Sapphire quality?

[yoheywut]

I think it has to do with rigged tests and tests that do not represent daily carry wear. I also suspect as people say here bad batches of low quality saphire compared to the S0 Saphire glass used initially.

Here’s Consumer reports failing to scratching the Series 3

https://www.consumer-reports.org/video/view/electronics/news/5595713574001/apple-watch-series-3-final-test-results/

Kind of hard for Jerry Rig guy to rig a test when he’s just using a Mohl hardness pick. Just odd nothing lines up.

 

[vintagekeys]

Here’s Consumer reports failing to scratching the Series 3

https://www.consumer-reports.org/video/view/electronics/news/5595713574001/apple-watch-series-3-final-test-results/

Kind of hard for Jerry Rig guy to rig a test when he’s just using a Mohl hardness pick. Just odd nothing lines up.

Thanks, in that case i dont know how it can happen but i seen quite a few samples of scratched up S3 saphire glass. Meaning that within a year use it still scratches up pretty good for some users, which most likely would be me too.

 

[Steve686]

Just went to the Apple store and the SS display models were pretty scratched up. The back said they were sapphire (some people in another thread were saying that the SS display units might have ionx to save money). I'm probably still going to go SS this round but I'm still not convinced that the Sapphire quality hasn't gone down. I know it's silly but I loved the confidence I had in my S0 that it just wouldn't scratch.

Just the way the fingerprints are laid over those scratches, it could be someone trying to wipe away what is there, or someone had some sand on their fingers and decided to test the scratch resistance themselves.

 

[cap7ainclu7ch]

Yeah I don't really think the jerry video is setup, as he pretty seamlessly switches to the tissot watch, but I guess its possible. However that wouldn't explain the people having issues here anyways.

 

[ProtoMaster22]

I can tell you had my blk ss series 4 watch and used it for less then two hours and when I took it off I noticed the back was already scratched. I would save your money and grab the aluminum model and look for the full body clear film protectors and call it a day.

 

[meikdunj]

I recently acquired a good scratch on my SS S3. No idea how it happened particularly as I am careful. I would still buy the SS version over Aluminum though.

 

[vintagekeys]

I can tell you had my blk ss series 4 watch and used it for less then two hours and when I took it off I noticed the back was already scratched. I would save your money and grab the aluminum model and look for the full body clear film protectors and call it a day.

I just saw your post, sorry to hear man it sucks that the back of the AW watch is still so prone to scratches regardless it being alloy or SS, that with the fact that despite lots of positive sounds also lots of people managed to have scratches on their Sapphire glass makes me change my mind and just go for alloy and replace next year for a new one, and thread the AW as a yearly deplorable.

 

[ProtoMaster22]

I just saw your post, sorry to hear man it sucks that the back of the AW watch is still so prone to scratches regardless it being alloy or SS, that with the fact that despite lots of positive sounds also lots of people managed to have scratches on their Sapphire glass makes me change my mind and just go for alloy and replace next year for a new one, and thread the AW as a yearly deplorable.

I appreciate it, and yeah it’s a bummer I had a normal aluminum one last year and it was a great Watch it stood up to everything I needed it to, however this time around I figured I’d pay the extra with the peace of mind if getting the sapphire on the front and back as extra insurance didn’t pan out so well. Haha

 

[KarimLeVallois]

I've had SS models for every series since launch and have NEVER had a single mark on my sapphire screen. I use them daily for work, knock them on the commute and then in the evening knock them on gym equipment too.
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I can tell you had my blk ss series 4 watch and used it for less then two hours and when I took it off I noticed the back was already scratched. I would save your money and grab the aluminum model and look for the full body clear film protectors and call it a day.

Space black Milanese loop by any chance?

 

[Toonartist]

I've had SS models for every series since launch and have NEVER had a single mark on my sapphire screen. I use them daily for work, knock them on the commute and then in the evening knock them on gym equipment too.
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Space black Milanese loop by any chance?

I was thinking the same thing. They need to put a warning on those watches advising the strap can mark the watches.

 

[Nozuka]

Just went to the Apple store and the SS display models were pretty scratched up. The back said they were sapphire (some people in another thread were saying that the SS display units might have ionx to save money). I'm probably still going to go SS this round but I'm still not convinced that the Sapphire quality hasn't gone down. I know it's silly but I loved the confidence I had in my S0 that it just wouldn't scratch.

maybe someone compared the size of the watches on top of each other and one of the watches had a band with DLC coating. DLC is likely able to scratch the screen. So if you have a spacegray milanaise loop, you need to be carefull.

but i would definitely be disappointed if my SS watch scratched. It was the biggest reason for me to choose it.

 

[KarimLeVallois]

I was thinking the same thing. They need to put a warning on those watches advising the strap can mark the watches.

That loop is evil and shouldn't be sold as it's so easy for it to magnetically clamp to the back of the watches and scratch them.

 

[ProtoMaster22]

I've had SS models for every series since launch and have NEVER had a single mark on my sapphire screen. I use them daily for work, knock them on the commute and then in the evening knock them on gym equipment too.
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Space black Milanese loop by any chance?

Yep. What I find kinda funny is this isn’t my first Watch with a milanese loop ether so I know to becarful.

 

[Toonartist]

That loop is evil and shouldn't be sold as it's so easy for it to magnetically clamp to the back of the watches and scratch them.

It looks really nice but.... not good for the watch. I nearly got one myself but opted for the SS SB with the sports band instead. I wasn't aware of the issues with the band when I was looking (1st AW).

 

[MacWorld78]

I think all watch do get the scratched from time to time no matter how careful you are.

You buy a expensive car, the car will get scratched from time to time - there is nothing you can prevent it unless you drive too slowly

Somehow you scratched your skin,it is amazing that your skin will heal itself from time to time. I wish tech can do same thing but maybe it is mission impossible.

Some people take a fuss and some don't bother and move on life...

 

[friednoodles]

Just went to the Apple store and the SS display models were pretty scratched up. The back said they were sapphire (some people in another thread were saying that the SS display units might have ionx to save money).

The display units always had glass displays instead of sapphire, unless they've changed something recently. Even the original solid gold Edition display models had glass displays instead of sapphire. It isn't a cost saving measure, it's because the bright lighting in the store makes the sapphire displays look duller because sapphire reflects more ambient light than glass does.

However, I don't know, maybe they've changed it recently. You should be able to tell by comparing the display models and holding what's supposed to be a sapphire model next to a glass model - if the displays look identical and have the same brightness/reflectivity, then they're both glass. The sapphire model should reflect more ambient light.

 

[KarimLeVallois]

The display units always had glass displays instead of sapphire, unless they've changed something recently. Even the original solid gold Edition display models had glass displays instead of sapphire. It isn't a cost saving measure, it's because the bright lighting in the store makes the sapphire displays look duller because sapphire reflects more ambient light than glass does.

However, I don't know, maybe they've changed it recently. You should be able to tell by comparing the display models and holding what's supposed to be a sapphire model next to a glass model - if the displays look identical and have the same brightness/reflectivity, then they're both glass. The sapphire model should reflect more ambient light.

Very good point, the store watches are more like dummy watches running demo software, so maybe not made with exactly the same materials.

 

[Otflyer]

No. The oleophobic coating is only several microns thick. These scratches are deep enough to feel with a fingernail.

Here are four more. Again, I baby my watch - I have absolutely no idea how these scratches got there, as I've never dropped the watch, I don't use my Milanese loop band anymore, and it's never been scraped against a wall, etc.


View attachment 789278

Maybe there is some type of A-typical surface in your environment causing this.
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Kind of makes me want to go with the sport instead of SS...Did the quality change on the S3? Seems like most people with scratched sapphire have S3's.

Doing that will only increase your chances of scratches.

 

[Steve686]

Never a scratch, but did manage to shatter the sapphire.

 

[mavis]

Maybe there is some type of A-typical surface in your environment causing this.
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Doing that will only increase your chances of scratches.

Yeah, I suppose anything is possible. But it seems odd that there would be multiple scratches, in multiple locations, and not all parallel to each other. That would seem to indicate that the damage occurred at different times. One scratch, sure - a fluke, contact with an atypical surface. But a dozen scratches, in multiple places, some perpendicular to the others? That doesn't seem plausible.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Never a scratch, but did manage to shatter the sapphire.

Err Steve, we are only allowed to promote the inferiority of Ion-X glass in this section lol.

 

[Strangedream]

Short answer: it's bad enough to not be real sapphire crystal but good enough to be better than Ion-X Glass.

Apple sapphire should handle most daily activities fine.
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Never a scratch, but did manage to shatter the sapphire.

Can't wait for this guy who comes in and says "nice patina you got there pal".

 

[Steve686]

OK.

Need some clarification and am too lazy to do my own in depth research.

Is the Stainless Watch using Sapphire Crystal....

or Sapphire glass?

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

OK.

Need some clarification and am too lazy to do my own in depth research.

Is the Stainless Watch using Sapphire Crystal....

or Sapphire glass?

Apparently it’s sapphire crystal, but an incredibly thin version of it. When you think most mechanical watches have crystals that are upwards of 2mm thick, it’s no wonder the AW version is more prone to breaking. It’s more of a scratch resistance in this application.

 

[Mercenary]

Apple Watch 'Sapphire' scratches at a 6 on the mohs scale. It should withstand the 6 and the 7 but it fails. It should only scratch at an 8.

The screen is made from Aluminum Oxide. Which, techincally makes it Sapphire but it contains too many impuritys to make it as strong as it should be.

IMO, they are over charging for a screen which is only marginally tougher than the Aluminum version.
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But, an older video from Consumer Reports tested the sapphire screen when it was first released and it withstood a level 9 pick. Which ties in with the reports from people that the newer watches are scratching easier than the older ones.

Apple, being like any business these days wakes up every morning and thinks "How can we squeeze a few extra cents from each sale". AS those few cents all add up over time.