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Space Black Stainless Steal Scratching

J

JuicyJones

macrumors member
Original poster
Mar 20, 2011
92
131
I was at the Apple Store looking for the Space Black band and was told "We had to send our try on unit back because it got all scratched up".

Has anyone who has already received their Black Stainless Watch w/ Link Bracelet had this same experience? I ordered this model and it isn't scheduled to arrive until July but this worries me now that I've heard this.
 
Yea I'd love to know how it holds up since buffing it out like the stainless steel version is not an option. It should be much more resistant to scratches but some anecdotes would be appreciated :)
 
JuicyJones said:
I was at the Apple Store looking for the Space Black band and was told "We had to send our try on unit back because it got all scratched up".

Has anyone who has already received their Black Stainless Watch w/ Link Bracelet had this same experience? I ordered this model and it isn't scheduled to arrive until July but this worries me now that I've heard this.
Click to expand...

There not in the wild yet everyone's is delayed
 
JuicyJones said:
I was at the Apple Store looking for the Space Black band and was told "We had to send our try on unit back because it got all scratched up".

Has anyone who has already received their Black Stainless Watch w/ Link Bracelet had this same experience? I ordered this model and it isn't scheduled to arrive until July but this worries me now that I've heard this.
Click to expand...

I saw somewhere that the in store examples that were out there were just black anodized and not DLC deposition. Which is why they started pulling them out of displays in addition to the color not being representative of the final product. It's also why they changed the color on the web site, because they hadn't finalized the DLC process and were only speculating what the final product will look like. I've worn my Space Black all day and accidentally brushed against at cinderblock, not a mark on it.
 
Gav2k said:
So they are finally!!!
Click to expand...

Lots of pics in the Space black shipping thread. Here's mine.

hvjq34dwvldyvwqve4bf.jpg
 
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Carac said:
Lots of pics in the Space black shipping thread. Here's mine.

Image
Click to expand...

Though that coating is probably radiculously strong I think the regular stainless looks a little classier. IMO, of course. It kinda looks like it's spray painted. Don't get me wrong, I like it and probably should have gotten one because I work in construction. I'm just more of a silver stainless guy I guess. I've already taken a Dremel to my stainless to polish it once and will probably be doing it often. No, I'm not saying the space black is ugly. I can't tell in the pictures maybe there is more depth to the finish and it would look better in person. Still looks nice.
 
dannyyankou said:
Slight scratch on mine but you have to be in the right lighting and focus to see it.
Click to expand...

...and it's more than likely material that was deposited on top of the DLC coating, rather than an actual scratch of the DLC.

We have to remember that Apple's is a modern DLC preparation and that Apple most certainly sought out the best DLC plating company out there.

We've all been enjoying this scratch test video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02LAMOpEVq4

There's a number of discussions about DLC (both old and newer applications) that are of value here: http://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.php?223503-Personal-experience-with-PVD-DLC-watches

Not a bad discussion here either: http://forums.watchuseek.com/f9/tru...h-tech-diamond-scratch-resistance-181216.html

(obviously, I've ordered the SB SS) :)

The problem is, most people equate PVD to DLC. Someone mentioned this earlier. The problem is, the jewellery / watch industry tends to call them all PVD, which means you're going to have a wide variance in terms of durability. You could use the PVD process to put almost any coating on a substance. If you use that process to bond DLC to it, and do a little preparation treatment in advance, you can create a finish that is almost scratch proof.

You always have to say almost - as while it is Diamond-Like Carbon, it's not diamond. Keep engagement rings away from your watch. :)

Everyone's hoping that this DLC coating is as good as that video demonstrates. (but, no-one's willing to risk their watch doing scratch tests either) :)
 
fischersd said:
...and it's more than likely material that was deposited on top of the DLC coating, rather than an actual scratch of the DLC.

We have to remember that Apple's is a modern DLC preparation and that Apple most certainly sought out the best DLC plating company out there.

We've all been enjoying this scratch test video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02LAMOpEVq4

There's a number of discussions about DLC (both old and newer applications) that are of value here: http://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.php?223503-Personal-experience-with-PVD-DLC-watches

Not a bad discussion here either: http://forums.watchuseek.com/f9/tru...h-tech-diamond-scratch-resistance-181216.html

(obviously, I've ordered the SB SS) :)

The problem is, most people equate PVD to DLC. Someone mentioned this earlier. The problem is, the jewellery / watch industry tends to call them all PVD, which means you're going to have a wide variance in terms of durability. You could use the PVD process to put almost any coating on a substance. If you use that process to bond DLC to it, and do a little preparation treatment in advance, you can create a finish that is almost scratch proof.

You always have to say almost - as while it is Diamond-Like Carbon, it's not diamond. Keep engagement rings away from your watch. :)

Everyone's hoping that this DLC coating is as good as that video demonstrates. (but, no-one's willing to risk their watch doing scratch tests either) :)
Click to expand...

It's definitely a very slight scratch. Tried rubbing it out but it's been there a few days. I'm not complaining though. It's the only marking I've noticed so far, and DLC doesn't mean scratch proof. If I had the standard stainless steel I'd probably have about a dozen micro scratches by now.
 
dannyyankou said:
It's definitely a very slight scratch. Tried rubbing it out but it's been there a few days. I'm not complaining though. It's the only marking I've noticed so far, and DLC doesn't mean scratch proof. If I had the standard stainless steel I'd probably have about a dozen micro scratches by now.
Click to expand...

Post a pic, yo! Most ppl haven't received their Space Black yet.
 
Space Black Stainless Steal Scratching

Here it is. Very slight scratch around the bezel (to the right).

Side note- I love this picture.

db6a559d644dbcbbf0ca3701649220a4.jpg


----------

But if I take a picture under normal lighting, you wouldn't even know it's there.

483fb247cc12574f8061743adeadb5fb.jpg
 
fischersd said:
...and it's more than likely material that was deposited on top of the DLC coating, rather than an actual scratch of the DLC.

We have to remember that Apple's is a modern DLC preparation and that Apple most certainly sought out the best DLC plating company out there.

We've all been enjoying this scratch test video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02LAMOpEVq4

There's a number of discussions about DLC (both old and newer applications) that are of value here: http://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.php?223503-Personal-experience-with-PVD-DLC-watches

Not a bad discussion here either: http://forums.watchuseek.com/f9/tru...h-tech-diamond-scratch-resistance-181216.html

(obviously, I've ordered the SB SS) :)

The problem is, most people equate PVD to DLC. Someone mentioned this earlier. The problem is, the jewellery / watch industry tends to call them all PVD, which means you're going to have a wide variance in terms of durability. You could use the PVD process to put almost any coating on a substance. If you use that process to bond DLC to it, and do a little preparation treatment in advance, you can create a finish that is almost scratch proof.

You always have to say almost - as while it is Diamond-Like Carbon, it's not diamond. Keep engagement rings away from your watch. :)

Everyone's hoping that this DLC coating is as good as that video demonstrates. (but, no-one's willing to risk their watch doing scratch tests either) :)
Click to expand...

I did some scratch testing on the back of one of my extra links and although it took quite a bit of scratching with the point of a pair of scissors, I managed to leave a scratch. So I would say that the coating is not that great. I'm sure some moron will be totally trashing one of these soon, so we will really see how durable they really are.
 
phpmaven said:
I did some scratch testing on the back of one of my extra links and although it took quite a bit of scratching with the point of a pair of scissors, I managed to leave a scratch. So I would say that the coating is not that great. I'm sure some moron will be totally trashing one of these soon, so we will really see how durable they really are.
Click to expand...

Pictures? Have you tried wiping away the scratch? Did you see black coming off on the scissor point?
 
phpmaven said:
I did some scratch testing on the back of one of my extra links and although it took quite a bit of scratching with the point of a pair of scissors, I managed to leave a scratch. So I would say that the coating is not that great. I'm sure some moron will be totally trashing one of these soon, so we will really see how durable they really are.
Click to expand...

I think someone posted this link on the SB owners thread:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...move-scratches-from-black-finished-DLC-blades

So, you can try a simple pencil eraser. They said acetone also works, so try nail polish remover. My guess, unless that was a carbide blade you were using, the scratch is on top of the DLC. (at least, until I see it for myself...) :)
 
Thanks for the photos. This definitely appears to be the most scratch resistant Apple Watch. I'm interested to see what happens when it's dented.
 
Went to remove the link on my SSSB today to put on a sport band to work out in and the link required so much force to get out of the watch that when it finally came out it doubled back and hit up against the outside of the watch and caused a hairline scratch. It looks to be, like some people have said, maybe a scratch in the coating over the DLC as it didn't seem to penetrate the DLC completely.

Kind of frustrating but what can you do I guess. If anyone has deny tips for removing these scratches let me know. The eraser trick definitely didn't work.
 
Apollonian said:
Went to remove the link on my SSSB today to put on a sport band to work out in and the link required so much force to get out of the watch that when it finally came out it doubled back and hit up against the outside of the watch and caused a hairline scratch. It looks to be, like some people have said, maybe a scratch in the coating over the DLC as it didn't seem to penetrate the DLC completely.

Kind of frustrating but what can you do I guess. If anyone has deny tips for removing these scratches let me know. The eraser trick definitely didn't work.
Click to expand...
I'm still waiting for mine. July 7th supposedly. Why would they put a clear coding over DLC? Especially a coding that will cause scratches?! Makes no sense to me.
 
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