What hurst me more was seeing the regular AW smash on the 1st try! 😬
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Apple Watch Ultra: Titanium finish less durable?
- Thread starter AppleTLDR
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But nothing, and that includes eternity (according to researchers), lasts forever. My TAG Heuer 'incredibly durable/strong natural crystal' that was touted as being 'nearly indestructible' shattered as the watch hit the tile floor from a grand dizzying height of ~2 feet. I was crushed, and had to pay (obviously) to get it replaced.
Crystals and even ceramics have a 'grain', and if it's hit at the right spot/area with the right amount of force, it will chip/crack/shatter. 😞
Not a chance that the watch is less durable. The finish may be less durable, but that's entirely different.
Get a clear soft bumper on the Apple Watch Ultra through Amazon. That is what I am doing. I am being extremely careful with it until mine comes. I work in heavy conditions so my Ultra comes off any ways and on comes my Series 8 that has a UAG bumper. I don't care how durable Apple says the titanium case is I will protect it at all costs.
Exactly. There is a reason so many engine manufacturers rely on titanium alloys for the hyperactive parts of their engines and it's not because it seems less durable. Titanium alloys have a wide spread degree of stability in varying conditions, and depending on the alloy, the Apple Watch can be far and away more durable than any other possible metal. But YMMV, it all depends on what it's hit with, and where, as to it the Apple Watch surviving, but getting all freak show about it isn't helpful. Get Apple Care. Realize it doesn't cover cosmetic damage, but there you are...
Disagree as we are here to debate 😉 To me a strong finish should = a strong durability…. If the finish is not strong how can someone’s tell it is more durable than a device with a poorer finish? Durability cannot be determined based on those dumb watches crash tests you see on YouTube they are so far away from reality. Bottom line: if based on an everyday use during a same period of time the AWU casing is more damaged than a SS S8 casing…then the AWU is less durable.
I agree with your statement on durability. I wish the finish was stronger to protect from most of the the normal population will be doing with the watch on a daily basis.
I appreciate the ruggedness overall, but I am also not in the target - extreme workout group. I do some intense workouts, but I am not hanging from a cliff, running in the desert, nor am I diving lol.
Thanks. We’re in the same boat. I bought the AWU but I am far from being a sporty guy. I like the form factor, it’s look and bigger screen/battery. But when I read that titanium is more prone to scratches, dents, is a softer material but at the same time it is more durable than SS I cannot agree with that. Yes it is lighter, a more fine/exquisite material. Take an example b/w a plate made of porcelain and one made of though/strong glass… one is nicer, more expensive and refine. But drop it on the floor… the porcelain plate will break for sure…maybe not the other. Porcelain is less durable.
I completely agree with your assessment. We seem to have similar use cases. In my experience with Apple Watches (SS and Ceramic) I’ve never once had an issue with dings, dents, or major scratches nor have I ever had any screen damage.
Maybe that’s good luck on my part or maybe I am just not that extreme. For me, I was hoping the Ultra would improve the day to day durability (seems to be a big step backward), but it’s almost impossible to crack the screen - which I have never once done in 8+ years of Apple Watch ownership. Plus there is AppleCare+ for that as well.
I’m pretty sure I am returning mine and I appreciate hearing your thoughts. It’s been super helpful for me. Most likely back to Hermes SS for me this year.
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Thanks again for all of the posts on this topic. Hope everyone enjoy’s their choice That works best for them.
Seems like many are confusing the word "durable" for "scratch resistant".
Disappointment is imminent.
Disappointment is imminent.
For me, I hope something that is more durable is also more scratch resistant.
In this case, I believe durability simply reflects additional screen protection. For my use cases - hikes, runs, and occasional biking- the screen durability of the “non aluminum series” models have been extraordinary through 8+ years plus they also include additional durability (that the Ultra does not have) around daily bumps into walls and doors.
That would certainly be nice, however that is not reality. Titanium is certainly more durable, but has the trade-off of easier to scratch. The watch will be extremely difficult to break/wear down, or be rendered inoperable as a result. Durability has nothing to do with cosmetics. Scratches/Nicks are solely cosmetic damage. They have no effect on the watch's ability to operate. That's why AppleCare doesn't cover them. This is what people seem to be having a hard time accepting.
Expectation management is vital for those who purchase this watch. It seems you've already recognized that the scratches are a deal breaker for you & that's perfectly fine. I hope others are able to do the same.
You make some very good points. For me (and I’m sure many others) the watch definitely is not durable enough to withstand daily usage without chipping and denting the weaker titanium finish. I’m sure it will work for many though! I definitely enjoyed the watch, but most likely will be returning it tomorrow.
Enjoyed all of these threads though and glad to see Apple make some changes to the watch lineup.
I want to know if it blends!!
But it's like crash testing cars. Have you heard all about that? Manufacturers and their cadre of engineers cooked up vehicles that would specifically pass the tests those vehicles were subjected to. So when they changed the angles, the cars started failing more often. Some spectacularly. Everyday use is way *usually* less destructive than a severe insult/impact. Hell, I can kick my car and dent it, but if it is involved in just the right crash and just the right speed, I will walk away. Does kicking it mean it's a danger to owners, or to others on the streets? No. Don't be silly. My TAG watch crystal story, does that make their watches horrifically weak and prone to breaking/shattering? No, but the next person that drops their watch on that same grain in the crystal will feel the way I did, I'm sure.
I've seen people dent helmets, and yet they *could* really save your bean in a direct accident. (Surviving at that velocity is a figure of speech)
Scratching a titanium Apple Watch does NOT mean they are junk. It does not mean they are 'less durable'. I have scratches in my AE7, but I can't feel any injury, and can use a Sharpie if it really bothers me. *shrug*
Titanium is what they implanted into me. I would be horrified if a chunk of aluminum would have been more durable.
Just don't buy one. The possibility that it might be scratched sounds like it might keep you up at night. Titanium is a splurge. I like knowing mine is titanium. I don't know what else to say. I'm glad I don't have a ceramic AE, as that would make me wonder where the grain in the ceramic is, and how to avoid it getting hit and potentially splitting open. 😧
Titanium, like aluminum, is almost never used in its pure form. Instead it is alloyed, and there are many different alloys which can greatly change the properties, as so can heat treatment (tempering). We do not know what alloy Apple is using. ("Aerospace" is too vague.) All of them have pros and cons. Some heat treated titanium alloys are quite hard (i.e., scratch resistant). So we can't generalize the properties of titanium, other than it is light compared to steel (but not nearly as light as aluminum).
Properties of aluminum are even more affected by alloying. Pure aluminum is very soft and weak (think aluminum foil). But some aluminum alloys are very strong, and some are much harder than titanium alloys.
The properties do not fit into neat boxes labelled "aluminum" and "titanium."
Same applies for steel alloys, including stainless steel alloys.
Properties of aluminum are even more affected by alloying. Pure aluminum is very soft and weak (think aluminum foil). But some aluminum alloys are very strong, and some are much harder than titanium alloys.
The properties do not fit into neat boxes labelled "aluminum" and "titanium."
Same applies for steel alloys, including stainless steel alloys.
Even with clear it's going to make the watch look bigger. I'm sorry but I still have a limit as to how big a watch I can wear
Understandable with your use case though.So you do not agree with the compositional makeup of an element? It is a scientific fact. It is not a matter of opinion.
Again, scratches have nothing to do with durability. Cosmetic damage is not durability issue. I suggest you stick with stainless steel, which is far less durable, but is better against cosmetic damage. You do not seem to be the target demographic for this watch.
This is exactly what I’m thinking. I had my AW5 and 6 SS chewed on playing with my dog, banging against things on accident, working in the yard and such with no damage . The edges on the ultra will definitely be the weak point showing chips and such. I guess I will see how mine holds up, already have a minor blemish in under a week without knowing what could have caused it. Would have been cool if they put that DLC coating on it or whatever it is called. In any case I will use it as I used all my others, it will just look more rugged over time lol.
All watches I have ever owned have picked up some character. My stainless steel watch has some good scratches in it (I will post pics if I have to) just as this watch is susceptible to wear. They all are if we are being honest. I actually think this will hold up better over the long run vs my softer stainless steel watch. But again, stainless steel is an alloy where titanium is metal. I am confident I could put a scratch in any consumer product given to me. I am totally fine with a little “character” I just want the watch to hold up to shocks, temp, water, heat, corrosion, and I have no doubt the ultras will age super well. Despite the scratches that are prone to every consumer watch ever made lol.
I’m with you. I’m coming from an aluminum S6 that was scratched to hell. Even the screen itself was scratched. It didn’t bother me at all. Funny thing is, I was actually using that watch for what the Ultra was intended for. I wore it for all the outdoors events, workouts, light hiking, etc. I couldn’t be happier with the Ultra & couldn’t care less about any cosmetic damage because I fully accept & understand the trade offs. I didn’t buy the watch to baby it.
The problem is, a lot of the posters here bought this watch to essentially use as a Rolex with an Apple logo. It’s going to lead to a lot of disappointment. We’re less than a week after release & people are already complaining about minor abrasions. All I can say is get your popcorn ready.
Is is a titanium alloy, not pure titanium element. So it is matter of opinion amongst us what alloy has been used, and hence what properties it has. Apple knows what alloy is used, but we don't.
It doesn’t matter what type of alloy was used. It is more durable than the stainless steel that they offer on their other watches.
enough talking, anyone can share more pictures of scratches or dents on your AW ultra?
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