Apple Now Offering Depth and Water Seal Tests for Apple Watch Ultra

[MacRumors]

Apple today published a new support document letting Apple Watch Ultra users know that they can request a Depth and Water Seal Test by Apple to determine if their watch's depth gauge and seals are working properly.

The document describes a couple of scenarios under which users might want to have their watches tested, including assurance of proper functionality of the depth gauge for those who rely on it such as for diving and to check for unseen damage in the case of impacts to the watch.

Apple Watch Ultra owners can request a Depth and Water Seal Test for their device via Apple's normal online support channels. Apple will perform a visual inspection of the watch to look for any visible damage, and if the device appears intact, Apple will then test the water seals and depth gauge.

Users are cautioned that unseen damage could compromise the watch and that the Depth and Seal Water Test could render the device inoperable in such situations, necessitating a replacement fee unless the issue is covered by warranty.

Apple doesn't specify whether there is a cost for this service, so you'll need to check with Apple if you wish to have the tests performed on your watch. Once your watch has been sent to Apple, it should be returned to you within seven to ten business days.

Article Link: Apple Now Offering Depth and Water Seal Tests for Apple Watch Ultra

 

[phill85]

I wonder how for many years the watch is guaranteed to be water resistant.. outside of the Apple Watch ultra, my last 2 stainless steel Apple Watches were the series 4 and 5. Most people are going to have their 800$ Apple Watch for awhile, and we’d want to be able to trust it.

 

[zapmymac]

Seems like a necessary secondary service Apple should have mentioned on day1

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Wow! This is some serious type of service. I wish it was offered when I pre-ordered my ⌚️ Apple Watch Ultra tho.

 

[surfzen21]

Yeah, this seems weird.

So they'll do a test for something that should be working in spec and if it breaks they will charge you.


**EDIT**

So I just read Apples document and it's just not drafted well.

It should have said something like:

Each Apple Watch Ultra's water seal and depth gunge are tested for reliability and accuracy from the factory. However, some extreme activities or use could cause damage, seen or unseen, that could compromise one or both these functions. Apple is now providing a service that will test both these for accuracy and reliability.

Then Apples actual statements.

 

[surfzen21]

Wow! This is some serious type of service. I wish it was offered when I pre-ordered my ⌚️ Apple Watch Ultra tho.

Yeah.

I'm guessing this is something that was tested before it left the factory and this is just to ensure there hasn't been unseen damage since.

I'm not relying on my for diving but I guess Id want to make sure it was good before I relied on it.

 

[darkslide29]

I get the need of a more rugged Apple Watch, but is diving so popular that it’s a market Apple is capitalizing on? I’d love to learn that it’s a pet project of an Apple employee who loves diving, and somehow, here we are.

 

[visualseed]

I'm reminded of the old Timex commercial where they put the watch on the propeller of an outboard boat motor in a water tank and it disappeared.

 

[sgtaylor5]

I'm reminded of the old Timex commercial where they put the watch on the propeller of an outboard boat motor in a water tank and it disappeared.

and it was a live commercial…

 

[anthogag]

Does every Apple store have the seal and pressure test device?

What is the "replacement fee" for out-of-warranty Ultras? The cost of a new Ultra?

 

[searls]

This seems like somebody in Apple legal realized that the risk of an Apple Watch Ultra failing as a dive computer and resulting in the death of a diver would be a huge liability and as preemptive CYA, Apple could get out ahead of it by offering free quality/safety inspections like this. Very few people will take them up on it because of the hassle, but Apple will have a stronger defense in the event a diver drowns because their Watch seal failed

 

[ian87w]

I get the need of a more rugged Apple Watch, but is diving so popular that it’s a market Apple is capitalizing on? I’d love to learn that it’s a pet project of an Apple employee who loves diving, and somehow, here we are.

It’s a market conquered by the likes of Garmin, Shearwater, etc. Apple already “conquered” the regular watch market, so this is the next piece on the pie.

 

[Aston441]

I'm reminded of the old Timex commercial where they put the watch on the propeller of an outboard boat motor in a water tank and it disappeared.

😮 some youboob influencer MUST do this with the iWatch!

 

[anthogag]

This seems like somebody in Apple legal realized that the risk of an Apple Watch Ultra failing as a dive computer and resulting in the death of a diver would be a huge liability and as preemptive CYA, Apple could get out ahead of it by offering free quality/safety inspections like this. Very few people will take them up on it because of the hassle, but Apple will have a stronger defense in the event a diver drowns because their Watch seal failed

Dive equipment is checked all the time. Tanks are re-certified periodically. Everything is inspected before a dive. Regulators are serviced periodically. There are backups.

Apple worked with divers when designing the Ultra. Divers surely said equipment is always checked and tested and a leak and pressure test for the Ultra was likely planned before the Watch launched.

Apple stated Ultra's dive app is for dives down to 50'. There are no time limits or decompression stops for dives within 50 feet from sea level; especially if it's just the one dive.

 

[Tofupunch]

I'm reminded of the old Timex commercial where they put the watch on the propeller of an outboard boat motor in a water tank and it disappeared.

this was great, thank you for sharing this. It was a demo fail, but nothing close to the cringeworthiness of the cyber truck metal ball/window demo fail

 

[Tofupunch]

Yeah, this seems weird.

So they'll do a test for something that should be working in spec and if it breaks they will charge you.


**EDIT**

So I just read Apples document and it's just not drafted well.

It should have said something like:

Each Apple Watch Ultra's water seal and depth gunge are tested for reliability and accuracy from the factory. However, some extreme activities or use could cause damage, seen or unseen, that could compromise one or both these functions. Apple is now providing a service that will test both these for accuracy and reliability.

Then Apples actual statements.

It’s a new revenue stream for them! 😂

 

[yeah]

This seems like somebody in Apple legal realized that the risk of an Apple Watch Ultra failing as a dive computer and resulting in the death of a diver would be a huge liability and as preemptive CYA, Apple could get out ahead of it by offering free quality/safety inspections like this. Very few people will take them up on it because of the hassle, but Apple will have a stronger defense in the event a diver drowns because their Watch seal failed

I mean, it's also the diver's responsibility to obtain diving lessons and learn/understand the dos and don'ts of diving.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Apple seriously need to release some new Apple Watch Ocean Bands, please. I own all 3 colors and they are starting to get dirty and looking rugged 😓

 

[svish]

Wonder why it was not mentioned since day one. Anyway good to see this.

 

[ayaan456]

it is a great information to hear apple products at its best of service thanks for sharing this amazing information

 

[hallmarkt]

"Perform a Depth and Water Seal Test? Oh no-sir-ee, not on my watch!"

Thank you very much folks. I'll see myself out..

 

[citysnaps]

Dive equipment is checked all the time. Tanks are re-certified periodically. Everything is inspected before a dive. Regulators are serviced periodically. There are backups.

Apple worked with divers when designing the Ultra. Divers surely said equipment is always checked and tested and a leak and pressure test for the Ultra was likely planned before the Watch launched.

Apple stated Ultra's dive app is for dives down to 50'. There are no time limits or decompression stops for dives within 50 feet from sea level; especially if it's just the one dive.

Nice having some context and facts to counter the reflexive and expected (paraphrased) "it's just another money grab by greedy Apple."

Thank you.

 

[mikeenglish]

Wow! This is some serious type of service. I wish it was offered when I pre-ordered my ⌚️ Apple Watch Ultra tho.

OMG!! Why? 😂 It’s brand new, doesn’t need it!

 

[ApplesAreSweet&Sour]

And yet most just bought an Ultra for the better battery life and won’t even submerge it in a kitchen sink.

Apple really made you get a diving computer just because of how bad battery life is for regular AW.

Well, then -Happy diving to all the new divers in here! 😆

 

[Royksöpp]

Is there anyone who bought the Ultra that actually uses it for that purpose? It seems that everyone bought it just because it was the new shiny toy on the block. Have you seen some of the YouTubers that wear it? They haven’t stepped foot in a gym let alone in deep water.