Apple Watch. Most Expensive worst watch I have owned

[BlueMoon63]

I have the stainless steel band and it had unusual wear after wearing about 5 times. I posted about it and many said I was abusing it. Apple quickly gave me a new one and even let me keep the one with the bad wear. The new one came and I found out what causes the wear as the new one had the same symptoms after a few uses. I work from home and never had a problem but on the few days per month that I go to the office, my left wrist would occasionally come off the arm rest and rest on the desk top. The material on the desk top is something like Formica or similar to countertops on starter homes. Sure enough, I had the same wear on the new one as the old one but I caught on fast and only have the beginning markings.

I do not doubt anyone with wear on the lower side of the link band if your wrist rests on anything similar to my work desk. It is not abuse my slight movement or sliding back and forth. It ends up showing dark shadows which is really just a full scratch or running off of the shine look. Not very good!

The link is beautiful elsewhere.

 

[Warbrain]

I have the stainless steel band and it had unusual wear after wearing about 5 times. I posted about it and many said I was abusing it. Apple quickly gave me a new one and even let me keep the one with the bad wear. The new one came and I found out what causes the wear as the new one had the same symptoms after a few uses. I work from home and never had a problem but on the few days per month that I go to the office, my left wrist would occasionally come off the arm rest and rest on the desk top. The material on the desk top is something like Formica or similar to countertops on starter homes. Sure enough, I had the same wear on the new one as the old one but I caught on fast and only have the beginning markings.

I do not doubt anyone with wear on the lower side of the link band if your wrist rests on anything similar to my work desk. It is not abuse my slight movement or sliding back and forth. It ends up showing dark shadows which is really just a full scratch or running off of the shine look. Not very good!

The link is beautiful elsewhere.

There tends to be melamine in surfaces like that. You're effectively rubbing a magic eraser on your watch every time. OP's, however, looks like it's been banged around quite a bit.

 

[BlueMoon63]

There tends to be melamine in surfaces like that. You're effectively rubbing a magic eraser on your watch every time. OP's, however, looks like it's been banged around quite a bit.

Agreed but it was still surprising since I have other watches made of stainless steel that cost about $300-$500 that must have had the same problem with rubbing on my desk top with no impact or scratches.

I love the link band and it may not be worth $500 but it also shouldn't wear off so easy. I was glad to figure it out though as people were calling me a liar and abusing it. I uploaded pictures that resemble much of his but I never got mine wet either. Though I wouldn't think wet would be a problem.

Still surprised they didn't want it back and my pictures I sent to Apple made them send me a new one overnight.

 

[Warbrain]

Agreed but it was still surprising since I have other watches made of stainless steel that cost about $300-$500 that must have had the same problem with rubbing on my desk top with no impact or scratches.

I love the link band and it may not be worth $500 but it also shouldn't wear off so easy. I was glad to figure it out though as people were calling me a liar and abusing it. I uploaded pictures that resemble much of his but I never got mine wet either. Though I wouldn't think wet would be a problem.

Still surprised they didn't want it back and my pictures I sent to Apple made them send me a new one overnight.

I suspect it's probably an issue with the coating on the band. It wouldn't surprise me if there isn't a surface like these, which I'm currently surrounded by, in the design lab.

 

[Brian Y]

In my opinion, that strap has been through far more than normal use, and a missing prong is consistent with the damage to the rest of the watch.

I get the feeling you've used the same attitude here that you used with Apple, which is probably why you've hit a brick wall.

Since you're in Australia, stop communicating by phone and email, and write one letter stating that you want the band repaired under warranty or you will take action under Australia's Consumer Law. FYI, the ACL states this:

Goods must be of ‘acceptable quality’. Acceptable quality is defined in section 54(2) of the ACL such that goods are of acceptable quality if they are:

• fit for all the purposes for which goods of that kind are commonly supplied;
  
  
• acceptable in appearance and finish;
  
  
• free from defects;
  
  
• safe; and
  
  
• durable.
  
  This definition is subject to a ‘reasonable consumer’ test, such that goods are considered to meet those standards if a reasonable consumer, who is fully acquainted with the state and condition of the goods, would regard them as acceptable.
  
  In determining whether goods are of ‘acceptable quality’, a number of issues need to be considered: the nature of the goods, the price of the goods (if relevant), any statement made about the goods on any packaging or label on the goods, any representation made about the goods by the supplier or manufacturer of the goods and any other relevant circumstances relating to supply of the goods.
  
  Consumers often want to buy goods that have defects, particularly if goods are available for lower prices due to those defects. Some stores specialise in selling ‘seconds’ — goods that have minor defects that otherwise do not interfere with their usefulness to consumers.
  
  Goods will be taken to be of ‘acceptable quality’ if the reason they are not of acceptable quality was specifically drawn to the consumer’s attention.
  
  In addition, where a repairer accepts goods for repair, the ACL Regulations provide that notice must be given to the consumer if it is the repairer’s usual practice to use refurbished parts and that, if relevant, user-generated data stored of a device being repaired may be lost.

• 
  
  In my opinion, given the heavy wear your band shows within a short period of ownership, I think you'll have trouble proving that there is a defect in the durability of the item.

 

[Night Spring]

I think most sane people could agree that a "Watch" is comprised of several parts, the most obvious being a face or mechanism for the purpose of telling time and a system to attach this device to the body (normally the wrist) to make a product namely a "Watch". As such I think it would be reasonable to think that a watch band is NOT a watch, and that a watch face is NOT a watch but the collection of parts (face and band) is what would be considered a watch.

While it's true that I've always bought a watch with a band, I've also always picked them out separately. That is, I go to a watch store, pick out a watch (the watch face). Then the store person shows me a selection of bands, and I pick out a band that I like. Then I pay for the two together. So I tend to think of the "watch" as being the watch face, and if the band failed then I'd say "that was the worst band ever," without thinking any ill of the watch itself.

If the band and the watch was an integrated unit and you couldn't swap out the band for another one, then you might be justified in calling the thing "the worst watch ever" for having a bad band. But since you CAN swap bands, and you yourself admitted in another thread that there is nothing wrong with the watch itself, I think your thread title here is unreasonable.

That said, I'm sorry to hear you are having such a hard time getting Apple to give you a replacement band. I'm afraid I don't have any good suggestions, as I don't know the system Apple has down there, but best of luck with getting this resolved.

 

[Tom G.]

Arguing that since the band came with the watch and therefore they in some way a unit would be the same as arguing that since the tires came with the car and wore out at only 30,000 miles that the manufacturer should replace the whole car.

No, simply because you are having problems with the band does not make the watch a "Paperweight" as stated in the original post.

When having difficulties with a product, and talking to company reps, I have found that what works best is to begin by being very polite. Then if they don't respond as I think they should I become polite and formal. Finally I become extremely polite and formal and begin to escalate up the corporate chain one person at a time until I find the person who has the authority to rectify the situation, or can give me a very good reason why they cannot. Starting out with a blood pressure raising rant at a low level rep will get you no where, as you have no where to go.

 

[phpmaven]

I suspect it's probably an issue with the coating on the band. It wouldn't surprise me if there isn't a surface like these, which I'm currently surrounded by, in the design lab.

Coating? It's just naked stainless steel with no coating.

 

[jasonklee]

There tends to be melamine in surfaces like that. You're effectively rubbing a magic eraser on your watch every time. OP's, however, looks like it's been banged around quite a bit.

I would think Mr. Clean's Magic Eraser would be perfectly safe on steel.

 

[MH01]

I agree. They're far from "very minor scratches," presumably from a bad habit of resting the wrist on everything.

Its how people wear watches.... every one of my SS bands has scratches, they just buff out.

 

[MH01]

OP

1. Ignore the usual apologists taking the **** out of you, usual nonsense. If they actually owned the same watch they would have realized point 2.

2. you raise a valid point I never noticed about the latch, I just looked at mine, and you are correct, the button is not one piece, looking at my latch and the pic you posted, it does seem its joined afterwards and not screwed in. This worries me if apple indeed did glue it in place.

3. This is a flimsy band, lets be honest, you cannot treat it like your citizen, the citizen will take impact all day long, and still be fine years down the track. I can see a hard knock causing damage, as probably happened in your case.

4. SS will not rust, unless its a damn crappy (cheap), if the CS rep said there is rust, they need to replace it as it was not treated correctly

5. those scratches can be buffed out, a jeweller can do it.

6. See if Apple can repair the button ( if its a glue job)

7. What I found disappointing about the silver SS link bracelet, the watch SS is shiny, while the link bracelet is duller, when you look closely its two tone. The Space black link bracelet actually matches the case.

When its day time I am going to have a closer look at the latch (button), kinda disappointed its not one piece of metal.

 

[Roller]

OP

1. Ignore the usual apologists taking the **** out of you, usual nonsense. If they actually owned the same watch they would have realized point 2.

2. you raise a valid point I never noticed about the latch, I just looked at mine, and you are correct, the button is not one piece, looking at my latch and the pic you posted, it does seem its joined afterwards and not screwed in. This worries me if apple indeed did glue it in place.

3. This is a flimsy band, lets be honest, you cannot treat it like your citizen, the citizen will take impact all day long, and still be fine years down the track. I can see a hard knock causing damage, as probably happened in your case.

4. SS will not rust, unless its a damn crappy (cheap), if the CS rep said there is dust, they need to replace it as it was not treated correctly

5. those scratches can be buffed out, a jeweller can do it.

6. See if Apple can repair the button ( if its a glue job)

7. What I found disappointing about the SS link bracelet, the watch SS is shiny, while the link bracelet is duller, when you look closely its two tone. The Space black link bracelet actually matches the case.

When its day time I am going to have a closer look at the latch (button), kinda disappointed its not one piece of metal.

I agree with all your points - Apple should replace the OP's band or perhaps let him choose another band. But some AW owners, myself included, think of the watch and band as separate items, even though they're sold together. So it's possible to be very dissatisfied with one and not the other. The OP characterized the AW as "the worst" without saying anything about the watch itself. In any event, I hope he gets it taken care of.

 

[MH01]

I agree with all your points - Apple should replace the OP's band or perhaps let him choose another band. But some AW owners, myself included, think of the watch and band as separate items, even though they're sold together. So it's possible to be very dissatisfied with one and not the other. The OP characterized the AW as "the worst" without saying anything about the watch itself. In any event, I hope he gets it taken care of.

I suspect that is his anger coming through due to not getting the result he wanted from Apple support. It's ludicrous to classify it as the worst watch ever, current smart watches are not very durable compared to mechanical watches. As I said to the OP. You cannot treat the apple link band like a traditional link band, its not built as solid, though looks very nice.

 

[C7 POWER]

Your band looks like you have banged it against every possible item you could in 2 months, good lord lol

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

Its how people wear watches.... every one of my SS bands has scratches, they just buff out.

Bad habits are exactly those, bad habits. Many people do not practice proper typing techniques, which require you to keep your wrists straight and hence off the laptop. They end up with severe scratches where the clasp is compared to normal wear and tear scratches elsewhere.

Some people take better care of their link bracelets than others and it shows in photos.

 

[Nell]

The OP is only asking for the band to be replaced which seems perfectly reasonable as it shouldn't have broken so quickly. It sounds like the response from Apple customer service hasn't met with expectations (and good customer service is certainly something I expect from Apple). My only suggestion would be to try again and to do so in as measured and calm a manner as possible. Be clear. The link band has broken and you need it to be fixed or replaced ASAP; if it's to be fixed or if Apple wants to investigate the problem further they need to send you a replacement band to use in the meanwhile (a sport band would be fine for that purpose).

If you're close enough to an Apple Store to make a Genius Bar appointment then that would be the way to go, I think, but I'm guessing you're not given that they got you to take it to a local agent for inspection.

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

It sounds like the response from Apple customer service hasn't met with expectations (and good customer service is certainly something I expect from Apple).

The OP is from outside the U.S., and I have noticed from the various posts here that customer service tends to be worse in the European Union and elsewhere, despite their excessive customer protection laws.

However, it's quite possible that his poor attitude (reflected in the OP) is what prevents him from getting good customer service in the first place.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

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
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 .

Low grade stainless steel can rust and in fact will be magnetic, but higher grade stainless shouldn't rust. I don't know why there is such a large mark up on metal components when companies like Apple use them because the raw material cost of an Apple watch bracelet is about 0.12p. I suppose you are paying for R&D costs along with tooling, but even at the price they charge they should not be using lower grade stainless steel. Strange.

 

[papbot]

I have a $3000 Rolex Sea Dweller that's massive with a hefty stainless steel band and the clasp area definitely shows wear there from resting my arm or wrist on hard surfaces. That's just part of normal wear.

But the OP deserves to have band replaced if it's falling apart as it seems in the picture, if there is no abuse. I had my watch, not the band, replaced because the side button was wobbly. I did have an Apple Store to go to in order to have someone look at it. They had no replacements back then but calling into AppleCare got me a replacement in 2 days with no fuss. So this person shouldn't have too much of a problem.

I am amused though at the trolls that chime in and claim the watch is a failure and you should never have bought one. A trip to just about any Apple Store will reveal that they are selling every day. It has the highest satisfaction rating of just about any device Apple has made. I personally have run into more and more people who have or are getting ready to purchase. Despite the trolls this is not a flop no matter how much their pea brains want it to be.

 

[MH01]

Bad habits are exactly those, bad habits. Many people do not practice proper typing techniques, which require you to keep your wrists straight and hence off the laptop. They end up with severe scratches where the clasp is compared to normal wear and tear scratches elsewhere.

Some people take better care of their link bracelets than others and it shows in photos.

Completely agree with you in regards to typing, though those scratches were not caused from contact with a Macbook, well if they were, imagine the state of the notebook..... Watch bracelets get scratches on the clasp just due to day to day activities, its natural for people to place their wrists down when resting.

As bad as that looks, a jeweller will buff them out no problems, be almost like new, the button is the issue.

 

[MH01]

I have a $3000 Rolex Sea Dweller that's massive with a hefty stainless steel band and the clasp area definitely shows wear there from resting my arm or wrist on hard surfaces. That's just part of normal wear.

But the OP deserves to have band replaced if it's falling apart as it seems in the picture, if there is no abuse. I had my watch, not the band, replaced because the side button was wobbly. I did have an Apple Store to go to in order to have someone look at it. They had no replacements back then but calling into AppleCare got me a replacement in 2 days with no fuss. So this person shouldn't have too much of a problem.

I am amused though at the trolls that chime in and claim the watch is a failure and you should never have bought one. A trip to just about any Apple Store will reveal that they are selling every day. It has the highest satisfaction rating of just about any device Apple has made. I personally have run into more and more people who have or are getting ready to purchase. Despite the trolls this is not a flop no matter how much their pea brains want it to be.

Im surprised by how people think the band is abused, I have a deepsea and my clasp also has lots of scratches, when it bothers me, I just get the jeweller to take it out the back and buff it out, takes minutes. The concerning issue here is the button, I'll try to take pics with a micro lens tonight, I suspect it might be glued on, and that would be disappointing.

Haters or apologists, they chime into every thread, both are as bad. Love you watch, enjoy it, ignore the criticism, and no need to defend it. For me its Pros/Cons owing one.

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

As bad as that looks, a jeweller will buff them out no problems, be almost like new, the button is the issue.

Unless it's defective. Another member had a defective standard SS link bracelet that looked like it was pretty much abused, and I wouldn't be surprised if the OP's bracelet came from this same bad batch.

However, I'm hoping the OP didn't actually approach Apple with his bad attitude in the OP and was merely airing out his frustration, because the OP won't get far with that kind of attitude.

 

[MH01]

Unless it's defective. Another member had a defective standard SS link bracelet that looked like it was pretty much abused, and I wouldn't be surprised if the OP's bracelet came from this same bad batch.

However, I'm hoping the OP didn't actually approach Apple with his bad attitude in the OP and was merely airing out his frustration, because the OP won't get far with that kind of attitude.

Those bracelets are not abused I think we are somewhat precious as Apple fans and expect our gear to be pristine all the time. There are people who do not baby their watches and use them day to day, without protecting them. Its not abuse, I have not yet seen pictures that show abuse as such of bands etc, just scratches.

As for the DLC coating, yeah there might have been some bad batches, but people with the Space black model, it will scratch, its only a matter of time, if you want a black watch that does not scratch, buy ceramic.

I just hope the OP or the Apple rep was not serious when they said the band was rusting, that would mean Apple went cheap..... I cannot see rust from the image though.

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

Those bracelets are not abused I think we are somewhat precious as Apple fans and expect our gear to be pristine all the time. There are people who do not baby their watches and use them day to day, without protecting them. Its not abuse, I have not yet seen pictures that show abuse as such of bands etc, just scratches.

As for the DLC coating, yeah there might have been some bad batches, but people with the Space black model, it will scratch, its only a matter of time, if you want a black watch that does not scratch, buy ceramic.

So you're telling me that this member's standard SS link bracelet (pictured below) is not defective and is actually showing normal wear and tear? That's absurd because this member has only worn it 4-5 times and someone even mistook it for Space Black when it's not. Neither my current Apple Link Bracelet nor my previous two link bracelets look anything like this after a number of months. Apple did replace this one so they agreed it was defective.

 

[MH01]

So you're telling me that this member's standard SS link bracelet (pictured below) is not defective and is actually showing normal wear and tear? That's absurd because this member has only worn it 4-5 times and someone even mistook it for Space Black when it's not. Neither my current Apple Link Bracelet nor my previous two link bracelets look anything like this after a number of months. Apple did replace this one so they agreed it was defective.

There is no such thing as normal wear and tear with watches per say. Your watch might very well look pristine in 12 months, I could use an Apple watch in a construction site one day and achieve that. Scratches is not abuse, 316L SS scratches easily, as per pics you posted.

If you took that band to a jeweller with a buffer machine , it will come back looking great, so no, its not defective.

There is nothing wrong with that band, the replacement will result in the same results, its 316L SS. Its not defective in any way.

Also the fault of the OP that took that shot that made it look like a Black SS, why on earth post a picture that gives such a false indication. Or did people actually believe the silver SS band somehow got black???

Pic below what happens when you get is polished in a jewellery store. Plenty more example on Google. Whoever owned that link above, needs to either accept scratches (due to what they do daily)


Why do people expect an apple device to break the laws of chemistry/physics? Why should not an apple watch scratch like every other watch out there? The item is not defective, its peoples expectation that his is an amazing watch, that is made better than others. Well its not, its made of the mainstream SS like other "cheap" watches. Spend the extra $$ and get a watch made of better components, it will not scratch so easily.

The biggest shock is for the Space Black owners, cause either they accept scratches or.... baby the heck out of their watches, there is no way to repair DLC coating, and you cannot polish them like the silver SS.