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Exactly how durable is the Silver SS S8 Apple Watch?

The Cockney Rebel

The Cockney Rebel

macrumors 68030
Original poster
Nov 16, 2018
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So my OCD has got me, already.

Only had my watch since Friday, and I’m already obsessing about keeping it perfect, so I’ve dried my hands right out by over washing them.

To the point where my hands have started to split and bleed.

It’s contamination fear. Not of germs, but my mind is telling me that I only have to get a minute particle of whatever on my finger/s, which will lead to scratching of the screen or case when I interact with the watch.

Can anyone please offer advice, with regards to my concern? Just telling me not to worry really wouldn’t help.

Could I possibly scratch my screen or case in normal use, with regards to dragging my finger over the watch?

This may well seem like a ridiculous post/question to you, but believe me, OCD is ruthless when it gets ahold of you.

I’ve returned numerous Apple Watches before, largely because of this issue, and I really do not want to have to return this one.

Thank you in advance for any advice.

PS: I wouldn’t use any kind of case on the watch, as it would look ridiculous to me and would only further convince my mind that I have something to worry about.
 
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Not to be rude, but have you tried therapy (if you're not doing that already)?

You said already that you've returned numerous Watches because of your OCD, sounds like you need to address the cause rather than trying to find solutions to problems that for most average people, aren't problems.

Having said that, you can't scratch the screen with your nails or finger (unless you're Wolverine).
 
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If you’re just worried about the screen itself then get something like this -

TAURI 6 Pack Screen Protector Compatible for Apple Watch Series 8 7 6 5 4 SE 44mm/45mm, Bubble-Free, Easy Installation, HD Clear, TPU Protective Film for iWatch 44/45mm https://amzn.eu/d/iXZ4MG5

I’ve been using them since the WATCH 4 days and am very happy with them. If once screen get scratched you just replace it.

If you’re into more of a full on protection kind of a person then get something like this -

Piuellia 2 Pack Transparent Hard Case with Tempered Glass Screen Protector Compatible for Apple Watch Series 8 Series 7 45mm, Ultra-Thin Shockproof Overall Protective Cover for iWatch https://amzn.eu/d/2AwWnfr

This will make sure you’re not scratching the actual device. Even if there’s anything at all in your fingers.
 
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Bro relax, do not allow a piece of tech to change your life or worry much about it.
Especially a timekeeper on your wrist.
Stainless with Sapphire are best buddies and just made to forget to think about.
The combination is a tank, nothing to worry about at all.
My 2 year old Series 6 looks like new, no protection or screen shields
Nearly indestructable
 
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kitKAC said:
Not to be rude, but have you tried therapy (if you're not doing that already)?

You said already that you've returned numerous Watches because of your OCD, sounds like you need to address the cause rather than trying to find solutions to problems that for most average people, aren't problems.

Having said that, you can't scratch the screen with your nails or finger (unless you're Wolverine).
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The mental health “service” has refused me therapy, numerous times, because I’m classed as too high risk.

I am also diagnosed with EUPD, and self harm.
 
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akash.nu said:
If you’re just worried about the screen itself then get something like this -

TAURI 6 Pack Screen Protector Compatible for Apple Watch Series 8 7 6 5 4 SE 44mm/45mm, Bubble-Free, Easy Installation, HD Clear, TPU Protective Film for iWatch 44/45mm https://amzn.eu/d/iXZ4MG5

I’ve been using them since the WATCH 4 days and am very happy with them. If once screen get scratched you just replace it.

If you’re into more of a full on protection kind of a person then get something like this -

Piuellia 2 Pack Transparent Hard Case with Tempered Glass Screen Protector Compatible for Apple Watch Series 8 Series 7 45mm, Ultra-Thin Shockproof Overall Protective Cover for iWatch https://amzn.eu/d/2AwWnfr

This will make sure you’re not scratching the actual device. Even if there’s anything at all in your fingers.
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Thank you for your constructive advice.

Very much appreciated.

:)
 
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Poisonfart said:
Bro relax, do not allow a piece of tech to change your life or worry much about it.
Especially a timekeeper on your wrist.
Stainless with Sapphire are best buddies and just made to forget to think about.
The combination is a tank, nothing to worry about at all.
My 2 year old Series 6 looks like new, no protection or screen shields
Nearly indestructable
Click to expand...
Thanks a lot.

Are you protective of your watch, or are you relatively rough with it?
 
The display is going to be pretty hard to scratch. The stainless will scratch, but if it is the not the graphite stainless, it is possible to polish those scratches out. Honestly I’ve had watches before the Apple Watch and they do get marks. It’s normal. Call it a patina and remember that it’s kind of a cool visual reminder of what the watch has been though.

I really wouldn’t worry about it.
 
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The sapphire crystal on the stainless steel models is very resistant to scratching. I haven’t scratched any of mine yet despite numerous smashes into doors and the like.

In contrast, the Ion-X glass on the aluminum models is quite prone to small scratches on the surface.

That said, many attest that the sapphire crystal cracks/shatters more easily with hard impacts/drops than the Ion-X glass. I have not broken the sapphire crystal (yet), but have never dropped my watch.

The stainless steel body will collect some surface scratches over time, but in my experience the sapphire crystal display cover is very resilient.
 
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I will add that I have an almost 4 year old S4 Space Black stainless AW, and it has zero noticeable scratches or scuffs. I bumped it on tables and wore it to the beach. It was dropped a few times. I scraped it on metal door jams. No case or screen protector ever. Note that the space black coating was DLC and really tough, whereas the newer graphite coating is PVD and not as wear resistant.
 
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like any other watch you'd wear, you're going to see some "marks", nothing you can do about it. The screen is very durable, the body can be polished if you're not happy, but like anything else, scratches WILL happen.
Think of the AW as a tool, not a piece of jewelry, it has a lifespan of 3-5 years depending on usage. Take the band off and look at it - it's a computer, screen and housing, and in a few years it's obsolete and you'll replace it (or not).

If you really want to keep is pristine, the only option you have is to leave it in the box.
 
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Poisonfart said:
It just becomes a part of my body when i put it on in the morning, i do not think about it anymore unless i need this tool or i get a notification, the watch serves me, not vice versa…now using the Ultra i even care less keeping it pristine
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Love this.

Hopefully, in time, I’ll be able to feel this way about it.

I was hyper protective of my 12 Pro Max, when I first got it. Now I don’t really care that much. I take reasonable care of it, but as you say, it serves me.

👍
 
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Just to be more specific about the sapphire crystal. Sapphire is the third-hardest mineral known and as such, you are not going to scratch it. Ever. I wouldn't bother with a screen protector unless it just makes you feel better, which is a valid reason of course. But it won't add any protection your watch does not already have.

The stainless will scratch. You'll need to work on accepting that. You won't scratch it with your skin, but it will pick up little microscratches over time from sleeves and just from daily use. It's the nature of the metal. However, it polishes up very nicely and will remain nice and shiny regardless with minimal care.
 
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cmontyburns said:
Just to be more specific about the sapphire crystal. Sapphire is the third-hardest mineral known and as such, you are not going to scratch it. Ever. I wouldn't bother with a screen protector unless it just makes you feel better, which is a valid reason of course. But it won't add any protection your watch does not already have.
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wrong. My SB S4 did have some scratches on the sapphire, and yes, they were scratches as I could feel them with my fingernails. There are also multiple posts her where folks report that their “high-end traditional watches get scratches on the glass.
 
The London Fella said:
Love this.

Hopefully, in time, I’ll be able to feel this way about it.

I was hyper protective of my 12 Pro Max, when I first got it. Now I don’t really care that much. I take reasonable care of it, but as you say, it serves me.

👍
Click to expand...
maybe think of it a little different, AW, iPhone or any electronics are "things" that can easily be replaced when they break, get damaged or what not, yes it might cost you some money but that is all, they do not really represent any "value" other than providing some "service" for you. And the same applies to pretty much everything around you, be it furniture, a car etc, all easily replaceable (there are of course exceptions ...).
 
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The London Fella said:
[…] I’m already obsessing about keeping it perfect […]
Click to expand...
“Ur doin it rong.”

If it’s perfect, it’s not yours. It’s anybody’s and everybody’s. There’s no way to distinguish it from anybody else’s.

It’s the imperfections that make things unique — and it’s the uniqueness that gives them meaning. That which is perfect is meaningless.

And the imperfections are also what tell the story.

Even the gods and heroes of religions and myths, even the ones claimed to be perfect. The stories we tell of them are full of imperfection, and the lessons to be learned from them come entirely from the imperfections.

So: what story to you want your watch to tell?

Do you want it to tell of a life of fear, of isolation, of sterility?

Or do you want it to tell of a life full of interesting things, with plenty of adventures along the way?

When your watch gets a scratch, the reaction shouldn’t be, “Oh, no! It’s ruined! It’s imperfect!"

Instead, it should be, “See this scratch here? That’s from this really cool hiking trail with a narrow canyon that I almost couldn’t squeeze through — but I made it, and you wouldn’t believe how gorgeous the valley was on the other side! This other scratch was from doing my first-ever oil change … and this one was just plain stupidity, when I banged it on a doorknob with an armful of groceries … and I really have no clue how I got this one … and this other one was from … ”

You don’t need to be intentionally destructive, of course. Just let life happen, and welcome all the imperfections to your collection as they come.

b&
 
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BenGoren said:
“Ur doin it rong.”

If it’s perfect, it’s not yours. It’s anybody’s and everybody’s. There’s no way to distinguish it from anybody else’s.

It’s the imperfections that make things unique — and it’s the uniqueness that gives them meaning. That which is perfect is meaningless.

And the imperfections are also what tell the story.

Even the gods and heroes of religions and myths, even the ones claimed to be perfect. The stories we tell of them are full of imperfection, and the lessons to be learned from them come entirely from the imperfections.

So: what story to you want your watch to tell?

Do you want it to tell of a life of fear, of isolation, of sterility?

Or do you want it to tell of a life full of interesting things, with plenty of adventures along the way?

When your watch gets a scratch, the reaction shouldn’t be, “Oh, no! It’s ruined! It’s imperfect!"

Instead, it should be, “See this scratch here? That’s from this really cool hiking trail with a narrow canyon that I almost couldn’t squeeze through — but I made it, and you wouldn’t believe how gorgeous the valley was on the other side! This other scratch was from doing my first-ever oil change … and this one was just plain stupidity, when I banged it on a doorknob with an armful of groceries … and I really have no clue how I got this one … and this other one was from … ”

You don’t need to be intentionally destructive, of course. Just let life happen, and welcome all the imperfections to your collection as they come.

b&
Click to expand...
That was brilliant.

Thank you, from the heart.

I often state that I’m perfectly imperfect, with many scars (physically, and metaphorically) so your post really touched me.
 
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