1 year later scratches?

[LordQ]

Hi guys,

So, the watch launched on April 24, 2015, which is almost a year now and I have the question of how are the materials doing? Specifically; the white sport band, is is dirty? broken? Does the SS version show scuffs and scratches? Does the black aluminium ones show major scratches like the iPhone 5?

I am thinking on buying the second generation in September (?) but wanna now how are the materials holding out after a year of use.

Thanks!

 

[macduke]

Haven't visited the watch forums in quite a while! My preorder didn't come until like June 2nd-ish so mine isn't quite as old. I only wear my sport band doing yard work but it has held up ok—but it's black. The milanese loop is great. I mean the clasp part has some scratches but it's brushed, on the bottom, so it's not as noticeable. The SS watch itself has picked up some scratches but I use cape cod polishing cloths to polish it every couple months or so. The sapphire is perfect but I think it has lost some of the oleophobic coating and picks up fingerprints easier. Does anyone know if it's possible to re-coat it? And as for the second generation, I'm probably going to skip it. I've got my health under better control now so even if they add blood pressure and glucose sensors, I won't need them for several more years. I just wish apps were faster, but I don't use apps a ton on it.

 

[srshaw]

My SS has a few scratches, but not on the glass. Pretty much what I would have expected.

 

[Watabou]

I got my watch on launch day, the SS with the Black Sport Band and it has faired surprisingly well!

I still use the shortest band as it has no signs of wear or any discoloration. The case has some scuffs, I accentually banged it a couple of times on walls, car doors, tables, chairs, you name it, I'm pretty clumsy. The glass though, has no scratches at all, even though I know for a fact I must have hit it too a couple of times. Hugely impressed with the Sapphire display.

 

[jasie02]

For SS, this will buff/remove most light scratch and dullness, look like new again, except any very deep scratch.
This is another reason I am glad Apple offer polished vs brushed. It is just way easier to buff/restore polished SS.

 

[ZEEN0j]

For SS, this will buff/remove most light scratch and dullness, look like new again, except any very deep scratch.
This is another reason I am glad Apple offer polished vs brushed. It is just way easier to buff/restore polished SS.

Thinking about doing this. The microscratches don't bother me that much, I knew it would get them. But one of the reasons why I liked the ss model is that I have the possibility to fix it if I want to. Maybe in a couple of months.

I do wonder though. What's the best way to do it on the Apple Watch? I have no idea what it looks or feels like. Is the cloth dry or moist? Do you need gloves?

 

[jasie02]

Thinking about doing this. The microscratches don't bother me that much, I knew it would get them. But one of the reasons why I liked the ss model is that I have the possibility to fix it if I want to. Maybe in a couple of months.

I do wonder though. What's the best way to do it on the Apple Watch? I have no idea what it looks or feels like. Is the cloth dry or moist? Do you need gloves?

Follow long instruction on the back, very detail.

 

[Tsuchiya]

For SS, this will buff/remove most light scratch and dullness, look like new again, except any very deep scratch.
This is another reason I am glad Apple offer polished vs brushed. It is just way easier to buff/restore polished SS.

Just used this to give my SS some much needed TLC. After a year of use, the casing definitely shows signs of wear. The end result was quite good. Even one particularly deep scratch was less visible.

 

[Mac2me]

I've had my SS AW since near release. I have a few microscratches on my SS case but noticed them after I put on a thin silicone case cover, thinking it would protect the case. Discarded the cover after a few hours of seeing them. Would not recommend these on the polished SS (think the aluminum holds up better for these covers). No scratches or chips on the face. And have occasionally hit my watch face on doorways, etc. -- so far came out unscathed. I did take out Apple Care + so have some time left on it should something finally catch up,to me.

My Apple bands, orig. leather, and sport band (white) I got in the beginning look like new by my standards. I do wipe the SB down routinely with just a damp cloth. I do the same with the face and back of the Watch case. Enjoying my subsequent AW SB purchases along with 3rd party spring bar adapters and 3rd party bands too. No failures on anything I have so far.

Really no problems and still happy I have it. I do wear it nearly all week long on a regular basis. I wasn't a watch wearer for decades so was a bit apprehensive about whether it would pay off for me, which I feel it has.

 

[LordQ]

Thanks for the insight, guys! I almost got myself the SS with white band on Friday but decided to hold for gen 2. The bad thing is I am very eager to get it now!

 

[Defender2010]

Had my SS since release. Every two weeks I polish with a cape cod cloth. Looks pristine...I don't have any deep scratches. The crystal is immaculate too. I wash my watch under a warm tap every couple of days too. Use a sponge to clean. No detergent. I also wash my sport bands every time I change them (I have 6 Apple sport bands). All look brand new apart from the dark colours which have the little "rub" mark on the inside where the two pieces meet. Unless I crack the screen or gauge a big scratch my watch will look brand new to I sell it.

 

[Mac2me]

Thanks for the insight, guys! I almost got myself the SS with white band on Friday but decided to hold for gen 2. The bad thing is I am very eager to get it now!

Curious when you think you will be buying a Gen 2. While no one knows for sure, it may be that it doesn't get released until this Fall. I guess you'll have a good idea on that March 21.

I will mention that if you haven't seen it, B&H Photo has a sale right now (not sure of expiration--they are an authorized reseller). Think it might be on MacRumor's Front Page/and thread under Watch. $50 off sport Watch, $100 off AW -- plus you get a $50 gift certificate to apply towards a band. The gift card would pay for a sport band. Just thought I'd mention. Always tough to know when to jump in. Sometimes your heart makes up your mind.

 

[Nell]

My silver sport still looks like new (had it about 9 months). The white sport strap is unmarked although I haven't worn it much over winter (I have a few straps so none is worn that much).

 

[slicecom]

I scratched my Sport's glass within the first week. Returned it for a SS and the sapphire still has no scratches at all with almost a year of daily use.

 

[kjm18]

Had my space grey sport since last May and it is flawless

 

[DynaFXD]

Got my SS release day. I do not baby or clean it at all. It looks great. I might celebrate its birthday with some of the cleaning cloths that are recommended above

 

[Skorpio]

I bought mine in June, and as seen, I have been rough on my watch (42mm SGS). After my first scratch I said, "screw it, I got Applecare+" and bang it every day (clumsy). I also work around a lot of metal, so that doesn't help.
Battery life is still just as good as when new, despite being charged overnight each day.
Except for being slow at times, it still works great and reliable.

 

[bandrews]

Hi guys,

So, the watch launched on April 24, 2015, which is almost a year now and I have the question of how are the materials doing? Specifically; the white sport band, is is dirty? broken? Does the SS version show scuffs and scratches? Does the black aluminium ones show major scratches like the iPhone 5?

I am thinking on buying the second generation in September (?) but wanna now how are the materials holding out after a year of use.

Thanks!

SS - light scratches but no more than any expensive SS watch. Sapphire display is flawless. I'm a farmer and don't have any protection on it at all. It's been knocked, scraped, banged, covered in S***/dust/soil, immersed in water and the screen looks like new. My iPhone screen however...

Fog sport band looking a little grubby but nothing out of the ordinary. Very good considering the stuff it gets on it. Midnight blue and product red still look like new - but don't wear them at work.

Battery still going 16hour days with about 50% left at the end. Can get two days if I turn off at night.

 

[LordQ]

Thank you guys, very insightful! Can't wait to get mine

 

[GrumpyMom]

I got my watch on launch day, the SS with the Black Sport Band and it has faired surprisingly well!

I still use the shortest band as it has no signs of wear or any discoloration. The case has some scuffs, I accentually banged it a couple of times on walls, car doors, tables, chairs, you name it, I'm pretty clumsy. The glass though, has no scratches at all, even though I know for a fact I must have hit it too a couple of times. Hugely impressed with the Sapphire display.

I may as well copy this post because that's my experience with the SS. Mine is a 38 mm with the black sport band. I do have many other sport bands now and they've all held up well. The black band has survived gardening and landscaping work.

The few scuffs and scratches I have are not that noticeable. I did recently purchase a gold sport watch and that has a tiny scuff, which may have been present at purchase. It's a very minor imperfection but on the matte finish it does stand out to me more than the scratches on my stainless steel.

 

[mildocjr]

No scratches on the display but I did hit my AW Sport against a concrete block wall pretty hard when moving stuff, put a few dimples on the side that are about the same size of a ball point pen tip. Outside of that, no issues with the band, screen, or internals. Even took a shower with it on a few times but stopped because I'd notice that when I had it on in the shower I had significantly less battery life throughout the day, I suppose this is due to Apple's patent using the speaker to "pump" water away from the inside. Still runs like a champ and I have on average 40-60% battery at the end of the day when I put it on the charger. ~ 7 AM - 11:30 PM

 

[bandrews]

Thank you guys, very insightful! Can't wait to get mine

All this talk of scuffs and scratches inspired me to get the Brasso out. Just gave my AW a good buffing - got a bit carried away and launched it into the air and it landed face down on the granite worktop. Was too scared to turn it over but no dramas - no breakages.

All the buffing paid off too - the SS case looks flawless again.

 

[BlueMoon63]

Some minor scratches on the SS around the watch that I need to move around to catch the right light to see. Nothing I would be OCD about and want to buff. Zero scratches or blemishes on the face and I have not been careful with my watch. From lifting and swimming to gardening and retaining wall to sports of all kinds.

 

[MrGimper]

Had my SS since end of April and the sapphire is unmarked. Case has picked up some scratches and these have just buffed out with the Cape Cod cloth. Use it every month and looks like new.

 

[h9826790]

Black SS, wear >20hr daily, normal use, not particularly rough or too care about it. No scratch on the watch face or body, and 1 minor scratch on the band (still black in colour, but visible under light).