Applying nail polish to protect your apple watch?

[CE3]

I think I've had three s/steel Apple watches and recently switched to aluminium. I've used all of them the same and I honestly haven't noticed a massive difference in how they stand up to daily use involving hill running, biking, swimming, DIY etc etc.

The glass and case on this aluminium watch is in just as good condition (if not better as it seems to hide or attract less micro-scratches) after 2 years to be honest.

Yeah, it's possible I've noticed a small mark or two on the sides one of the aluminum watches I've owned, but nothing I really remember. It's the screen that will show the most wear and tear from constantly being worn, and this applies to the SS models with the sapphire displays as well.

Not really. Not everybody decides to cover their watch in nail polish or a case or a screen protector. None of those are a necessity.

And not everyone decides to do all of the above either lol. Obviously screen protectors aren't necessary, but since I don't even notice mine being on, I'm happy to be keeping my display in pristine, micro-scratch free condition. I just continue to use the watch as I normally would, and now it has better resale value.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

And not everyone decides to do all of the above either lol. Obviously screen protectors aren't necessary, but since I don't even notice mine being on, I'm happy to be keeping my display in pristine, micro-scratch free condition. I just continue to use the watch as I normally would, and now I have better resale value.

Looks like we are making the same point, whatever works. It’s also possible to wear the watch for years and not scratch it. I’ve worn one now for nearly 4 years.

 

[gorkt]

This thread - and similar ones - show why the stainless steel version is very much worth the additional cost IMO. Screen protectors, cases, nail polish... oh, dear.

I have owned both the SS and Aluminum and actually have found that the aluminum looks better since it doesn’t really show micro scratches like the SS does. Unless you want to polish your watch frequently.

Also, I have gotten scratches on both the sapphire screens and the glass, so I just wear the glass/aluminum one, also because it transmits light better and is crisper. I do use a screen saver, but it takes just a few minutes to apply and you can‘t really notice it’s there.

 

[Abdol]

I don't see a point in spending $1000 on a fitness tracker that won't last more than 5 years. SS is not applicable to my case.

At this point, I'm considering a return and may give the sport band a try.

If you apply nail polish carefully, it will cover nicks and corrosion marks. Of course, it's a personal choice.

 

[VermontsFinest]

I don't see a point in spending $1000 on a fitness tracker that won't last more than 5 years. SS is not applicable to my case.

At this point, I'm considering a return and may give the sport band a try.

If you apply nail polish carefully, it will cover nicks and corrosion marks. Of course, it's a personal choice.

I don't see the point in spending $350-450 on a fitness tracker and coating it in nail polish, but to each their own.

SS can be yours starting at $699 btw, no need to shell out $1,000.

 

[mollyc]

Have you ever personally worn nail polish? On your own nails? It doesn’t last long. I would give it two weeks max before you noticed chipping. On human nails it starts chipping in a couple of days usually, because nails absorb water and bang into things. The watch won’t absorb water but will still bang into things and it won’t last.

 

[mollyc]

Also I’ve worn two Apple Watches over the past three years and neither of them had scratches on the aluminum. Only the glass. And I wear my watch daily doing everything except showering and sleeping.

 

[ZipZap]

I don't see a point in spending $1000 on a fitness tracker that won't last more than 5 years. SS is not applicable to my case.

At this point, I'm considering a return and may give the sport band a try.

If you apply nail polish carefully, it will cover nicks and corrosion marks. Of course, it's a personal choice.

The lifespan of your watch is 1 to 2 years before you have the urge to upgrade. Check out what apple will give you on trade now. You bought the least expensive version that will be worth maybe 1/2 next year. Dont worry be happy.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

I don't see the point in spending $350-450 on a fitness tracker and coating it in nail polish, but to each their own.

SS can be yours starting at $699 btw, no need to shell out $1,000.

Or just buy the aluminium version and don’t cover it in nail polish?

The aluminium is perfectly durable for everyday wear despite the ridiculous myth portrayed by many on here.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

The lifespan of your watch is 1 to 2 years before you have the urge to upgrade. Check out what apple will give you on trade now. You bought the least expensive version that will be worth maybe 1/2 next year. Dont worry be happy.

Depends on the person. I upgrade mine every 3 years and nearly everybody I know with an AW keeps them even longer. The aluminium doesn’t lose 50% of its value and I say that by reviewing the secondhand S5’s for sale now. You won’t pick up an aluminium S5 easily for £150 as they are going for £220-300 still on eBay. The worst for depreciation is the SS and you really can get one for 50% of their original cost. The Hermes and ceramic hold value perhaps the best of all.

 

[44267547]

So here is the first test I did on my MacBook Pro 2009. As I guessed. Clear nail polish looks invisible. Absolutely flawless and looks stunning:

View attachment 957784

View attachment 957785

I’m gonna be honest with you mate, and I’m not trying to instigate anything, but that looks terrible. If anything, there’s nothing ‘stunning’ using nail polish on your MacBook. I can only imagine how your Apple Watch would turn out by doing that. By the way, make sure you post pictures!

 

[hg.wells]

Depends on the person. I upgrade mine every 3 years and nearly everybody I know with an AW keeps them even longer. The aluminium doesn’t lose 50% of its value and I say that by reviewing the secondhand S5’s for sale now. You won’t pick up an aluminium S5 easily for £150 as they are going for £220-300 still on eBay. The worst for depreciation is the SS and you really can get one for 50% of their original cost. The Hermes and ceramic hold value perhaps the best of all.

I would totally agree, I thought I had a series 3 and when I went to update couldn’t understand why it wouldn’t update. Then realized it was a series 2!

Rather than sell I decided to trade in and got $75 for the Nike edition, which I didn’t think was bad at all.

 

[ZipZap]

Depends on the person. I upgrade mine every 3 years and nearly everybody I know with an AW keeps them even longer. The aluminium doesn’t lose 50% of its value and I say that by reviewing the secondhand S5’s for sale now. You won’t pick up an aluminium S5 easily for £150 as they are going for £220-300 still on eBay. The worst for depreciation is the SS and you really can get one for 50% of their original cost. The Hermes and ceramic hold value perhaps the best of all.

I based my amount on what Apple would give on trade. You might be able to get more but that may also involve fees and shipping charges. So I will stand by 50% loss in a year.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

I based my amount on what Apple would give on trade. You might be able to get more but that may also involve fees and shipping charges. So I will stand by 50% loss in a year.

You’re always going to get ripped off trading in with Apple as they’ll offer 25% less than the product is worth in a private sale.

If you are basing you amounts on eBay fees then that’s fine but I would think most people are wise not to sell on sites demanding listing and selling fees these days? Even with these fees factored in I doubt you lose 50% of the value as paying a £70-100 fee on eBay sounds far too much. If you look at the asking prices then the aluminium, ceramic and Hermes models retain a higher percentage of their value compared to stainless steel models.

 

[VermontsFinest]

Or just buy the aluminium version and don’t cover it in nail polish?

The aluminium is perfectly durable for everyday wear despite the ridiculous myth portrayed by many on here.

Oh, I 100% agree with you. I just brought up the stainless steel because the OP claimed it cost $1000 (which at least with US pricing just isn't true).

 

[Abdol]

Oh, I 100% agree with you. I just brought up the stainless steel because the OP claimed it cost $1000 (which at least with US pricing just isn't true).

I don't need another watch. All I was looking for was a fitness tracker and I don't live in the states. I don't see a point in spending 750+tax USD on a fitness tracker.

Regarding the look of the nail polish on my MacBook Pro, I just wanted to see if it damages the aluminum surface and I'm going to remove it with acetone later. I didn't do a careful job when applying it. That said, in terms of color and being transparent, it is really nice if you carefully apply it. The picture is taken from an angle so that the nail polish is visible in the photo.

 

[Abdol]

Have you ever personally worn nail polish? On your own nails? It doesn’t last long. I would give it two weeks max before you noticed chipping. On human nails it starts chipping in a couple of days usually, because nails absorb water and bang into things. The watch won’t absorb water but will still bang into things and it won’t last.

No. But I have applied nail polish on some of my fountain pens to cover the pocket clips or the plated parts in nice condition.

The problem is where you apply it. If the surface isn't touched or rubbed much it is going to stay in decent condition.

I'm not saying covering the entire body of the watch is a good idea but believe it or not, the only issue is the UV light as someone mentioned. If UV light doesn't discolor the nail polish, the minimum benefit is that you can cover nicks and imperfection on your watch with it.

 

[deeddawg]

You’re always going to get ripped off trading in with Apple as they’ll offer 25% less than the product is worth in a private sale.

Same as any trade in to a wholesaler. I forget who Apple's turning them over to, but the wholesaler sets the prices.

Private sale will nearly always net more $$$. It'll also have higher risk and higher effort. Everyone's gotta choose which is right for them. Sometimes the convenience is "worth it" to the individual, sometimes it isn't.

BTW - what's your 25% based on? When I looked as a matter of curiosity Apple would offer $240 trade on an SBSS S5, and pricing on Swappa was in the ~$440-450 range for the same. With Apple you kept everything but the watch, so that's some value in your favor given the cost of bands and charger pucks. Sure private sale is still better, but 25% seems an exaggeration given what I looked at.

 

[deeddawg]

I don't need another watch. All I was looking for was a fitness tracker and I don't live in the states. I don't see a point in spending 750+tax USD on a fitness tracker.

You're barking up the wrong tree.

If all you're after is a fitness tracker, go buy a fitness tracker.

Fitbit, Garmin, Withings, etc all have a variety of decent inexpensive options in that category.

 

[CE3]

No. But I have applied nail polish on some of my fountain pens to cover the pocket clips or the plated parts in nice condition.

The problem is where you apply it. If the surface isn't touched or rubbed much it is going to stay in decent condition.

I'm not saying covering the entire body of the watch is a good idea but believe it or not, the only issue is the UV light as someone mentioned. If UV light doesn't discolor the nail polish, the minimum benefit is that you can cover nicks and imperfection on your watch with it.

You seem really interested in covering items with nail polish, so if that‘s what you want to do to your watch body have at it and let us know how it goes. I‘m willing to wager the majority of us wear our watch bodies naked all all the time and they stay in nice condition. Are you seeing marks on your watch already? If you’re a first time owner I’d suggest waiting. But it seems like you’re more interested in conducting this experiment on your $750 “fitness tracker“ than you are with whether or not it’s actually necessary.

 

[deeddawg]

You seem really be interested in covering items with nail polish, so if that‘s what you want to do to your watch body, have at it and let us know how it goes.

I'm reminded of the Gus Portokalos character from My Big Fat Greek Wedding... Windex fixes everything!

 

[VermontsFinest]

I don't need another watch. All I was looking for was a fitness tracker and I don't live in the states. I don't see a point in spending 750+tax USD on a fitness tracker.

Regarding the look of the nail polish on my MacBook Pro, I just wanted to see if it damages the aluminum surface and I'm going to remove it with acetone later. I didn't do a careful job when applying it. That said, in terms of color and being transparent, it is really nice if you carefully apply it. The picture is taken from an angle so that the nail polish is visible in the photo.

Oh boy. I hope you always view your watch from an angle where the nail polish WON'T be visible then, otherwise it's as good as scratched if there are visible blemishes! Enjoy the watch though.