Ceramic is also not sensitive to temperature, magnetism, and is also hypo-allergenic. Its only real drawback is in the complexity to manufacture it, as well as its ability to shatter if parts are too thin and the material is exposed to serious shock. With that said, I’ve not heard of any Apple Watch Edition ceramic cases breaking. If I had to suggest the primary reason why the Apple Watch Edition Series 3 in ceramic costs double that of the steel version (both have ceramic casebacks already and sapphire crystals over the screens), then it would be because of the complexity (and time) in machining the ceramic cases.
Value-conscious Apple Watch buyers will likely bring up an important point – and that is “why do I need my Apple Watch to look good for many years when a new version will come out in about two years?” The “upgrade cycle” of technology products is something that traditional watch companies don’t really need to think about since mechanical watches aren’t innovating at the same rate as connected electronics. Strictly speaking the Apple Watch Edition in ceramic might be “overkill” because the durability you get is perhaps longer than you intend to use the product. With that said, a wristwatch suffers from a lot of potential abuse on a daily basis and many people who enjoy their watches aren’t just interested in it not breaking, but in it looking pristine.
Apple products do not usually have the reputation when it comes to surviving wear and tear. It is common (if not expected) for portable Apple product buyers to put cases on their otherwise delicate mobile phones and laptop computers. I’ve mentioned in the past that the Apple Watch is probably the most durable product Apple has ever produced, which is something a lot of consumers haven’t fully understood yet. In other words, the Apple Watch is designed to stay nice looking without a case or additional protection. Among the available Apple Watch models, the ceramic Apple Watch Edition is the most durable. The value isn’t merely related to the product “not breaking,” but more so for the wearer not having to experience looking at scratches, dents, or other cosmetic blemishes that serious watch lovers tend to hate when they appear.
Apple offers the Series 3 Apple Watch Edition in either white or gray ceramic. The latter will likely be the more preferred male version even though I think a guy can rock a white ceramic watch easily. Nevertheless, Apple offers both the white and gray ceramic Apple Watch Edition in either the 38mm or 42mm case size. The Apple Watch Edition packaging also comes with some extras such as a travel case for the watch and the dock-style charging pad. Apple did an excellent job with the packaging to help this technology product feel a lot more like a valued lifestyle-accessory in most regards.
You’ll either appreciate or regret that the gray ceramic Apple Watch Edition isn’t easy to spot unless you know what you are looking for. The gray/black Apple Watch models in aluminum or steel can have a similar look unless you are in the right lighting, which means this “luxury watch” is a bit more on the discreet side. The white ceramic model is the most noticeable visually – but again not everyone wants a white timepiece. I’m actually happy about this discretion because it means people who get the Apple Watch Edition Series 3 in gray ceramic do so because of the inherent qualities of ceramic and the fact that despite scuffing and scraping the Apple Watch throughout daily wear, it will likely look perfect at the end of the day.
In my opinion investment in “high-tech ceramic” technology will only continue for wristwatches. In addition to costs incrementally going down each year, I think the biggest innovation will be in production techniques (i.e. more complex ceramic parts) as well as colors. No, I don’t think we will see a red or yellow Apple Watch ceramic next year, but eventually I think ceramic will be available in an assortment of beautiful, bright colors. Ceramic is in my opinion the most important wristwatch case material of the 21st century, whereas for mechanical movements that honor goes to silicon. Neither are metal, which is an interesting fact for both the watch and technology industries that for so long have relied on metal.
Is the Apple Watch Edition Series 3 in ceramic worth it? To a large number of mainstream consumers who must carefully monitor their spending I would say it is a fun luxury. A luxury that is less about status and more about having the comfort of knowing your timepiece will remain wear-free (even if you wear it a whole lot). Price for the Apple Watch Edition Series 3 in the 38mm long case is $1,299 USD and for the 42mm long model the retail price is $1,349 USD. apple.com
