Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Nisaja

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Sep 20, 2016
753
262
Hey guys. I bought a space black Apple Watch because the paint on my previous Apple Watch Sport kept chipping. Guess what! There's a tiny paint chip on my space black!

I thought the carbon coating is extremely durable. I haven't knocked it anywhere and it's a brand new Watch. What gives?

4df27217f454d6faed59444d39b636f9.jpg
65925cbf1aeb4cb167565eaaaaff9ab6.jpg
 
Sure it wasn’t there when you opened it? The space grey had an issue where there was exposed "raw" aluminium parts in this area on some forums members watches here. First time I’ve heard of it on a space black watch. Perhaps this bit was missed in the DLC process, so the stainless steel is showing through. I’d return it if you can. I’ve had my space black for a year and there absolutely not chipping or scratches at even after knocks.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Nisaja
Thanks for the fast reply! 100% sure it came like that. I bought it yesterday.

Yeah I was one of them. The paint on my space grey Apple Watch Sport kept peeling off. That's why I bought this.

Feeling disappointed. This watch is not cheap
 
Thanks for the fast reply! 100% sure it came like that. I bought it yesterday.

Yeah I was one of them. The paint on my space grey Apple Watch Sport kept peeling off. That's why I bought this.

Feeling disappointed. This watch is not cheap

It looks like it happened during the manufacturing process, right where the display meets the casing. At least you have the opportunity to it return for a new one.
 
Yeah. I feel like it's a scuff. But there's no way of that bit scratching without damaging the display. Weirdly, my space grey sport started peeling off right where the display meets the casing.
 
Yeah. I feel like it's a scuff. But there's no way of that bit scratching without damaging the display. Weirdly, my space grey sport started peeling off right where the display meets the casing.

There were some reports of the Sport models having issues with early on peeling, but it seemed dependent on the batch.
 
i returned two space black watches due to some minor cosmetic damage out of the box. very minor, but it bothered me.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Nisaja

yep. and as mentioned there the other one had some weird brush/polishing marks of some kind. they at first looked like oil streaks from a finger rubbing against it but they were imbedded in the finish. ended up opting for the stainless steel ultimately because of the ability to easily polish it, but I also put an Armorsuit body protector on it which is virtually invisible. So it's still unmarred on the body after many months. Sadly I left the watch at a relative's house and I'm pretty sure they are responsible for very tiny scratches on the ceramic back. But obviously those are less of an issue. But anything can be scratched/damaged, whether during the manufacturing process or after ownership! For the most part the space black is extremely resistant to that sort of thing. But certainly not impossible.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 44267547
It's very common for these DLC coated Apple Watches to come off the better in a knock and whilst looking like it's chipped or scratched, instead it has remnants stuck to the watch.

Not saying this is that, but try a scouring pad or the like and see it'll come off.
 
Hey guys. I bought a space black Apple Watch because the paint on my previous Apple Watch Sport kept chipping. Guess what! There's a tiny paint chip on my space black!

I thought the carbon coating is extremely durable. I haven't knocked it anywhere and it's a brand new Watch. What gives?

4df27217f454d6faed59444d39b636f9.jpg
65925cbf1aeb4cb167565eaaaaff9ab6.jpg

Bring it in to the Apple Store.

This was my Apple Watch a month ago.

60a30d712ff063635b7e4f182bb90076.jpg


It took me 3 tries, but the folks at the Apple Store finally agreed to replace it.
 
Bring it in to the Apple Store.

This was my Apple Watch a month ago.

60a30d712ff063635b7e4f182bb90076.jpg


It took me 3 tries, but the folks at the Apple Store finally agreed to replace it.

It took you three attempts after they denied you three times? Based on what?
 
Last edited:
It took you three attempts after they denied you three times? Based on what?
First two times, they claimed it was just cosmetic damage and not covered under AppleCare. Third time, the guy at the Apple Store took one look at it, keyed some info into his iPad and then took it back for servicing. 2 weeks later, they gave me a replacement (well, I am not sure it's brand new, but it looks new enough).

I have no idea if it's just luck of the draw or if their policy changed in between.
 
It's very common for these DLC coated Apple Watches to come off the better in a knock and whilst looking like it's chipped or scratched, instead it has remnants stuck to the watch.

Not saying this is that, but try a scouring pad or the like and see it'll come off.

Looking closer at the pics I'm convinced a bit more that I'm right.
It looks like you may have caught a door frame and some white paint has got in the tiny gap between body and glass.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.