Cracking / crinkling / stress fractures on Series 5 aluminum casing?

[jsf23]

I was looking at the back of my Apple Watch Series 5 recently and noticed that there's what appears to be cracking or crinkling on the aluminum casing. I took a photo, it's attached here.

Is the space grey coloring a "wrap" over the aluminum and it's peeling, or is the aluminum actually colored grey and these are something more ominous like stress fractures? I haven't heard of this happening before and I couldn't find anything about it when Googling. Luckily I'm still covered under AppleCare+, so if it's a real issue I expect they'd replace it, but I thought I'd check here first to see if anyone had heard of this.

 

[firedept]

First thing is the color is not a wrapping. Aluminum is anodized for color. Second thing is it is called crazing what is happening. Have never seen this and I would have it replaced under AppleCare.

 

[bricktop_at]

The real question is: How the heck did this happen?

 

[jsf23]

First thing is the color is not a wrapping. Aluminum is anodized for color. Second thing is it is called crazing what is happening. Have never seen this and I would have it replaced under AppleCare.

Thanks, I didn't expect it was a wrap, but the process happening there sure looks like it. Going to schedule myself an appointment at the local Apple Store.

 

[jsf23]

The real question is: How the heck did this happen?

Right? I don't inspect the back of my watch all that often, so who knows how long it's been going on, but I was shocked. It's not like I'm an elite athlete who's hard on my watch, I work in an office (or really, from home for the past year-plus).

 

[jsf23]

First thing is the color is not a wrapping. Aluminum is anodized for color. Second thing is it is called crazing what is happening. Have never seen this and I would have it replaced under AppleCare.

So Apple wouldn't replace the watch.

I called it in and they said it sounded cosmetic and wanted to charge me an AppleCare incident fee. When I suggested that the watch casing was physically experiencing micro-cracks and that this made it defective, they said I needed to bring it into an Apple Store to have it inspected. I did that yesterday and they took a cursory 5 second glance at it, called it cosmetic and refused to replace it.

Not sure what recourse I have at this point. I guess I just need to hope the crazing doesn't get worse and make the watch unusable.

 

[firedept]

So Apple wouldn't replace the watch.

I called it in and they said it sounded cosmetic and wanted to charge me an AppleCare incident fee. When I suggested that the watch casing was physically experiencing micro-cracks and that this made it defective, they said I needed to bring it into an Apple Store to have it inspected. I did that yesterday and they took a cursory 5 second glance at it, called it cosmetic and refused to replace it.

Not sure what recourse I have at this point. I guess I just need to hope the crazing doesn't get worse and make the watch unusable.

I would go back to the store again. I would ask for a manager if the regular rep says it is cosmetic and they won't do anything. I would tell them you agree but it is because of poor quality coating. Not because of something you did.

 

[jsf23]

I would go back to the store again. I would ask for a manager if the regular rep says it is cosmetic and they won't do anything. I would tell them you agree but it is because of poor quality coating. Not because of something you did.

Fair, I'll try to find time to do that the next couple of days and see how it goes.

 

[bricktop_at]

I would go back to the store again. I would ask for a manager if the regular rep says it is cosmetic and they won't do anything. I would tell them you agree but it is because of poor quality coating. Not because of something you did.

That is definitely an answer I wouldn't have accepte and asked for the manager. To me this must be some manufacturing defect and nothing related to normal use.

 

[jsf23]

I would go back to the store again. I would ask for a manager if the regular rep says it is cosmetic and they won't do anything. I would tell them you agree but it is because of poor quality coating. Not because of something you did.

Success (in theory)! I went back and this time spoke with a technician who saw the watch and immediately agreed that it was a structural issue and not a cosmetic one. It's now been sent off for repair, which I expect will mean replacement as soon as they see it.

Thanks again for the advice!

 

[firedept]

Success (in theory)! I went back and this time spoke with a technician who saw the watch and immediately agreed that it was a structural issue and not a cosmetic one. It's now been sent off for repair, which I expect will mean replacement as soon as they see it.

Thanks again for the advice!

You are very welcome. I’m so glad to hear you your experience ended with a good result.