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How often do you check your watch over, for dings/scratches or damage?

Like others, I only check it if I brush my arm against a door frame or a wall or something. The scary thing is… I think I do that pretty often. haha

I’ve had five generations over time, going all the way back to the original. Never bothered with a case or anything and never really had any issues.

Then a few years ago, my Series 6 got some big scuffs when I whipped my arm up and accidentally scraped it against a metal handrail.

After that I used a snap case style cover for a few years but it felt bulky and made me more prone to hitting things I think.

Upgraded to the Series 10 and wanted to appreciate the thinness so switched to using a little thin plastic screen cover from Amazon (like you might use on your phone). I’ve had a few scuffs on that, and replaced them a few times (they’re cheap enough), but the overall watch itself still looks pretty good to my eyes.

I’m pretty OCD myself, but I don’t really like covers or screen protectors or shell cases on laptops. I want it to always look first day brand new, so I try to be extra cautious with all my devices. But the damn watch can be tricky! :)
 
Never. If I have to "check" carefully for a scratch or whatever on a device I own, it's by definition something I didn't notice in normal use -- and therefore I don't care about it.

The only exception to this would be damage that could affect functionality, water resistance, or structural integrity. But that's all stuff I'm probably going to notice in normal use.
 
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Only ever check around the time of making a new purchase and to see if trade-in is worthwhile.
 
Never, but I tend to notice new scratches and dings after some time. I put screen protectors on my first series 0 but in the end the sensor-back fell out 😂. After all, it‘s a fight against windmills. You‘ll never win, but surely lose your peace of mind, if you care too much. Only way to win here is to seek professional help and change yourself (or get the right pills).
 
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The Cockney Rebel said:
My OCD is ferocious today.

I’m checking everything, including my Apple Watch, for imperfections, and it’s got to the point where I feel nauseous.

Do you check your watch often?

I usually give it a once over each morning, when I change watch straps, but today my OCD is out of control.

You?
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If I don’t check my $20K Rolex Skydweller, $65k AP, $6k Cartier Roadster….. safe to say, I’m not checking my $950 Apple Watch. Live a little, it’s just a watch.
 
The Cockney Rebel said:
My OCD is ferocious today.

I’m checking everything, including my Apple Watch, for imperfections, and it’s got to the point where I feel nauseous.

Do you check your watch often?

I usually give it a once over each morning, when I change watch straps, but today my OCD is out of control.

You?
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Never.
 
I check it for scratches every time I look at the watch, but that’s just because there are so many scratches on the watch.

‘tis a tool, not a toy (nor collectible)
 
The Cockney Rebel said:
My OCD is ferocious today.

I’m checking everything, including my Apple Watch, for imperfections, and it’s got to the point where I feel nauseous.

Do you check your watch often?

I usually give it a once over each morning, when I change watch straps, but today my OCD is out of control.

You?
Click to expand...
I can be OCD on things as well, I can relate. However, I never really check. However, I just did when I read your post! LOL. My Ultra (original) is still 99% new looking on the case as it was when I bought it a few months after it was released. The sapphire crystal, just like my mechanical watches, I’ve never scratched one…ever. Now, a non-sapphire crystal (something I’d never do) I would be obsessive over and I would drive myself crazy.
 
I‘ve read through the whole thread, just because it is so interesting, how different people are on that front.

I rarely check on devices I carry around.
Actually, only when I take them fresh out of the box to see, if I have an obviously faulty unit - but only a quick check for obvious damage or production issues, not too closely, though. I usually order things and could thus make use of the 14-day return window.

In case of the AW, I slap it on my wrist and never check again. Only, if I hit it really hard against something, but just out of habit, as you usually check on things that might have taken damage.

I usually have the „higher end“ ones with the sapphire crystal. Once I got the aluminum model with the ion-x glass and it did acquire more scratches, including a rather big one across the front face, which did kind of bother me.
I did not take any action though.
But then again, I have to admit that I upgrade on an almost yearly basis and trade it in to Apple for whatever they give me. So a pristine condition is not a top priority for me. And I regard it as just a tool. In the end it‘s throwaway tech anyway. Not some Omega Speedmaster that has gone to the moon…😊
But I understand that people‘s mileage may vary in that regard.
I think it is important not let it take over your life.
 
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redcarian said:
Setting aside the debate about whether to use a screen protector or not, that single-use plastic applicator makes me sad. Used once, straight to landfill, just because humans can’t be trusted to apply a 50mm sticky rectangle to a 50mm glass rectangle.
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The applicator is made from recyclable materials (although I still have it). I checked before purchasing. When I get rid of it, I will be recycling it. Thanks for your concern...
 
I swim with it, and its worst enemy is the concrete at the edge of the public pool. I work on cars with it, and head down into the basement carrying laundry so is smacks against the rough concrete wall. As long as it still works, I’m happy. The pool did claim the display on the last one, during a particularly emphatic back stroke.
 

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russell_314 said:
The scratches give it character.
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This.

The best advice I've ever received was to take a photo of your living space when it looks chaotic and lived in. In 20 years look at that photo and compare it to one you took when it was perfectly neat.

You won't care about the one that looks perfect. That's not real and won't have much personal meaning. The one you'll cherish is the one that holds priceless memories in every messy detail.

I wish I had learned this as a teenager so I would have taken a lot more photos of all the imperfect and messy places I inhabited in my adventurous 20's.
 
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I check my watch every time I hit it or bump it on something. If you are scared about the durability of your watch don’t be. I got the AW 10 (Jet black of course) last month. At first I was nervous it would get damaged but just yesterday I was walking through our house and smashed it directly into our marble countertop (swung arm forward and my arm brush the countertop but my watch hit head on). I immediately gave it a look-over and it was completely fine. The only problem I had with my old watch (SE1) was that I had a case on it and when we went to the beach it would get sand in it and rub off the paint. All in all a watch is a tool but I still try not to do anything stupid with it.
 
I buy the more expensive models so that I don't have to deal with dings on the glass. For the actual metal part, I don't check. I'm happier if I don't know.
 
goldmac2006 said:
I came across a similar story of a S10 Jet Black user from the EU who had his Apple Watch replaced at the Apple Store because of the same issue you’re facing. Here’s the link: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-watch-10-color-bubbles-up-on-the-bottom.2454636/

Also, did you happen to drop your Apple Watch? Do you swim in it?
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I don't swim, and I don't recall having dropped my Apple Watch ever. I do run from time to time, and I will rinse my watch under running water afterwards. Occasionally wipe the bottom with a small alcohol swab, but I don't think that's the issue.

Thanks for the link. I have scheduled an appointment with the Apple Store for tomorrow afternoon. Let's see what they say tomorrow. :)
 
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Abazigal said:
I don't swim, and I don't recall having dropped my Apple Watch ever. I do run from time to time, and I will rinse my watch under running water afterwards. Occasionally wipe the bottom with a small alcohol swab, but I don't think that's the issue.

Thanks for the link. I have scheduled an appointment with the Apple Store for tomorrow afternoon. Let's see what they say tomorrow. :)
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Got it.

Probs if the store still has these Close Your Rings commemorative pins go ahead and get one while you wait for the Apple Genius, too.

In regards to your cleaning routine, bud- you do not use lens cloths? I use these to polish that nice stainless steel AW6.

LMK how it goes, the S10 should still have warranty so the Genius can repair it for you as defect when they check it out.
 
goldmac2006 said:
Got it.

Probs if the store still has these Close Your Rings commemorative pins go ahead and get one while you wait for the Apple Genius, too.

In regards to your cleaning routine, bud- you do not use lens cloths? I use these to polish that nice stainless steel AW6.

LMK how it goes, the S10 should still have warranty so the Genius can repair it for you as defect when they check it out.
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Mine's the aluminium model. I typically dry it with my bath towel. 😛
 
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Abazigal said:
Mine's the aluminium model. I typically dry it with my bath towel. 😛
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Rly?

That is too rough, man. Even embroidery or special stuff on these fibers on these towels can harm the jet black finish.

Do you shower with it?

My watch is still fine when I use a glasses cloth with a spray of my screen cleaner.
 
goldmac2006 said:
Rly?

That is too rough, man. Even embroidery or special stuff on these fibers on these towels can harm the jet black finish.

Do you shower with it?

My watch is still fine when I use a glasses cloth with a spray of my screen cleaner.
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I don't bathe with my watch. Just that this has been my practice with my series 5 for the past 5 years and it hasn't seemed any worse for wear. Come to think of it, I have had my Series 5 replaced before for a chipping issue which may or may not be similar to this incident.

I will take note of using a microfibre cloth from now on. It's just that I rinse my watch in the toilet and my bath towel is the closest and most accessible to me there. 😝
 
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