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ajm222

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Sep 19, 2012
968
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just my luck. Nice little dent on a brand new space black. This was to replace the first regular stainless. Looks like I get to wait another 2+ weeks for a third try.
 
Ouch. Well, good news is you get another try. Third times the charm?

I would hope so. This two week wait between watches is driving me crazy though.

Just got off of a really confusing conversation with Apple. A fairly manic rep was contradicting himself over and over. He said my return request was being processed and that once they receive the damaged one they will expedite a new one. But he said that wouldn't work if I wanted to return it at the store up the street, even though the email that was sent out said I could return it in a retail store.

When I decided to switch the from regular stainless to space black, the rep told me just to buy a new one and return the original one when I got a chance because that would be the quicker way to get another one. I'm confused about how I should handle the returns now.
[doublepost=1484018293][/doublepost]I'm guessing the DLC finishing process is likely to result in more QC issues compared to the regular stainless. Though I don't see too many posts here about problems. Seeing a mark out of the box makes me a little more concerned about the strength of the finish than I was. Hopefully the next one is ok. The lack of supply is really frustrating.
 
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just my luck. Nice little dent on a brand new space black. This was to replace the first regular stainless. Looks like I get to wait another 2+ weeks for a third try.

That's unfortunate. So it arrived this way out of the box? Can you post a picture? I don't think I have ever heard of a Watch arriving damaged on here. At least you can return it for a new one. I can understand your frustration with constraint. Let us know how it all goes.
 
I'm going to try and get a picture this morning. Have to take it out of the box anyway as I forgot to unpair it :)

The scratch/ding is a pin prick. It's very tiny, but it's definitely there. I can see in the right light that it's damage to the coating, and i can clearly feel it with my fingertip. Tried initially to remove it (even though I knew that wouldn't work) with no luck.
 
Hopefully you can see it here. Very very small, but in a very obvious place. Triple checked it again today and it's definitely a small pin prick sized mark going into the coating. I imagine some people would be ok with it, but I'd rather be the one making marks on my watch and not the factory :) Sent it back today. Hopefully replacement is shipped quickly. I got the impression they have separate stock for damaged returns and use expedited shipping. We'll see.

FYI - in the first pic it's the little black mark in the whiter area above the two circular case holes. In the second pic it's the white mark in the same area.
 

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Hopefully you can see it here. Very very small, but in a very obvious place. Triple checked it again today and it's definitely a small pin prick sized mark going into the coating. I imagine some people would be ok with it, but I'd rather be the one making marks on my watch and no the factory :) Sent it back today. Hopefully replacement is shipped quickly. I got the impression they have separate stock for damaged returns and use expedited shipping. We'll see.

FYI - in the first pic it's the little black mark in the whiter area above the two circular case holes. In the second pic it's the white mark in the same area.

I'd send that back for sure! Maybe dust/debris on the SS when the DLC coating was applied, no idea what would cause that really.
 
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I'd send that back for sure! Maybe dust/debris on the SS when the DLC coating was applied, no idea what would cause that really.

Thanks! I have a 10x loupe at home and if you see it in person it seems fairly clear (especially the way the light reflects off of it) that it's going into the metal rather than sticking out, suggesting possibly either damage to a tiny spot on the case before coating or a dent occurring after coating (rather than something stuck to the case that got covered in the DLC coating). Obviously can't be entirely sure. But Apple has so far been very understanding, and hopefully I have another one by next week. By then it will have been just over a month since placing my original order. Really just eager to sit back and enjoy my watch! :)
[doublepost=1484069938][/doublepost]And I don't know how QC works at Apple, but it's small enough that I could see it sneaking through.
 
That's unfortunate. So it arrived this way out of the box? Can you post a picture? I don't think I have ever heard of a Watch arriving damaged on here. At least you can return it for a new one. I can understand your frustration with constraint. Let us know how it all goes.

My series 1 arrived with a scuff on the display. Swapped out in store next day.
 
Hopefully you can see it here. Very very small, but in a very obvious place. Triple checked it again today and it's definitely a small pin prick sized mark going into the coating. I imagine some people would be ok with it, but I'd rather be the one making marks on my watch and not the factory :) Sent it back today. Hopefully replacement is shipped quickly. I got the impression they have separate stock for damaged returns and use expedited shipping. We'll see.

FYI - in the first pic it's the little black mark in the whiter area above the two circular case holes. In the second pic it's the white mark in the same area.

I definitely see the defect. I would be frustrated and would return it immediately as well. At least you saw the defect before your return period ended. Hopefully round 2 will be better for you.
 
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I definitely see the defect. I would be frustrated and would return it immediately as well. At least you saw the defect before your return period ended. Hopefully round 2 will be better for you.

I've got my 10x loupe and fine-toothed comb all ready :)
 
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Well the replacement seems to have some very tiny marks and some swirlies, plus some weird scuffs that look like polishing marks. Nothing you'd see too clearly unless you looked under bright light. But surprised the finish ain't pristine. Maybe it's just my OCD and looking too closely. But I'm tempted to either give up or go back to regular stainless (if they'll even let me) since I could at least polish that.
 
Well the replacement seems to have some very tiny marks and some swirlies, plus some weird scuffs that look like polishing marks. Nothing you'd see too clearly unless you looked under bright light. But surprised the finish ain't pristine. Maybe it's just my OCD and looking too closely. But I'm tempted to either give up or go back to regular stainless (if they'll even let me) since I could at least polish that.

Wow. That shocks me that you got to Watches that have had defects. I like to say that I'm fairly particular when it comes to jewelry. And I also look over all my purchases when I order them. And I've never had any issues with any my Apple Watches upon receiving them with defects. Let me know what you decide to do. Good Luck.

Either way, you have 14 days.
 
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Wow. That shocks me that you got to Watches that have had defects. I like to say that I'm fairly particular when it comes to jewelry. And I also look over all my purchases when I order them. And I've never had any issues with any my Apple Watches upon receiving them with defects. Let me know what you decide to do. Good Luck.

Either way, you have 14 days.

Yeah, I don't know. I'm probably looking too closely or something. But the stuff I saw is definitely there. The 'scuffs' as I call them appear sort of like what you'd see if you rubbed the watch with a greasy finger to clean it. But the smears won't come off. That's actually what I assumed they were at first until a lense wipe and then rubbing alcohol didn't change anything. So I'm assuming they are the imperfect result of the polishing process. Which happens. I'd guess 99% of people wouldn't ever notice. Same with the few tiny little swirlies/dings. And I know nothing is perfect. But for some reason now I feel like with the regular stainless steel I might be able to buff something like this a bit. But with the DLC that's apparently not possible. So better to just have the regular stainless. Main reason I switched in the first place was all the talk about how the space black was impervious to damage under average conditions. Oh well. I'll think on it a few days and decide. I really do love the utility of the Apple Watch. I just don't like the idea of spending $600 on something with imperfections out of the box. Should have kept my first one. But then again I didn't know how this would all play out and had logical reasons to switch. And the first space black did indeed have that modest ding that was more noticeable. Apple is eventually going to ban me from contacting them at all :)
 
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Yeah, I don't know. I'm probably looking too closely or something. But the stuff I saw is definitely there. The 'scuffs' as I call them appear sort of like what you'd see if you rubbed the watch with a greasy finger to clean it. But the smears won't come off. That's actually what I assumed they were at first until a lense wipe and then rubbing alcohol didn't change anything. So I'm assuming they are the imperfect result of the polishing process. Which happens. I'd guess 99% of people wouldn't ever notice. Same with the few tiny little swirlies/dings. And I know nothing is perfect. But for some reason now I feel like with the regular stainless steel I might be able to buff something like this a bit. But with the DLC that's apparently not possible. So better to just have the regular stainless. Main reason I switched in the first place was all the talk about how the space black was impervious to damage under average conditions. Oh well. I'll think on it a few days and decide. I really do love the utility of the Apple Watch. I just don't like the idea of spending $600 on something with imperfections out of the box. Should have kept my first one. But then again I didn't know how this would all play out and had logical reasons to switch. And the first space black did indeed have that modest ding that was more noticeable. Apple is eventually going to ban me from contacting them at all :)

I absolutely agree. $600.00 is alot of money and your paying for a result. If that end result doesn't make you happy, you have every right to return the Watch. And your correct, The stainless can be easily buffed out for scratches. I hope that's not a negative sign with Apple's quality control with the Black stainless. Apple should be the one apologizing and not you worrying about your return. Let us know how it goes.
 
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Thanks. I think I've decided to go back to the regular stainless. I just need to decide if I want to upgrade to the milanese bracelet or stick with the nice white sport band. I guess I can save $50 on the loop by buying now, and I will probably eventually get it anyway. I think I am going to return the space black and make a new order for the other one and upgrade the shipping. I can wear the current one until it arrives.

For anyone with a loop, is it hard to keep the bracelet from rubbing up against and scratching the back of the watch?
 
The regular ss milanese won't scratch the back sensor. It's just the space black one that can. As for the back metal part of the watch, it's very difficult for the band to hit those parts. Wife's milanese has not made any scratches on the back of her watch.
 
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The regular ss milanese won't scratch the back sensor. It's just the space black one that can. As for the back metal part of the watch, it's very difficult for the band to hit those parts. Wife's milanese has not made any scratches on the back of her watch.

Thanks!
 
The regular ss milanese won't scratch the back sensor. It's just the space black one that can. As for the back metal part of the watch, it's very difficult for the band to hit those parts. Wife's milanese has not made any scratches on the back of her watch.

Agreed. I think those who are having scratches or subjecting the Watches to scratches, is how they're laying the watch down or along the watch to rest with the black Milanese loop. But the Milanese loop also folds and collapses were other bands stay rigid and hold form away from the actual watch itself. So that may contribute as well.
 
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Well, amazingly my local store has a 42mm regular stainless on milanese loop. I had ordered the stainless on white sport band and was waiting for it to ship. But I figured I might as well just get the bracelet.
 
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Mines got a knock on it and it's less than 2 weeks old. It's a watch though and is going to attract wear and tear. It's not like it's going to be worth much in a couple of years though. Just wear it and enjoy it.
 
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Mines got a knock on it and it's less than 2 weeks old. It's a watch though and is going to attract wear and tear. It's not like it's going to be worth much in a couple of years though. Just wear it and enjoy it.

I'm good with nicks and dings, as long as I'm the one putting them there :)
 
I'm good with nicks and dings, as long as I'm the one putting them there :)
Same here. I can handle nicks and dings that I create as I wear them daily but I cannot handle nicks and dings if it comes out of the box like that. I have the SBSS S2 and noticed a hairline scratch on the body but meh. Does not bother me one bit.
 
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