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After 3 days, my Black Sport Band is wearing down.

C

ChrisH10

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Apr 23, 2015
12
1
So I got my Apple Watch Sport on Monday night and put it on Tuesday morning. I've been wearing it for about 2-3 days now and I'm already seeing wear on the Black Sport Band. Black Sport Discoloration

Now, I've owned other watches before with the same type of material and I've never seen a watch wear down this fast. Here's a comparison between a watch I've owned/worn for two years (going through sweat,dust,dirt,showers,etc) compared next to the Black Sport band that I got Monday night.

Timex vs Apple Watch Band Wear

I really don't think it should be wearing down this fast (I can understand if it wears down after a couple months, but not after 2 days). I've contacted Apple Support and the representatives were surprised and nervous as well since they ordered the same watch as what I have. They said it wasn't normal and they would look into it as well as replace the band for me since this was a special case.

For those wondering, it seems like the matte finish is coming off the watch and is not repairable (as in running through alcohol). Also, the wear is on both sides of the watch (front and back)

Does anyone else have the same issue as me?
 
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ChrisH10 said:
So I got my Apple Watch Sport on Monday night and put it on Tuesday morning. I've been wearing it for about 2-3 days now and I'm already seeing wear on the Black Sport Band. Black Sport Discoloration

Now, I've owned other watches before with the same type of material and I've never seen a watch wear down this fast. Here's a comparison between a watch I've owned/worn for two years (going through sweat,dust,dirt,showers,etc) compared next to the Black Sport band that I got Monday night.

Timex vs Apple Watch Band Wear

I really don't think it should be wearing down this fast (I can understand if it wears down after a couple months, but not after 2 days). I've contacted Apple Support and the representatives were surprised and nervous as well since they ordered the same watch as what I have. They said it wasn't normal and they would look into it as well as replace the band for me since this was a special case.

For those wondering, it seems like the matte finish is coming off the watch and is not repairable (as in running through alcohol). Also, the wear is on both sides of the watch (front and back)

Does anyone else have the same issue as me?
Click to expand...

There's an article couple days ago mentioning about Black Sport Bands were defective, those bands needed to be soaked in some chemical longer otherwise they wear out and peel off prematurely.

I would ask Apple to replace...
 
Poochi said:
There's an article couple days ago mentioning about Black Sport Bands were defective, those bands needed to be soaked in some chemical longer otherwise they wear out and peel off prematurely.

I would ask Apple to replace...
Click to expand...

Oh really? I must have missed the article. I am asking for a replacement, I have to wait till the Apple Engineers get back to me on Saturday before a replacement happens.

I'll try to find the article.
 
If you get a replacement, ask them if you can keep this band, ya never know if you may need it....
 
8CoreWhore said:
If you get a replacement, ask them if you can keep this band, ya never know if you may need it....
Click to expand...

Yes! I will ask them if that's a possibility.

Here are some higher quality pictures of the issue:

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Mine has marks in the exact same spots.

I just assumed it was normal as all those spots are hidden from view when being worn.

Those marks are cause by the areas where the band contacts itself.
 
The areas where you're seeing imperfections in the luster are where the band rubs against itself. They are not visible when you're wearing the watch. I think you're being a bit of an alarmist.
 
This is considered normal wear and tear, as the "discolouration" occurs at the points where the bands are rubbing each other.

Alternatively, there were reports where pealing was happening all over the bands. (Google for it). In those cases, Apple was replacing the bands for free.
 
silverblack said:
This is considered normal wear and tear, as the "discolouration" occurs at the points where the bands are rubbing each other.

Alternatively, there were reports where pealing was happening all over the bands. (Google for it). In those cases, Apple was replacing the bands for free.
Click to expand...


Sorry, but I don't think this is acceptable to pay $350-400 and say it's "normal wear and tear" to be doing this after only three days, or even at all.
 
This is normal for all high end rubber watch bands. They will wear like this. It is unavoidable.

Here is a pic of my Seiko Tuna. As you can see the $75 rubber strap has the same wear marks in it where the clasp rested.

aak4zn.jpg
 
At least it's on an area of the band that's not exposed while wearing it. I'll be interested to see how the exposed areas of the band hold up to several months of normal wear and tear.

Photography said:
Sorry, but I don't think this is acceptable to pay $350-400 and say it's "normal wear and tear" to be doing this after only three days, or even at all.
Click to expand...

Not technically true. The band wasn't 350, most of that cost is the watch itself. I'm willing to bet the bands that do cost that much will hold up better.
 
If the band started to wear into the material and peal, I certainly think there would be an issue.

But in the case of shifting form and modest discoloration at those points, I wouldn't be too concerned. You'll see them most drastically in the beginning as the rubber begins to form around the tension of the band, since it's never been in that shape and rubber is pretty mailable. Over time, the wear will lessen as it sets, but if it continues to warp and tear, I'd be more concerned.
 
Gosh that reminds me of the rubberized finish on the early Newton MessagePad that peeled off during use. At least a watch band is easy to replace!
 
AbsoluteMustard said:
This is normal for all high end rubber watch bands. They will wear like this. It is unavoidable.

Here is a pic of my Seiko Tuna. As you can see the $75 rubber strap has the same wear marks in it where the clasp rested.

Image
Click to expand...


Yeah, normal wear and tear is expected... but how long was it until that occurred? Not two days. (I hope)

----------
sportsfrk214 said:
At least it's on an area of the band that's not exposed while wearing it. I'll be interested to see how the exposed areas of the band hold up to several months of normal wear and tear.



Not technically true. The band wasn't 350, most of that cost is the watch itself. I'm willing to bet the bands that do cost that much will hold up better.
Click to expand...

The wear does show in some places on the front of the watch (I sometimes put the watch on the first hole, and it does that "U" wear around the border) There is a little bit of wear near the actual watch face on the front... I'm waiting to see if it gets worse.


The band alone is $50. $50 is somewhere in the middle in terms of an affordable/expensive band. It's a good chunk of money at least (for a college student like me) so, you'll be thinking twice before you spend $50 on a watch band.
 
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I am experiencing the exact same issue as you with my black sport band as well. I noticed the marks after the first day.

I would be interested to see if Apple considers this to be normal wear and tear or will replace your band. Does the issue only exist with the black band? I would have thought it would be visible on all the colors (except white).
 
InAustralia said:
...Does the issue only exist with the black band? I would have thought it would be visible on all the colors (except white).
Click to expand...

My blue sport band still looks brand new and I've been wearing it all day since I got it last Friday morning.
 
the black sport band is garbage. for the watch i'm returning, the band was already worn down after 1 day.
 
I am concerned as well since I picked up my 38mm SG Sport wish black sport band from UPS last night. It's still in the box.

It's almost as if Apple is trying to 'nudge' us into ordering more expensive options. :(
 
It's going to wear! For christ sake. Do you freak out on your shoes when you wore them for one day and they get dirty and the sole is scuffed? No.

This is a daily wear item that goes on your wrist of your arm that swings around, reaches for things, etc. you'll get scratches, dents, band scuffs, etc. it's nature. Nothing will ever be 100 prestige that's used daily, no matter how bad you want it. Peeling, that's a defect. Scuffs and smooth spots in the rubber finish that have been rubbing against each other, how do you avoid that? You don't in this case. Even the link bracelets will scuff/scratch, does that mean they're defective?
 
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NM08SRT8 said:
It's going to wear! For christ sake. Do you freak out on your shoes when you wore them for one day and they get dirty and the sole is scuffed? No.

This is a daily wear item that goes on your wrist of your arm that swings around, reaches for things, etc. you'll get scratches, dents, band scuffs, etc. it's nature. Nothing will ever be 100 prestige that's used daily, no matter how bad you want it. Peeling, that's a defect. Scuffs and smooth spots in the rubber finish that have been rubbing against each other, how do you avoid that? You don't in this case. Even the link bracelets will scuff/scratch, does that mean they're defective?
Click to expand...

NO it is NOT nature for a $50 band to wear in only 3 days.
 
InAustralia said:
I am experiencing the exact same issue as you with my black sport band as well. I noticed the marks after the first day.



I would be interested to see if Apple considers this to be normal wear and tear or will replace your band. Does the issue only exist with the black band? I would have thought it would be visible on all the colors (except white).
Click to expand...


I can confirm that white is holding up extremely well. I've rinsed it a few times in the sink over the week I've had it and it looks the same as when I first took it out of the box. Very pleased as I actually expected the opposite- black would be more bulletproof and white a stain/grime magnet.
 
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