So my Nike watch series 3 has a little paint chip just above the screen. Not sure how I banged it bad enough to scrape off the paint, but will this be covered by AppleCare? Kinda pissed as I’ve only had the watch for a couple months.
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Series 3 Nike Edition Paint chipping off
- Thread starter The_Joker13
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Cosmetic damage is not covered by AppleCare if caused by you, unless they determine it's a defect. If you have AppleCare +, it covers up to two incidents of accidental damage, but does not cover scratches.
https://support.apple.com/watch/repair/service
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Well, I guess I’ll take it in to apple store and see what they say. Pretty ridiculous the paint is coming off my 500 dollar watch. I have AppleCare+ btw.
It is anodized which means it is chemically part of the aluminum. So it can't just 'come off'. It MUST be chipped, scrapped or worn below the surface to show non anodized aluminum.
With the aluminum, if you hit it on something, it is possible to chip it based off What you originally stated. Thats One of the reasons why I sold the aluminum model and upgraded to the Stainless, although the 7000 series does hold up fairly well to scratches.
Just take it to Apple and see what they say about it. You're going to get a thousand different responses on this forum, but in the end, the only one that matters is Apple's.
Naturally, because the OP asked for advice and that's what discussion is based off.
I agree Apples verdict is the only thing that matters, if the aluminum is chipped due to hitting it on something, it is correct that it is cosmetic damage to the casing is not covered as previously stated.
Is the stainless impervious to scratching/chipping? If so, I might consider upgrading.
The stainless is composed of 316 L, it can't chip. It does scratch somewhat easy, but those scratches can be removed with a Cape cod cloth, as where if the aluminum scratches, its permanent. The stainless has the sapphire display, which is highly scratch resistant.
I experienced chipping on mine last year as well. I managed to get it replaced by Apple, but it took me three tries (first two rejected it as cosmetic damage). So you will definitely want to bring yours in, but be prepared to keep pushing the issue until you get your way.
I've had a Nike + Space Gray series 2 since March and there are no scratches on it.
I also have a Nike + series 3. Got it in early December and there are no scratches on it either.
I have a series 0, bought it shortly after the release of the Apple Watch, and I don't have any scratches. I think (at least for my generation watch) the coating is very durable.
I experienced chipping on mine last year as well. I managed to get it replaced by Apple, but it took me three tries (first two rejected it as cosmetic damage). So you will definitely want to bring yours in, but be prepared to keep pushing the issue until you get your way.
If I recall correctly, wasn't your Sport model chipping due to a defect though? It's one thing if you hit your Apple Watch against something that causes damage by your own doing versus something that's chipping away in the consistency that something is wrong with the anodized aluminum.
If the OP brought their Apple Watch into the Apple store, they are not going to replace the watch based on the fact that they chipped/damaged the Watch in one area on their own actions being it could deemed cosmetic damage versus something that's a defect. Where as your Watch may have had a defect, which you seemingly had to prove to them.
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Well, the OP wasn’t sure how he got it damaged himself. It could genuinely be a defect and through no fault of his own. I simply told the genius that it started chipping off through no fault of my own (which was the truth) and he finally agreed to take it in. I am thinking it’s worth a shot. Bring it in and see what they say, especially for something as expensive as this. Those chips can be a real eyesore.
In most cases, chips that are likely caused by the user is near the display area. It's always difficult to tell exactly where somebody hit their Apple Watch and how it caused the damage, because they're not consistently monitoring it. If its just one chip, I believe Apple would claim that as cosmetic. If it was multiple chips areas not as prone to chipping (In between dislay and casing, along speaker area, etc) that could not be affected by hitting it on something, that could classify as a possible defective case.
In your case, you mentioned it started chip with no fault of your own, which they believed was likely defective, which you had many different chips on your Apple Watch and trips to the Apple Store to prove them otherwise.
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I have a first generation ("Series 0") stainless. The stainless steel is not as hard as the sapphire crystal. I have to explain that anytime I show someone how durable the sapphire crystal is (not a blemish on it). Maybe it is possible to polish-out the scratches in the stainless, but some seem a bit deep for simple polishing.
I wouldn't let this thread stop you. If it were happening to more people, I'm sure we would have heard about it in this thread. I hadhave a series 2 and a series 3 Nike+ and they are both perfect.
Space Gray would easily show Damage because of the color, but it's still very durable. The Silver aluminum has the advantage of pairing bands easier.
Aside from that, it all depends on what the Apple Watch hits on to cause the damage, based on the angle and how hard. Most times, the aluminum Apple Watch would survive without chipping, but again, it varies differently for every situation.
I have a 5K Tag Grand Carrera 17 black, powered coated titanium. It is chipped and marked quite a bit over a few years use.
Thats just how things are, nothing lasts forever and the amount you pay cant stop damage to paints / casing if you hit it against things.
A little off topic but even the most expensive watches aren’t subject to being damage proof if it isn’t a defect that is. I am a pretty serious watch collector and I bought the new ceramic bezel Rolex two tone submariner, Rolex guys refer to this watch as a “bluesey”. Anyway, had it for a week and though I can’t recall doing so, I must have banged it against a wall or something and it hit the ceramic bezel in just the right place to crack it. Now Rolex is known to be very robust so this is a rarity. However, after going back and forth with Rolex and $2,700 later, it is now finally fixed. Crazy situation to deal with for sure. Moral to the story is, I know what you’re going through.
