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Series 2: No DLC coating?

Watabou

Watabou

macrumors 68040
Original poster
Feb 10, 2008
3,426
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United States
I was researching the new models and realized that the cheapest Space black stainless steel model you can buy is $599, which sounded awesome to me. However, then I realized I couldn't find any details on what coating the Space black model has. I couldn't find details of DLC coating anywhere, which leads me to believe that it's just painted.

Is it possible that Apple decided to no longer offer Space black models with DLC coating or am I missing something? The space black bands have no details for them either...
 
oftheheavens said:
Don't know what DLC is but if the SS isn't anodized anymore I may reconsider.
Click to expand...

DLC is the Diamond Like Carbon coating on the Space Black Stainless Steel model (original Apple Watch at least). It is very scratch resistant. Only the aluminum models are anodized.
 
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Any one that has the SS Space Black Apple Watch how's the wear and tear does it scratch up like the normal SS Apple Watch ?

I would appreciate the feedback because I'm thinking of getting my first Apple Watch.



Thanks
 
I want to buy the black one with the black edge and a soft black colored band. I was going to ask the same question. Subscribed. Series 2, here I come!
 
I have the space black model and it doesn't seem to scratch at all to be honest. The down side is that if it does scratch you will not be able to polish it like you can with the silver SS model. I honestly am switching to the silver SS with leather band from the space black SS with links bracelet because the links bracelet is starting to show some scratches and is a finger print magnet (also want some change up in here lol).
 
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BPMCH02 said:
I have the space black model and it doesn't seem to scratch at all to be honest. The down side is that if it does scratch you will not be able to polish it like you can with the silver SS model. I honestly am switching to the silver SS with leather band from the space black SS with links bracelet because the links bracelet is starting to show some scratches and is a finger print magnet (also want some change up in here lol).
Click to expand...

That's very cool, I am doing the opposite then you pretty much for the same reason lol, want a little change.

I ordered space black with the band, was that or the edition model.

Kind of regret not ordering the edition model to be honest. It's 5-7 weeks now so too late to change my mind but I might try and get one in store next week.
 
enrincon89 said:
Any one that has the SS Space Black Apple Watch how's the wear and tear does it scratch up like the normal SS Apple Watch ?

I would appreciate the feedback because I'm thinking of getting my first Apple Watch.



Thanks
Click to expand...
I love it. No scratches and I use the iPad screen cloth to polish it. I've worn it every day since launch.
 
I know the thread hasn't been updated in awhile, but lots of first-hand accounts are posted here:
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/space-black-owners-thread.1883079/

To answer @ScubaCinci's question - if you actually do manage to gouge it, yes, the stainless steel underneath is silver. The DLC coating is applied using the PVD process. It is very hard, but the underlying stainless is considerably softer.

If you hit something harder than the DLC (e.g. Diamond or anything over a 9 on the Mohs scale), you can scratch it. (theoretically, hitting something with an edge considerably harder than the stainless with enough force could also put a crease in the surface of your watch).

Me, personally, I've had mine since June of last year (it took THAT long for them to fill the orders!) :( and not a mark.

Just be careful around concrete and some types of brick - they can have particulates that approach diamond hardness.
 
fischersd said:
I know the thread hasn't been updated in awhile, but lots of first-hand accounts are posted here:
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/space-black-owners-thread.1883079/

To answer @ScubaCinci's question - if you actually do manage to gouge it, yes, the stainless steel underneath is silver. The DLC coating is applied using the PVD process. It is very hard, but the underlying stainless is considerably softer.

If you hit something harder than the DLC (e.g. Diamond or anything over a 9 on the Mohs scale), you can scratch it. (theoretically, hitting something with an edge considerably harder than the stainless with enough force could also put a crease in the surface of your watch).

Me, personally, I've had mine since June of last year (it took THAT long for them to fill the orders!) :( and not a mark.

Just be careful around concrete and some types of brick - they can have particulates that approach diamond hardness.
Click to expand...

I just chatted with Apple Support about the Series 2 Space Black watch. The information about it doesn't mention the DLC coating anywhere. She couldn't find in the information available to her that is has the DLC coating. The bands (Link, Milanese) seem to be, since they still cost more than the Stainless Steel version of either one. The Space Black watch, however, is the same price as the stainless steel watch. That wasn't the case with Series 0.

Does anyone have confirmation the Space Black Watch has the DLC coating, or are we just assuming it does?
 
midloman said:
I just chatted with Apple Support about the Series 2 Space Black watch. The information about it doesn't mention the DLC coating anywhere. She couldn't find in the information available to her that is has the DLC coating. The bands (Link, Milanese) seem to be, since they still cost more than the Stainless Steel version of either one. The Space Black watch, however, is the same price as the stainless steel watch. That wasn't the case with Series 0.

Does anyone have confirmation the Space Black Watch has the DLC coating, or are we just assuming it does?
Click to expand...
That is certainly a valid point! They could be using the same coating process that they're doing for the "Jet Black" iPhone 7/7+ (which we really don't have a lot of info on yet).

Expect more information once these are actually released. It's often the case that the full documentation isn't available until products are shipping.
 
Know I won't get a reply but I just emailed Tim Cook asking about the DLC...figures can't hurt....
 
Why should apple not dlc coat the space black watches in series 2? Anyways i hope they do it because i ordered a 42mm sb watch. I think they just adjusted prices..
 
Edit: Correction - this thread was created first...my bad. :)

And, for what it's worth - if it turns out that Apple's changed the coating for the SB SS watch, I think purchasers of the AW Series 2 could easily ask for a refund if it turns out it's not DLC.

Would also be very interested to learn exactly how they're doing the "Jet Black" iPhone 7/7+
Highly doubt it's DLC, but if it was, that would make it a very durable finish indeed! :)
 
fischersd said:
Would also be very interested to learn exactly how they're doing the "Jet Black" iPhone 7/7+
Highly doubt it's DLC, but if it was, that would make it a very durable finish indeed! :)
Click to expand...
It's a polished anodised finish on the iPhone - as stated on the product page on the website

The high-gloss finish of the jet black iPhone 7 is achieved through a precision, nine-step anodisation and polishing process. Its surface is equally as hard as other anodised Apple products
Click to expand...
 
I have both the stainless steel and the space black stainless steel and my stainless steel has scuffed and the space black hasn't. I don't think they've changed their manufacturing process; I'd be willing to bet that series 2 is still stainless steel with a DLC coating.
 
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fischersd said:
A shining example of why there's an entire department filtering e-mails to the executives.

Just keep driving up the cost of Apple's operating expenses. We aren't paying enough for our :apple: devices yet. ;)
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Get off of your high horse.

Apple is a company out to make money. They need you to buy their stuff. They have to answer questions potential customers have about their products.

If the product you want is somehow inferior now because they cheapened the coating, you have a right to know (and a right to ask the question).
 
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NicolasLGA said:
Get off of your high horse.

Apple is a company out to make money. They need you to buy their stuff. They have to answer questions potential customers have about their products.

If the product you want is somehow inferior now because they cheapened the coating, you have a right to know (and a right to ask the question).
Click to expand...
My point being there are regular support mechanisms for finding out such information. You should be using the executive escalation team for items that merit the escalation....not every damn information request.
 
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