My guess is the band is dlc and it was a typo. I can’t imagine if it were pvd graphite and that’s harder then dlc graphite of the watch case. Makes no sense.
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Graphite SS Scratches
- Thread starter applepizzaz4u
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Everything aside from what the band is composed of DLC or not, if you just use extra caution, this shouldn’t be a problem. Other members that are fully aware of the Milanese loop know how to handle this watch specifically. Some people are more complacent than others, but it is ‘doable’ to work around without having to scratch the watch, but it depends on how cautious the person is.
Well I have a Genius appointment on Saturday. Got the watch Sunday hadn’t even put it on my wrist as I was showing my wife it and she noticed the smallest of scratches. Thought it was a defect (hence the genius appointment) but after reading various threads I was completely unaware of this and slightly annoyed. If they offer a replacement I don’t know wether to stay with the graphite black ss (I had already bought a new leather loop) or switch out to the normal aluminium. I know any watch can mark but I take pride in my tech as I work hard to pay for it. Just wasn’t expecting this. I though the DLC might offer a little protection over normal wear.
The SS DLC will certainly be the strongest and most scratch resistant of Apple's finishes, so if you are solving for a finish that is least likely to get scratches - this is your best bet.
The main thing if you want to avoid scratches is to avoid the Milanese loop - this applies to all the finishes, not just the SS DLC.
The finish on the aluminium is much easier to scratch vs. others. That said, matte finishes like aluminium and titanium make scratches less visible.
The main thing if you want to avoid scratches is to avoid the Milanese loop - this applies to all the finishes, not just the SS DLC.
The finish on the aluminium is much easier to scratch vs. others. That said, matte finishes like aluminium and titanium make scratches less visible.
Did you have the Milanese band on it when it got scratched? If not maybe it was scratched in the factory.
Well, I took the watch out of the box. Put the band on held it and took it over to the wife and showed her. It was that quick. So could have been either I guess. either way if I’m lucky to get a replacement then I guess I’ll stay with the graphite SS. I do really like the colour
Yes this has been going on since the Milanese loops were released even with the space black etc. I would see if Apple will swap it and then get something without the loop. Yes if you know how to take care of it it’s one thing but not easy to remember all the time.
If they are kind enough to replace it then I’m packing that Milanese loop away and using the leather loop I purchased.
I about to get the graphite SS and now will order it with the black sport loop instead. That actually comes with the graphite DLC pin on the band actually which is a nice touch. No more Milanese loop this time around. It put micro scratches on my S4 SBSS as well after a year's use.
Yes, totally agree - I've yet to see a stainless steel watch of any sort which has actually been worn which doesn't have these sorts of marks on it.
Do not blame it on that band. Out of my own experience, with only leather and sports bands, the micro scratches just happen during daily use. These are not scratches from a metal counterpart. On my SS I regularly polish them away. Unfortunately this is not possible on the Black one.
The trade-off is that you get far, far fewer scratches on a DLC watch. So no need to buff anything.
I still think the graphite one is great. I'm going to swap it out for the one with the sport band.
If I end up scratching the stainless graphite, I think I might try using my Cape Cod cloth to see what my results will be with light running. I’m really not concerned about tarnishing the casing or not, but I’m curious to see if it actually removes any micro abrasions. I’ll report back.
Won’t the Cape Cod cloth just take off more of the DLC coating? If you used it, you would have to keep going until you remove all of the coating and convert your Graphite watch into a Silver. Not sure I would go down that road...
I tried it on my black stainless watch, and used very light rubbing and it wasn’t an issue at all. I don’t necessarily recommend my method to anyone else, but I look at it like it’s just a smart watch anyways and I’m totally fine with the outcome. I’m more curious than anything.
NO - NO. CapeCod is for pure Metal, without any coating. It removes - don't know how to say it exactly - the material on molecular basis (i know, amateurish...). It gets black, using it on a metal surface, where there is no black color. So using it on a colored surface just does nothing - or destroys the surface.
Just to help your understanding, DLC is a form of PVD, Physical Vapor Deposition, which described the finish application process.
DLC (Diamond-like Carbon) is a specific form of PVD finish, and there are at least seven different types of DLC.
Other PVD coatings may include iridium (found on some sunglasses, as an example) or other metals, or compounds, like Titanium Nitride, used on machine tools.
I actually tried this before on my S4 space black and I didn’t have an issue, but like I said, it was applied lightly. As a matter fact, I’m actually returning the stainless and upgrading to the natural titanium. A few members convinced me based off their photos, plus I haven’t experienced the Ti yet.
You just mention an important fact: Applying it lightly does not do anything even on pure metal, you have to do it with force, really rubbing it heavily, then the cloth gets black and your metal (steel, gold, silver...) surface turns shiny again.
Yeah, I definitely am aware of the ramifications with a cape cod cloth, which is why I tried lightly on the back side, but you’re right, with enough force, it’s your irreversible.
Leave it the way it is and live with it. Polishing is only possible on pure steel. Yours does have a coated surface. You will only make it worse...
I bought this watch twice and right out of the box these hairline scratches show. Not much as in your photo but they were there.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 coatingView attachment 957633