I’d agree with that statement. Plastic should not be able to scratch a metal watch. I do know that some of the bands have a metal connector so that’s possible and I’ve done it on the SS (but it can be buffed out).
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Titanium AW5 thread
- Thread starter spinedoc77
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
As I suggested above there is some obvious trolling and BS in this thread. Titanium cannot be scratched by plastic full stop. I've been switching straps daily since I bought my watch using rubber, plastic and metal lugs and there really isn't a single mark on it. I'm sure it will pick up the odd knock and scratch with time just as my previous steel and aluminium watches did but for anyone thinking about picking up a Ti please don't think it is in any way more sensitive than the other metals. It isn't.
The watch in the photos above has a few scratches but they weren't caused by changing a plastic strap. That watch has obviously had a not insignificant impact with an abrasive surface. The significant damage in the photos earlier in the thread can also only have been caused by prolonged and severed abrasion against another metal surface. Anything short of a diamond would also have suffered under those circumstances. I really don't understand the desire to plant doubt in peoples minds and the paranoia other owners exhibit. Maybe some are spending more money than they can afford and have buyers remorse or others simply can't afford them and feel the need to talk them down to feel better, I don't know but its a bit weird really.
The watch in the photos above has a few scratches but they weren't caused by changing a plastic strap. That watch has obviously had a not insignificant impact with an abrasive surface. The significant damage in the photos earlier in the thread can also only have been caused by prolonged and severed abrasion against another metal surface. Anything short of a diamond would also have suffered under those circumstances. I really don't understand the desire to plant doubt in peoples minds and the paranoia other owners exhibit. Maybe some are spending more money than they can afford and have buyers remorse or others simply can't afford them and feel the need to talk them down to feel better, I don't know but its a bit weird really.
well, I want the titanium and most likely will get it as an alternative to my SSSb but after seeing first hand watches in store with scratching I’m not going to bury my head and pretend it’s not possible. You seem to be very keen to say everyone but you is a liar. To proclaim the cause of damage when you don’t even own that particular watch comes over very high and mighty.
This photo is particularly brilliant. The watch has clearly been rubbing against a metal zip or similar abrasive medium and not surprisingly has been scratched. Just look at the plastic lug, the edge has been shaved off by the force! This was not caused by simple contact with air or a defective coating and trying to suggest as much is disingenuous to the extreme.
Last edited:
I do own the Ti watch (+ previous gen steel and aluminium) and I'm not calling everyone a liar, just those keen to spread fake news.
I kind of feel this way, I think there is a difference in terms of looks between the titanium and aluminum, they both have that ‘brushed look’, and I think that’s what others are seeing the similarities, but in terms of actual weight and material, I think the titanium has a nice appeal, but I’m partial to the space black casing personally, and not just for the DLC Coating alone, but it’s sleek and not as common as the other finishes are we see in public.
no, you don’t own that particular watch as I said. The owner is theone taking the photograph and I would find it hard to believe that anyone would damage their £850 watch just to prove a point on a forum. The titanium watch is a great watch but it doesn’t offer the same level of protection as the SBSS... I can live with that as long as it doesn’t scratch too easily.
That’s my first watch. 1. The plastic lug came like that out of the box (and the lug on my replacement also looked like that. Rough not smooth.). 2. My experience with the watch was: Open and setup at 5PM, go to dinner at 8PM. Go home and put to charge. I woke up the next morning put it on and went outside and saw those scratches and that’s when I took that photo. I 100% know for a fact I didn’t rub it against any metal zip or other abrasive material. The only thing I did was put it to charge on my Apple Watch dock. I’ve owned every Hermès Apple Watch since the Series 0 and am very careful with all my technology and time pieces (I also own an Omega Seamaster 300M). Those scratches were not caused by me hitting something. As I explained before, my only assumption is that on the dock that was dust or something between the dock and the watch and that the watch vibrating cause the scratches. Or the coating was defective. My second watch has had 0 issues in the 10 days I’ve been using it, leading me to believe that the first had some issue. And it’s not just me that has had issues. There was a Twitter thread with other users having similar problems.
Came back from the Apple Store today after going to see the titanium watches first hand. Like most other’s experience; the titanium had numerous scratches and the SBTi was also scratched but to a lesser degree. The SBSS they had was basically pristine by comparison. Also, I couldn’t for my life feel the weight difference between the SS and Ti. Which is unfortunate as it was one of the primary reasons I wanted to go with the Ti.
I think I’m going to cancel my SBTi order (late November delivery) and just get the SBSS again. Never had any scratches on any of my SBSS after years and I am not gentle with my watches. Plus, the negligible weight difference is also no longer a deciding factor.
I think I’m going to cancel my SBTi order (late November delivery) and just get the SBSS again. Never had any scratches on any of my SBSS after years and I am not gentle with my watches. Plus, the negligible weight difference is also no longer a deciding factor.
Nice points here. And you can’t go wrong with the space black stainless, or should I say the ‘DLC coating’ that makes the titanium and space black stainless so durable. I really like the lustered shine the space black offers, and it’s kind of more of a unique casing color, because you don’t really see it that much out in public. Plus, the band pairing really isn’t as difficult as some make it seem. Altogether, it’s an outstanding decision with the space black watch. Enjoy.
Could it have been like that when you bought it? Unless you live on an active fault line it is unlikely that a watch magnetised to its dock would somehow vibrate so violently as to score metal. Re twitter there's a thread on Twitter to complain about just about everything. In fact Twitter is 99% people complaining about things. Miserable place.
I reckon you should just tell everyone to get a SBSS and be done with it... oh wait.. 😂
[automerge]1570311247[/automerge]
😂 👍
It‘s the Watch Dock where the Watch is standing up:
The side it’s laying on is also the side that got the scratches. Wearing my watch on my left hand I don’t see how else I could have scratched that side.
On a side note:
What I did with the previous Apple Watch stainless model/Edition that included the hard plastic box, I converted 1/2 of the plastic box to actually use as a dock charger for the Apple Watch to charge while laying on its side (Which has the faux suede lining to help protect from scratches.) Apple obviously doesn’t manufacture those boxes anymore. The Series 3 Ceramic was the last Apple Watch to offer the hard plastic box I believe. It kind of created a separate experience from a cheaper entry-level aluminum model, which used a cardboard like box.
Last edited:
Yes yes, space black stainless...it’s been around since series 0...
I remember back then people were terrified the DLC wouldn’t hold up and you wouldn’t be able to polish it because it we coated.
Sound familiar?
There will always be fear mongers out there. But at the end of the day I’ve had my share of SBSS watches, kind of sick of them to be honest. So yes, I GET IT. You love SBSS, it’s hardy, it’s glossy, we get it
I haven't got one of those but isn't it effectively a soft white cushion? It seems an unlikely culprit.
I don’t recall that actually. But part of the problem is, Apple didn’t market the space black Apple Watch including the DLC coating aside from the ‘tech specs’ on their website. So I think others were concerned with initially that the space black would easily damage and show the the contrast of the metal layer underneath easier.
But, what I do remember, is the rumor went around that Apple removed the DLC coating from the space black Apple Watch for the Series 2, which was later debunked, being that it did include it.
But anyways, you can’t use any abrasives for polishing the space black, because it will tarnish the DLC coating.
I’ve had my natural titanium for 2 weeks now. Not babying it....2 rounds of golf, 2 weekends of yard work.... banged it against club heads, rubbed against desk at work and garden tools/equipment. Its still flawless. I don’t get how some are scratching so easily...maybe defective batch? Love the natural titanium...it changes hues in different lighting and angles..kind of like my brushed titanium wheels.
Ended up returning the ti, just rubbed it with the corner of a glass table and scratched up (shiny scratch) not removable with cloth or water, I didn't wanted to wonder how will it end up in weeks, went back to sbss for this year's watch, thanks!
One member suggested ‘Tripoli’ to remove scratches on the Ti finish, but use caution and do research. Curious though, how come you didn’t opt for the space black titanium versus the space black stainless watch that you chose? [They both include the DLC.]
I'm not keeping a watch that i have to be careful about polishing I just want it to withstand the regular use without worrying about it, I might still consider the space black titanium, I just think I like more the space black stainless steel because of the shine of it, that's what I liked about the natural titanium, but with the space back titanium I find it to be just like a matte black with no shine, I yet have to go back to the Apple store next week and spend some time with it and see if the display unit they have there is scratched, and will still be within my exchange / return window, haven't find space black titanium reviews about the scratch resistance yet
I agree that the cloth strap can’t scratch ti But if that same material picks up and stores abrasive material then it can scratch it.
[automerge]1570367520[/automerge]
This is a healthy look too the material he chose. Good job sir!
The DLC is very difficult to scratch. This has been mentioned probably a dozen times or more, but one member claims (With documented photos) they used a kitchen knife on multiple attempt(s) to scratch the DLC on the titanium, and the marks from the knife literally wiped off, leaving no damage. I’ve had three Apple Space black Apple Watches [Which include the DLC], all of which are still in mint condition due to this specific coating. So, my point being, I wouldn’t be concerned with the reviews for the space black titanium, being it shares the same DLC properties as the SBS watch. But the choice is yours.
Oh, aside from the DLC, you probably wouldn’t find any damage on the space black titanium Apple Watch at the Apple store, being an employee is standing right next to you when you look at it.