ILLYCIT

Q: Is the Apple Watch Sport nickel free?

I want an Apple Watch, but I have a nickel allergy. I believe the Apple Watch Sport, which has an anodized aluminum case, would be the safest choice. My main concern is the composite back. It would be extremely helpful if someone from Apple could elaborate on what exactly the composite back is made of. Is the composite back nickel free? I'm sure I won't be the only customer concerned to know this.

Apple Watch Sport

Posted on Mar 9, 2015 8:30 PM

Close

Q: Is the Apple Watch Sport nickel free?

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

first Previous Page 3 of 4 last Next
  • by Tabbyatwestern,

    Tabbyatwestern Tabbyatwestern Apr 24, 2015 2:33 PM in response to ChitlinsCC
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 24, 2015 2:33 PM in response to ChitlinsCC

    Nickel is found in the space gray sport, however the aluminum watch should be anodized and nickel free.

  • by Ryan Curtis1,

    Ryan Curtis1 Ryan Curtis1 Apr 25, 2015 11:45 AM in response to ILLYCIT
    Level 1 (9 points)
    Apple TV
    Apr 25, 2015 11:45 AM in response to ILLYCIT

    I have a nickel allergy as well. Got the watch on launch day. Wore to the gym. This morning my whole wrist broke out. So yes I would say it contains nickel. Returning mine ASAP.

  • by Lauri,

    Lauri Lauri Apr 25, 2015 11:49 AM in response to Ryan Curtis1
    Level 1 (140 points)
    Apr 25, 2015 11:49 AM in response to Ryan Curtis1

    Sorry to hear that. Which watch/band combo did you have?

  • by ChitlinsCC,

    ChitlinsCC ChitlinsCC Apr 25, 2015 2:33 PM in response to Ryan Curtis1
    Level 5 (7,763 points)
    Notebooks
    Apr 25, 2015 2:33 PM in response to Ryan Curtis1

    Howdy Ryan

     

    Before you take your Watch back, try cleaning it with a clean cloth and water - two words = " Nickel Salts " -- from my earlier research posting -- corrosion can include the salts formation - invisible to the naked eye

     

     

      

    It just occurred to me that your Allergist might have some back channel info regarding this... it would logically follow that given the potential installed base and that nickel allergy is relatively common*, some inquiries to the medical community are sure to have taken place.

     

    Lauri's comments concerning the quality as "implant grade" is a key, methinks.**

     

    Turns out, it's not the actual nickel that is the problem... from http://www.corrosion-doctors.org/Allergies/nickelallergy.htm

    Allergy to nickel is a phenomenon which has assumed growing importance in recent years, largely because of the introduction of cheap fancy jewellery in which the underlying metal layer consists of nickel. *10 to 12% of the female population and 6% of the male population are estimated to be allergic to nickel. **In fact the allergy is not caused by nickel itself but by the nickel salts which are formed under the effect of perspiration in contact with the piece of jewellery piece or watch. This phenomenon is always accompanied by corrosion*** of the object.

    ***It surprise me greatly if the Watch corroded, as it designed to stand moderate sweating from exercise

     

    If I were you, I would do the cleaning of my wrist and Watch VERY soon after exercise. Hassle may be tolerable where allergy is not.

     

    best

    ÇÇÇ

  • by Ryan Curtis1,

    Ryan Curtis1 Ryan Curtis1 Apr 25, 2015 2:33 PM in response to Lauri
    Level 1 (9 points)
    Apple TV
    Apr 25, 2015 2:33 PM in response to Lauri

    42mm sport with white band.

  • by deggie,

    deggie deggie Apr 25, 2015 4:46 PM in response to Ryan Curtis1
    Level 9 (54,563 points)
    iPhone
    Apr 25, 2015 4:46 PM in response to Ryan Curtis1

    Yes, the aluminum also contains nickel as described in the article that has been posted here twice but it does meet the limit that Europe has set for nickel allergies that supposedly covers 99% of the population. Unfortunately you are the 1%. No, not that 1% or you could order a custom made one. Or buy the gold or rose gold one which should not have nickel. But if you are allergic to gold...

  • by ChipJr3,

    ChipJr3 ChipJr3 May 23, 2015 8:36 AM in response to Ryan Curtis1
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 23, 2015 8:36 AM in response to Ryan Curtis1

    Ryan - was it the silver or space gray version of the Apple Watch Sport?

  • by ChipJr3,

    ChipJr3 ChipJr3 May 23, 2015 8:43 AM in response to ILLYCIT
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 23, 2015 8:43 AM in response to ILLYCIT

    ILLYCIT wrote:

     

    Thank you ChitlinsCC and Lauri.

     

    Your input was helpful. I believe I am just going to go ahead and order the Apple Watch Sport. Even though I'd prefer the standard Apple Watch, stainless steel has always been a crap shoot for me. Sometimes I develop a rash from extended contact and sometimes I don't. In this case, I would rather err on the side of caution.

     

    Since I plan to pre-order on the 10th and hopefully receive it on the 24th, I will be happy to post my personal experience after a couple days of use. I usually work out about 4 days a week, and even if a metal does not react at first, I almost always get a reaction when I am wearing a metal that contains nickel, and I start to perspire.

     

    Thanks again for your help and look out for an update in the future.

     

    ILLYCIT - how's it going with your Apple Watch Sport? Have you had any allergic reactions? Did you get the silver or space gray and which band are you wearing?

  • by Ryan Curtis1,

    Ryan Curtis1 Ryan Curtis1 May 23, 2015 8:51 AM in response to ChipJr3
    Level 1 (9 points)
    Apple TV
    May 23, 2015 8:51 AM in response to ChipJr3

    Silver Sport

  • by OneBeck,

    OneBeck OneBeck Oct 6, 2015 7:20 AM in response to ILLYCIT
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 6, 2015 7:20 AM in response to ILLYCIT

    I bought the Apple Sport Watch 42 mm Gold Aluminum case with Midnight Blue Sport Band 2 weeks ago and have returned it. After 2 days of wearing the watch my wrist was hurting from turning my wrist to look at the watch face, in a non typical way . But mainly the top of my wrist where the watch back was resting on my skin felt like a constant burning sensation. Although there was no visible redness from the irritation, my skin still feels like I had a sun burn that is slowly fading. I'm not certain if I have a nickel allergy but I am certain that I could not wear the Apple Watch any longer. Yesterday an Apple representative called me to ask about my experience and wanted to know why I returned the Apple Sport Watch, so I explained the aforementioned. I told her I thought the lights on the back were causing the discomfort, she said No, it was probably the Nickel back as she has knowledge of other complaints on this subject. I asked if it was just on the Sport Watch, again she replied No, All the Apple Watches have nickel backs as of today.

  • by ChitlinsCC,

    ChitlinsCC ChitlinsCC Oct 6, 2015 9:50 AM in response to OneBeck
    Level 5 (7,763 points)
    Notebooks
    Oct 6, 2015 9:50 AM in response to OneBeck

    OneBeck wrote:

     

    I bought the Apple Sport Watch 42 mm Gold Aluminum case with Midnight Blue Sport Band 2 weeks ago and have returned it. After 2 days of wearing the watch my wrist was hurting from turning my wrist to look at the watch face, in a non typical way . But mainly the top of my wrist where the watch back was resting on my skin felt like a constant burning sensation. Although there was no visible redness from the irritation, my skin still feels like I had a sun burn that is slowly fading. I'm not certain if I have a nickel allergy but I am certain that I could not wear the Apple Watch any longer. Yesterday an Apple representative called me to ask about my experience and wanted to know why I returned the Apple Sport Watch, so I explained the aforementioned. I told her I thought the lights on the back were causing the discomfort, she said No, it was probably the Nickel back as she has knowledge of other complaints on this subject. I asked if it was just on the Sport Watch, again she replied No, All the Apple Watches have nickel backs as of today.

    Howdy OneBeck

     

    As you may know, I have done a lot of research in this thread.

     

    My recollection (without re-reading the whole thing) is that Apple's terms about the metals used were something like "hypo-allergenic" and "Surgical Steel" - only stating that any nickel was a component IN the metals and not supposed to 'leech'.

     

    It is clear from your experience and those of others that the nickel salts DO in fact occur from normal use.

     

    I am not gonna recreate the search steps I did in the past (I probably cited my sources), but the statements from the Apple Rep seemingly contradict my memory of what Apple said at the time.

     

    If I were you, I would provide Apple with some Feedback (in no uncertain terms) here > http://www.apple.com/feedback/watch.html

  • by Jonathan UK,

    Jonathan UK Jonathan UK Oct 6, 2015 10:01 AM in response to ChitlinsCC
    Level 7 (33,905 points)
    Apple Watch
    Oct 6, 2015 10:01 AM in response to ChitlinsCC

    "Nickel. Apple Watch, the space gray and rose gold aluminum Apple Watch Sport, the stainless steel portions of some Apple Watch bands, and the magnets in the watch and bands contain some nickel. However, they all fall below the strict nickel restrictions set by European REACh regulation. Therefore, while nickel exposure is unlikely to be a problem, you should be aware of the possibility in case you're susceptible to nickel-related reactions."

    Wearing Apple Watch - Apple Support

    Last updated (at the time of posting) on 5 October 2015

     

    "Apple Watch, the space gray and rose gold aluminum Apple Watch Sport, the stainless steel portions of some Apple Watch bands, and the magnets in the watch and bands contain some nickel. Nickel exposure from these materials is unlikely, but customers with known nickel allergies should be attentive when wearing them until they can determine they are not experiencing an allergic reaction."

    Apple Watch User Guide


    "If you experience redness, swelling, itchiness, or any other irritation or discomfort on your skin around, or beneath, your Apple Watch, please remove Apple Watch and consult your physician before resuming wear. Continued use, even after symptoms subside, may result in renewed or increased irritation."

    Apple Watch User Guide

  • by ChitlinsCC,

    ChitlinsCC ChitlinsCC Oct 6, 2015 10:55 AM in response to Jonathan UK
    Level 5 (7,763 points)
    Notebooks
    Oct 6, 2015 10:55 AM in response to Jonathan UK

    Thanks for refreshing my memory - old age is creeping up...

     

    That article seems to disclaim  with eloquence. (It does not 'ring a bell' in my memory as having read that exact one)

     

    My guess is that OneBeck may not have known about - or recently developed - his nickel allergy. My best guess is the latter, since one would think that the vast majority of everyday wear watches in the world have 'nickel backs'

     

    That being said... OneBeck's "reported" statements by the Apple Rep... "... was probably the Nickel back..." - and - "... have Nickel backs ..."

    ...were causing the discomfort, she said No, it was probably the Nickel back as she has knowledge of other complaints on this subject. I asked if it was just on the Sport Watch, again she replied No, All the Apple Watches have nickel backs as of today.


    .. still a far stretch from the articles statement (singular)... 

    (i'll use the User Guide for illustration, since the "wording" seems the same - is the emphasis "yours" or Apple's?)

    "Apple Watch, the space gray and rose gold aluminum Apple Watch Sport, the stainless steel portions of some Apple Watch bands, and the magnets in the watch and bands contain some nickel. Nickel exposure from these materials is unlikely, but customers with known nickel allergies should be attentive when wearing them until they can determine they are not experiencing an allergic reaction."

    Apple Watch User Guide

    ... "... contain some nickel. "

     

    po-TAY-to -- po-TAH-to ? seems not.

     

    best regards, amigo

    ÇÇÇ

  • by K Shaffer,

    K Shaffer K Shaffer Oct 6, 2015 11:33 AM in response to ChitlinsCC
    Level 6 (14,340 points)
    Desktops
    Oct 6, 2015 11:33 AM in response to ChitlinsCC

    You could pre-test for nickel related allergies* prior to invest-

    ting in new Watch, by simple use of two nickels & some tape.

    Wearing a nickel on each wrist for up to 8 hours should tell.

    ...If you have no allergies, then you can safely spend the 10¢.

     

    Years ago one of my first wrist watches was a Bulova of the

    low-end variety, good enough to tell time, and inexpensive

    enough for a kid to break in gym practice basketball. Mine

    fell apart in my pocket, but not until I realized my wrist was

    not too happy about the irritation caused by the metal back.

     

    Since then, stainless steel has mostly been irritation free.

    And less nickel is used in most better branded products.

     

    *The use of a nickel in the above suggested manner, is mostly in jest.

  • by Lauri,

    Lauri Lauri Oct 6, 2015 11:47 AM in response to ILLYCIT
    Level 1 (140 points)
    Oct 6, 2015 11:47 AM in response to ILLYCIT

    FWIW- I have been wearing my SS Watch with the Milanese band since June and have not had any adverse reactions. It's been excellent and I'm relieved that my nickel allergy hasn't risen its ugly head. Maybe people with nickel allergies should pay more for the stainless steel watch instead of the aluminum sport watch.

first Previous Page 3 of 4 last Next