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Leo C

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jul 16, 2023
13
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just wearing this new Ultra for 4 weeks, actually I found those scratches after the first 2 weeks. At beginning I thought it should be my fault, but I don't remember when and how I got the scratches.
but Today I check the scratches more carefully, and found them become more and a little more, (not 100% sure).
Does anyone see such scratches before? I am taking care the new watch carefully at my daily use for sure.
I am wondering if the scratches come from inside, or not scratched but caused by some other reason?
1689584486284.png
 
They clearly don’t “come from the inside,” you can see where some of the scratches bridge across from one component to another.
 
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They clearly don’t “come from the inside,” you can see where some of the scratches bridge across from one component to another.
Are the four black circles inserted on the back glass, or they are under the back glass, thanks for your repl!
 
If they are on the outside surface, you should be able to feel them.

To me, it looks like a manufacturing defect.
 
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Looks like a manufacturing defect . I have the same opinion, but the problem is how cam I get a new one or get it repaired for free by Apple.
also look at the details for 4 sensors, they are not installed perfectly.
1689597705192.jpeg

If they are on the outside surface, you should be able to feel them.

To me, it looks like a manufacturing defect.
 
@BugeyeSTI why did you laugh at me?
I'm not laughing at you. I think it's funny because those scratches are extremely noticeable so I highly doubt anyone would miss seeing those immediately after opening the watch when new. Plus when you blow up the image it's very obvious they are on the outside of the glass. Surface scratches are never covered under warranty because you can't prove they left the factory that way unless you open and inspect the watch at the store in front of the employee...
 
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If they are on the outside surface, you should be able to feel them.

To me, it looks like a manufacturing defect.
for real I can’t feel the scratches, I can only feel the 4 round sensors which does fit to the back glass, the gaps can be felt.
 
And I am going to TRY to ask Apple to open it, to see if it is a problem inside the cover.
I let you guys know, thanks to all for leaving your message here.
 
Good luck. I have been feeling the back of my watch, and the sensors are so perfectly integrated that I thought there was a glass cover over them. Now I can just barely feel a section about "one hour wide" on the edge of one of them. So now I think that it possible that your scratches are on the outside -- but the assembly isn't very precise.
 
And I am going to TRY to ask Apple to open it, to see if it is a problem inside the cover.
I let you guys know, thanks to all for leaving your message here.
I am not berating you, but I can assure you they most certainly will not open it just to take a look inside.

The Watch has to be malfunctioning or completely broken to some extent for them to do anything for you.

And if it’s broken they in nearly all scenarios replace the entire Watch, because there are no gears or screws inside to fiddle with and fix and tweak as its really more a watch shaped smartphone and not an actual time piece.

These things are mostly glued together. Ain’t no such thing as casually opening it up and fixing or checking on internal hardware.

In short: Any number of scratches, deep or shallow, is not enough to warrant anything. You’d have to be able to prove they were present before you opened the product box and that’s not possible. Or prove that the scratches are causing it it malfunction or mess up the sensor readings.
 
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As others have mentioned, this is caused by whatever band you're using. Milanese loops are known to scratch pretty much any watch, especially composite, and since the back is magnetic, it actually attracts the band to rub on it and scratch it.

I'm not sure about the Ultra bands specifically, but I would imagine the titanium pieces could be stronger on the Mohs scale than the "ceramic" the Ultra uses over the sensors.

As Vegaspilot asked, what band are you using?
 
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Dirt or sand (or salt) got trapped between your watch and your arm. the sensors of the watch gets scratched when you start moving your arms as you are walking.
 
Dirt or sand (or salt) got trapped between your watch and your arm. the sensors of the watch gets scratched when you start moving your arms as you are walking.
possible but that wouldn't cause these kind of scratches, that is sapphire we're talking about ...

those kind of scratches are most likely from the Milanese band, but OP has not answered that question ...
 
possible but that wouldn't cause these kind of scratches, that is sapphire we're talking about ...

those kind of scratches are most likely from the Milanese band, but OP has not answered that question ...
The back of the Ultra isn't sapphire crystal, that's only on the front. The back is ceramic. On the SE and older Series 0, 1, 2 and 3 models, it's a composite that's even more prone to scratching.

It is Alpine band.
It's possible the titanium buckle thingy on the alpine is making contact and scratching the back of your watch. I'd be willing to bet it's more likely there's some kind of debris on your charger, though. Whatever it is, you got unlucky.
 
Dirt or sand (or salt) got trapped between your watch and your arm. the sensors of the watch gets scratched when you start moving your arms as you are walking.
That is possible? because normally I wear it tightly, and I watch my band every night am taking a shower.
and I don't really think any dirt or salt, which not scratches your skin but scratches the ceramic。
 
That is possible? because normally I wear it tightly, and I watch my band every night am taking a shower.
and I don't really think any dirt or salt, which not scratches your skin but scratches the ceramic。
How dry is your skin? Scratches seem to be straight than curved or Freeform. I wonder if the band is causing? Where do you charge the watch?
 
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That is possible? because normally I wear it tightly, and I watch my band every night am taking a shower.
and I don't really think any dirt or salt, which not scratches your skin but scratches the ceramic。
the scratches are in the sapphire, where the sensors are, the beige area around that is ceramic ... there is no material that would scratch sapphire or ceramic and not your skin ...
 
it is sapphire, from the specs: (it's actually been ceramic and Sapphire since the S4)
  • Ceramic and sapphire crystal back
Still not buying it.

The sapphire crystal on the front of the watch is and always has been far better quality than the backs. Any "sapphire" on the back is just an additive in small quantity, and it's got to be "sapphire" in the same way the iPhone's camera lens is sapphire. (Mine's scratched just from pocket lint.)

Apple may have just enough sapphire in there to legally call it sapphire crystal, but it's not sapphire crystal.
 
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