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DLC Coating - Did yours scratch?

L

lifereinspired

macrumors member
Original poster
Jul 9, 2019
46
21
Hi,

1st AW & I'm seriously thinking of getting the SS vs the Alum AW S6. Pretty much choosing between the silver and the DLC coated Graphite.

I know that the SS WILL scratch but can be buffed. Whereas the DLC Graphite (replacement for Space Black) is supposedly MUCH more scratch resistant (but can't be buffed).

I'm curious in your experience, did the DLC coating scratch?
How visible is a scratch in the coating?
Would you rather have the SS and buff/polish or leave the scratch to patina or the DLC Graphite (and hope it doesn't scratch since there's no real fix)?

Thanks in advance!
 
SBSS S4 for a year. SBSS S5 for a year. No cases, didn’t ever really worry about the watch, whacked into stuff plenty of times.

Both ended up with nothing visible looking at my wrist.

Looking very closely in bright light with a magnifier I could see some scuffing.

WAY better than my aluminum S2 and S3, each of which had visible on my wrist case dings within a half year that I got to look at for the rest of the year.

I’m not a fan of the bright shiny and don’t care for graphite so went to SBTi.
 
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lifereinspired said:
Hi,

1st AW & I'm seriously thinking of getting the SS vs the Alum AW S6. Pretty much choosing between the silver and the DLC coated Graphite.

I know that the SS WILL scratch but can be buffed. Whereas the DLC Graphite (replacement for Space Black) is supposedly MUCH more scratch resistant (but can't be buffed).

I'm curious in your experience, did the DLC coating scratch?
How visible is a scratch in the coating?
Would you rather have the SS and buff/polish or leave the scratch to patina or the DLC Graphite (and hope it doesn't scratch since there's no real fix)?

Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...

I’ve owned two space black Apple watches, both of which never scratched with DLC at all. I sold both of those models in pristine/mint condition for the next owner. And that’s a complete thanks to the DLC and sapphire display.

Nuff said.
 
Thanks. I've mostly heard that the DLC coating (particularly on the SS version) is just short of bulletproof. But then, I've seen some people talking about swirls, dings, etc that show up and I was surprised when the showed the photos. You could definitely see the microscratches, the swirls, the dings, etc. So, I was curious what other have found. I know that the silver SS will surely scratch/patina but can be polished out. I'm leaning that way because of that.
 
lifereinspired said:
Thanks. I've mostly heard that the DLC coating (particularly on the SS version) is just short of bulletproof. But then, I've seen some people talking about swirls, dings, etc that show up and I was surprised when the showed the photos. You could definitely see the microscratches, the swirls, the dings, etc. So, I was curious what other have found. I know that the silver SS will surely scratch/patina but can be polished out. I'm leaning that way because of that.
Click to expand...

DLC is not impervious, but it’s a very hardened material that makes it very difficult to damage, but you have so many different opportunities in scenarios where someone could damage it on particular surfaces, there would be an infinite amount of different ways DLC could be damaged based on the impact, surface type, angle, ect.
 
The only reason I bought the Milanese loop was it meant I could get my SS graphite 44mm quickly , the other straps all delayed delivery into November

I’ve replaced that strap with the one that came in the box with the watch , the black sport band , it’s lovely and soft and won’t ever scratch the watch or my arm :) not what could be said about that Milanese band.....
 
Before I recently sold my SBSS 5, it was in near mint shape. You had to get a magnifying glass to see the one minute abrasionson the casing, And that was after 11 months of work and workout use. I expect no different from my new Graphite model. I did decide to buy a minimalist cover for use during work this time around.
 
OP the SB Stainless and Graphite will hold up extremely well to scratches.

Honestly though, we all tend to go a little crazy with little scratches in here. I stopped worrying about them as its a watch, and scratches give it a little character. I own the Series 6 Stainless Steel Hermes and wore it to the Beach all day yesterday and honestly put the watch through hell with everything I did there between volleyball and swimming. Our watches are meant to be worn and enjoyed and I get a little tired of treating my stuff like it is on rental from the museum of precious property.
 
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I had my S0 2/12 yrs. It had plenty of micro scratches when I sold it but, I never worried about it because, even with the scratches it looked good. I owned a SBSS for a year and it was perfect when I traded it for my graphite SS two weeks ago. I expect the graphite SS will holdup as well as the SBSS.
 
Had my SSSB S4 for two years and my wife has used the SSSB series 3 for the same time. Both naked, no case or anything. As far as we can see, even after being bumped against what have you a number of times, both look pristine.
 
2 years with SBSS4 and no scratches on the case, I do have one or two on the sapphire... wearing during mountain biking, yard work etc and I’m rather rough on the watch, hence scratches in sapphire but not on case
 
about 4 years with Series 2 Space Black and no scratches so far! Waiting for Series 7...
 
Apple Watch 2 space black, the sapphire display has visible marks (under some lights) but the case is fine.
 
lifereinspired said:
Hi,

1st AW & I'm seriously thinking of getting the SS vs the Alum AW S6. Pretty much choosing between the silver and the DLC coated Graphite.

I know that the SS WILL scratch but can be buffed. Whereas the DLC Graphite (replacement for Space Black) is supposedly MUCH more scratch resistant (but can't be buffed).

I'm curious in your experience, did the DLC coating scratch?
How visible is a scratch in the coating?
Would you rather have the SS and buff/polish or leave the scratch to patina or the DLC Graphite (and hope it doesn't scratch since there's no real fix)?

Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
The graphite doesn’t have a dlc coating.
 
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rhemy123 said:
The graphite doesn’t have a dlc coating.
Click to expand...
Please not again… It has.
79A32831-7970-46DC-A33B-C07834FFC49B.jpeg
 
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I can't see any scratches on my Space Black Series 4 Stainless with the "glossy" DLC coating.

And I am with ElDuderino91 in believing the Graphite Stainless does have DLC even though the US Apple Tech specs don't say so (for the record, they no longer mention the Gold Stainless has PVD, either, so I think it is just Apple stopped mentioning it for Stainless models on the US page). Graphite Stainless looks very similar to Space Black Titanium to me and SBTi (for the moment) still says it is s DLC coating.
 
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CWallace said:
I can't see any scratches on my Space Black Series 4 Stainless with the "glossy" DLC coating.

And I am with ElDuderino91 in believing the Graphite Stainless does have DLC even though the US Apple Tech specs don't say so (for the record, they no longer mention the Gold Stainless has PVD, either, so I think it is just Apple stopped mentioning it for Stainless models on the US page). Graphite Stainless looks very similar to Space Black Titanium to me and SBTi (for the moment) still says it is s DLC coating.
Click to expand...
So why would the Apple tell me it doesn’t and that is in line with their specifications? You have to admit it’s strange Apple would say the titanium was dlc. That finish isn’t new. I have the series 5 and they said that then as well.
 
The one you asked at apple knows nothing about it and just reads the same tech specs you find online. In fact all the apple chat and hotline employees take their info from the same sheets we find online.

The process how they make the stainless steel and titanium darker is through the DLC coating. So the dark color literally is the coating. Apple would be plain stupid to stop this dlc coating because lots of potential customers would just not buy it then.
 
rhemy123 said:
I’m referring to the series 7. I’ve asked Apple and Hermes about the graphite and space black. Apple said no and Hermes won’t confirm the black coating is dlc.
Click to expand...

It is highly unlikely that Apple changed the coating process between the Series 6 and 7, especially changing it to something less durable.

As to why they don't list it anymore for the Stainless models (at least on the US site), my guess is they feel it's not important consumer information. Or they feel they talked about it enough in previous editions that people just "know" it's DLC now.
 
CWallace said:
It is highly unlikely that Apple changed the coating process between the Series 6 and 7, especially changing it to something less durable.

As to why they don't list it anymore for the Stainless models (at least on the US site), my guess is they feel it's not important consumer information. Or they feel they talked about it enough in previous editions that people just "know" it's DLC now.
Click to expand...
Yeah don't really buy that. Just looking at the Apple Watch compare page and looking at finish they are very clear that no Apple Watch other than the space black titanium has DLC.

dlc.jpg
 
sarc said:
Yeah don't really buy that. Just looking at the Apple Watch compare page and looking at finish they are very clear that no Apple Watch other than the space black titanium has DLC.

View attachment 1864454
Click to expand...

And yet Gold Stainless is certainly still PVD and they don't list that, either.

And the Mexican technical specs page for Series 6 listed Graphite Stainless as DLC and Gold Stainless as PVD where the United States technical specs page doesn't list the process finishes for Stainless.

Unless you believe Apple makes unique watch cases for each market and therefore Mexico gets DLC and the US does not.

Anyway, I honestly can't be bothered arguing this anymore as it is going around in circles. I believe Graphite is DLC and until someone does a full materials analysis on it in a laboratory, I won't be dissuaded of that. So if I was in the market for a Graphite Stainless Series 7, I would not be at all worried about the durability of the case material. Your mileage may vary and if you feel differently, more power to you. :)
 
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CWallace said:
It is highly unlikely that Apple changed the coating process between the Series 6 and 7, especially changing it to something less durable.

As to why they don't list it anymore for the Stainless models (at least on the US site), my guess is they feel it's not important consumer information. Or they feel they talked about it enough in previous editions that people just "know" it's DLC now.
Click to expand...
That’s where you are wrong. Apple would change the coating method for a variety of reasons—supply issues being a common one, cost being another. I believe you take it as it is given. It might be a mistake on apples part. it may not be a mistake. If apple is unwilling to say they are using DLC after asking multiple times. Then take them at their word. Hermes hasn’t even confirmed it, and it’s a product with their name on it.
 
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S4 SBSS also no scratches yet. Still looks like new.

Never really wear the milanese band i ordered it with though... always too afraid i would scratch it while putting it on 😅
 
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