Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

arman94

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jul 1, 2012
143
42
Hello everyone. I have replaced my Apple Watch Sport Space Grey THREE times and every time with the same issue. Today, I have again noticed the same issue. Paint between glass and aluminium is vanishing. I am really using my watch extra carefully, however, after passing some time I am having the same problem.
 

Attachments

  • fullsizeoutput_d08.jpeg
    fullsizeoutput_d08.jpeg
    50.3 KB · Views: 5,037
Could be a quality control issue. I had a Sport SPace Gray 42 MM Watch when it was released and then upgraded to the Stainless Steel Model. I never looked back. Maybe contact Apple and or return/sell it if your interested in the Stainless model. It's worth the upgrade with the 316 L and Sapphire display.
 
Last edited:
Could be a quality control issue. I had a Sport Soace Gray 42 MM Watch when it was released and then upgraded to the Stainless Steel Model. I never looked back. Maybe contact Apple and or return/sell it if your interested in the Stainless model. It's worth the upgrade with the 316 L and Sapphire display.
Yes totally agree. I will contact to Apple to tell them if it is real to add extra money and tae SS model. Really worth it
 
UPDATE: Apple will replace Watch, there is no way to get refund or upgrade to SS model. The main problem for me is that replacement Apple Watch does not have original box, so it is problematic to sell, thus people are sceptic with remanufactured Apple products. In my case all replacement/ remanufactured Apple Watches were defective, however, the original one which I bought in Apple Store did not have this type of issue. Actually, I really recommend to buy SS model or silver version of Apple Watch Sport.
 
Build quality issues like this discoloration process was the main reasonI just went from a Space Gray Sport to Stainless steel one. Totally worth it! If I were you I would ask for a refund and buy a Stainless steel one on eBay. On the other hand, you can try to sell this one and wait a bit for the 2nd gen watch. Bear in mind you are only entitled to a refund if you have it for less than 14 days since date of purchase.
 
UPDATE: Apple will replace Watch, there is no way to get refund or upgrade to SS model. The main problem for me is that replacement Apple Watch does not have original box, so it is problematic to sell, thus people are sceptic with remanufactured Apple products.

Not necessarily. People swap out iDevices under warranty and sell them in the original retail boxes all the time. In my experience selling original retail and white box replacement iPhones, I've found essentially no difference in re-sale prices (given the same condition). In fact, a month old replacement unit in mint condition can go for higher than a year old unit full of scratches.

All you have to do is disclose that it's a replacement AW swapped out under warranty when selling it. The relatively few anal-retentive buyers who care about these things will know not to bid on your item.
 
Black or almost black finishes on metal just do not hold up. Many have shown space black ss watches and bands with the same issue. Remember the black iPhone? Both the silver and gold finishes seem fine. Or upgrade to the polished ss. I have a black Citizen Eco Drive same issue. Black Armani glasses same issue.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Skika
Black or almost black finishes on metal just do not hold up. Many have shown space black ss watches and bands with the same issue. Remember the black iPhone? Both the silver and gold finishes seem fine. Or upgrade to the polished ss. I have a black Citizen Eco Drive same issue. Black Armani glasses same issue.

While we get bad batches of the Space Black SS with defective DLC coating, we have seen hardly any reports of the Space Gray AW anodization rubbing off (at least they're nothing like the Black and Slate iPhone 5). The OP's unit seems to be the first such report that I'm aware of, and it doesn't even come close to the excessive wear found on many Black and Slate iPhone 5 units.
 
While we get bad batches of the Space Black SS with defective DLC coating, we have seen hardly any reports of the Space Gray AW anodization rubbing off (at least they're nothing like the Black and Slate iPhone 5). The OP's unit seems to be the first such report that I'm aware of, and it doesn't even come close to the excessive wear found on many Black and Slate iPhone 5 units.

I will agree with you not as bad. My point is that black finishes are hard to do on metal and not as durable. Thats why i went with a gold one.
 
I've had a space grey since launch day and I have a tiny mark like that on the top left corner. I probably brushed a wall, as I've done many times and that's all the wear the watch has to show. Maybe some batches are better than others, but the paint doesn't just blow off in the wind. SS is the way to go if you want to keep it perfect so you can polish it.
 
I've had a space grey since launch day and I have a tiny mark like that on the top left corner. I probably brushed a wall, as I've done many times and that's all the wear the watch has to show. Maybe some batches are better than others, but the paint doesn't just blow off in the wind. SS is the way to go if you want to keep it perfect so you can polish it.
My original Watch did not have any discoloration problems, however, all replacement Watches had the same issue. I think this is the quality problem of the replacement Watches.
 
My original Watch did not have any discoloration problems, however, all replacement Watches had the same issue. I think this is the quality problem of the replacement Watches.

This seems to be a recurring problem with Apple, I've had quality issues with replacement iPhones many times
 
Could be a quality control issue. I had a Sport SPace Gray 42 MM Watch when it was released and then upgraded to the Stainless Steel Model. I never looked back. Maybe contact Apple and or return/sell it if your interested in the Stainless model. It's worth the upgrade with the 316 L and Sapphire display.
I did the same.
 
Update #2: Apple sends me a replacement with the same issue )))
 

Attachments

  • fullsizeoutput_d39.jpeg
    fullsizeoutput_d39.jpeg
    113.6 KB · Views: 1,293
So guys what can you suggest me. All Apple Watch SB replacements have painting issues (out of the box). Apple advisors tried to send me a new one in a retail box, however, it was canceled due to "cosmetic issue".
 
The nick in "paint" probably incurred when Apple try to disassemble the watch for repair. Scratched by prying tool, since all the warranty exchange watch has issues previously.
 
The nick in "paint" probably incurred when Apple try to disassemble the watch for repair. Scratched by prying tool, since all the warranty exchange watch has issues previously.
I will try to go to the Apple Store and talk with them to change the Watch to aluminium one
 
Are you really making a big deal about some tiny marks that can barely be seen in a close up pic? That looks like nothing to me. Maybe its more evident in person, but I don't get it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: chabig
Are you really making a big deal about some tiny marks that can barely be seen in a close up pic? That looks like nothing to me. Maybe its more evident in person, but I don't get it.
Actually the main problem is, that when you raise your hand it is blinking. Now it seems that all replacements almost have this issue.
 
I'm on my second Apple Watch Nike+ with the exact same issue FWIW. In fact, the second watch arrived in perfect shape, but three days later it has two tiny blemishes between the glass and the aluminum. I know I haven't smacked the watch on anything, and even if I had, there's no way an accidental scratch could be confined to such a small area in two different locations.

I guess this is par for the course for the aluminum space gray watch. Oh well -- I have AppleCare+ so I figure I'll get it replaced in a year under the accidental damage policy then fixed again just before my AppleCare+ expired -- if I even care at that point.
 
I've had my Space Gray Sport for not quite a year and a half, have bumped it into innumerable things, and yeah, if I examine it closely with a high-intensity flashlight, there are a few microscopic marks in the finish around the glass - and from a foot away in normal use, they're basically invisible. This is completely normal (and that edge is more likely to get marked up because it comes up to a very thin edge around the screen - so the metal and its finish are at risk from multiple angles - and it's a little closer to the real world, so more likely to get bumped). There is no paint involved, by the way, the finish on Apple's aluminum devices (the ones that aren't shiny silver, anyway) is anodization. The wear happens on the lighter colors as well, but since the underlying metal in all cases has a shiny silver color, it's much more apparent when things are anodized to darker colors (shiny silver blends in much more easily with shiny light gold, light pink, etc.). I have a lot of other anodized tools (like high-end flashlights and pocket knives), and they all show wear when they get used. If you want a black watch to look perfect forever, put it in a display case and never use it. If you use it, the finish will wear. No finish is perfect (titanium nitride and DLC come closer, but we're still a long ways from perfect). When I look at my 17-month old Apple Watch, I see a colorful and informative screen, a glass front with zero scratches, a dark gray body and crown, and a colorful band (light pink and mint, today). I don't see the fraction-of-a-millimeter wear spots in the finish of the aluminum around the edge of the screen. Because they're minuscule, and I don't normally wear a jewelers loupe.

White ceramic, by the way, is kind of a perfect material, because it doesn't mark up, and even if you could scratch it, what's underneath is... more white ceramic. It's fantastic right up to the point where it chips or shatters (because it has such high hardness that brittleness comes into play).

As others have said, uncoated stainless steel and aluminum (such as the "silver" aluminum Apple Watch) will naturally make surface wear much less evident, since there's no dissimilar finish to abrade, just the base metal, which can be polished or sanded to smooth out any damage.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DerekZoolander
I'm having the same issue on my Space Grey Apple Watch Sport. Everytime it chips from the edge of the glass, I touch it up with some gunmetal paint I've got for my car's wheels lol.

Does the same thing happen to the Space Black stainless steel Apple Watch?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Vampire14
That's nothing! Maybe I should talk to Apple about mine. It's apparently not an Apple Watch anymore even going by the text on the underside.

I don't understand how it can fall of in flakes. It doesn't bother me much as I will probably give it away when series 3 arrives.
 

Attachments

  • FullSizeRender.jpg
    FullSizeRender.jpg
    712 KB · Views: 5,144
That's starting to happen in mine too. I'm thinking of upgrading to the Stainless steel Space Black. Wondering if the same happens to that.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.