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applepizzaz4u

macrumors member
Original poster
Oct 10, 2011
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Found some scratches that seem to be in line with where the milanese loop may touch it. Thought it would last longer with this new finish because of the DLC coating :(
ss graphite.png
 
DLC band scratches the dlc watches. This has been going on since these bands came out.
Apple's site says its a PVD coating instead of DLC like it used to say for the space black version. I thought I was going the safer route when I noticed that. Do you think its still DLC despite them not saying it is?
 
DLC band scratches the dlc watches. This has been going on since these bands came out.

I read that the Milanese Loop is not DLC Coated. According to some reddit threads and Apple Website it is PVD. Not shure if it is true.
Never had an Issue with Space Black Apple Watch and Space Black Milanese Loop.
 
Oh that’s the new pvd version? It’s not as hard as dlc but still pretty hard. I wouldn’t get a Milanese pvd or dlc bracket near any SS case. Not sure why Apple went pvd over dlc if it still scratches The watch.
 
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Apple's site says its a PVD coating instead of DLC like it used to say for the space black version. I thought I was going the safer route when I noticed that. Do you think its still DLC despite them not saying it is?

Apple's website is bad for having incorrect info near the time of product launches.

Notice the near-identical wording for the Graphite and Gold milanese loops. While gold is PVD, I doubt the Graphite is. My guess is someone copy/pasted and didn't check on the PVD vs DLC.

Maybe the website is correct the the graphite band is PVD -- but even if so then the supposition it won't damage the Graphite DLC is negated by your experience.
 
My guess is they made a typo. It’s probably dlc and we are getting more reports about it scratching graphite as that’s the new sb replacement. At least it’s a bit lighter so won’t look as bad of a little bare metal shows but I’d never touch a Milanese band. Can’t stand the meshyness.
I would get rid of that band asap. Otherwise, your watch will continued to get damaged.
 
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Yep, looking like the Graphite watch and Graphite Milanese loop both have the exact same DLC coating. This is the same as the Space Black models they replaced. If the loop was truly PVD, it shouldn’t be able to scratch the watch casing. Apple’s site is likely a misprint.
 
I’ve had the black Milanese loop for over a year. My SBSS is still perfect. One just has to be mindful when taking it on/off and laying it down. No reason not to buy one if your aware it can scratch.I’m sure Apple is aware and should list a warning with the band.
 
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Yep, looking like the Graphite watch and Graphite Milanese loop both have the exact same DLC coating. This is the same as the Space Black models they replaced. If the loop was truly PVD, it shouldn’t be able to scratch the watch casing. Apple’s site is likely a misprint.
I'm actually fine with this. it's pretty easy to avoid this contact.. as long as you know this is a problem. I worried the pvd coating would wear off, so if it's DLC. Sweet!
 
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I'm actually fine with this. it's pretty easy to avoid this contact.. as long as you know this is a problem. I worried the pvd coating would wear off, so if it's DLC. Sweet!
Yeah I had originally wondered when the website went back up if they had made the band PVD to avoid the scratching issue would that mean it was less durable. Looks like Apple decided durability was more important and went with the DLC again for the band.
 
I've always had this issue with the stainless steel Apple Watches - they just seem to attract micro-scratches over time, both from straps and contact with other surfaces.
 
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I was also hoping that the band was 'just' PVD and the problem would be null, but it clearly seems like the website is in error.

I have used a SB Milanese with an SB Watch for a couple of years with negligible damage you just need to be careful. Never wrap the band around the screen, or put it in a pocket for example. For the reason I never use a Milanese band when I need to go through airport security.

I've always had this issue with the stainless steel Apple Watches - they just seem to attract micro-scratches over tim
The DLC watches really should be resistant to that sort of issue. If the thing doing the scratching isn't as hard as diamond, give or take a few Vickers, then you should get no effect. I've been wearing SB for the last five years and the only thing to ever scratch any of them was the SB Milanese band! Even then, the scratches were minimal and I wasn't babying the band.

56CB4D33-C847-4699-B833-974A29537018.jpeg
 
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I had my S4 SBSS for about a year now and it was only because of threads like this that I even know about the scratches on the DLC watches. I'm the kind of person who babys all my tech toys whether its an Apple Watch or camera lens. It is the way I was brought up and it gives me pride of ownership when my things remain pristine. I get top dollar when I do sell.

So I decided to take a super close look at my SBSS watch that I have work with my Milanese loop for almost a year now and it was only when I looked about 3 inches away the I had a few "micro" scuff marks near where the lugs attach. I NEVER saw these fine scratches from 12 inches away and I have 20/20 vision. And I also found a few of these micro abrasions on the sensor glass which is supposed to be sapphire crystal as well as on the ceramic back. It's possible those are from dirt and maybe even sand that got trapped during my travels.

So my take is that it takes very, very little to put micro scuff marks on the DLC coating even for someone like myself who is extremely careful to take my watch off slowly and to set it down gently each night. It's still lightyears better than my S0 SSS that was scratched to heck after 2 years. But those can be easily polished out, as opposed to the SBSS.
 
I own a series 4 Space Black SS. It was pristine until I hooked the Milanese loop up to it. As pictured by the OP, where the band runs during on/off - it scratches. Certainly hard to see, but the scratches are there. You will be the only one to know it... but then again, it’s your watch.

My prior Apple watch was a series 3 aluminum. The watch scratched if the wind blew the wrong way at it. Face and case. That watch looked beat up after 6 months...
 
I've always had this issue with the stainless steel Apple Watches - they just seem to attract micro-scratches over time, both from straps and contact with other surfaces.
That’s characteristic of all bright SS Watches in my experience. You can buff the micro scratches if it bothers you.
 
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I would get rid of that band asap. Otherwise, your watch will continue to get damaged.
Could it also be the other way around. If this is the first time Graphite Black has been an option then couldn’t that be a too soft a coating that even the PVD coating on the loop would scratch it. Either way is the Graphite black a good option. I have one and am thinking of returning/swapping for a different colour/material that’s harder wearing.
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