How durable has your Sport watch been?

[Tyler23]

After 2 1/2 Years owning the original SS Apple Watch, I am upgrading to a Series 3 Nike+ Watch with LTE.

My wife and I have gift budgets and the SS is out of the budget for this year, so I’m going with this one.

I’m a bit nervous about the Sport Watch as you always see the threads about Watch screen scratches. However, like anything else, the people making noise are likely the minority that actually have an issue (I think/hope).

So, polling the crowd, how has your Sport Watch (Nike or otherwise) held up? And how long have you had it?

 

[deadworlds]

After 2 1/2 Years owning the original SS Apple Watch, I am upgrading to a Series 3 Nike+ Watch with LTE.

My wife and I have gift budgets and the SS is out of the budget for this year, so I’m going with this one.

I’m a bit nervous about the Sport Watch as you always see the threads about Watch screen scratches. However, like anything else, the people making noise are likely the minority that actually have an issue (I think/hope).

So, polling the crowd, how has your Sport Watch (Nike or otherwise) held up? And how long have you had it?

I had the sport gray aluminum S0 since launch. The body never got any scratches or dents dispose slamming it into walls and metal door handles. The screen only ever got 1 scratch and it was tiny and located near where the glass meets the aluminum body.

My partner has the SS S0 since launch as well, and he took care of it more than I did with my watch. His is littered with tiny scratches all over the body, no glass scratches on his.


This time around we both got LTE aluminum models because of how durable they are.

 

[Mlrollin91]

I bought the S0 Sport with the intention of eventually getting a SS model if I liked the Apple Watch. After 2.5 years, I absolutely love the Apple Watch, but I upgraded to a S3 Nike. It is more than durable enough for me and the SS just doesn't seem worth the extra money. Besides I much prefer the Nike Sports Band.

 

[Nell]

I’ve just replaced my 2.5 year old Sport with a Series 3 stainless steel watch; my choice is to have a change this time but the Sport has proved itself very sturdy and is pretty much as new.

 

[Tyler23]

Sounds promising so far. Just keep hearing all of the negative about the watch and how “fragile” it is but good to hear it survives well. Would really want it to last in good shape for 2.5 years.

 

[artfossil]

After 2 1/2 Years owning the original SS Apple Watch, I am upgrading to a Series 3 Nike+ Watch with LTE.

My wife and I have gift budgets and the SS is out of the budget for this year, so I’m going with this one.

I’m a bit nervous about the Sport Watch as you always see the threads about Watch screen scratches. However, like anything else, the people making noise are likely the minority that actually have an issue (I think/hope).

So, polling the crowd, how has your Sport Watch (Nike or otherwise) held up? And how long have you had it?

Original aluminum sport. 2.5 years of everyday use, 16 hours per day. Even my white band looks like new. Amazing piece of tech. My favorite Apple device since 1984!

 

[risenphoenixkai]

I have a launch-day S0 space grey sport, worn all day every day for 2.5 years, right up until I upgraded to a Nike+ S3.

No screen scratches whatsoever. A couple minor scratches on the aluminium body from accidentally dropping it while changing bands. Tons of scratches on the composite backside, presumably from contact with the power cable puck.

I don't know what people are doing to their Watches to get them all scratched up, but I've had no issues at all, and that's with going to the gym for about 90 minutes a day, several hundred kilometres worth of walking up and down the beach with my dog, many thousands of kilometres on the back of my motorcycle, etc etc etc. I didn't "baby" the thing at all, but it still looks pretty much pristine, and I'd probably still be wearing it if not for the battery life starting to tank and the slow first-gen processor being generally unable to handle watchOS 4 (in my experience).

 

[44267547]

Sounds promising so far. Just keep hearing all of the negative about the watch and how “fragile” it is but good to hear it survives well. Would really want it to last in good shape for 2.5 years.

I don't think the Apple Watch sport is fragile. The 7000 series aluminum is very durable as others have said. The display however, with the Ion-X I found it to scratch easily when I owned the sport model. And that was one the reasons I upgrade to the stainless model, was because of the sapphire display for the protection.

But overall, I think Apple did a really good job with the sport model and it's made well.

 

[CaptMarvel]

I had my S0 for a year and a half and it held up insanely well. There were times I bumped against something and thought I had damaged it. There was only one noticeable nick on the body, not the screen and I still don’t remember how I did it.

I traded it in for credit towards Nike + S3 at Best Buy and even the rep made a comment how flawless my S0 looked.

Overall if you you didn’t have trouble with your first one, or you’re not particularly careless with your arms flailing everywhere constantly you should be fine.

 

[MajkJaro]

Original aluminum sport. 2.5 years of everyday use, 16 hours per day. Even my white band looks like new. Amazing piece of tech. My favorite Apple device since 1984!

Mind sharing a picture?

 

[dk001]

I currently have the 42 Nike S2 Black. Great body. Good Band. Cheap face.

While the watch body itself has been great showing little to no wear or damage, the same cannot be said for the watch face. It scratches easily. Very easily. I first brushed it against wall stucco while doing stairs and it left a quarter inch scratch. Edges or flat, it all scratches. Since then I have had the face scratched and replaced. Is suspect living near the beach it might be a bit detrimental, but playing around scratched it up.

I now use a screen protector on the watch.

 

[yang88she]

not one imperfection: sport s0, nike s2, nike s3 but i've used the same (replaced once) rubber/plastic case. As much as I enjoy the feel of the stainless apple watch and the weight, it's also the same reason why I opted for the sport models since I don't even notice wearing a watch.

 

[ricktat]

This still boils down to the user. I had a space grey 42mm for 1 year and it looked perfect. After 1 week my daughter has scratched the case in 3 spots, scratched the screen, and put a small chip in the screen.

You have to be aware of things you are doing. Like if you are reaching behind your Tv to un plug or insert an HDMI... don't use your watch hand or take it off. The texture of my wall can scratch.

 

[IJBrekke]

Mine has gained some noticeable scratches, both on the screen and body. 2 years of daily wear, complete with occasionally bumping it on things but never abusing it. All of it is aesthetic, it functions as designed.

My next will most likely be an SS for the screen durability.

 

[Shabbis]

My first S0 space gray sport had a couple of small scratches on the aluminum, but the screen was perfect. That is until the screen died about three days before the warranty expired. I received a new S0 and it has been flawless since.

 

[puckhead193]

i had S0 from launch and it looks perfects

 

[artfossil]

Mind sharing a picture?

 

[predation]

Agreed. You just have to be cognizant of the watch when doing stuff.

For example, I was moving my kids car seat out of a tight spot and my eye was on my watch the whole time. Lol

 

[44267547]

This still boils down to the user. I had a space grey 42mm for 1 year and it looked perfect. After 1 week my daughter has scratched the case in 3 spots, scratched the screen, and put a small chip in the screen.

You have to be aware of things you are doing. Like if you are reaching behind your Tv to un plug or insert an HDMI... don't use your watch hand or take it off. The texture of my wall can scratch.

I like your logic here. That's the big part of it, is if you do any really type of physical work with the watch or you're in a position where it can be proned to damage, try to use your other hand or remove the Watch if possible. I understand the Apple Watch is meant for many occasions and Is durable, but if someone was concerned about damaging the display or casing, then think before you act. But I also understand some situations are out of control or we don't think about the Watch when it does get damaged by accident. Fortunately, its repairable for most situations.

 

[twinlight]

I’m surprised how well my first space gray sport has hold up. It’s been everywhere and hit pretty much everything except asphalt.

Dropped it on the bathroom floor and got a small visible dent. Scratched it against some rough aluminum when cleaning an oven at work, that got me a gray streak over the screen but has since then faded away.

On the backside there are many points where the color has chipped away. No clue why this has happened on the back but I would guess some problem with the coating process.

I got a Nike + S3 on Tuesday and will give my old banged up watch to my brother. If the new one is anything like the old it will serve me well for 2-3 years.

 

[mk313]

Ive had my series 2 Nike edition since around January of this year. Aside from s scuff mark on the watch band button that holds the two pieces of the band together, it looks brand new. I have a regular office job and use the watch for everything ( running, cycling, yard work, etc) except if I’m doing some kind of heavy construction around the house.

 

[milhaus]

I've had the Nike LTE model for three days, and got my first scratch already (on the casing). Had the Space Grey model from last year for over a year, no scratches. Not a happy camper. ;-( Have AppleCare, so if it gets much worse, will just go in and get a replacement. Grrrr... But I think it's just luck (or lack thereof)

 

[44267547]

I've had the Nike LTE model for three days, and got my first scratch already (on the casing). Had the Space Grey model from last year for over a year, no scratches. Not a happy camper. ;-( Have AppleCare, so if it gets much worse, will just go in and get a replacement. Grrrr... But I think it's just luck (or lack thereof)

I completely understand. Having that scratch on the Apple Watch is unfortunate having to look at a small display. I would either purchase a screen protector if you can. But in my case, that's why I upgraded to the stainless for the Sapphire display.

 

[AlliFlowers]

Got my space grey aluminum at launch. Wore it every day until my series 3 arrived. New one is also a space grey aluminum. Why ruin a good thing. The series 0 looks brand new, so I gave it to my brother.

 

[staggerlee41]

I'm probably not best suited to answer your question about durability because I've only had my S2 Sport since May of 2017. It never leaves my wrist except to charge and when I'm in the shower. Literally, that's it. Its been a surprise to me how much I've worn this and have abandoned the traditional watches I own in favor of the AW.

I can't speak much to scratches because I've got a RhinoGear screen protector on it (highly recommend that brand) and I'm sure that's saved me a multitude of times in the short time I've owned it. I've banged the watch off of walls, door jambs and God knows what else.

It's great to see people having good experiences with the watch.