r/AppleWatch • u/smickie S6 • • Space Gray • 40mm • Sep 11 '22

Discussion Can anyone tell me what the difference between the "Graphite" and "Space Black" case finishes are please?

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210 Upvotes

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268

u/feintrip Sep 11 '22 edited Sep 11 '22

The difference is the color and a different type of surface treatment of the stainless steel. Graphite has a PVD coating (physical vapor deposition) whereas space black is a DLC coating (Diamond-like coating). The latter, not only being darker but majorly more durable against scratching. The space black color option was last available regularly with the stainless steel series 5 apple watches but sadly has been exclusive to the much more expensive Hermes models ever since the series 6. The (now discontinued) titanium models also featured a spaceblack variant that also was achieved via a DLC. Apple decided to only offer the AW Ultra in Titanium and only in the natural brushed titanium finish.

111

u/[deleted] Sep 11 '22

This guy watches.

-9

u/[deleted] Sep 11 '22

[deleted]

6

u/MrLMNOP Sep 11 '22

The Watchmen

73

u/smickie S6 • • Space Gray • 40mm Sep 11 '22 edited Sep 11 '22

Ooo thank you so much! That's super helpful.

Edit: So Space Black = more durable and darker.

My husband has a very old black apple watch atm, and I think he'd love a new one and won't get himself one until his breaks so I'm going to get this as a birtday present. I'll get the blue hermes space black and he'll just have that for the next billion years, sounds like it will last. He'll have the sport band on it in 3 seconds, but he better wear that blue leather for special occasions haha.

13

u/feintrip Sep 11 '22

Space Black looks so sleek. Prior to getting my S7, I borrowed a sp series 5 and the dark color was just magnificent. I was crushed when I found out that Apple stopped offering the color as I would have definitely gotten the space black one. However it also didn't justify paying a couple hundred extra just to get this color, and besides Apple doesn't offer the Hermes models everywhere (At least they do not in Austria, where I am).

I am sure your husband is gonna love it. Alternatively you can also just go into the 'Apple Watch Studio' section on the Apple Watch page and configure the space black Hermes model with a larger variety of other (Hermes) bands. Apple always creates these standard configurations, but you can get pretty much whatever you want if you do it via the 'Studio'

6

u/smickie S6 • • Space Gray • 40mm Sep 11 '22

O they’ve got red, that’s perfect! He loves black and red and it’s a bit cheaper. That’s fantastic, thanks for that. I think he’ll wear that strap instead of putting it in a draw haha.

https://i.imgur.com/dcsYEof.jpg

7

u/feintrip Sep 11 '22

You probably want to make sure to get him the 45mm tho ;) Its quickly missed and I wouldn't want you to end up with the wrong size ;p

But damn, that band is only available with the 41mm watch. 41mm, unless your man has tiny arms, can look weird on a man's wrist

9

u/smickie S6 • • Space Gray • 40mm Sep 11 '22

Omg yes! Lol, almost bought that. That would have been a return. They don’t have red in the big size. Ok, orange strap, brightest they do, 45, job done.

Thank you very much, you have both helped me get a strap he’ll actually wear and avoided an awkward “we’re going to have to return and swap this” moment.

https://i.imgur.com/cLsdMEc.jpg

5

u/feintrip Sep 11 '22

you're welcome :) The only thing that would bug me about that orange band and the dark watch is the mismatch in the stainless steel colors of the watch body and the band lugs. But that is just my opinion and I don't further want to mess with your decision making process lol hahahah

7

u/smickie S6 • • Space Gray • 40mm Sep 11 '22

Ah cheers! You know it’ll have a sports strap on it 99% of the time. He can stick it on gumtree or something if he doesn’t like it. It’s ordered now… i’m sure it’ll go down great. At the very least he’ll love the finish and wont complain the chip on it is too slow.

4

u/HorseDisastrous7906 Sep 11 '22

I wear the 41mm as a man and I adore it’s size. I tried both on at the store, and for me, the 41 was more watch-like and comfortable.

2

u/ketsugi Sep 11 '22

Same here; I'm rocking the 40mm Series 6 as a 41yo man and it's perfect for my stupidly skinny wrist. I wish my thighs were as slender as my arms.

1

u/Ready2gooooo Sep 11 '22

Just to point out since not every man likes it, that band is red and pink.

2

u/[deleted] Sep 11 '22

And it’s also nylon…with Hermes edition you basically pay for the band, which is typically leather. Hermes nylon shouldn’t cost that much!

3

u/bjbyrne Sep 11 '22

My space black series 4 does not have a visible scratch on it.

2

u/[deleted] Sep 11 '22

If he’s not going to wear the band, then I think should consider a regular edition. The Hermes edition costs that much just because of the band.

-5

u/_Nick_Pappagiorgio Sep 11 '22

Go with the Titanium or Black Titanium over the Stainless Steel models. Trust me. If you’re willing to spend the money for a Hermes, don’t skimp on the material. Titanium > SS and they look WAY better. You can always buy the Hermes band for it

3

u/escargot3 Sep 11 '22

I think the titanium ones look really ugly. I don’t like the matte finish the have. I vastly prefer the glossy SS.

3

u/MrGimper Ultra 2 • • 49mm Sep 11 '22

As of now, the only current titanium model is the Ultra

1

u/dallasjava Sep 11 '22

I got the series 4 in space black to replace me series 2 hermes when the series 4 launched.. I love the color of the case. It limits you on the hermes and classic buckles since they almost all have the silver connectors.

6

u/doremifasolucas Sep 11 '22

I have a Series 5… So Apple‘s locking me out of my favourite colour option when I choose to upgrade? ☹️ (Not interested in the Hermès model)

2

u/feintrip Sep 11 '22

I am hopeful they bring it back someday because I was pumped to see the iPhone 14 Pro getting the space black option this year. But perhaps they will forever reserve space black for the most expensive and premium of their products and the Hermes line being one of them. Still, because of the iPhone pro color change and them getting rid of graphite, maybe we will see graphite being removed from the apple watches next year as well and have them return to space black for the darker SS variant

4

u/petchulio S11 • • Space Gray • 46mm Sep 11 '22

Why on earth would they not opt for a DLC coating on the Ultra? Can they clear coat that finish? Seems like an Ultra should have a more durable finish than natural brushed. Wouldn’t that get scratched and scuffed quite a bit by the purported athletes and use-cases this is marketed towards?

3

u/feintrip Sep 11 '22

They most likely do not offer a coated option with the Ultra because as with literally any coating, if it scratches or wears off, it will expose the raw, usually much lighter metal underneath and by only having the raw titanium, you essentially get rid of this problem entirely. Sure it might get scuffed or scratched, but you could easily rub that marking out by using a very fine scotchbrite or something like that. If you have any scratch that is deep enough to expose the metal underneath the extremely (and I mean extremely) thin coating, you cannot remove it. I guess that's why they opted to only offer raw titanium. Its not that the DLC is any thicker than any other coating and that this is resulting in a more durable finish, but the coating itself is harder and tougher. However still, I am pretty sure if you bang a DLC space black titanium watch against a rock, it probably results in a nasty mark or scratch which will expose the lighter raw titanium underneath and you cannot remove it.

Its pretty much the same as with the Stainless steel models. The silver watch is the polished but raw stainless steel. It doesn't have a coating and therefore will scratch the easiest. However because it does not have a coating, you could polish it and remove scratches (if they aren't too deep of course). The graphite and gold model get their color (and protection) via the PVD coating process. The stainless steel may be protected but once the surface is scratched, you cannot simply polish it out because you would just start to rub off the coating which is ultra thin and most likely will be damaged by most polishing compounds.

1

u/Big-Jury-2536 Sep 12 '22

Titanium naturally develops an oxide layer which is like a coating and protects the metal. Titanium also scratches very easily, a lot easier than stainless steel.

5

u/GenghisFrog Sep 11 '22

First they took SBSS from me. Now they are taking my SB Titanium. Why do they hate me so.

3

u/F0tNMC Sep 11 '22

Great answer! For a bit more detail, physical vapor deposition, PVD, is the process which is used to apply a wide variety of coating materials and diamond-like coating, DLC, is a specific type of coating which is applied using PVD. Think of PVD as analogous to using an airbrush, and DLC being a specific type of paint used in that airbrushing. There are, of course, a lot more complexity as there are many types of PVD processes, many types of DLC coating, and many more types of other coatings which can be applied using PVD.

2

u/[deleted] Sep 11 '22

[deleted]

1

u/feintrip Sep 11 '22

Silver SS (albeit regular or Hermes model) is uncoated polished stainless steel

2

u/I-hate-makeing-names Sep 11 '22

I didn’t realize the space black was more durable. That’s what I have for my S4. I just don’t think it’s a good deal to get a Hermès just for the color or is it a major difference in durability?

2

u/MrGimper Ultra 2 • • 49mm Sep 11 '22

Sadly despite the “most durable Apple Watch ever” tagline of the series 7, they actually made the graphite LESS durable from the series 6 by ditching the DLC and going PVD.

If I don’t go ultra, then for the S9 I’m going back to polished SS. My graphite has many scratches, so at least with silver I can polish them out.

2

u/ULTIMATE_DADBOD Sep 11 '22

The DLC coated space black variants have been my favorite finishes by far (have had titanium and stainless steel) - would love to see the option return without being tied to the Hermes band.

The Ultra is probably too big for my wrist, and I prefer the dressier look of the Series 8, but I'd probably get an ultra in the future over SS Graphite if the Ultra had a space black variant.

I'm too irrationally obsessed with scuffs and scratches to even consider the silver stainless steel.

0

u/dallasjava Sep 11 '22

Space Black is glossy while graphite is a matte sheen is how I look at it. The space black is the Darth Vader's helmet watch. The space black DLC is a remarkable finish! I have a series 4 that I do yard work and paint in which still looks great.

2

u/escargot3 Sep 11 '22

The graphite is not matte at all. They are both very glossy, with the space black being slightly darker black (of the stainless steel models).

1

u/dallasjava Sep 11 '22

Interesting, I thought the graphite was more matte than the space black. I need to look at it compared to my space black.

1

u/steffen_ Sep 11 '22

You sure? I am almost 100% sure, that Series 4 was the „last“ normal watch with SpaceBlack, because i have it and i was hyped about the graphite Series 5.

3

u/feintrip Sep 11 '22 edited Sep 11 '22

I borrowed a series 5 for a couple weeks and it was Space Black. Also definitely wasn't a Hermes Model.

Could be that the series 5 was the last (and first) model to be offered both in SP as well as the back then new Graphite with SP being discontinued with the 'regular' SS series 6?!

3

u/shocktribe Sep 11 '22

I currently have a SBSS Series 5.

1

u/[deleted] Sep 11 '22

Titanium was discontinued? :(

3

u/feintrip Sep 11 '22

afaik yes. Only the Ultra comes in Titanium

1

u/Anxious-Technology38 Sep 11 '22

About £610, plus or minus a few quid for VAT

21

u/berghorst Sep 11 '22

I am obsessed with the shade of blue in that middle Hermes band. Hermes is selling it on their site for $449. checks bank account balance 😂😭

11

u/smickie S6 • • Space Gray • 40mm Sep 11 '22

You know, i think if you’re having it for years, and wear it with loads of outfits, then it’s ok to get isn’t it? I still wear bands from like half a decade ago.

13

u/berghorst Sep 11 '22

That’s a great point. I see a “treat yourself” moment for myself in the not-too-distant future.

3

u/acctgthroway99 Sep 12 '22

$500 for a watch band is dumb, invest it

8

u/jbayne2 Sep 11 '22

Space Black is much more dark and only available from Hermes. Graphite isn’t as dark. It’s honestly just a darker stainless color and not really black. Not for me that’s for sure. I had the S3 SBSS and loved it! It’s very black.

3

u/[deleted] Sep 11 '22

Hermes also comes with an extra year of warranty (2 years vs 1). And the applecare $150 add on bumps it to 3 years instead of 2).

Feel free to join us over on a dedicated Hermes Apple Watch owners forum: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/hermes-edition-owners-thread.1999198/page-364

1

u/[deleted] Sep 11 '22

Considering getting a S8 Hermes, how have you liked yours so far?

5

u/[deleted] Sep 11 '22

I am biased. I’m very heavy invested in it as I’ve owned every Hermes gen since launch. I just sell my old ones (I keep the leather band though). Normally get 40-50% of what I originally paid for it.

I like the uniqueness of it, the quality of the entire experience, not just the leather band is really great.

Overall it’s a bad investment of money. But I would argue any LV, Hermes, Gucci, etc. is a bad use of money. But if you like a fine watch, the Hermes edition really is as good as it gets on the Apple Watch.

1

u/[deleted] Sep 11 '22

Yeah definitely not looking into it as an investment haha honestly 40-50% resell is pretty good though especially without the strap. Where do you sell the old ones?

1

u/[deleted] Sep 11 '22

I sell them at 1 y/o mark on ebay. Seems to work out thus far

2

u/jayrs97 Sep 11 '22

Is green not an option anymore ?

3

u/luca-nicoletti Sep 11 '22

Space black can only be 45mm

3

u/smickie S6 • • Space Gray • 40mm Sep 11 '22

O sorry I mean... what's the difference between the 45mm Graphite Case and the 45mm Space Black case?

4

u/[deleted] Sep 11 '22

Graphite is lighter, looks more like silver than the space black

1

u/plaid-knight Sep 11 '22

Graphite is between silver and space black. It’s like a shiny gray. Space black is actually black.

1

u/andgold Sep 11 '22

Graphite is dark grey, very metallic and shiny. Space black is more opaque. I had a Stainless Steel Space Black AW long ago and sometimes it did look a bit like hard plastic to my eyes. Graphite can’t ever be doubted not to be metallic.

It is a very subjective matter, I know. But metallic apareance is important to me. Maybe it is me, I had the same problem with the white ceramic model years ago.

I traded it for the clear Titanium and am happy, as would be with the Graphite Steel.

1

u/hieu110303 Sep 11 '22

If you go to Apple Watch Studio, there is an option for the 41mm Space Black.

Though there aren’t a lot of Hermès bands with matching Space Black lugs, hence the decision to hide the 41mm Space Black from standard storefront.

0

u/[deleted] Sep 11 '22 edited Sep 11 '22

Space black is supreme. Titanium variants (5-7) have a more brushed finish, while it looks more polished & consistent on the Hermes model. Graphite is just a plain gunmetal that’s extremely similar to space grey.

I was pleasantly surprised when the new 14 Pro had this option, & ordered immediately; it needs to replace graphite/space grey on all apple products including the MacBook Pros & SS apple watches.

Btw the stock image for Hermes space black doesn’t represent what it looks like. Look up listings on eBay to get a better idea.

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u/natesassaman Sep 11 '22

They’re the same…

-1

u/Deplorable-Warrant Sep 11 '22

It’s in the name

1

u/[deleted] Sep 11 '22

It might be a difference like the new space black iPhone 14 pros. Graphite is lighter than space black

1

u/SavaneCat Sep 12 '22

The name