Screen scratch - Recommendations?

[Chomp81]

Over the weekend, I was walking down the street when my wrist accidentally bumped into a stranger’s. It was a casual contact and I didn’t think much of it. However, she must’ve had a metal wristband or something because my Watch Series 10 has a noticeable scratch.

The functionality seems fine and is purely cosmetic. The photo makes it look worse than it actually is with the screen on.

I asked Apple for screen repair, which costs £295 and includes a full watch replacement. This is absurd, full replacement.

Considering a refurbished watch is £289, which is cheaper than the repair, it’s even more ridiculous. I could buy a refurbished watch and sell this one on CeX for £70.

I’m not keen on buying the Series 12 either as it seems it won’t have any worthwhile updates.

What do you recommend? Besides learning to live with the scratch.

Thanks! 🙂

 

[jz0309]

Over the weekend, I was walking down the street when my wrist accidentally bumped into a stranger’s. It was a casual contact and I didn’t think much of it. However, she must’ve had a metal wristband or something because my Watch Series 10 has a noticeable scratch.

The functionality seems fine and is purely cosmetic. The photo makes it look worse than it actually is with the screen on.

I asked Apple for screen repair, which costs £295 and includes a full watch replacement. This is absurd, full replacement.

Considering a refurbished watch is £289, which is cheaper than the repair, it’s even more ridiculous. I could buy a refurbished watch and sell this one on CeX for £70.

I’m not keen on buying the Series 12 either as it seems it won’t have any worthwhile updates.

What do you recommend? Besides learning to live with the scratch.

Thanks! 🙂

well, stuff happens unfortunately ...
Apple doesn't replace screens on the AW as it would impact water resistance, so that's why they only do a full refurb replacement ...
some people have reported here that putting on a screen protector resolved their issue, other than that, learn to live with it or get a replacement

 

[goldenmac2005]

If you feel confident doing it you can just replace the glass on the screen only. The glass on Amazon only costs around 5 dollars. There’s videos on YouTube on how to do it. It’s pretty tricky but doable. But it might impact water resistance.

 

[iStorm]

Get the LK screen protectors from Amazon. I have one on all the time and it's practically invisible. It may help hide the scratch.

 

[doogm]

On my first Series 2 - the only aluminum watch I've owned that I wore as a primary watch - after it got scratched like this, I found that putting on a screen protector hid the scratches really well. That said, after a few weeks they always started peeling off, so I ended up learning to live with it (and to but nothing but sapphire crystals from that point forward.)

 

[Bichon]

I’m not keen on buying the Series 12 either as it seems it won’t have any worthwhile updates.

Well, if you buy the titanium version, it will come with a far more scratch-resistant sapphire screen, a pricy but very worthwhile upgrade.

I'd probably try the screen protector strategy first, and if that doesn't work out well for whatever reason, replace the watch with one of the sapphire screen equipped models.

 

[goldmac2006]

Well, if you buy the titanium version, it will come with a far more scratch-resistant sapphire screen, a pricy but very worthwhile upgrade.

I'd probably try the screen protector strategy first, and if that doesn't work out well for whatever reason, replace the watch with one of the sapphire screen equipped models.

OP- what color and series watch do you have? If it jet black that has ion x glass which scratches easily

 

[Bichon]

OP- what color and series watch do you have? If it jet black that has ion x glass which scratches easily

Good question. I'd assumed that it was ion-x because the OP said something about a metal band. But upon reflection, since the crystal was damaged by jewelry worn on a passersby's wrist, it could have been a diamond bracelet, which would scratch sapphire too.

 

[goldmac2006]

Good question. I'd assumed that it was ion-x because the OP said something about a metal band. But upon reflection, since the crystal was damaged by jewelry worn on a passersby's wrist, it could have been a diamond bracelet, which would scratch sapphire too.

Weird. I only have micro scratches on the gold stainless steel of my s6 I owned for two years because I made a mistake: wore a charmed sterling silver bracelet for a graduation ceremony last year on the wrist I wear my watch on. The sapphire crystal screen is still intact though

Is the casing still intact in any way, and do they wear a titanium Apple Watch ⌚️ s10?

 

[Chomp81]

OP- what color and series watch do you have? If it jet black that has ion x glass which scratches easily

Jet Black. Series 10.

Oh, is a different glass than the other colours?

The blue silicon band is from my old Series 6, I use that one for the gym

 

[goldmac2006]

Jet Black. Series 10.

Oh, is a different glass than the other colours?

The blue silicon band is from my old Series 6, I use that one for the gym

Yes if you had the slate tatty that would not scratch easily.

The jet black does scratch easily because the glass is weaker than the more expensive models and also that’s still considered the aluminium models .

You’re referring to the deep navy sport band, right? I have that one too.

 

[Chomp81]

Yes if you had the slate tatty that would not scratch easily.

The jet black does scratch easily because the glass is weaker than the more expensive models and also that’s still considered the aluminium models .

You’re referring to the deep navy sport band, right? I have that one too.

All the aluminium have the same glass...
The titanium has the tough sapphire crystal display.

Allegedly Series 11 has 2x more scratch-resistant Ion-X glass than previous generation with aluminum case

 

[goldmac2006]

All the aluminium have the same glass...
The titanium has the tough sapphire crystal display.

Allegedly Series 11 has 2x more scratch-resistant Ion-X glass than previous generation with aluminum case

Indeed. Y’all with series 11 aluminium did yours scratch easily too?

 

[Slo Pesci]

fixit has a good guide for the repair

 

[Chomp81]

View attachment 2651260

fixit has a good guide for the repair

Thanks! Although paying £121 for me to repair it... kinda steep
Do you have a link?

 

[Slo Pesci]

Thanks! Although paying £121 for me to repair it... kinda steep
Do you have a link?

Ya I hear ya. Mobilesentrix is a reliable company.

Wholesale Mobile Phone & iPhone Repair Parts | UK Supplier

UK wholesale supplier of mobile phone & tablet repair parts — iPhone, Samsung, iPad screens, batteries & tools. Trade pricing, fast UK dispatch. Open an account.

www.mobilesentrix.co.uk

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Well, if you buy the titanium version, it will come with a far more scratch-resistant sapphire screen, a pricy but very worthwhile upgrade.

I'd probably try the screen protector strategy first, and if that doesn't work out well for whatever reason, replace the watch with one of the sapphire screen equipped models.

I am not entirely convinced a £280 premium for the titanium is worth it, just to ensure a scratch-free screen tbh. Each to their own of course, but I have owned 3 Aluminium Apple Watches and never wished I'd paid a lot more for a sapphire screen. If it was £100 more, I might be inclined to agree with you.

 

[MarkX]

I am not entirely convinced a £280 premium for the titanium is worth it, just to ensure a scratch-free screen tbh. Each to their own of course, but I have owned 3 Aluminium Apple Watches and never wished I'd paid a lot more for a sapphire screen. If it was £100 more, I might be inclined to agree with you.

Due to how I go about my life, work, hobbies etc and the fact I wear my watch everywhere, previous experience with non sapphire screened watches is that they scratch easily and I don't like it. For me it's a necessary cost.

Worth is defined by the individual.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Due to how I go about my life, work, hobbies etc and the fact I wear my watch everywhere, previous experience with non sapphire screened watches is that they scratch easily and I don't like it. For me it's a necessary cost.

Worth is defined by the individual.

My watch gets a battering too, I'm and engineer and my Series 10 Jet Black AW has quite a few scratches. I didn't come down in the last shower so appreciate 'worth is defined by the individual'. Advising someone to pay a huge premium because one person has OCD about some minor scratches on a screen is also something that should be taken with a pinch of salt. As I said, each to their own. It would annoy me if I'd paid £699 for a watch that looks like and does exactly the same thing as a £399 watch, but thats me and I am a watch guy.

 

[throAU]

Live with it, or consider upgrading to the ultra.

My ultra 2 has literally taken chunks out of walls, etc. and is good as new.

 

[MarkX]

My watch gets a battering too, I'm and engineer and my Series 10 Jet Black AW has quite a few scratches. I didn't come down in the last shower so appreciate 'worth is defined by the individual'. Advising someone to pay a huge premium because one person has OCD about some minor scratches on a screen is also something that should be taken with a pinch of salt. As I said, each to their own. It would annoy me if I'd paid £699 for a watch that looks like and does exactly the same thing as a £399 watch, but thats me and I am a watch guy.

If you're a watch guy like me then you'll be used to paying more for something that looks and does exactly the same as a cheaper watch yet you still do it.

 

[MarkX]

Delete.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

If you're a watch guy like me then you'll be used to paying more for something that looks and does exactly the same as a cheaper watch yet you still do it.

True, I paid an awful lot of money for a Rolex last year, but smartwatches for me are tool watches that get thrown away after a few years and I do not pay more than I have to. The difference is a smartwatch for me isn't worn as jewellery or for looks, its mass produced and a mass worn gadget. I appreciate this is all subjective, not trying to suggest you are wrong for your choices.

 

[Bichon]

I am not entirely convinced a £280 premium for the titanium is worth it, just to ensure a scratch-free screen tbh. Each to their own of course, but I have owned 3 Aluminium Apple Watches and never wished I'd paid a lot more for a sapphire screen. If it was £100 more, I might be inclined to agree with you.

To be fair, the titanium series watch includes a cellular radio, so comparing it to the aluminum one without one it isn't really an apples-to-apples comparison. Even if you don't purchase a data plan for it, the cellular radio can still make emergency calls, which could potentially be life saving.

The OP took the time to photograph the scratch on his watch crystal and post it here, as well as contacting Apple to price out a screen replacement, so he may be more bothered by cosmetic damage than you are. That's why I suggested upgrading to a model with a sapphire screen as an alternative.