Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
"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."


Let's say that you are right. Your shoes aren't so expensive. Imagine that you buy expensive leather shoes and in 2 days it shows wear use. unacceptable.
Stop excusing Apple. Come on they could be wrong sometimes, it's not that bad.
if you pay a premium price, you expect this. I saw in the web that the watch cost 80 to apple, that's the problem with big profits, people expects high quality and durability.
 
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?

Bad analogy. A shoe hits the ground with each step you take; constantly making contact with another object (the ground). Wear is inevitable in this regard. A watch...just sits there. I agree w/ the others, unacceptable.
 
Bad analogy. A shoe hits the ground with each step you take; constantly making contact with another object (the ground). Wear is inevitable in this regard. A watch...just sits there. I agree w/ the others, unacceptable.


You tuck the band into itself, that rubs, there's your wear.

----------

Then why is Apple reportedly pulling orders back? There is a silent recall on the black sport band. You're on this forum, I'm sure you read about this.


There are reports of the material peeling. I'm sure you read about this.
 
These bands are most likely the same material as the iPhone 6/6Plus Silicone cases. They look great on day 1, but over time the "softness" wears off and that is what you are left with. Some colors are better than other, my White silicone case still looks flawless after months, but the black has totally changed.

That's apple for you, they make things that look better than others, but they don't weather as well...
 
Um sorry, if you use it, it will wear. What's so hard for you to understand?

I've taken my blue sport band on and off many times in the past week as I let my friends try it on, and it shows no sign of wear. I've worn it 18 hours a day for the past week.
 
After 3 days, my Black Sport Band is wearing down.

Well yeah it won't. Lighter colors reflect light right? Black bands don't, except where they wear because it's flattened down there and/or a minor polish on the band, which will reflect the light. It's simple really.
 
Not sure why you're so eager to portray this as normal. I've had much cheaper watches with black bands that still look fine after years. If this happens after days then it would seem to be a matter worth talking about.
 
Not sure why you're so eager to portray this as normal. I've had much cheaper watches with black bands that still look fine after years. If this happens after days then it would seem to be a matter worth talking about.


Agreed.
 
Then why is Apple reportedly pulling orders back? There is a silent recall on the black sport band. You're on this forum, I'm sure you read about this.

I'm sure if you read about it, you'd realize the pictures the OP posted show no signs of peeling like the ones that are defective.....
 
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.

To me, it is less important on when the wear starting to show, but more important on how bad it will progress. If the amount of wear stays like this after a longer period of time (months to 1 or 2 years) without getting much worse, I can certainly accept that. The band is made of soft rubber after all. We want to it soft so it is comfortable, but then you'll have to live with the fact that softer materials rub off quicker. You can't have it both ways.

On the other hand, if the band wear keeps on getting worse, like the peeling reported by a fellow member (see link below), then I agree it is beyond normal wear and tear. Apple should improve their manufacturing process and replace the bands for all of us.

https://forums.macrumors.com/posts/21131373/
 
If I was apple and you brought that watch in with those scuff marks, I would send u right back out the door with the same band. That's normal man. If, in a couple months, Those same scuffs are now cuts or tearing, then I'd replace it.
 
But the wear is on a part of the band you don't see, because it tucks into the other part of the band. From what I've seen anyway
 
I was considering buying a black sport band, but now I am concerned because I can see from OPs picture that the band he has used for 3 days shows wear around the whole where the pin tucks and the band tucks. Here are pictures of my blue sport band that I have used for seven days. I tried to catch a reflection of a worn surface in the light but could not see anything but uniformly matte blue.

OP's band:
2auWbsv.jpg


My band:




 
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?

Apple mostly will not give a replacement. There is an article that spoke about AppleCare/Warranty replacement. Watch band wear and tear is expected... sweat, oil from skin, lotions, washing the band all will wear it down. that expected from any band. The leather band will warp and crack over time, as the metal band will start to show fine scratches. this is expected with any watch band. The time period in which it happens will vary depending on the user.

One thing I can suggest is not to wear the band too tight. From the photo i can see that the band it is coming into contact with you some type of fluid (body sweat or oil/lotion) and its wearing on the band. On the plus side it's only $50 for a replacement. I have a second band on order just because I want to swap it out to prevent regular wear/tear. I also wear by band one notch loser, this is something I've learn over time from wearing watches.
 
Happening to mine too.

Called AppleCare and was in contact with a Senior Advisor. It was determined that it is not normal wear and I am being sent a replacement...but...they want me to send my defective bands first before they can send me a new one.

Asked if they can reconsider sending me the replacement first. Told them I've waited for my watch to arrive long enough and I should never have to wait again for a useable watch for who knows how long.

The Advisor said he will see what he can do and will call me back in a couple of days.
 
Have had two black bands so far and they both have worn like this just on the parts that are rubber to rubber. I don't mind because it's parts you can't see. If the outside wears will get it replaced at some point but it's silly to get a replacement now as it is going to have the same marks in another 3 days...haha
 
I'm rather enjoying all the threads from folks that obviously haven't owned a lot of watches and are having to re-learn tons of lessons from us long-time watch folks. Things like scratches in SS (and how/when to polish), sapphire crystals, and the cause de jour, rubber straps.

You bought a smooth, black, rubber strap. Guess what? They wear and show marks. Learned this decades ago. If you want a rubber strap, go with a patterned surface or light color if the small marks bother you. Personally, having already learned many of these lessons, I went with the SS Apple watch with both the classic leather band and the SS links. YMMV.
 
My black sport band is peeling. Started on the inside and now the outside. Apple is doing a "capture" of my band to send to engineering and are sending a replacement- which I don't want. I wanted a $50 credit for the black leather loop because the sport band is garbage and I imagine the replacement will do the same thing
 
I was considering buying a black sport band, but now I am concerned because I can see from OPs picture that the band he has used for 3 days shows wear around the whole where the pin tucks and the band tucks. Here are pictures of my blue sport band that I have used for seven days. I tried to catch a reflection of a worn surface in the light but could not see anything but uniformly matte blue.

OP's band:
Image

My band:
[url=https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8772/17144881310_a9876793c5_c.jpg]Image[/url]

This looks white to me.

Oh no...not again :O
 
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.
Hey! A Seiko Tuna. Now that watch has sole!

Well, I hate to carp, but I am starting to flounder. I'll let myself out....
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.