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SS Space back scratch resistancy?
- Thread starter eclipse01
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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.
danmart
macrumors 68000
Same here. My launch-watch was worn for three years every day, first by myself than by my dad. It still looked scratch free when I sold it. I made this video to show that at the time:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
danmart
macrumors 68000
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:
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.
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.
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.
The-Real-Deal82
macrumors P6
Wow! It really is DLC coating then! Next product will be a sandpaper loop on the aluminium model lol.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.
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.
Otflyer
macrumors 65816
I use a Milanese loop and my SBSS is unblemished. Just have to take a little care when handling the watch when removing and installing it.