Black Milanese Loop ate my screen :(

[Steven079]

.....behold, my screen and what the Milanese loop did to it in just 3 days

Purchased the AppleWatchSeries4 alu somewhere in October. Used the silicone band and felt it was too sweaty for me, so i decided to get the Milanese Loop.. because airy, and sexy!!

On NewYearsDay i bought it, and on January 3rd my screen looked like what can be seen on the attached pictures..


Now, let me already tell that;
- i did not fold/wrapped the band around the watch
- i did not put it like that in my pocket
- i did not forcefully, willingly rammed the band on the screen
- i did not misused it in any way..

I have used it all this time with the silicone band; no issue/scratches/damages at all! Within 3 days my screen suffers all that mess.

So.. how the hell did it happen? I have no damn idea!! By looking at the dots on the screen (which are scratches, but aren't 'stretched scratches', but 'dot-scratches') i can only say that this happened when the band was in contact with the screen. There are also stretched-scratches, and there are also Milanese loop-structure (print) scratches to be seen. It just eats it up upon contact
!
Now, i do expect questions like: "Why do i allow the band to touch the screen??" - my answer would be like: " it just happens, the Milanese loop is not as firm as the woven/leather/silicone/etc band, it moves, it jiggles, and it also has a powerful magnet that grabs the Watch and the band itself. When putting it on or off it also comes really really near the edge of the screen, and when not done 100% properly it might touch the screen! It just happens, and cannot be avoided 100%. The problem is for me that whenever it happens, it results in scratches which shouldn't be the case and is unacceptable!

In other words; please watch out when using this expensive band that can kill all the joy the AW can give you. It killed mine!

 

[MacManiac76]

Crazy. Glad I went with the Amazon cheap knockoff that looks almost the same. No scratches on mine from the Milanese loop. I would see if Apple would do something about it as it's widely known on here that the Apple Milanese loop can scratch the screen fairly easily, even the sapphire screens on the SS versions. Do you have AppleCare+? If so, I would get the screen or whole watch replaced and ditch the band.

 

[Steven079]

I ran back to the store on day 4, only to see the employees grin at me, telling me: cosmetic issue, your fault! And, of course, nobody there ever heard of a Milanese Loop that screwed up a screen. I was their first case!!

Now, i am in the process of dealing with Apple Support, not the store, hoping that these engineers have a different opinion. Obviously i am not using the Milanese anymore and will return it before the returning-date... i am however more fixed on having my screen fixed as this really killed my enthusiasm. In daylight the scratches are easily visible, and when touching the screen i can feel the scratches at the bottom.

Paying a lot for the watch, then to throw some more money at some steel band just to see this combination fully screw my happiness, and on top of that to get kicked out of the store with words like: ' cosmetic / your fault / goodbye '

...i found that Apple was sued for this by a guy in Canada..and Apple lost!
If Apple Support also tells me to piss off i know what i will do!

 

[iKevinT]

Can’t be of any help but I too went with the Amazon knockoff knowing that I would have to be beyond extremely careful to avoid scratches on the watch. Wearing it today and realizing the sport loop bands are far more comfortable, just as micro adjustable, and the only time I wear the Milanese loop now is to fit better under tight sleeve cuffs. If and when you get this resolved get an Apple or Nike Sport Loop. I haven’t had much luck with knockoff sport loops, they don’t fit the watch connection consistently tight.

 

[44267547]

I ran back to the store on day 4, only to see the employees grin at me, telling me: cosmetic issue, your fault! And, of course, nobody there ever heard of a Milanese Loop that screwed up a screen. I was their first case!!

Now, i am in the process of dealing with Apple Support, not the store, hoping that these engineers have a different opinion. Obviously i am not using the Milanese anymore and will return it before the returning-date... i am however more fixed on having my screen fixed as this really killed my enthusiasm. In daylight the scratches are easily visible, and when touching the screen i can feel the scratches at the bottom.

Paying a lot for the watch, then to throw some more money at some steel band just to see this combination fully screw my happiness, and on top of that to get kicked out of the store with words like: ' cosmetic / your fault / goodbye '

...i found that Apple was sued for this by a guy in Canada..and Apple lost!
If Apple Support also tells me to piss off i know what i will do!

Two things come To mind here:

1.) Yes, the diamond like carbon coating used on the Space black Apple Watch can scratch the Apple Watch, because it is an equally hard material that can penetrate the sapphire display. Many members have experienced this and it’s one the band you have to use caution with.

2.) Although I can emphasize with your situation and your scratched display, Apple can’t take responsibility for something how you treat your watch (Even if they make an exception for you). Others who are aware that the space black Apple Watch can scratch the display, have used caution with how they lay the watch down when it’s connected to the black Milanese band. I’m guessing that’s where your mistake was made in some form or another.

 

[user1234]

.....behold, my screen and what the Milanese loop did to it in just 3 days

Purchased the AppleWatchSeries4 alu somewhere in October. Used the silicone band and felt it was too sweaty for me, so i decided to get the Milanese Loop.. because airy, and sexy!!

On NewYearsDay i bought it, and on January 3rd my screen looked like what can be seen on the attached pictures..


Now, let me already tell that;
- i did not fold/wrapped the band around the watch
- i did not put it like that in my pocket
- i did not forcefully, willingly rammed the band on the screen
- i did not misused it in any way..

I have used it all this time with the silicone band; no issue/scratches/damages at all! Within 3 days my screen suffers all that mess.

So.. how the hell did it happen? I have no damn idea!! By looking at the dots on the screen (which are scratches, but aren't 'stretched scratches', but 'dot-scratches') i can only say that this happened when the band was in contact with the screen. There are also stretched-scratches, and there are also Milanese loop-structure (print) scratches to be seen. It just eats it up upon contact
!
Now, i do expect questions like: "Why do i allow the band to touch the screen??" - my answer would be like: " it just happens, the Milanese loop is not as firm as the woven/leather/silicone/etc band, it moves, it jiggles, and it also has a powerful magnet that grabs the Watch and the band itself. When putting it on or off it also comes really really near the edge of the screen, and when not done 100% properly it might touch the screen! It just happens, and cannot be avoided 100%. The problem is for me that whenever it happens, it results in scratches which shouldn't be the case and is unacceptable!

In other words; please watch out when using this expensive band that can kill all the joy the AW can give you. It killed mine!

I’m sorry this happened. Did it also scratch the aluminium body between the screen and lug?
I want the milanese loop for comfort and style reasons, I don’t like the sporty looking bands, but it’s posts like this that has me concerned that I’m just paying a lot of money to damage my watch. Others say they have been using the combination for years with no scratches. It just seems too risky.

I think Apple should have a warning that this band will scratch the watch if not being careful, and maybe they should even recommend against using it with the aluminium version with it’s less scratch resistant screen.

 

[KarimLeVallois]

As I've said before, THIS BAND IS THE DEVIL! Even if you're super careful, you get occasions when the magnets will just snap on the watch body or sensors at the back and scratch the sapphire there. I'd rather not buy this band than deal with the stress caused by having to be so careful every time you use the thing.

 

[Bazooka-joe]

When I had the series 0 in Silver, I was super careful with the Milanese loop. The magnets are so strong that ifs difficult for the band not to touch the body or glass. I used to wrap a small cloth around the body and face so that there was no direct contact when taking it off or putting it on. That worked quite well.

Also, your watch is aluminium and the screen is more vulnerable to manage than the SS with its Sapphire glass.

This is cosmetic damage so I don't think you will get a replacement from Apple. If you did then they would be obliged to replace hundreds of thousands of watches for every scratch that a customer complains about.

As per the advice, use a different strap or use one of the Amazon knockoffs.

 

[Brian Y]

I have the black Milanese loop on my S3 (black stainless steel) - not a mark on the screen still - and I'm not super careful with it.

Perhaps the glass on the alu models isn't up to the punishment from the band?

 

[Jonathantuba]

I have no noticeable scratched on the screen of my series 4 watch after 2-months use with Milanese loop. I can’t say I have ever noticed the strap even touching the screen when taking on, off or storing.

Sorry for the damage, but this is just a matter of how the watch is treated, like anything purchased.

 

[rgyiv]

Crazy. Glad I went with the Amazon cheap knockoff that looks almost the same. No scratches on mine from the Milanese loop. I would see if Apple would do something about it as it's widely known on here that the Apple Milanese loop can scratch the screen fairly easily, even the sapphire screens on the SS versions. Do you have AppleCare+? If so, I would get the screen or whole watch replaced and ditch the band.

Can’t be of any help but I too went with the Amazon knockoff knowing that I would have to be beyond extremely careful to avoid scratches on the watch. Wearing it today and realizing the sport loop bands are far more comfortable, just as micro adjustable, and the only time I wear the Milanese loop now is to fit better under tight sleeve cuffs. If and when you get this resolved get an Apple or Nike Sport Loop. I haven’t had much luck with knockoff sport loops, they don’t fit the watch connection consistently tight.

Care to share the link or brands you used for these Milanese knockoffs? I too have bought some generic Amazon brands, WFEAGL and iGK, and they've been great...I don't think they were to "knockoff" any particular style though.

 

[user1234]

I have no noticeable scratched on the screen of my series 4 watch after 2-months use with Milanese loop. I can’t say I have ever noticed the strap even touching the screen when taking on, off or storing.

Sorry for the damage, but this is just a matter of how the watch is treated, like anything purchased.

Is this on an aluminum model or a stainless?

 

[KarimLeVallois]

Is this on an aluminum model or a stainless?

It'll still do that to a sapphire screen...

 

[user1234]

It'll still do that to a sapphire screen...

Yes, but it will do much worse damage on the Ion-X

 

[KarimLeVallois]

Yes, but it will do much worse damage on the Ion-X

Indeed, but neither can take the power of the dark side!

 

[Endorphine88]

I have a silver, a space black and a gold Milanese loop. It is by far my favorite band for the watch. I am on my third watch. I've never scratched a screen with the band. that being said, it is metal rubbing on glass - it will scratch easily. Why is this even a discussion? Get a screen protector if you don't want to worry about the fragility of the watch.

 

[bluespark]

I don't understand this discussion. Of course DLC-coated metal will scratch the glass screen of the aluminum Apple Watch. Shouldn't such an obvious risk fall squarely on the person who chooses to use the two together?

Note that I sympathize with your frustration over having your watch scratched, but this is entirely foreseeable when a very hard-coated metal contacts this type of glass. Even the crystal faces used in the stainless steel watches are somewhat susceptible to this, although not to nearly the same extent as glass.

 

[user1234]

I have a silver, a space black and a gold Milanese loop. It is by far my favorite band for the watch. I am on my third watch. I've never scratched a screen with the band. that being said, it is metal rubbing on glass - it will scratch easily. Why is this even a discussion? Get a screen protector if you don't want to worry about the fragility of the watch.

Aluminum or stainless? I'm only asking because I need to hear success stories of aluminum with black milanese loop so I feel comfortable spending the money...

 

[MacManiac76]

Care to share the link or brands you used for these Milanese knockoffs? I too have bought some generic Amazon brands, WFEAGL and iGK, and they've been great...I don't think they were to "knockoff" any particular style though.

This band is the one I purchased on Amazon for my Aluminum Series 4 Gold watch. It looks great in contrast with the gold watch.

 

[Steven079]

I don't understand this discussion. Of course DLC-coated metal will scratch the glass screen of the aluminum Apple Watch. Shouldn't such an obvious risk fall squarely on the person who chooses to use the two together?

Note that I sympathize with your frustration over having your watch scratched, but this is entirely foreseeable when a very hard-coated metal contacts this type of glass. Even the crystal faces used in the stainless steel watches are somewhat susceptible to this, although not to nearly the same extent as glass.

I get what you say, and if I knew this on forehand I would never have purchased the Milanese loop!

I don’t have a lot of money to spend. I saved for months to get this series 4 and because of Christmas I received some cash and decided to get for the Milanese loop, actually way above my budget, but I really liked it as it does look really nice!
Anyway, that’s all my personal drama, has nothing to do with this discussion

The issue is that after 2 months using the watch and silicone loop there was not one little scratch or damage to be seen on my screen. It was flawless (also because I reallly took precious care of the watch not to damage it). Then, I bought the Milanese and after 3 days it looks like the way it looks now.

Nobody told me at the apple store that I have to go psycho on the band, ensuring it not to touch the screen.

Nobody told me that there is a DLC coating on the band, that gives instant scratches when it touches the screen, or when the powerful magnet gets a hold of the watch

There is no warning on the Milanese loop package, stating that it scratches the screen upon contact

If I knew all these things I wouldn’t have spent money I could have saved... I would have bought the woven one - as the silicone band is too sweaty and sticky for me as well... now I have a useless Milanese loop ( I not use it anymore and will return it this week ) and I have a damaged screen.

How can I accept this? I can’t and I won’t.

If I look around on the web I can see lore people complaining There’s even a guy in Canada , suffered from the same and sued apple over this.. and won.
[doublepost=1547063240][/doublepost]

I’m sorry this happened. Did it also scratch the aluminium body between the screen and lug?


.

Yes. There are scratches there, between the screen and the adapter , I guess it’s from putting on and off the watch by stretching/pulling the band. Can not only be seen but also can be felt with the nail...

 

[user1234]

I get what you say, and if I knew this on forehand I would never have purchased the Milanese loop!

I don’t have a lot of money to spend. I saved for months to get this series 4 and because of Christmas I received some cash and decided to get for the Milanese loop, actually way above my budget, but I really liked it as it does look really nice!
Anyway, that’s all my personal drama, has nothing to do with this discussion

The issue is that after 2 months using the watch and silicone loop there was not one little scratch or damage to be seen on my screen. It was flawless (also because I reallly took precious care of the watch not to damage it). Then, I bought the Milanese and after 3 days it looks like the way it looks now.

Nobody told me at the apple store that I have to go psycho on the band, ensuring it not to touch the screen.

Nobody told me that there is a DLC coating on the band, that gives instant scratches when it touches the screen, or when the powerful magnet gets a hold of the watch

There is no warning on the Milanese loop package, stating that it scratches the screen upon contact

If I knew all these things I wouldn’t have spent money I could have saved... I would have bought the woven one - as the silicone band is too sweaty and sticky for me as well... now I have a useless Milanese loop ( I not use it anymore and will return it this week ) and I have a damaged screen.

How can I accept this? I can’t and I won’t.

If I look around on the web I can see lore people complaining There’s even a guy in Canada , suffered from the same and sued apple over this.. and won.
[doublepost=1547063240][/doublepost]

Yes. There are scratches there, between the screen and the adapter , I guess it’s from putting on and off the watch by stretching/pulling the band. Can not only be seen but also can be felt with the nail...

That sucks. I'm sorry that this happened to your watch maybe I'll avoid the milanese loop but it's the only band I like the look of

 

[yui4]

So to be clear, the knock off milanese bands are much (not totally) safer than the real deal?

 

[LoveToMacRumors]

I ran back to the store on day 4, only to see the employees grin at me, telling me: cosmetic issue, your fault! And, of course, nobody there ever heard of a Milanese Loop that screwed up a screen. I was their first case!!

Now, i am in the process of dealing with Apple Support, not the store, hoping that these engineers have a different opinion. Obviously i am not using the Milanese anymore and will return it before the returning-date... i am however more fixed on having my screen fixed as this really killed my enthusiasm. In daylight the scratches are easily visible, and when touching the screen i can feel the scratches at the bottom.

Paying a lot for the watch, then to throw some more money at some steel band just to see this combination fully screw my happiness, and on top of that to get kicked out of the store with words like: ' cosmetic / your fault / goodbye '

...i found that Apple was sued for this by a guy in Canada..and Apple lost!
If Apple Support also tells me to piss off i know what i will do!

Don’t worry, it will be replaced

 

[Steven079]

Don’t worry, it will be replaced

I really really hope so. I’ll know tomorrow , the engineers will contact me they said.

 

[kaardowiq]

When I had the series 0 in Silver, I was super careful with the Milanese loop. The magnets are so strong that ifs difficult for the band not to touch the body or glass.

Since it's release if series 0 I'm wearing my Milanese loop. Several years without ANY scratch... Can't see any problem there... On 24th December 2018 I got a new one from my wife and replaced the Milanese loop.