Back fell out of Apple watch

[BarracksSi]

A water resistant watch does not have to glue everything together. Just look at all the mechanical watches out there.

But you can't assume it doesn't Need "Glue." A smart Watch and mechanical Watch have completely different internal parts, Ingress points and not to mention, what other smart Watch uses screws entirely to bond the components together? It's a likely a cheaper method as well, Because it's a piece of technology, not a mechanical Watch that requires service after so many years.

A mechanical watch -- or, heck, any traditional quartz-powered watch -- also doesn't have heart rate sensors inside the caseback.

Now, yes, there are different methods that traditional watches use to secure their backs, whether it's a few small screws holding it in place, or it just snaps in, or the entire back screws down in one piece.

What I want to know is exactly how the Series 2 caseback is secured to the body. The teardown at iFixit.com barely mentioned it at all, and didn't say whether it was snapped in or simply glued.

 

[testcard]

Apple is extending free repairs of first generation Watches with the back cover issue.
https://www.macrumors.com/2017/07/11/apple-watch-back-cover-service-policy/

 

[warburg]

Has there been a report of this happening to a Series 2 watch? All the incidents I've read about on this thread seem to have occurred with the Series 1.

 

[tkermit]

Apple is extending free repairs of first generation Watches with the back cover issue.
https://www.macrumors.com/2017/07/11/apple-watch-back-cover-service-policy/

lol. Wish I'd known about this a month ago. I feel like such an idiot for ever attempting to glue it back on myself. I'm guessing Apple won't repair my now water-damaged Watch for free.

 

[44267547]

Has there been a report of this happening to a Series 2 watch? All the incidents I've read about on this thread seem to have occurred with the Series 1.

Primarily first Generation Watches this has been occurring. It's not nearly as prevalent on the later model Apple Watches. And from my readings, it's been primarily the Sport model affected, even though there have been stainless owners coming forward as well.

 

[BarracksSi]

I think the Series 2's back is attached differently, too, partly to achieve its water resistance rating. (glue is not as reliable as it seems, especially in high production numbers)

Go all the way to step 15:
https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Apple+Watch+Series+2+Teardown/67385#s136503

Their video is of NO help in seeing how the back attaches. They removed everything else but stopped and said, "And, we're done!" without removing the back. Missed opportunity.

 

[44267547]

I think the Series 2's back is attached differently, too, partly to achieve its water resistance rating. (glue is not as reliable as it seems, especially in high production numbers)

Go all the way to step 15:
https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Apple+Watch+Series+2+Teardown/67385#s136503

Their video is of NO help in seeing how the back attaches. They removed everything else but stopped and said, "And, we're done!" without removing the back. Missed opportunity.

I question the strength of the adhesive used with the first generation Apple Watch , if higher temperatures, moisture or any type of water subjectivity perhaps caused some issues with the first generation Apple Watches to have the display or back popping off. Or, not the appropriate amount of adhesive was applied to some of the Apple Watches as well.

Either way, this is a learning curve for Apple with the first generation Apple Watch and how they can improve this in the future. Either with stronger adhesive or copious amounts used.

 

[haruhiko]

Just an update: My replacement watch from late June has gone back to Apple again today. Same symptom, back piece fell out, just even more serious. The back piece just came out every time with the official magnetic charger. The Genius repeated the symptom easily and he just wowed. Free repair, of course.

Great customer service. Terrible build quality. Let's see how long the third one lasts.

 

[haruhiko]

Let's see if this one is ok or not. I really don't want to send in for repair again and again. But I'm not optimistic if they just replace it with another Gen 1 SS.

 

[haralds]

Just lost the back in our series 1 now used by my wife. I ended up chatting with support and escalating, since the repair offer was only 3 years and this was bought on announcement day June 2015. They relented and will fix or replace.

Don't take no for an answer, even if it takes 2 hours and 45 min at the Apple Store.