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Beware the (graphite) Milanese loop!

R

rmoliv

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Dec 20, 2017
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I purchased the stainess steel Apple Watch Series 6 in graphite and it scratched from day 1 due to the Milanese loop. First I thought only the charging puck was scratched, but upon close inspection of the watch case itself, I found scratches on one of the sides as well as on its back. Fortunately the loop never got into contact with the sapphire glass, otherwise it'd have scratched it too according to reports I've read.

Don't let the loop get into contact with any part of your stainless steel watch case. IT WILL LEAVE SCRATCHES immediately. Let me warn you in advance that it's quite hard to keep the loop and case apart: the magnets in the loop are attracted to the stainless steel in the case - if it gets close enough to the case - which is not hard to happen, obviously - it'll be pulled to it and scratch it. And if you're wondering whether you can lay the back of your watch on the loop: NO, YOU CAN'T. It'll scratch the back of the case too as I mentioned above.

I struggle to understand why Apple makes a loop that scratches the case it's supposed to accompany, but well, looks like it's Apple's way of making things (the last example of that is the leather case for the iPhone 12 Pro/Pro Max that will get deformed over time by the MagSafe charger).

And to some of you please don't tell me that your stainless steel watch is still immaculate - that's impossible if you've used it with the Milanese loop on a daily basis. Put it under a flashlight and I'm 100% sure you'll find at least quite a few "unexpected" micro scratches.
 
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Agreed, actually took mine back within the return window, left a bad taste in my mouth and just got a refund. It's insane when you think about it. I actually found the loop not very good to wear either...it always kept loosening.
 
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rmoliv said:
I purchased the stainess steel Apple Watch Series 6 in graphite and it scratched from day 1 due to the Milanese loop. First I thought only the charging puck was scratched, but upon close inspection of the watch case itself, I found scratches on one of the sides as well as on its back. Fortunately the loop never got into contact with the sapphire glass, otherwise it'd have scratched it too according to reports I've read.

Don't let the loop get into contact with any part of your stainless steel watch case. IT WILL LEAVE SCRATCHES immediately. Let me warn you in advance that it's quite hard to keep the loop and case apart: the magnets in the loop are attracted to the stainless steel in the case - if it gets close enough to the case - which is not hard to happen, obviously - it'll be pulled to it and scratch it. And if you're wondering whether you can lay the back of your watch on the loop: NO, YOU CAN'T. It'll scratch the back of the case too as I mentioned above.

I struggle to understand why Apple makes a loop that scratches the case it's supposed to accompany, but well, looks like it's Apple's way of making things (the last example of that is the leather case for the iPhone 12 Pro/Pro Max that will get deformed over time by the MagSafe charger).

And to some of you please don't tell me that your stainless steel watch is still immaculate - that's impossible if you've used it with the Milanese loop on a daily basis. Put it under a flashlight and I'm 100% sure you'll find at least quite a few "unexpected" micro scratches.
Click to expand...
Are you sure it's the band? Just using a sports band and having the watch only go from charger to wrist, I have scratches on the case. That's what happens when you have polished stainless steel.
 
R10k said:
Are you sure it's the band? Just using a sports band and having the watch only go from charger to wrist, I have scratches on the case. That's what happens when you have polished stainless steel.
Click to expand...
I'm sure because it's only scratched in places I know the loop has contacted with. But yes, generally stainless steel is prone to scratch, much more so than aluminum, however it usually scratches over an extended period of time. In this case, it got scratched every time the loop had contact with the case. Even though these are micro scratches, it shouldn't happen, Apple should not sell it like this, or at least they should put a warning on it.
 
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rmoliv said:
I'm sure because it's only scratched in places I know the loop has contacted with. But yes, generally stainless steel is prone to scratch, more so than aluminum, however it scratches over an extended period of time. In this case, it got scratched every time the loop had contact with the case.
Click to expand...
Righty-ho. I assume it wouldn't be limited to the graphite band, then.
 
I bought one with the watch purely to get the watch quick as possible. I’ve put the loop in the box and never used it after reading about all the problems with it.

my fave strap is the sports band it comes with .

I also bought the new leather loop, which is ok , but hard to get tight . The sports band at fifty quid is a bargain and I think I’ll stick with versions of that from now on
 
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I too had the milanese loop and it tried to clink against the watch body the first time I used it. Because it flops about all over the place when you take the watch off its really hard to keep it away. Looks nice but it's lethal to the finish of the watch. Took it off and have been using the SS link bracelet ever since. Probably won't use it again which is a bit of a waste.

To be fair though, you only have to so much as look at anything stainless steep with Apple and they begin accumulating micro scratches :D
 
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@George Dawes this combo was the one I wanted but had no idea Apple would sell a loop that scratches the case finish and back this easy. But I’m not surprised though from a company that tells its customers it’s their fault their phone have connectivity issues because their holding it wrong and stuff like that.

@Sir Ruben what bothers me the most is that something we are supposed to use with the watch, that even comes with it, is going to scratch it. Anyway, I’ll probably get a solo loop or even the stainless steel link bracelet to avoid any further scratching.
 
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Anyone know if the Milanese loop paired with the Apple Watch SE Aluminum would also scratch?
 
I really need a SS band. I can’t handle the butterfly clasp which precludes the link bracelet for me. I would like to move away from the ML, for the reasons cited. Are there great SS bands with fold-over clasps?
 
rmoliv said:
I purchased the stainess steel Apple Watch Series 6 in graphite and it scratched from day 1 due to the Milanese loop. First I thought only the charging puck was scratched, but upon close inspection of the watch case itself, I found scratches on one of the sides as well as on its back. Fortunately the loop never got into contact with the sapphire glass, otherwise it'd have scratched it too according to reports I've read.

Don't let the loop get into contact with any part of your stainless steel watch case. IT WILL LEAVE SCRATCHES immediately. Let me warn you in advance that it's quite hard to keep the loop and case apart: the magnets in the loop are attracted to the stainless steel in the case - if it gets close enough to the case - which is not hard to happen, obviously - it'll be pulled to it and scratch it. And if you're wondering whether you can lay the back of your watch on the loop: NO, YOU CAN'T. It'll scratch the back of the case too as I mentioned above.

I struggle to understand why Apple makes a loop that scratches the case it's supposed to accompany, but well, looks like it's Apple's way of making things (the last example of that is the leather case for the iPhone 12 Pro/Pro Max that will get deformed over time by the MagSafe charger).

And to some of you please don't tell me that your stainless steel watch is still immaculate - that's impossible if you've used it with the Milanese loop on a daily basis. Put it under a flashlight and I'm 100% sure you'll find at least quite a few "unexpected" micro scratches.
Click to expand...

It’s been well known for a few years now that the black Milanese loop scratches the AW. This is quite a common complaint on here. It should probably have a warning on the packaging as it appears to catch people out every year.
 
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Yeah I remember this from previous experience... Plus doesn't like my hair on my wrist I must admit
 
TrenttonY said:
Anyone know if the Milanese loop paired with the Apple Watch SE Aluminum would also scratch?
Click to expand...

That question was already answered a few times.

On a side note:

I think the Milanese loop would look terrible paired With the aluminum (Especially with the silver). It really was designed for the stainless steel casing.
 
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@Relentless Power

Do you know of any good SS bands that do not use a butterfly clasp? I tried Apple’s link bracelet , but could not manage the clasp.
 
I have the graphite milanese loop/watch. When I take it off I extend the strap as far as it goes, slip it off then use my fingers spread inside the strap to keep it circular as I place it sideways on the charger. Strap still shaped like a loop. Then the reverse to put it on.

As long as you are careful you won't have the strap and casing touch. You could argue that you shouldn't have to be this careful but it really isn't that hard to avoid the scratches.
I do agree that there should be a warning to take care though as most people wouldn't think about it and end up annoyed.
 
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@Pug72 I do that now that I know that it scratches. But it’s still “dangerous”. If by chance you touch the loop inadvertently and the magnet gets close enough to the case...

But anyway, I think I’ll deal with this as a stainless steel patina.
 
I really appreciate the heads up. I was naive to believe Apple have fixed the issue (well I think most people would agree this is a design flaw!!).

Does anyone know if it’s really necessary to put the hard coating on the black one? I know the gold one doesn’t scratch.
 
Hi

Thinking of getting the regular SS watch next year. Does the regular SS ML also scratch? Are there great link bracelet bands that are not butterfly clasp?
 
Anyone try to get out the scratches caused by the Milanese loop? I have a few that are driving me nuts!
 
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