apple watch series 3 crack

I’ve had two series 3 watches crack all the way around the beveled edge of the screen. The first time I scratched it on the table. Then next day the scratch turned into a crack. The second watch I didn’t do anything. I was sitting at the table and I heard a pop. I looked down and my watch was cracked. The crack went all the way around the screen again. When I googled it I found this is a common manufacturer defect and it said Apple was offering replacements if this happened. However, I cannot figure out how to get a replacement without paying the $70 fee. Anyone know if this is true and how to get it replaced if so?