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Apple watch with no case or screen protector
- Thread starter coachbrady79
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I can’t or mine would be damaged by now. I accidentally hit it against a corner of a counter or table more often than not. If it weren’t for my silicon case and tempered glass screen protector, I would be ******. I do have AC+ on it just in case.
I don't currently have the watch but if I did I would not use a case or screen protector. I equate those to a bit like the plastic covers that some folks keep on their sofa in the living room which is reserved for special occasions only 
However, these watches are not inexpensive so I see why some owners would go the protection route.
However, these watches are not inexpensive so I see why some owners would go the protection route.
Series 0 Space Gray, ordered the first day they were available, worn every day since, never had a case or screen protector, screen is pristine, case looks great unless you get out a jewelers loupe, then you might see a few small nicks. The lettering on the back is a bit worn, but I don't look at that side. It's slow, because it's Series 0, but otherwise still going strong.
When I see people say, "if I hadn't had a case on it, it would have broken" - they can't know that, they're guessing and/or justifying their case purchase to themselves. Yes, perhaps it would have broken. But mine has knocked into a lot of things in the last 4 years... you wouldn't know it from looking at it. Apple builds them to be pretty sturdy.
When I see people say, "if I hadn't had a case on it, it would have broken" - they can't know that, they're guessing and/or justifying their case purchase to themselves. Yes, perhaps it would have broken. But mine has knocked into a lot of things in the last 4 years... you wouldn't know it from looking at it. Apple builds them to be pretty sturdy.
I have a S3 Aluminum one since Christmas 2017 and in the light it can look pretty bad because of all the scratches on the screen. That said, I still wouldn’t get a case or screen protector for it, just doesn’t make sense to me. Get the SS version if you don’t want to deal with scratches on the screen.
Never used a case. Most are super ugly. Not spending $700 on stainless to cover it.
Never used a case and never will. Have had each iteration of the watch and when I had an aluminum S0 and S3 I had minimal scratches on the screen (could only see them when the light hit them just right).
Unless you're working in construction or around heavy machinery I just cannot see why anyone would use a case or screen protector. They all just look ridiculous. A small scratch on the screen or body looks way better than some clunky case.
Unless you're working in construction or around heavy machinery I just cannot see why anyone would use a case or screen protector. They all just look ridiculous. A small scratch on the screen or body looks way better than some clunky case.
Series 4, Gold SS, butt naked.
Ditto. Not a scratch so far. If I’m doing yard work etc I wear leather gloves with a cuff that extends over the Watch, but no other precautions so far. I have a case for when I hike and the watch might get ‘exposed’ to rocks.
After wearing my SS on the link bracelet off and on for four years, it looks like any other steel watch I've owned. The bracelet and case have a zillion little scratches all over them, and the sapphire is clean.
The stainless steel is the case, so it protects the watch's internals. I'm not sure I understand putting a case on the case.
The stainless steel is the case, so it protects the watch's internals. I'm not sure I understand putting a case on the case.
I put a screen protector on my S3 the day after I got it and removed it the next day. It was so annoying. My screen is fine. Does it have a few scratches? Yes, it does. Does it matter to me? No, it doesn't.
I’ve used a S0, S2 SS and currently have a S4 SS and they’ve all managed to survive just fine being naked. And my job is one where I definitely could benefit from a case/screen protector.
For bigger issues like shattered glass I rely on AC+, which I thankfully haven’t had to use yet.
For bigger issues like shattered glass I rely on AC+, which I thankfully haven’t had to use yet.
I got my S3 SBSS on Christmas 2017, had a screen protector on for less than 30 minutes and it smashed - after then i was terrified to put another one on in case it scratched the screen.
Fast forward nearly 2 years of him being naked and he is still in perfect condition.
Fast forward nearly 2 years of him being naked and he is still in perfect condition.
My original SS, my AWS2 aluminum went without any protection and never had a single scratch on either the case nor the glass. Been rocking my series 4 Nike since launch day naked and have quite a few scratches on the screen. Don't know if they changed the screen material or what? My wife's AWS4 is the same way.
It’s a watch after all, cases make it look strange IMO. My watches have faired well but I try to be careful. I do find the screens on the stainless and above models to be a significant improvement over the aluminum ones. The aluminum ones seemed to develop micro scratches easily.
In the grand scheme of watches, Apple Watches aren’t expensive at all.
If I had a £10,000 Rolex I wouldn’t put a cheap plastic case on it so I’m not going to with an Apple Watch either.
If I had a £10,000 Rolex I wouldn’t put a cheap plastic case on it so I’m not going to with an Apple Watch either.
I have an aluminum S0 and S5 and haven't put a case or screen protector on either of them. The S0 has held up well and I believe the S5 will do the same.
Both my wife and I have SS S4's. No case, no screen protector.
I am very careful, and tend not to break things. Mine is in perfect condition.
My wife tends to be very destructive. Hers just has what most people would consider normal wear and tear -- micro scratching on the SS band, no scratches or cracks on the screen.
We have applecare on both just in case a serious oops happens.
Watches should not be in a case...
On the other hand, I use a case on my phone, and my wife uses a case and a screen protector on hers.
I am very careful, and tend not to break things. Mine is in perfect condition.
My wife tends to be very destructive. Hers just has what most people would consider normal wear and tear -- micro scratching on the SS band, no scratches or cracks on the screen.
We have applecare on both just in case a serious oops happens.
Watches should not be in a case...
On the other hand, I use a case on my phone, and my wife uses a case and a screen protector on hers.
It’s a Watch. To put an ugly case on it defeats the purpose of a wrist-based utility. Yes itll get knocked about, because it a Watch. I’ve worn apple watches every day since the very first day it was available (both steel and aluminium models), and have never damaged a single one by just wearing it as a Watch.
tldr; cases are unnecessary. It’s designed to be a Watch, it can handle a few dings.
tldr; cases are unnecessary. It’s designed to be a Watch, it can handle a few dings.
Fair point, but that 10k Rolex will likely appreciate in value, if not remain darn near the same and the technology inside isn't going to be obsolete within a few years either. Also would you wear that watch when working on an automobile or machinery, lifting weights or other extreme conditions?
And just to be clear, I don't use a case. Both S2 and S4 cases are in perfect condition. Screen protection yes.