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Very light scratches on Series 2 SS screen out of the box

N

Nipje

macrumors member
Original poster
Aug 17, 2010
36
2
Hi guys,

Very happy that my SS Series 2 watch was delivered today! Hope you all enjoy it. After some inspection of the watch, however, i noticed very very very light/minor scratches on the screen, mainly on the top and bottom of the screen where the curving starts, but also a few in the middle. Again: the scratches are very light and only visible when shining your iPhone flashlight (or any other very bright light) on the screen and looking closely. It looks like this has happened in the factory, probably during some polishing routines of the watch (since they are mainly on the curves and pointing in the same direction).

Really trying to decide what to do about this.. Would some of you guys/girls with SS Series 2 watches be so kind to check this out and let me know what your watch looks like in bright light? Again: it is very hard to see so you need to use your iPhone light.

Edit: just to be clear guys, i am aware that some sort of coating was present on the original Apple watch. Might be that it is still being used on the series 2 and that the scratches are harmless. Still strange however that it comes scratched in the box. I just really need the confirmation that more people have these minor scratches on their brand new device right out of the box :'(.

Thank you in advance!
 
Last edited:
yes this sort of scratching on the curved upper edge running parallel to the watch face is why I had to return my aluminum model immediately upon opening the box
 
Nipje said:
Hi guys,

Very happy that my SS Series 2 watch was delivered today! Hope you all enjoy it. After some inspection of the watch, however, i noticed very very very light/minor scratches on the screen, mainly on the top and bottom of the screen where the curving starts, but also a few in the middle. Again: the scratches are very light and only visible when shining your iPhone flashlight (or any other very bright light) on the screen and looking closely. It looks like this has happened in the factory, probably during some polishing routines of the watch (since they are mainly on the curves and pointing in the same direction).

Really trying to decide what to do about this.. Would some of you guys/girls with SS Series 2 watches be so kind to check this out and let me know what your watch looks like in bright light? Again: it is very hard to see so you need to use your iPhone light.

Edit: just to be clear guys, i am aware that some sort of coating was present on the original Apple watch. Might be that it is still being used on the series 2 and that the scratches are harmless. Still strange however that it comes scratched in the box. I just really need the confirmation that more people have these minor scratches on their brand new device right out of the box :'(.

Thank you in advance!
Click to expand...

Can you upload a picture so we can see what you're talking about?
 
newdeal said:
yes this sort of scratching on the curved upper edge running parallel to the watch face is why I had to return my aluminum model immediately upon opening the box
Click to expand...

Did you show it to the Apple employee in store? Really curious what he told you. I think the scratches are very strange, especially on my very scratch resistant sapphire screen. Makes me wonder if I am just looking to much for defects (since it also is almost impossible to see). Just want to avoid returning my watch and waiting 1 month for a replacement just to end up with a scratched one again. Maybe it is the coating that causes the problem?

ApplePhy said:
Can you upload a picture so we can see what you're talking about?
Click to expand...

I can do this tomorrow, bit to dark here atm to take a good picture. However, i am not sure if i will be able to capture the scratches on a picture since they are so hard to see. I will let you know!
[doublepost=1474061236][/doublepost]
Attirex said:
Aw....you AW newbies are so cute!
Click to expand...

Could you elaborate? Sounds like you possibly have some information which could comfort us? :p
 
A micro sanding/polishing cloth (ie, 8,000 or 12,000 grit) will buff those scratches right out (I've done it a couple of times). But as many OG AW owners like to point out, small scratches actually give the SS case some "lived-in" character.
 
I do think the screen is a bit different.. we know it has more nits, but it seems to capture fingerprints and oil from fingers more and might possibly be LESS scratch resistant.

This is a sport AW2, have had a sport AW0 before
 
I have noticed some bad scratching on the sensors on the back already on mine. I do wonder if it's the milanese loop band causing it... not happy to have it scratched up after about 8 hours :/
 
tehnewb said:
I have noticed some bad scratching on the sensors on the back already on mine. I do wonder if it's the milanese loop band causing it... not happy to have it scratched up after about 8 hours :/
Click to expand...
I think the sensor is actually different on the new watch.. for better or worse I don't know. It certainly LOOKs different, more steel less ceramic than the previous generation. Seems to work pretty well, maybe better even.

again this is comparing a sport AW0 to a new sport AW2
 
tivoboy said:
I think the sensor is actually different on the new watch.. for better or worse I don't know. It certainly LOOKs different, more steel less ceramic than the previous generation. Seems to work pretty well, maybe better even.

again this is comparing a sport AW0 to a new sport AW2
Click to expand...

I think (though I am not sure) that the sensor on the back of the sport is a different material to the SS. But yes they do look different (I had a sport AW0).

Pretty disappointed at the scratching already (it's not even surface scratching). For £750 I would have expected better!
 
tehnewb said:
I think (though I am not sure) that the sensor on the back of the sport is a different material to the SS. But yes they do look different (I had a sport AW0).

Pretty disappointed at the scratching already (it's not even surface scratching). For £750 I would have expected better!
Click to expand...
For the 'Series 0', the back of the Sport was plastic and the back of the steel was ceramic, but for Series 2 they're both ceramic.
 
cambookpro said:
For the 'Series 0', the back of the Sport was plastic and the back of the steel was ceramic, but for Series 2 they're both ceramic.
Click to expand...

Oh I see, interesting. AW0 sport is in basically mint condition so I was pretty surprised to see the more expensive model be scratched already
 
Nipje said:
Did you show it to the Apple employee in store? Really curious what he told you. I think the scratches are very strange, especially on my very scratch resistant sapphire screen. Makes me wonder if I am just looking to much for defects (since it also is almost impossible to see). Just want to avoid returning my watch and waiting 1 month for a replacement just to end up with a scratched one again. Maybe it is the coating that causes the problem?
Click to expand...


I showed it to the guy at the door, he shone a light on it and said "those are some pretty deep scratches" and told me who to go talk to about it
 
Attirex said:
A micro sanding/polishing cloth (ie, 8,000 or 12,000 grit) will buff those scratches right out (I've done it a couple of times). But as many OG AW owners like to point out, small scratches actually give the SS case some "lived-in" character.
Click to expand...

I am talking about scratches on the display here, not on the case :(.
 
Attirex said:
Oh. In that case (pun), time for some class action!
Click to expand...

I get it that i might be looking for the scratches too much, but don't you think it is strange? I also assume that i won't be able to just use some kind of cloth and easily get these small scratches out of the screen (or screen coating, whatever) right? In any case, i shouldn't even have to worry about scratching my screen since it is a sapphire display. This is why the scratches which are present bother me so much. I'll try to make a picture today and post it here..
 
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I have a series 2 space black SS with Milanese band. My screen out of the box had several micro scratches. Went to the Apple Store and was given an extended return. I have ordered a replacement on line since the store is out of stock. I have an original SS AW that does not have a single scratch. I am concerned that the new screens are "defective."
 
ldstern said:
I have a series 2 space black SS with Milanese band. My screen out of the box had several micro scratches. Went to the Apple Store and was given an extended return. I have ordered a replacement on line since the store is out of stock. I have an original SS AW that does not have a single scratch. I am concerned that the new screens are "defective."
Click to expand...

Based on your reply i went to the Amsterdam Apple store to also have the watch checked out. I was also offered the extended return. However, just to be safe, i left my watch at the Apple store and got my money back (you never know what happens during the extended return time, i would have probably broken my watch based on my current luck). Today i ordered a new watch and the wait is on.. lets hope that the new model has a clean display. Thank you for your reply!
 
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