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SS Space back scratch resistancy?

eclipse01

eclipse01

macrumors 68030
Original poster
May 16, 2011
2,902
441
Eau Claire, WI
So this is my first SS Apple watch and I thought i heard at one time the Silver version scratches pretty easily (although you can buff them out) and the Space black version does not (due to the coating)

Is this true?
 
eclipse01 said:
So this is my first SS Apple watch and I thought i heard at one time the Silver version scratches pretty easily (although you can buff them out) and the Space black version does not (due to the coating)

Is this true?
Click to expand...

Yes the DLC coating on the Black SS is scratch resistant. I've had four of them and never had a mark on any of them. Not even when brushing it against a concrete wall or falling off nightstand onto wood floor.
 
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batman75 said:
Yes the DLC coating on the Black SS is scratch resistant. I've had four of them and never had a mark on any of them. Not even when brushing it against a concrete wall or falling off nightstand onto wood floor.
Click to expand...

Well, it’s not ‘scratch resistant’, there’s no rating showing that it’s impervious to any type of scratches, but it is a very durable substrate material that’s used on the Apple Watch. Now, I can say that I also never scratched my space black Apple Watches over the years, but there are on here who have from previous threads over the generations of Apple watches.
 
In years of owning SBSS models i've never had a mark OTHER than scuffs along the bottom/sides from the official milanese loop. It's incredibly strong.
 
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Fynd said:
In years of owning SBSS models i've never had a mark OTHER than scuffs along the bottom/sides from the official milanese loop. It's incredibly strong.
Click to expand...

Why I won't use a Milanese loop! The Space Black Link bracelet is the way to go.
 
batman75 said:
Why I won't use a Milanese loop! The Space Black Link bracelet is the way to go.
Click to expand...

FYI, Actually, the space black link bracelet also includes a DLC coating (See link below) just as the space black Milanese loop does. So it can scratch the casing if it comes in contact with it, even though the Milanese loop would have a higher chance of coming to contact with the casing because it’s flexible/ fluid band.

F4A3FC1A-AEBF-49CF-87AC-7A23FBB2C804.jpeg
 
Yes, the Milanese loop has scratched one of my watches and two of my iPhone screens before I realised just how ‘dangerous’ it was.

I still use it occasionally (I’m wearing it today) but I just do it carefully.
 
Relentless Power said:
FYI, Actually, the space black link bracelet also includes a DLC coating (See link below) just as the space black Milanese loop does. So it can scratch the casing if it comes in contact with it, even though the Milanese loop would have a higher chance of coming to contact with the casing because it’s flexible/ fluid band.
Click to expand...

Right but the design of the link bracelet makes it impossible for the bracelet to touch the front or side of the watch. And while the bracelet can touch the back of the watch near the sensor, the contact is a smooth surface on another smooth surface and not of a type which could cause a scratch.
 
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Relentless Power said:
Well, it’s not ‘scratch resistant’, there’s no rating showing that it’s impervious to any type of scratches, but it is a very durable substrate material that’s used on the Apple Watch. Now, I can say that I also never scratched my space black Apple Watches over the years, but there are on here who have from previous threads over the generations of Apple watches.
Click to expand...

17906A16-48C1-4A66-889A-FBFF713F5536.jpeg


Which one is it champ?
 
johnasch said:
Which one is it?
Click to expand...

There’s no official rating from Apple on the DLC, it’s scratch resistant to a degree, but it’s not impervious to damage either. Anecdotally, it’s the most scratch resistant material offered on mechanical watches, let alone the SB/SBTi Apple Watch.
 
Excuse me for asking as I have not tried out my Milanese loop band yet (and frankly i’m a bit scared to now) but how does the watch band ”scratch” the case?
 
eclipse01 said:
Excuse me for asking as I have not tried out my Milanese loop band yet (and frankly i’m a bit scared to now) but how does the watch band ”scratch” the case?
Click to expand...

With the space black Milanese loop band, that incorporates a ‘diamond like carbon coating’ [DLC], which has the capability to scratch the display/casing. Even the regular Milanese loop band can scratch the casing if you’re not cautious with it. Your best bet is to make sure when you lie the watch down, don’t allow the band to collapse on the Apple Watch, try to keep it separate by laying the watch on its side.
 
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Had a space black S3 for a year, and there was no damage at all to the casing, but I did have an unfortunate incident with the space black milanese loop scratching up the display.

700573-9e75cfab4b80b034847c7f77cbd26805.jpg


It wasn't the worst thing in the world, could only be seen in certain lighting. I ended up going with a silver stainless steel for S4, and while it does scratch like crazy on the casing, it's not really visible.

All that being said, I do miss the sexy space black look, how the display just melts away into the casing without any real visible seams. If I do go SBSS for S5, I'm definitely going to play it safe with the milanese loop.
 
eclipse01 said:
Excuse me for asking as I have not tried out my Milanese loop band yet (and frankly i’m a bit scared to now) but how does the watch band ”scratch” the case?
Click to expand...
As it is a flexible band and can stretch 6in-ish when not on your wrist, the band can wrap around the side and even the front of the watch. Since the band is as tough as the case, and has lots of ‘sharp edges’ (the links) there is a risk the band can scratch the case.

Even just taking the watch on and off necessities the band being made loose and this can allow the band to scratch the case near the point where it is attached.

Here is a picture of my S3 where I have ringed the scratches the band caused:
95DF36BE-8CA8-4A1F-B76B-D9D662AF01D4.jpeg


To be fair, it was still super-difficult to see the scratches and it didn’t actually detract from wearing the watch in normal circumstances. My dad has been wearing it for the last year since I got my S4 and he has never even noticed the marks.
FCDP said:
I did have an unfortunate incident with the space black milanese loop scratching up the display.
Click to expand...
That’s the worst case I’ve ever seen - unlucky!

This is evidence that the coating in the band and case is harder than sapphire, however, which confirms it is DLC.
 
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I had a series 0 with the link band and I'm still wearing the band today with a series 5 and I don't see a scratch on it and I never saw a scratch with the original watch (outside of that DLC milanese band that would scuff/scratch it and I stopped using it). I really like both the space black and white ceramic (series 2) for the resistance both look like new and I wore them both for significant time.
 
FCDP said:
Had a space black S3 for a year, and there was no damage at all to the casing, but I did have an unfortunate incident with the space black milanese loop scratching up the display.

700573-9e75cfab4b80b034847c7f77cbd26805.jpg


It wasn't the worst thing in the world, could only be seen in certain lighting. I ended up going with a silver stainless steel for S4, and while it does scratch like crazy on the casing, it's not really visible.

All that being said, I do miss the sexy space black look, how the display just melts away into the casing without any real visible seams. If I do go SBSS for S5, I'm definitely going to play it safe with the milanese loop.
Click to expand...
Wow! It really is DLC coating then! Next product will be a sandpaper loop on the aluminium model lol.
 
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