Sticky Digital Crown

Given that it's water resistant (and people have went swimming with then without issue) I didn't see the problem with a drop of water in that part of the watch. definitely a risk, but hey, that's why I purchased AppleCare 😝

I 100% agree. but if I can at least do that in the meantime while Apple gets through this initial process it may be faster to get replaced in the future. (sounds like they have to send them out for repair/replacement unlike instant swap of iphones-IDK if this is SOP now or if they'll eventually carry onsite for instant swaps [hopefully] ).

It shouldn't happen period and especially not after only 4-5 "sweating" workouts... I've got a week+ to put it through it's paces and if it is still bad I'll take it back and wait for them to 1) address the issue 2) release gen 2 (hope it doesn't come to that)

Yeah, I haven't figure out my game plan yet at this point I guess. Don't really want to return it unless it gets worse or stop responding to being cleaned out with some water. Will return next Thursday if it does get worse. Not going to bother with a replacement unless I see evidence here in these or other forums as to it being a manufacturing defect/mechanical issue. I plan to go to my Genius Apt and call Apple to at least make the issue known. If it's sweat related, a replacement watch will do me no good except give me a few workouts of "like-ew" performance before it locks up again.

I have been to my local AS, no appointment before the 8th of May or 1:30 of wait.

I will wait and see what happens. I feel really disgusted about this launch, after the shipping debacle, now this. Oh Apple...

I got an appointment yesterday on this. Sent mine back for repair. A few comments for everyones benefit:

1) He said all watches have to be sent to central depot for repair/review since they will not be carrying replacements in store for a few months. Said likely case with majority stores.

2) Standard ship out/back time is 5-7 business days. Could be faster.

3) Up to depot if its a "repair" or a replace

4) Especially early on, they need to heavily document all potential issues (likely in case there is a major hardware defect they didnt find)

5) Issues like this would be covered under initial warranty so even if you are outside your 14-day period, you can get it fixed -- especially if its same issue. Obviously you cannot return it for full refund if that is what you want to do.

I find it very hard to believe that this kind of an issue would not have been caught as all their testers (like CTB) were heavily using this for activity. And while i don't think its a problem to splash the wash or drop water in the crown area (it has been tested and to pass those certifications is very strict so while it may seem counter-intuitive, i think its a non event) if that fixes it, it would be odd to me that Apple hadn't already been exposed to this issue and figure out a better way to prevent it.

Lets see what happens when it comes back end of this week/early next week and the explanation.

Awesome insight! Thanks dhy8386 🙂

I figured it would be a standard warranty/applecare+ issue and I don't really want to return it for a refund as I love the watch so far. just a small hiccup at this point.

I figure I'll deal with it for now, report through the propper channels and continue to use the water method in the meantime. Once I know replacements are readily available at the store I may opt to go that route. I don't have high hopes that another one won't do the same thing at this point though. If I hear there is some batch/manufacturing issue though that would make me feel better about a replacement taking care of the issue.

Mine was not smooth or that's what I thought.

It was turning smooth and then it seemed to hang up.

I went end tried to turn it with my thumb & finger, like winding a watch. It was smooth as glass everytime.

What was happening was that I wasn't applying really any pressure to the digital crown and my finger was sliding over the crown.

It wasn't catching the serrations on the digital crown. I just applied slight down pressure and at a slight angle and it works perfect.

Maybe try this...

I can think of a lot better things to try than running water. How about isopropyl/rubbing alcohol ON A CUE-TIP maybe? Running water over the crown I would think is JUST ASKING for TROUBLE; running water over non-waterproof watches is never recommended. The force of the running water can be just enough to penetrate into the watch case. I DO NOT know if there is some type of seal for the crown that COULD be damaged by trying the above, so perhaps Apple can chime in at some point in the future. This is bound to become an issue. Nobody will ever fall in the dirt or sand with their watch on right?

My $.02

OK, then hopefully they've tested that solution with all types of running water speeds/velocities. I can see someone using their kitchen dish sprayer and flooding the case and they say apple said "running water". My $.02

Apple has chimed in with their official support article telling us to run it under water (linked prior in this thread).

I can't speak for those who haven't worked out and gotten sweat on the watch. Mine was definitely a problem the morning after I went on a 6 mile run and most likely sweated into the watch. It sat overnight and the salt in my sweat crystalized and caused issues. Next day I ran warm water over it while turning the crown-issue gone.

I worked out yesterday, sweat got into the watch, quick rinse afterwards, no issues today with crown being sticky or stuck.

Well, it seems that I should have to wash my watch with running water especially in Digital Crown area, am I right?

I have exactly the same issue as yours. I used running water method yesterday and it stay normal for about 30 hours and this problem happened just now.

But after I went out without watch on my wrist for more than 10 minutes and returned, I found this problem disappeared then.

So I'm quite puzzled that when this problem would rise again.

I have 3 days left to make decision whether I replace it with another one to Apple, but I really don't want to bother.

Could anyone please give me some suggestion? Should I replace it or keep this one and clean it after some fit events?

Thank you!

I had mine for about two weeks and the problem developed, I called and they asked me to take it to the apple store where they abducted my watch and said i should get it back in 5 days.... my anxiety is through the roof and I'm sure I've gained weight from the loss of motivational incentive that the watch provided... i wish i could put emoji in here :-(

I had the SS 42 mm with SB , for almost 4 weeks , the Digital Crown started to get a little less responsive when scrolling up and down in the last week or so,I run twice weekly and wear the Watch at all times in Florida with hot and humid weather . So I kinda of figured that oil from my skin , mixed with sweat might have something to do with this . Followed the instructions on Apple Web site, a bit hesitant to use running water on it, but, it worked . Just wondered if this is a design flaw or just normal due to the nature of the Watch construction. Hmmm😕

Seriously! Should we really accept that for $400+ watch needs to be run under the tap?! And the watch isn't even 'waterproof'!

I too am experiencing. Sometimes after exercise - really really extreme exercise like a 30min cycle ride in the UK! I am barely breaking a sweat, but poor Watch gets tired and has 'sticky crown'

Come on Apple - we need this resolved

I have my suspicion this is a software bug - after all the software can control the firmness of the crown somehow - as per using Scroll functionality

I have never washed mine - after some time - it resolves itself