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

[Hakiroto]

I've had my Sport (with black band) for 12 days now and I'm seeing the same issues. On the inside of the strap I see the same happening next to where the pin sits and then also right at the end where it obviously rubs on the other end of the strap. I don't mind this as I don't think it'll get worse and it's on the inside. What is bothering me a little, though, is that it looks like it might be starting to peel on the outside of the band, right where the strap kind of turns outwards where it meets the watch. It's not that noticeable but seeing as I'm in my 14 days I was wondering what to do. I think I'm probably going to leave it as it looks like even if they replaced it I'd be in the same situation in another 10 days.

 

[Binarymix]

I can confirm a magic eraser/slightly abrasive sponge will take the glossiness off of the watch band.

I recently started working in steel, thus lifting heavy weights and my wrist has grown by one notch in 4 days! So there, the unsightly glossy marks came to fruition.

Nothing comes off the watch band i.e. no black shavings, so I think it's just body oils that get trapped in those spots and create the markings.

All fixed now. All is good in the world.

 

[Jigga]

This happened after my 2nd day wearing it. This should not be happening at all within the first few months of wearing a new watch.

 

[bh85]

Its made that way so you will upgrade to at least $150 band, haha.

 

[crazee928]

i have the same shiny marks on the black band's contact points after 2-3 days. i bought a green sports band and wore that for almost 2 weeks straight, and i don't see any marks on that at all.

is there a difference in materials between the black band and a colored band? i would think that the material is the same across all colors and would all wear the same way, but it seems this spotting is only apparent on black bands. doesn't matter that much to me since these wear marks are hidden once i put the band on, but just curious why this symptom doesn't show up in other colors.

 

[ecschwarz]

is there a difference in materials between the black band and a colored band? i would think that the material is the same across all colors and would all wear the same way, but it seems this spotting is only apparent on black bands. doesn't matter that much to me since these wear marks are hidden once i put the band on, but just curious why this symptom doesn't show up in other colors.

There is a difference (not sure what), but the black and white bands feel much different than the blue, green, and pink (I've heard, but haven't seen one of these) ones. My blue and a friend's green ones lay flat on a table after long amounts of continuous use, while the black and white ones will start to curl. There is also a difference in texture (black/white are more "grippy") and weight. The white seems to exhibit the same wear issues, but not nearly as severe or noticeably.

 

[acctman]

I purchased a set of Continental tires at $264 each... I drove these d@mn rubber tires off the lot after into and they started wearing instantly... I'm calling Continental to complain when I get home, this is unacceptable. Over $1k not including install and the hour I had to wait for install. My tires should not wear until I say they should.

p.s. anyone know the number to Mother Nature? I think the weather / heat is also making my tires wear too.

/s

 

[MH01]

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.

Thanks for that pic. I was trying to see what the issue was and that image summaries it very well

 

[MH01]

I purchased a set of Continental tires at $264 each... I drove these d@mn rubber tires off the lot after into and they started wearing instantly... I'm calling Continental to complain when I get home, this is unacceptable. Over $1k not including install and the hour I had to wait for install. My tires should not wear until I say they should.

p.s. anyone know the number to Mother Nature? I think the weather / heat is also making my tires wear too.

/s

i get it, both are made of rubber. Though thier application and purpose have absolutely nothing in common...... But let's compare the two

Just messing with you, love sarcastic comments! Though if you owned a high powered sports car , you would understand what that is a really bad comparison. One acts like glue on the road, hence wears , the other should be a durable fastening mechanism.

 

[doug in albq]

i get it, both are made of rubber. Though thier application and purpose have absolutely nothing in common...... But let's compare the two

Just messing with you, love sarcastic comments! Though if you owned a high powered sports car , you would understand what that is a really bad comparison. One acts like glue on the road, hence wears , the other should be a durable fastening mechanism.

Old-time advertising folks would call that an example of..."The Irrelevant Comparison." A tried-n-true mechanism employed by marketing experts and corporate apologists for a long time!

 

[jimmyjustice]

Not sure why people flock to the forums before trying a few things first. Yesterday, after a long workout, my watch was disgusting so I ran it under some running water in the sink. When I pulled it out, I dried it off with a microfiber cloth. The picture below was the result. It looks terrible. That being said, I was able to rub all of that layer off and it looks great again. No idea what it was, perhaps a layer of dust or protection from the factory. I'm on my phone so I'll have to post the after pic in another post.

Exact same thing happened to me twice. Was able to replace it the first time. Lady at apple store was very rude and warned me this will happen with my new one as well. Both in the first couple of days of (minimal) use.

I'm thinking at this point it might be better for me to talk to Apple directly? Certainly they're not supposed to be designed like this I imagine. Or wait a few weeks then go to store and hopefully it will be from a new batch.

 

[C7 POWER]

Ive had to get the black band replaced twice in the past 2 weeks, both the band started pealing on the inside, so the issue may be known but has not be corrected. I ordered a new one today so we will see. My white one has been flawless and I have worn it daily since launch except the few days I wore the black ones.

 

[doboy]

Mine started peeling or at least I think it's peeling (outer surface) after 3-4 days of use. Very disappointing . I may just stick with the white band for time being if I decide to keep my watch.

 

[Ulenspiegel]

I purchased a set of Continental tires at $264 each... I drove these d@mn rubber tires off the lot after into and they started wearing instantly... I'm calling Continental to complain when I get home, this is unacceptable. Over $1k not including install and the hour I had to wait for install. My tires should not wear until I say they should.

p.s. anyone know the number to Mother Nature? I think the weather / heat is also making my tires wear too.

/s

Weird, you wear Continental tires on your wrist?

 

[2skies]

I've had my watch for less than a week and my Sport Band looks like garbage. I gently wash it with purified water and a lint-free, abrasive-free microfiber cloth, and still it looks like this.

Last night I was on the phone for 58 minutes, passed between first, someone who barely spoke English that transferred me to the wrong department, who finally got me to an Applecare person who seemed to be on the first day of the job because she was talking to herself "no, no, that's not right" the entire time.

Now she's saying that I've got to pay $57 for a new sport band band that's only $49 new (I'm assuming it's a hold until they get the other one back), and that it's going to count against my Applecare+ incident. I'll be damned if I'm going to burn an incident on this crappy band!

The nearest Apple Store is ~2 hours from me, so I can't just walk in and get it replaced. I've been an Apple customer for over a decade, and I've never had this dismal level of support.

 

[ZBoater]

I've had my Watch for two weeks. My black sports band still looks like it did when I got the watch. Weird.

 

[fanta88]

I wonder if perfumes/colognes (which have alcohol bases) are responsible? I know a lot of us, me included, use scents on pulse points and/or spray the wrist. Or perhaps purell or the equivalent?

Not trying to blame the owners at all. Simply trying to figure out why the peeling afflicts some bands and not others.

 

[srshaw]

Three days? I'm surprised it lasted that long. Apple is not a watch maker!

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I'd guess $3.

Does this chap have nothing better to do than spend time posting that Apple isn't a watch maker? Quite clearly they are because they make the Apple watch, which is as far as I can tell is a watch. You might not like it, but none the less Apple is a maker of watches. Perhaps you'd like to explain what you mean?

 

[jace88]

I just wanted to mention that my black sport band on my SS model seems to be holding up fine with daily use in the hot and humid climate of Singapore, and it follows me through the day and into the shower too. All is well so far. Fingers crossed because I'd have a hard time exchanging it as I purchased it from Sydney.

 

[Brien]

Whatever matte/rubberized coating my BSB that came with the watch has seems to have started peeling off. It took three calls to Apple and a trip to the store before they would even consider a replacement, but it sounds like one is on the way.

I'm probably going to swap for a milanese loop since I am still in my 14-day return window, these should not be falling apart so quickly. Reminds me of the black Macbook issues a few years back.

 

[bluegt]

On my first SGS AW (had for 1wk), the black sport band developed a significant shine fairly fast. It was specifically on the inner part of the band, I assume due to friction with my skin.

On my SS AW (2 weeks now), the black sport band is developing a shine in the exact same area. No "peeling" yet.

 

[Sheza]

Not sure why people flock to the forums before trying a few things first. Yesterday, after a long workout, my watch was disgusting so I ran it under some running water in the sink. When I pulled it out, I dried it off with a microfiber cloth. The picture below was the result. It looks terrible. That being said, I was able to rub all of that layer off and it looks great again. No idea what it was, perhaps a layer of dust or protection from the factory. I'm on my phone so I'll have to post the after pic in another post.

It's sweat. Happens on my Nike Fuelband too, which is also black and has a rubberised texture. You just scrape it off, as you said, and it's fine.

 

[stonerwinst]

Interesting issue. My SGS black band is also peeling. I'm 8 days in. I noticed it several days ago and thought it was just dirty. I rinsed and wiped it off and it looks like the coating on the rubber is peeling. I think the feel of the coating is the intended design; it's like it more tactile than the rubber underneath.

I'm not sure what to do. Sounds like the all the black bands have this issue.

 

[Andrew.s]

Yeah, the oil/rubber on rubber markings are definitely normal wear, but not so much the peeling. I had the same peeling on my band after 2 weeks and got it swapped over the weekend at the genius bar.

 

[stonerwinst]

Yeah, the oil/rubber on rubber markings are definitely normal wear, but not so much the peeling. I had the same peeling on my band after 2 weeks and got it swapped over the weekend at the genius bar.

How long ago did you get it swapped? Does the new one have the same issue?

Wondering if the issue is isolated to certain batch of bands.