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Ultra Durability - First Scratch

p8blr

p8blr

macrumors member
Original poster
Sep 12, 2016
60
49
Wichita, KS
Just thought I’d share my experience with the Ultra. I bumped my watch up against a doorknob and got my first scratch. My previous series 3 was black anodized aluminum and had plenty of scratches but nothing major. I have to say I’m a little surprised the titanium scratches so easy, but with the big protruding bezel there to protect the screen, I suppose it’s working as intended. Oh well, embrace the scratches everyone, it gives it some character 🤣

Note: That ridge you see on the glass is a screen protector.
 

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Sorry to hear that. Hopefully you can buff it out. Durability still worries me. I’ve yet to bang it against a door, but it’s only a matter of time. Previously my SS have always withstood that sort of thing with no issues whatsoever. I am going to make a decision, but seeing this helps :)

Let me know if you can buff it out. That may help me too ha!
 
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yep, I bang my watch all the time, so far nothing on my Ultra but my Ti S7 has a few. I suppose I could buff them out but cannot be bothered ... character.
 
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If I have to zoom in that closely and look that hard for it, it's not something I'd even pay attention to. Or probably even notice in the first place.

Titanium is a more malleable metal than stainless steel. People who buy these watches expecting them to remain pristine are setting themselves up for disappointment. It's going to trigger a lot of OCD.
 
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azhava said:
If I have to zoom in that closely and look that hard for it, it's not something I'd even pay attention to. Or probably even notice in the first place.

Titanium is a more malleable metal than stainless steel. People who buy these watches expecting them to remain pristine are setting themselves up for disappointment. It's going to trigger a lot of OCD.
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That scratch is pretty clear to me and I feel so badly for the original poster.

I guess my issue is that Apple marketed this as the “toughest, most durable watch” and I guess means different things to different people. I’d prefer the Ultra to handle a slight door ding and give up the direct hammer to the screen approach haha, but everyone is different!

I do appreciate the OP posting though and sorry for your bad luck. Sounds like these nicks, dings, and scratches are more likely to occur on the Ultra than the SS, but the screen should withstand more damage than the SS versions.
 
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drew0020 said:
That scratch is pretty clear to me and I feel so badly for the original poster.

I guess my issue is that Apple marketed this as the “toughest, most durable watch” and I guess means different things to different people. I’d prefer the Ultra to handle a slight door ding and give up the direct hammer to the screen approach haha, but everyone is different!

I do appreciate the OP posting though and sorry for your bad luck. Sounds like these nicks, dings, and scratches are more likely to occur on the Ultra than the SS, but the screen should withstand more damage than the SS versions.
Click to expand...

Toughest and most durable does not mean pristine and pretty. The Ultra is made to take a knocking and keep working. Titanium is softer than stainless and will scratch and dent more easily.
 
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indychris said:
Yeah, I thought the same thing. What's up with that? Is there a screen protector on it that makes it look like that? It caught my attention long before the scratch.
Click to expand...

I didn't even notice the scratch, my eyes went right to that Ti crystal gap...
 
RPhoto said:
There is no gap. There’s a darker area which is the raised edge of the Ti case and there’s a screen protector.
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Yeah, I just went back and looked at the OP after you posted this. They edited their post after I posted about the gap...
 
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Titanium is softer than steel so pretty common for scratches. It also causes coating issues such as flaking or chipping easily which is why the ultra only comes in natural titanium “color”.
 
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JT2002TJ said:
Looks like the Ti has pushed away from the crystal...
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I believe the screen protector makes it look that way. It looks perfect. Just needs a buff out with a magic eraser, and to loose the screen protector.
 
Sheepish-Lord said:
Titanium is softer than steel so pretty common for scratches. It also causes coating issues such as flaking or chipping easily which is why the ultra only comes in natural titanium “color”.
Click to expand...
I have always thought it was this way—>

Titanium is stronger than stainless-steel and weighs about half as much as stainless-steel. This quality is an ideal feature in metal and is even used by NASA space and aircraft.

my SS watches were always softer and hence scratches were easily buffed out. it’s a bear to work with titanium due to its inherit strength. Try buffing a scratch out on titanium, while it can be done, it’s way harder than SS.

here is an interesting article on the difference of the SS the alloy, and Ti the metal.

ironbergindustries.com

Which Metal Is Stronger Titanium Or Stainless Steel - Kassem Ajami

In this blog post Kassem Ajami explains which metal is stronger titanium or stainless steel if you want to know so read the blog.
ironbergindustries.com ironbergindustries.com
 
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p8blr said:
Just thought I’d share my experience with the Ultra. I bumped my watch up against a doorknob and got my first scratch. My previous series 3 was black anodized aluminum and had plenty of scratches but nothing major. I have to say I’m a little surprised the titanium scratches so easy, but with the big protruding bezel there to protect the screen, I suppose it’s working as intended. Oh well, embrace the scratches everyone, it gives it some character 🤣

Note: That ridge you see on the glass is a screen protector.
Click to expand...

Where did you get the screen protector and are you satisfied with it?
 
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