Shattered Sapphire Screen

[Apollonian]

I have a space black apple watch and wore the sport band today to work out. I always have found the sport band to be slightly clumsy compared to the link band and today I paid the price. I was putting the watch back on after a shower, my hands were slightly wet, and the watch tumbled to the tile floor shattering the screen. To all those who say they don't understand how you can drop the watch it is easier than you would think. Until the drop I must admit that the entire watch did not show a single scratch with daily wear. Thankfully I purchased Applecare+ and a new one is on the way.

 

[Haxley]

You could have been wearing it in the shower this whole time with of AppleCare+, looks like it would have saved you an incident

 

[Apollonian]

You could have just been wearing it in the shower this whole time because of AppleCare+, looks like it would have saved you an incident

Touché, either that or I should have just stuck with my link band

 

[Mac2me]

Accidents happen and unfortunately it's usually not until they happen to us that we rethink how we do things to prevent them in the future. One watch life down, one left. Glad you had Apple Care+ and glad to hear how painless it was to process your watch through. I was just taking my Apple Watch off last night to wipe it down and put the Watch on the charger for the night and thought, I really should be wiping this down while on the bed instead of doing so over our tiled bathroom. We have a rug at the sink but you how how those Watches will jump for the tile floor instead. Here's hoping I'm not writing a post like this at some point in the future but I also out Apple Care+ and thinking with plans to keep the watch for at least two years it was a good move.

 

[douglasf13]

Yikes, sorry to see that shattered glass. It sure seems like the sapphire isn't as thick as on high end watches, judging by the number of breaks that we've seen.

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

Yikes, sorry to see that shattered glass. It sure seems like the sapphire isn't as thick as on high end watches, judging by the number of breaks that we've seen.

I don't think it's that. Sapphire is more shatter prone than glass and people have posted quite a few high-end shattered watches, including Rolex.

Either way, I make it a point always to put on my watch over the bed, even though I have the link bracelet. It's a good habit to get into.

 

[perezr10]

I don't think it's that. Sapphire is more shatter prone than glass and people have posted quite a few high-end shattered watches, including Rolex.

Either way, I make it a point always to put on my watch over the bed, even though I have the link bracelet. It's a good habit to get into.

Im the same way. I'm not gonna do the one-handed dance that is fastening the sport band over a hard surface. My bedroom is carpeted so it's not too big a deal.

Any iPhone or Sport could also break on a tile floor. But they will scratch if scraped against a hard surface unlike the SS. I didn't buy my SS watch so it wouldn't crack if I dropped it. I assumed it would. I bought it because I hate scratches from rubbing against drawers, desks, tables etc.

 

[floridonet]

I have a space black apple watch and wore the sport band today to work out. I always have found the sport band to be slightly clumsy compared to the link band and today I paid the price. I was putting the watch back on after a shower, my hands were slightly wet, and the watch tumbled to the tile floor shattering the screen. To all those who say they don't understand how you can drop the watch it is easier than you would think. Until the drop I must admit that the entire watch did not show a single scratch with daily wear. Thankfully I purchased Applecare+ and a new one is on the way.

This is my story exactly!!! Happened to me this morning. Sucks they still don't have same day replacement.

 

[douglasf13]

I don't think it's that. Sapphire is more shatter prone than glass and people have posted quite a few high-end shattered watches, including Rolex.

Either way, I make it a point always to put on my watch over the bed, even though I have the link bracelet. It's a good habit to get into.

a

I don't think it's that. Sapphire is more shatter prone than glass and people have posted quite a few high-end shattered watches, including Rolex.

Either way, I make it a point always to put on my watch over the bed, even though I have the link bracelet. It's a good habit to get into.

I've seen a lot of instances of the Apple Watch sapphire breaking from a few foot drop, which watches like Rolex generally tend to withstand. It may simply be because the Apple's sapphire curves around the edges of the watch, rather than being more protected by a bezel.

 

[BarracksSi]

I've seen a lot of instances of the Apple Watch sapphire breaking from a few foot drop, which watches like Rolex generally tend to withstand. It may simply be because the Apple's sapphire curves around the edges of the watch, rather than being more protected by a bezel.

Yup. The good thing is, it's a heck of a lot cheaper and easier to replace the screen than it is to dismantle a mechanical watch—including the entire movement—to clean out any tiny sapphire shards that could migrate among the gears.

 

[Roller]

Like the OP, I found it a bit awkward to put on the sport band and almost dropped my watch a few times. That was one reason why I replaced it with a third-party link band. Unfortunately, that band has opened unintentionally a few times when I bent my wrist, but it didn't slip completely off my wrist.

 

[powerbook911]

Glad you have Apple Care + too, you'll be enjoying the watch again soon.

The problem I have with Apple Care + on iPhone and Apple Watch is the inconsistency in these products. It is too common to find a ding or a scratch in the tiny bezel between the sapphire glass and the main body of the watch. Getting one perfect could require lottery luck, but if you're not worried about perfect, Apple Care + is great. I have it on my current watch and phone. Unfortunately, my phone has needed replacement and now living with a phone that creeks each time I grab it in the lower right hand corner.

 

[maflynn]

This was one reason why I opted for the sport model, the ion glass tends to be a bit more shatter resistant then then the sapphire. Regardless, I'm glad you have AC+, that sure came in handy.

FWIW, I've not had any issues with getting the sports band on, its quite easy and I never let go of one end, even if the other hand drops off

Good luck with your replacement.

 

[Enygmatic]

I have a space black apple watch and wore the sport band today to work out. I always have found the sport band to be slightly clumsy compared to the link band and today I paid the price. I was putting the watch back on after a shower, my hands were slightly wet, and the watch tumbled to the tile floor shattering the screen. To all those who say they don't understand how you can drop the watch it is easier than you would think. Until the drop I must admit that the entire watch did not show a single scratch with daily wear. Thankfully I purchased Applecare+ and a new one is on the way.

*weeps silently for the fallen Space Black brethren*

Corner falls are deadly to just about any type of screen. Glad you have AC+, and don't have an eternity to wait.

 

[Enygmatic]

This is my story exactly!!! Happened to me this morning. Sucks they still don't have same day replacement.

Damn... yours looks like it took more than one spill. Or a prolonged trip down some concrete steps.

 

[Brian Y]

the price. I was putting the watch back on after a shower, my hands were slightly wet, and the watch tumbled to the tile floor shattering the screen. To all those who say they don't understand how you can drop the watch it is ea

This was one reason why I opted for the sport model, the ion glass tends to be a bit more shatter resistant then then the sapphire. Regardless, I'm glad you have AC+, that sure came in handy.

FWIW, I've not had any issues with getting the sports band on, its quite easy and I never let go of one end, even if the other hand drops off

Good luck with your replacement.

Yep everyone was hyped on the sapphire bandwagon but:

- Both are covered in a coating which is more likely to scratch than either glass
- Saphire tends to shatter very easily compared to ION-X.

 

[Newtons Apple]

Either will shatter if it hit a tile floor just right! I will take sapphire any day for the scratch resistance.

The moral to this story is always put on and take off your watch while holding it over a more friendly surface.

 

[douglasf13]

Yep everyone was hyped on the sapphire bandwagon but:

- Both are covered in a coating which is more likely to scratch than either glass
- Saphire tends to shatter very easily compared to ION-X.

I was wondering if the sapphire version showed scratches in the coating easily. You see that in analogue watches, too, when the makers oddly decide to put an AR coating on the outside of the sapphire.

While both can shatter, the Ion-X sure seems to be stronger in this regard, from every test that I've seen.

 

[mattopotamus]

You could have been wearing it in the shower this whole time with of AppleCare+, looks like it would have saved you an incident

correction. He could have been wearing it in the shower the whole time as water damage is covered under the manufacture warranty.

 

[Apollonian]

This is my story exactly!!! Happened to me this morning. Sucks they still don't have same day replacement.

I was shocked to find out that there wasn't same day replacement! I talked to Apple and made two separate phone calls because I thought the rep was mistaken. At least there is express replacement but I keep glancing to my wrist this morning and every time I do I remember my poor shattered SSSB.

 

[mattopotamus]

I was shocked to find out that there wasn't same day replacement! I talked to Apple and made two separate phone calls because I thought the rep was mistaken. At least there is express replacement but I keep glancing to my wrist this morning and every time I do I remember my poor shattered SSSB.

I also think that is crazy! Is this the only product they sell that is not same day?

 

[Brian Y]

I was wondering if the sapphire version showed scratches in the coating easily. You see that in analogue watches, too, when the makers oddly decide to put an AR coating on the outside of the sapphire.

While both can shatter, the Ion-X sure seems to be stronger in this regard, from every test that I've seen.

It'll show them pretty much the same as the sport. They are removable, but my removing the scratch you'd lose the oleophobic coating in that spot.

 

[BarracksSi]

I also think that is crazy! Is this the only product they sell that is not same day?

Isn't this also the only product they sell that hasn't had enough inventory to roll out to all their markets yet?

When supply finally catches up, you can start complaining. Until then, wait, and don't drop your watch.

 

[floridonet]

Apollonian, have you received your replacement yet? I brought my watch in Tuesday and still haven't received the call telling me the replacement is ready.

 

[jediuia]

I have a space black apple watch and wore the sport band today to work out. I always have found the sport band to be slightly clumsy compared to the link band and today I paid the price. I was putting the watch back on after a shower, my hands were slightly wet, and the watch tumbled to the tile floor shattering the screen. To all those who say they don't understand how you can drop the watch it is easier than you would think. Until the drop I must admit that the entire watch did not show a single scratch with daily wear. Thankfully I purchased Applecare+ and a new one is on the way.

You must have floors made of diamonds I have dropped mine a few times and never a scratch.