors watch.

So what’s the point of it; I have always had apple watches and many times hit it and knocked it and it’s never damaged so why go for an ugly style I thought the whole idea of it was for a bigger screen when it’s a step backwards from the series 7 the main thing is bezel and case, and most people wanting it don’t do sports they just want the better brightness and batt and speaker etc so the series 8 should of had all that

 

[profets]

I've always stuck with the SS for that reason. Though I'd hoped they might have stuck with the brushed finish as I could easily restore it as and when needed. I polish my steel SS7 all the time.

I've had the SS since the original, but for the 7 for the first time I got the titanium. Wanted to try something different. My SS would scratch up a lot, though I knew I could always polish it if it really bugged me. The titanium after nearly a year has held up excellent though, for what its worth.

 

[AppleTLDR]

So what’s the point of it; I have always had apple watches and many times hit it and knocked it and it’s never damaged so why go for an ugly style I thought the whole idea of it was for a bigger screen when it’s a step backwards from the series 7 the main thing is bezel and case, and most people wanting it don’t do sports they just want the better brightness and batt and speaker etc so the series 8 should of had all that

I'll be totally honest and say I am absolutely not the target audience for this watch. But as you point out, I do want the longer battery life as I never take my mine off except for an hour each day to charge it. I want a brighter, larger display, and louder speakers. If those features came to the standard model I'd have opted for that. All the outdoors extras will just be nice to haves for me but definitely not necessary.

 

[AppleTLDR]

I've had the SS since the original, but for the 7 for the first time I got the titanium. Wanted to try something different. My SS would scratch up a lot, though I knew I could always polish it if it really bugged me. The titanium after nearly a year has held up excellent though, for what its worth.

Thank you, that's really helpful

 

[douglasf13]

So what’s the point of it; I have always had apple watches and many times hit it and knocked it and it’s never damaged so why go for an ugly style I thought the whole idea of it was for a bigger screen when it’s a step backwards from the series 7 the main thing is bezel and case, and most people wanting it don’t do sports they just want the better brightness and batt and speaker etc so the series 8 should of had all that

Titanium is lighter and stronger than steel, but it’s softer. It’s a higher end material that focuses on function over form.

The bezels protect the edge of sapphire, which is prone to cracking.

 

[Kylo83]

Titanium is lighter and stronger than steel, but it’s softer. It’s a higher end material that focuses on function over form.

Which scratches more like I said it looks worse, go to an apple shop and look at the demo it will be made scratched where as stainless steel looks clean, I had one titanium Watch and returned it in a week

 

[Kylo83]

I'll be totally honest and say I am absolutely not the target audience for this watch. But as you point out, I do want the longer battery life as I never take my mine off except for an hour each day to charge it. I want a brighter, larger display, and louder speakers. If those features came to the standard model I'd have opted for that. All the outdoors extras will just be nice to haves for me but definitely not necessary.

To be honest the screen isn’t much bigger the reason it is 49mm is because of bezel and case so doesn’t look as good as series 7/8

 

[douglasf13]

Which scratches more like I said it looks worse, go to an apple shop and look at the demo it will be made scratched where as stainless steel looks clean, I had one titanium Watch and returned it in a week

My point is caring about scratches is a waste of time. It’s part of wearing a metal watch. I can’t imagine what some would think around here when they see a scratched up PP Nautilus, which is common.

 

[Kylo83]

My point is caring about scratches is a waste of time. It’s part of wearing a metal watch. I can’t imagine what some would think around here when they see a scratched up PP Nautilus, which is common.

Why would you want a device that looks worse for where

 

[AppleTLDR]

My point is caring about scratches is a waste of time. It’s part of wearing a metal watch. I can’t imagine what some would think around here when they see a scratched up PP Nautilus, which is common.

I am definitely a more extreme 'worrier' when it comes to this. I obsessively look after my stuff. I wish I could be carefree about it, I really do. But alas I'd be fighting a losing battle.

I'll try the Ultra for a few days. If I don't like it I can always switch back to S8 steel. Be a shame as I really want the battery life.

 

[douglasf13]

Why would you want a device that looks worse for where

It’s not a consideration to me, either way. I’d pick lightness over scratch resistance. Plus, regular stainless still gets scratched to heck if you really use the thing (unless DLC coated.)

 

[Xand&Roby]

🤣 I slammed my Apple Watch Edition 2 into every corner, inside the car engines when I shelter them, while I cut wood, scratch metals and destroy brick walls: not a single scratch. You clean it on the shirt or pants, like new. Every other Apple product made of metal and glass (the renowned Ceramic shield of the iPhone 13 was engraved in 2 days!) it's RIDICULOUS in comparison. And they make a “rugged” Titanium Watch?! Glad I changed to Apple 7 Watch Ceramic in 2 months, for free (881,40€ the cost per user for each individual watch). They deserve to lose money and customers, and those who give them €1009 for that junk deserve to see it striped freshly worn! 🤣

 

[M33-1]

I don't know if it's just me or not but the Titanium finish of the Apple Watch Ultra seems to have a coating akin to the Aluminium Apple Watch. Notice how in the photo below, the light scatters across its surface. The Apple Watch Edition, by contrast, is a brushed titanium finish.

I've ordered an Ultra but I'm a bit concerned about scratches and chipping. I know that the natural titanium of the edition could be easily restored with a refinishing pad. But I get the impression that this isn't the case with the Ultra owing to the texture.

it also seems to have a slight chamfer around the raised casing that I'd imagine is going to chip or get dinged rather easily. Does anybody else have any thoughts on this?

Here is an article to read discussing the differences between titanium and stainless steel. I’m going with the titanium because of the lighter weight on such a large watch. I can’t stand heavy, stainless steel watches, pulling down on my wrist.

Titanium vs. Stainless Steel Watches – Best Watch Material? – Chronometer Check

chronometercheck.com