Sapphire crystal face question

[ej2zo]

I recently purchased a used SS series 3. Is the black bezel (border) NOT sapphire crystal, only the actual face? I’m asking because I see light scratches on it.

 

[Newtons Apple]

You image is not showing the scratches well. Is it possible the scratches are the normal micro scratches in the coating applied to resist finger marks. I am betting so. Can you feel these scratches with your fingernail? If not they are likely to be micro scratches.

 

[Julien]

The entire crystal is sapphire.

 

[ej2zo]

Here’s another pic showing the micro abrasions along the black border of the face. The other 3 sides of the watch don’t have this. Is this acceptable condition for a used SS apple watch? It was advertised as the face being in perfect condition.

 

[dojoman]

Yes that should be sapphire crystal. Previous owner probably abused the hell out of it. Very hard to scratch sapphire and my series 2 is still looking like new.

 

[ej2zo]

No it’s not. Only the screen is sapphire the border or metal part is stainless steel with DLC coating for SBSS.

So the black border (bezel) that i pointed out in my pic is NOT sapphire crystal? Thus not as scratch resistant as the front face?

 

[tromboneaholic]

So the black border (bezel) that i pointed out in my pic is NOT sapphire crystal? Thus not as scratch resistant as the front face?

If it feels like glass, it's sapphire.
If it feels like metal, it's stainless steel.

 

[gymratjudy]

I recently purchased a used SS series 3. Is the black bezel (border) NOT sapphire crystal, only the actual face? I’m asking because I see light scratches on it.

That looks like a space grey to me not stainless steel.

 

[ej2zo]

The watch does have a year left of applecare. Is it easy to swap out a watch without a hassle?

 

[770yd]

The entire crystal is sapphire.

Well, technically yes. It is aluminum oxide like you’d find in a high end Watch with sapphire crystal lenses, but unlike those watches, Apple has a lot of impurities in its manufacturing process of its watch displays, which allows for those displays to scratch at a much lower Mohs level.
In fact, an Apple Watch will scratch at the same level as Mineral glass. The ceramic back is actually more scratch resistant than Apple’s ‘sapphire crystal’

 

[ej2zo]

Is this watch worth keeping for $300 with applecare? The rest of the watch is in good shape with acceptable wear.

 

[Mabus51]

Is this watch worth keeping for $300 with applecare? The rest of the watch is in good shape with acceptable wear.

A new S3 sells for $279. I’d say no, $300 is way to much for used stainless or not.

 

[tromboneaholic]

The watch does have a year left of applecare. Is it easy to swap out a watch without a hassle?

Not for cosmetic issues.

 

[jav6454]

Here’s another pic showing the micro abrasions along the black border of the face. The other 3 sides of the watch don’t have this. Is this acceptable condition for a used SS apple watch? It was advertised as the face being in perfect condition.

Those are just damages to the glass coating (oleophobic and antiglare). The crystal itself is undamaged

 

[ej2zo]

Hmm. Judging by completed auctions on ebay, it seems the average cost of a used SS apple watch 3 (with applecare) in excellent condition is approximately $350. Decisions, decisions. Any other opinions on this?
[doublepost=1538847847][/doublepost]

Those are just damages to the glass coating (oleophobic and antiglare). The crystal itself is undamaged

Thanks for the input. How can you tell it’s only damage to the glass coating, not crystal?

 

[jav6454]

Hmm. Judging by completed auctions on ebay, it seems the average cost of a used SS apple watch 3 (with applecare) in excellent condition is approximately $350. Decisions, decisions. Any other opinions on this?
[doublepost=1538847847][/doublepost]

Thanks for the input. How can you tell it’s only damage to the glass coating, not crystal?

The scratches don't look deep enough. Furthermore, I also own a SS watch and I had the exact same situation happen. The best way you can tell is if you run your nail along and crossing the scratch, if you feel smooth, then it's the coating. If your nail feels bumpy or like it fell in a dent, then it's the crystal.

 

[phpmaven]

Well, technically yes. It is aluminum oxide like you’d find in a high end Watch with sapphire crystal lenses, but unlike those watches, Apple has a lot of impurities in its manufacturing process of its watch displays, which allows for those displays to scratch at a much lower Mohs level.
In fact, an Apple Watch will scratch at the same level as Mineral glass. The ceramic back is actually more scratch resistant than Apple’s ‘sapphire crystal’

Source?

 

[dojoman]

So the black border (bezel) that i pointed out in my pic is NOT sapphire crystal? Thus not as scratch resistant as the front face?

Black border is sapphire crystal. It looks like yours is stainless steel body but that glass should be sapphire not sure how it has so many scratches.

 

[770yd]

Source?

Research. You can find the video evidence on YouTube of the Apple Watch scratching at lower mohs levels than higher quality man made sapphire crystal. This is the physical evidence of my claim.
Then research (or google search) the difference between the various man-made sapphire crystal and why some is better than others. This is the reasoning based on the physical evidence of my claim.
If you do this, believe this will bring you to the same conclusion. I prefer not to give specific links, because doing your own research prevents any data bias from me, IMO.

 

[barjam]

Research. You can find the video evidence on YouTube of the Apple Watch scratching at lower mohs levels than higher quality man made sapphire crystal. This is the physical evidence of my claim.
Then research (or google search) the difference between the various man-made sapphire crystal and why some is better than others. This is the reasoning based on the physical evidence of my claim.
If you do this, believe this will bring you to the same conclusion. I prefer not to give specific links, because doing your own research prevents any data bias from me, IMO.

I agree that folks should do their own research as there is competing information out there. I tend to believe a reputable organization like consumer reports over rando YouTube posters though.

Personally I have owned (and abused) the sapphire version since launch and the screens have remained flawless. I tried the aluminum watch and it hadn’t many scratches after three days. The screen on the aluminum watch might as well be made of butter.

 

[aloecool]

Black border is sapphire crystal. It looks like yours is stainless steel body but that glass should be sapphire not sure how it has so many scratches.

Previous owner was probably rough with it. My S0 that I used daily for 3+yrs doesn't look anywhere close to that. Wouldn't call that a "perfect condition" screen.

 

[770yd]

I agree that folks should do their own research as there is competing information out there. I tend to believe a reputable organization like consumer reports over rando YouTube posters though.

Personally I have owned (and abused) the sapphire version since launch and the screens have remained flawless. I tried the aluminum watch and it hadn’t many scratches after three days. The screen on the aluminum watch might as well be made of butter.

I had the S3 SS before I got the series 4 and after a year of daily use and abuse, it only had very minor scratches. You had to hold it a certain way in the light to see it, but they were there.
I own several Tissot watches like the Titanium Tissot Touch and the Nicky Hayden championship Tissot, and beat the hell out of them over several years. They have high quality man-made sapphire crystal and you can’t see anything at all.
While this is just personal use and far from scientific, it just adds to what I have seen online and read about.

Either way, even with the aluminum version of the watch, the screen are pretty good and will stand up to at least a year of daily use without issue.

 

[44267547]

Is this watch worth keeping for $300 with applecare? The rest of the watch is in good shape with acceptable wear.

Given your concern with the condition as it is, I would say it’s likely not worth keeping, you have to ask yourself, can you accept the fact with the scratches as it is?

 

[Mercenary]

Part of it might not just be apple getting cheap but making a watch which is more drop resistant.

The thing about the sapphire on a tissot is its surrounded by metal. So if you drop it the metal is what takes the impact.

On the apple watch the screen will take the hit and a pure sapphire will shatter. More scratch resistant means less shatter resistance.