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Went to the Apple Store this morning with the excuse of wanting the cellular version instead. The dude I was with examined the watch and notice the scratch too. Didn't want to exchange it because of it. Called Apple Customer Care after and still no luck. This would fall under physical/accidental damage, which is not under the 14 days warranty, but under Apple Care with a fee.
So I presume you won’t recommended returning a (slightly) scratched watch to Apple within the 14 days warranty? I spoke to Apple via the online chat and they told me that it is possible, although I might have to pay an extra fee if they discover any damage on the returned device. Might just stick with it and hope that it won’t get any worse :-(
 
So I presume you won’t recommended returning a (slightly) scratched watch to Apple within the 14 days warranty? I spoke to Apple via the online chat and they told me that it is possible, although I might have to pay an extra fee if they discover any damage on the returned device. Might just stick with it and hope that it won’t get any worse :-(

You won't lose anything to try. I think it's dependent on who you'll deal with. Might not notice the scratches.
 
Went to the Apple Store this morning with the excuse of wanting the cellular version instead. The dude I was with examined the watch and notice the scratch too. Didn't want to exchange it because of it. Called Apple Customer Care after and still no luck. This would fall under physical/accidental damage, which is not under the 14 days warranty, but under Apple Care with a fee.
It’s definitely not a 14 day warranty. It’s a return window. And almost everyone’s return policy excludes damaged products unless they came that way when you got them. Exceptions are greatly appreciated, but I wouldn’t expect it.
 
By the way, this happened after I tried to use the watch for Apple Pay. I put the watch' screen against the card reader and as soon as I lifted my arm, I saw the scratch. I don't know how this happened. The card reader must have had irregularities on it enough to scratch my screen when I pressed it over it...
 
Plot twist. Went back and got it returned after actually being honest and telling them what happened haha!! What a day.
 
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Same thing happened to me. Took it to store after 1 day wearing and the manager said he’d make exception to refund or exchange it. He said it is cosmetic and normally wouldn’t be able to be exchanged but he made exception. But- the store was sold out of the o e I had plus my second choice. I don’t want cellular just gps in 44. So I have to hang on to it and watch to see if they have stock in before my 14 days are up. I may have to snag it online and pay for another one so they hold it. Go to store and get it- then explain I want to refund it and then swap it for my scratched one. So much trouble because store is out of stock! Manager that said he’d exchange it gave me his card and said to tell whenever I deal with that he okd it- if he wasn’t there when I go back. He said won’t be a problem as his word is gold.
I can’t risk going to another store because they may not exchange it because of scratch. How do I know if it was partly there and got bigger and then I noticed it? Maybe the costing was defective? I know maybe I hit it and scratch he’d it and just didn’t know. But after having it one day it’s gonna scratch that bad? Right down the middle?
Just have to hope the 44 space gray aluminum gps only comes into store this week!

Update: found another of the same watch at another Apple store and manager there was super nice and let me exchange my scratched Watch for same one. She didn’t even look at it until after she completed the swap. Now I have to get screen protector!
 
By the way, this happened after I tried to use the watch for Apple Pay. I put the watch' screen against the card reader and as soon as I lifted my arm, I saw the scratch. I don't know how this happened. The card reader must have had irregularities on it enough to scratch my screen when I pressed it over it...

Tip for the future, just hover don’t press onto the card reader. Glad you managed to get an exchange though! :)
 
Every time I read one of these threads I feel bad for the OP, but selfishly feel a little warm inside that I always get the Stainless Steel version (S0, S2 and now S4). Resilient screen, case that you can buff out scratches easily, and no issues with ugly mismatched band lugs.
 
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