Only 2 months after getting my Stainless Apple watch 42mm with the stainless link bracket (the most expensive watch and watch band I have ever purchased $1479 Au and the most expensive watch sold by Apple with the exception of the models made with Gold) it is falling apart.
I wear this device for a maximum of 8-10 hours per day. Some days not at all.
10 days after speaking to an "Apple customer relations" employee I still have a $1479 paperweight that is falling apart with no resolution in sight.
This same "Apple customer relations" person claims that it appears there is RUST on the stainless steel band and that is the cause of failure. I have supplied this individual with images of the watch band. The fault is clearly visible, so it escapes me as to this individual insists on stalling and aggravating me.
The solution is so ridiculously simple and would do a lot to preserve the relationship with Apple. SEND ME A REPLACEMENT BAND WITH A RETURN SATCHEL AND YOU CAN HAVE YOUR ENGINEERS INSPECT THE FAULTY ONE AT THEIR LESURE FOR AS LONG AS THEY REQURE.
Im no metallurgist but I think it would be fair to say that an obscenely expensive stainless steel watch band that rusts without exposure to water may not in fact be Stainless Steel.
Rust however is not my problem. My problem is that one of the buttons that releases the watch band from my wrist has fallen off. I think these may just be glued on and the glue has failed.
On the upside this is only Stainless Steel, if it had been Gold I would be out of pocket hundreds, possibly thousands of dollars in lost precious metal due to poor design/workmanship.
My local Apple Authorised repairer inspected this unit (at the direction of the "Apple customer relations" employee and their report states in black and white
"We have taken photos of the watch band and emailed them to rgogia@apple.com
We cannot see any obvious indication of abuse".
This evaluation is consistent with what I knew they would find as this product has had very little, very cautious use.
My warning to people based purely on my experience is DO NOT BUY the link bracket. It is the most expensive and least suitable choice for a watch band you intend to wear, it may only be suitable for display in a climate controlled glass cabinet although I am unable to confirm if it would be durable enough for this either.
To date I have owned 4 iPhones, 1 iPod, 2 Macbook Airs, 2 Macbook Pros, 2 iMacs, 6 iPads and never had any issues with any device failing. Each of these devices is still in service and have never had screens or any other part replaced as a result of breakage on my part.
There are some very minor scratches on the band (i would expect this to happen as I do not dress myself in bubble wrap before put the watch on because this is 1. Impractical 2. Never explained to me at time of purchase would be essential for reliable operation).
I have a 23 year old Citizen Stainless Steel watch that cost me about $150. This has been faultless with the exception of a $5 battery about every 3 years.
The fact that this much less expensive old watch has been so durable and has outshone the much more expensive Apple Watch built with the latest technology is a fairly poor endorsement of the quality of the Apple Watch.
Attached is an image of the Apple Watch band with the missing button and an image of the 23 year old Citizen for comparison.
I am generally a fan of Apple products because to date their products and support have been astounding.
I hope the Apple Watch is not an indicator of the new precedent for quality and support to expect in the years to come.
I would be interested to hear from any other people having such a poor experience with this technology giants latest but questionably greatest device.
I wear this device for a maximum of 8-10 hours per day. Some days not at all.
10 days after speaking to an "Apple customer relations" employee I still have a $1479 paperweight that is falling apart with no resolution in sight.
This same "Apple customer relations" person claims that it appears there is RUST on the stainless steel band and that is the cause of failure. I have supplied this individual with images of the watch band. The fault is clearly visible, so it escapes me as to this individual insists on stalling and aggravating me.
The solution is so ridiculously simple and would do a lot to preserve the relationship with Apple. SEND ME A REPLACEMENT BAND WITH A RETURN SATCHEL AND YOU CAN HAVE YOUR ENGINEERS INSPECT THE FAULTY ONE AT THEIR LESURE FOR AS LONG AS THEY REQURE.
Im no metallurgist but I think it would be fair to say that an obscenely expensive stainless steel watch band that rusts without exposure to water may not in fact be Stainless Steel.
Rust however is not my problem. My problem is that one of the buttons that releases the watch band from my wrist has fallen off. I think these may just be glued on and the glue has failed.
On the upside this is only Stainless Steel, if it had been Gold I would be out of pocket hundreds, possibly thousands of dollars in lost precious metal due to poor design/workmanship.
My local Apple Authorised repairer inspected this unit (at the direction of the "Apple customer relations" employee and their report states in black and white
"We have taken photos of the watch band and emailed them to rgogia@apple.com
We cannot see any obvious indication of abuse".
This evaluation is consistent with what I knew they would find as this product has had very little, very cautious use.
My warning to people based purely on my experience is DO NOT BUY the link bracket. It is the most expensive and least suitable choice for a watch band you intend to wear, it may only be suitable for display in a climate controlled glass cabinet although I am unable to confirm if it would be durable enough for this either.
To date I have owned 4 iPhones, 1 iPod, 2 Macbook Airs, 2 Macbook Pros, 2 iMacs, 6 iPads and never had any issues with any device failing. Each of these devices is still in service and have never had screens or any other part replaced as a result of breakage on my part.
There are some very minor scratches on the band (i would expect this to happen as I do not dress myself in bubble wrap before put the watch on because this is 1. Impractical 2. Never explained to me at time of purchase would be essential for reliable operation).
I have a 23 year old Citizen Stainless Steel watch that cost me about $150. This has been faultless with the exception of a $5 battery about every 3 years.
The fact that this much less expensive old watch has been so durable and has outshone the much more expensive Apple Watch built with the latest technology is a fairly poor endorsement of the quality of the Apple Watch.
Attached is an image of the Apple Watch band with the missing button and an image of the 23 year old Citizen for comparison.
I am generally a fan of Apple products because to date their products and support have been astounding.
I hope the Apple Watch is not an indicator of the new precedent for quality and support to expect in the years to come.
I would be interested to hear from any other people having such a poor experience with this technology giants latest but questionably greatest device.