What you think is acceptable . . . . .
It should have shown some wear even after one day.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
After 3 days, my Black Sport Band is wearing down.
- Thread starter ChrisH10
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
What you think is acceptable . . . . .
It should have shown some wear even after one day.
You have the exact same what, exactly? There seem to be two issues people are concerned about here. One seems to be the shiny spots at pressure/contact points on the band. That seems like normal wear to a lot of us.
The peeling is a bit more concerning. That seems to be a material defect.
The OP's pics don't concern me at all, all the spots are invisible when actually wearing the thing.
The peeling is a different issue altogether, but it's definitely not happening to everyone. I've been focusing on Space Gray related threads, so I haven't seen if any other colors have the peeling problem.
It looks like defective manufacturing, something didn't cure for long enough or correctly. These things happen, especially at a launch. Apple is great about defect returns though, they send out a new product ASAP and just wait for you to return the defective item, and just charge you if it doesn't come back after a certain time.
I've had mine for 4 days and see the wearing issue as well but there is an extra watch band in the box so what's the big deal?
As per the OP's thread. Peeling is another matter. But not something that I have experienced myself.
Apple was very cool about the band issue and is sending out a new one. They also told me to keep my damaged band for me to continue use if I wish... I will probably just use the bad band for work and then switch when not.
The fact that they don't want the original back makes me think that they've been getting enough of these calls now.
Whatever though, I'm still happy with my watch.
The fact that they don't want the original back makes me think that they've been getting enough of these calls now.
Whatever though, I'm still happy with my watch.
Ive just spent 50 minutes on the phone with Apple re the peeling on my black band.
The "senior" person I spoke to admitted they don't know much about this issue, but will send me another band, and I must then send back my original band. He apparently needed my credit card details so that if I don't return my peeled band they will charge me.
As I stressed to apple, its important to note the difference between "wear and tear" marks and shiny bits (to be expected), and the issue with the bands "peeling" (not expected).
The "senior" person I spoke to admitted they don't know much about this issue, but will send me another band, and I must then send back my original band. He apparently needed my credit card details so that if I don't return my peeled band they will charge me.
As I stressed to apple, its important to note the difference between "wear and tear" marks and shiny bits (to be expected), and the issue with the bands "peeling" (not expected).
I have noticed the rub spots appear on my band already too, they started showing up around day 3. Not concerned about that as much as I am about the peeling since I have a week 14 SG Watch.
Also, has anyone's back on their Sport scratched already? Mine has a small cluster of them above the lower sensor. Hasn't affected anything but just curious.
Also, has anyone's back on their Sport scratched already? Mine has a small cluster of them above the lower sensor. Hasn't affected anything but just curious.
Really? That's a bummer... Guess it's the luck of the draw? Maybe it depends on the few thousand CSR reps they have? I was probably on the phone for all of 15 minutes... At least they're sending out a new band though!! ##
Funny they told me they were sending me a new band and a return label to send my peeling one back for testing.
Then another "senior" phone rep called me Monday and said they couldn't do that and wanted me to purchase a new band and then return the old one for a refund.
I expressed my frustration and told them not to bother because I had already ordered the black leather loop to replace this cheap rubber one.
They couldn't replace my band but they gave me my choice of a free accessory off of their store- so long as it wasn't watch related. What a joke.
Then another "senior" phone rep called me Monday and said they couldn't do that and wanted me to purchase a new band and then return the old one for a refund.
I expressed my frustration and told them not to bother because I had already ordered the black leather loop to replace this cheap rubber one.
They couldn't replace my band but they gave me my choice of a free accessory off of their store- so long as it wasn't watch related. What a joke.
Slightly different than the original issue of the discoloration, but has anyone had an issue with the band with holes (M/L) becoming very sticky and tactile compared to the smoothness of the top band? I've tried washing with soap and water and after drying there is a huge difference in the smoothness of the band straps. The top band continues to slide and feel like new, but the bottom sized band is sticky to the point that it gets caught on my wrist on one side.
How are people's black bands holding up now? I have one arriving in the post tomorrow to replace my white band as my daily driver. After reading about all the issues it's taken the shine off it a bit (however I'll have a nice shiny patch on the band after a couple of days I supposed lol).
Lol... the picture where the band is laid out looks white (with gold connectors) where as the last two pictures appear to be blue.
Black Rubber Band wearing out quickly (in comparison to Blue Rubber)?
Just thought i'd add this:
I am currently in possession of two apple watches - I have a 42 stainless steel with a black rubber sport strap, and the 42 aluminium with a blue rubber sport strap. Whichever one i liked least, my friend was going to take it from me.
I have noticed that after the same period of use (1 week each), my black rubber strap has worn out very quickly, with its outer coating already worn out and the texture changing.
The blue rubber strap, despite getting the same usage, shows no signs of wear at all.
Just thought i'd add this:
I am currently in possession of two apple watches - I have a 42 stainless steel with a black rubber sport strap, and the 42 aluminium with a blue rubber sport strap. Whichever one i liked least, my friend was going to take it from me.
I have noticed that after the same period of use (1 week each), my black rubber strap has worn out very quickly, with its outer coating already worn out and the texture changing.
The blue rubber strap, despite getting the same usage, shows no signs of wear at all.
Last edited:
My solution to this so called problem:
I have a SS 42mm Apple Watch with the Black Sport Band (waiting for my blue leather loop to arrive). I've had the so called "discolouration" on my black sport band but it was extremely easy to clear up using a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser.
All you have to do is wet the Magic Eraser with water and then wring out so it's just damp. Then, rub the Magic Eraser along the band. All little marks on the band wipe right out, and my band has looked as good as new. I've been working in the garden a lot since I've gotten the Apple Watch and have used this method twice to clean the band. My band looks as good as it did when it arrived on the 29th of April. Give it a try, I'm certain you will see the same results!
I have a SS 42mm Apple Watch with the Black Sport Band (waiting for my blue leather loop to arrive). I've had the so called "discolouration" on my black sport band but it was extremely easy to clear up using a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser.
All you have to do is wet the Magic Eraser with water and then wring out so it's just damp. Then, rub the Magic Eraser along the band. All little marks on the band wipe right out, and my band has looked as good as new. I've been working in the garden a lot since I've gotten the Apple Watch and have used this method twice to clean the band. My band looks as good as it did when it arrived on the 29th of April. Give it a try, I'm certain you will see the same results!
Are you serious? If it's already wearing down after a few days, in a month both bands are going to be worn down
Also, they offer two bands because one or the other won't fit many people
I think this is a legit issue.
My band also shows this wear but only on the top piece (with the pin). The other side doesn't show any marks and both have been worn since day one.
I've not done anything out of the ordinary with it and take excellent care of my Apple stuff.
Apple is sending out a replacement band.
My band also shows this wear but only on the top piece (with the pin). The other side doesn't show any marks and both have been worn since day one.
I've not done anything out of the ordinary with it and take excellent care of my Apple stuff.
Apple is sending out a replacement band.
Attachments
I'm having the same problem with the same portion of my band. It looks like a coating is beginning to wear off only a week after I got the watch. I'll try and give Apple a call and see if they can do anything.
Attachments
Mine had a big bald patch where the coating peeled off. Apple is sending me out a replacement. They originally called it "normal cosmetic wear"...but that didn't work for me with a ten day old watch lol.
Looks like I'm going to have to shop for a different band. I'm leaning towards a Baseus silver or gold band for my Sport SG.
Nobody wants a replacement that would wear the same way in a few days.
Nobody wants a replacement that would wear the same way in a few days.
Last edited: