WARNING: Sapphire Screen Scratches!

szymonrules wrote:

That's odd. I actually have the Stainless Steel 42mm and tried scratching it with a few different knives just to see how the glass would stand up and it's still perfect! I would definitely either Call Apple and see if you can get a replacement or go to the Apple Store. Good luck!

If he’s honest he will tell Apple he intentionally tried to scratch the watch. He does not deserve a free replacement. Intentional or accidental damage is not covered by any warranty. The watch is not advertised as “scratch-proof.” No watch is.

Why would anyone, yourself included, intentionally try to damage an expensive piece of tech just to see if you can? And then expect a free replacement? It’s insane unless you’re making some YouTube video titled “Will It Blend.”

I have a similar problem, but not intentionally inflicted. After an afternoon cleaning my house (vacuuming, dusting, doing laundry - nothing crazy) I looked at my watch and noticed a rather deep looking scratch in the middle. I visited the Apple Store and was told I could pay $325 to replace the screen, or since I was still in my return period I could return it and order a new one (to arrive in June sometime). Very disappointing. While I didn't expect the watch to stand up to constant abuse, I didn't expect to have a problem like that from normal household labor. The main reason I purchased a Stainless Steel model instead of the sport model was for the scratch resistance!!

I've had a Rolex with a sapphire crystal for 7 years. In that time it has not shown a single scratch. I'm rough on watches; this is the only watch I've ever had (other than my  Watch) that has never been scratched.

I have an original  Watch. So I guess that makes it 3 years old. I wear it alternately with the above Rolex. It has no scratches. As I said, I'm rough on watches. Sapphire is more scratch resistant than glass, but that doesn't mean that nothing can scratch it. A really sharp object will scratch it, just like a really sharp object will scratch anything.

What does one trust more? All the positive Consumer Report tests, or the fact that many of us unintentionally managed to scratch the surface?

I did not test anything on my watch screen and I was careful not to put it beside anything that can potentially scratch it. Yet, after 5 months, I have a big scratch on the screen, one that you an even feel under your skin if you touch it. I have no clue where it is coming from, did I scratch it to a door handle, the corner of a table, or... But I can see the scratch and I know that I did not do any intentional effort to cause it, rather was even careful not to.

So, I don't care about those Consumer Reports. :-)

Odd. Various testers, including Consumer Reports have tested the sapphire and found it extremely scratch resistant (equivalent 8 on the Moh scale - diamond is 10)

You might want to contact Apple support or go to a store and see what they have to say.

I have a Sport and, although I haven't tried to test it, I've certainly made no effort to protect it and it shows no scratches from keys, cutlery, coins etc

I have a £5k Tag and I managed to scratch the Sapphire, which itself costs more than a whole Apple watch.

You really shouldn't have taken a knife to it. Maybe Apple will replace if you tell them its defective but they probably won't do anything.

It may be you scratched the anti reflective coating. Some watch manufacturers put it on the inside of the watch, some on the outside. Which yields different results in the clarity of the crystal. The sports watch with its glass screen is said to be a bit more vibrant.

It may be a watch repairer can polish the sapphire, but if the coating is on the outside then that won't help.

Thing is, with watches, no matter the price, they will suffer a lot of damage if you wear then every day. You will bang it into things without even noticing and over time it will start to look weathered. Best bet, if you cant fix it, is just to accept thats the reality. You've made the watch your own now and if its anything like a normal sapphire mark, you won't be able to see it, unless its in direct sunlight.

( I used Brasso to take off the worst marks, it polished it up, not perfectly, but enough to dull the scratches a bit. )

Your so-called non-alignment is a combination of perspective, because the watch is at an angle, and reflections for a light source.

Apart, of course, from the minor detail that the OP knows where he got the thing

Perhaps check facts before posting

That's odd. I actually have the Stainless Steel 42mm and tried scratching it with a few different knives just to see how the glass would stand up and it's still perfect! I would definitely either Call Apple and see if you can get a replacement or go to the Apple Store. Good luck!

You do realize, don’t you, that ALL higher end watches, digital or mechanical, have sapphire crystals. Sapphire has been used for watch crystals for many, many years. Because of how hard it is to manufacture those crystals are usually round. Apple’s innovation is that they managed to make it rectangular.

You guys are the best ! Here is my story:

I have the saphire model (obviously). Went to a resturant and after opening the door, my watch touched (only touched) the metal handle. Yes, if you hear or feel a touch, there is a mark out there somewhere. to mu shock, found it on the top of the saohire. Called apple customer care. They had never heard of this and the guy said its not covered under apple warranty as I was honest about what happened. He was really nice though, directed me to apple store nearby. I knew they would not be helpful but gave them a try anyways. The rep there got a soft cloth with a solution to clean it (LOL!). I told her about the coating. She had never heard of it 🙂 . I had read this forum before that and today gave the scrubber a shot (praying all the time that it does not get worse) and Vola ! The scratch was gone !. Had to try two different scrubbers. First one only reduced the scratch after 15 minutes of scrubbing (lightly). Switched to another one and scratch was gone in 3 minutes. Completely gone ! I cannot tell you how much it was bothering me all this while. Thank you guys ! A bit shout out to the person who posted this solution !

SO I couldn't help but notice that you said your knife is made of high enough grade carbon that makes it as hard as a diamond. The watch display is made of Saphire Crystal. The only thing that can scratch Saphire Crystal is a diamond, which is the hardest rock. Theres no wonder why your blade did scratch it. Not because it was a defective product or actually Ion-X Glass, but simply Because a diamond can scratch it.

Ccrisrize wrote:

SO I couldn't help but notice that you said your knife is made of high enough grade carbon that makes it as hard as a diamond. The watch display is made of Saphire Crystal. The only thing that can scratch Saphire Crystal is a diamond, which is the hardest rock. Theres no wonder why your blade did scratch it. Not because it was a defective product or actually Ion-X Glass, but simply Because a diamond can scratch it.

As Maxtoid explained in a subsequent reply, 11 months ago:

Maxtoid wrote (May 2, 2015):

the sapphire wasn't scratched!

Your trick worked also for me! I went a bit overboard since I recognized the possibility of using glass top cleaner and cleaning pad combo and it worked perfectly! Mine wasn't so much of a scratch but rather a half-inch drop-like continued path that probably came from something that ate away the oleophobic coating. I went to the Apple Store and they recommended the 329 dollars unit-exchange option which seems like a very long stretch for me - so glad that what you suggested worked as the watch looks pristine again now!