I wanted to clarify some things about the watches, as well as type out some thoughts to help my thinking before I purchase.
I'm no watch expert, or even have serious interest beyond watches in the fitness realm so I could easily have something wrong.
So here goes, Bezel & Case information, according to the Specs listed on the Garmin website.
Watch | Case | Bezel |
Athlete | Titanium | Titanium |
Expedition | Titanium | Titanium |
Captain | Titanium | Titanium/Ceramic |
Aviator | Titanium | Titanium/Ceramic |
Driver | Titanium/DLC | Titanium/Ceramic |
I know there is some confusion, at least in my mind, because some of the earlier marketing material showed the Athlete as having DLC. It doesn't on the official specs that I can see.
So, now on to something I really have no clue about but it's my best guess based on reading.
If you want maximum protection from scratches and durability, the driver is the best of the bunch.
For maximum bezel scratch resistance, any of the top 3 watches, with the ceramic bezel will give that to you. The downside of a ceramic bezel is that apparently they don't take well to impact, something I do semi regularly to a watch. I've also read about ceramic watches breaking when dropped.
I haven't purchased one of these, yet, but it leaves my thinking as follows:
I have no need of the extra's in the Captain, Aviator or Driver. I like the looks but that's it, leaving the Expedition or the Athlete.
The Athlete is the better fit for my lifestyle, as I run. The watch, new, looks amazing. But, black, just like a car, will show every nick and scratch, and in a year won't look so amazing.
Which leaves the Expedition, while not my first choice in looks, is still better looking than anything I've owned before.
Anyways, feel free to correct if any of this is in error.