Maxtoid

Q: WARNING: Sapphire Screen Scratches!

Just a warning to those Apple Watch users that have the sapphire display and expect it to be as unscratchable as typical sapphire watch displays: It's not.

 

While showing a friend that the sapphire display doesn't scratch today, I took my pocket knife out of my pocket and used the blunt end of the nub that's used to flip the blade out and scraped it across the screen a little bit. Later in the day, I noticed scratches. I've tried everything to remove them, but they're permanent.

 

This means one of three things are possible:

 

1) There is a coating on the screens that even goo-gone can't remove (I tried, it didn't help. Scratches remain).

2) The knife that I used has a high-enough carbon rating that it ranks on diamond level and was able to actually scratch the screen. Unlikely since doing the same thing to a citizen watch I own with a sapphire display did not scratch it.

3) I received a Stainless Steel watch that accidentally was given a regular ion-x display.

 

Or, 4) These displays, while sapphire, aren't as pure as typical sapphire and scratched from something less hard than diamond?

 

At any rate, I am NOT pleased as you can imagine. Wanted people to know before they tried and scratched their watches too.

 

Here is the knife I used: http://www.crkt.com/M16-14-Titanium-Tanto-AutoLAWKS-Combo-Edge

 

Here is the video of the watch scratched: https://youtu.be/mzmg3rTuM2g

 

Here are some pictures of the scratch:

IMG_5083.JPGIMG_5084.JPG

Apple Watch, Other OS, 42mm Stainless Steel w/ Sport Band

Posted on Apr 30, 2015 11:51 PM

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Q: WARNING: Sapphire Screen Scratches!

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  • by Maxtoid,

    Maxtoid Maxtoid May 2, 2015 1:40 PM in response to Meg St._Clair
    Level 1 (10 points)
    May 2, 2015 1:40 PM in response to Meg St._Clair

    Clearly, you just don't recognize the fact if sapphire is known to not scratch, lightly dragging ANYTHING across the screen is NOT trying to cause intentional damage. Let's use our heads...

  • by lkrupp,

    lkrupp lkrupp May 2, 2015 4:02 PM in response to Maxtoid
    Level 5 (4,143 points)
    May 2, 2015 4:02 PM in response to Maxtoid

    And if anything actually happens to your watch now you are complete toast. I’d love to hear you explain to Apple how the alleged coating magically disappeared from the face of the watch. Your watch is no longer warrantied for anything. Applecare is now invalid if you even purchased it. I think we all know what was “UTTERLY stupid” here and it sure isn’t Apple. In fact this thread has been reported to Apple.

  • by Maxtoid,

    Maxtoid Maxtoid May 2, 2015 4:04 PM in response to lkrupp
    Level 1 (10 points)
    May 2, 2015 4:04 PM in response to lkrupp

    So, you're suggesting that, because I removed the oleophobic coating, that something worse could now happen to my watch? To the sapphire? Something that the coating would have protected it from?? "Oh, Apple, my watch has a FINGERPRINT! I want a replacement..."

  • by stevejobsfan0123,

    stevejobsfan0123 stevejobsfan0123 May 2, 2015 4:04 PM in response to Maxtoid
    Level 8 (43,464 points)
    iPhone
    May 2, 2015 4:04 PM in response to Maxtoid

    So, for the rest of us that don't cut our watches with knives, I take it won't get scratched with or without coating.

  • by petermac87,

    petermac87 petermac87 May 2, 2015 4:09 PM in response to Maxtoid
    Level 5 (7,402 points)
    May 2, 2015 4:09 PM in response to Maxtoid

    Maxtoid wrote:

     

    So, you're suggesting that, because I removed the oleophobic coating, that something worse could now happen to my watch? To the sapphire? Something that the coating would have protected it from?? "Oh, Apple, my watch has a FINGERPRINT! I want a replacement..."

    No, what they are suggesting is that if your Watch suffers an internal defect, a manufacturing fault or any other internal damage or external fault  that is not your fault, that you now have no warranty like others who have not attacked the face of their watches with pocket knives and scourers. I seriously can't believe any reasonable person would do that. But, you must have lots of money to throw away.

     

    Cheers

     

    Pete

  • by MattPringle2,

    MattPringle2 MattPringle2 May 2, 2015 4:16 PM in response to petermac87
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 2, 2015 4:16 PM in response to petermac87

    Internal part failure would still be covered under warranty. If as he says the screen looks fine then everything is ok.

     

    It is his property and many watch owners have their sapphire polished. Which is essentially what he did.

     

    I would also suspect that 100% of the coating wasn't removed and he instead buffed it down to a polished surface. As you you do with scratches in the clear coat of your car.

  • by petermac87,

    petermac87 petermac87 May 2, 2015 4:25 PM in response to MattPringle2
    Level 5 (7,402 points)
    May 2, 2015 4:25 PM in response to MattPringle2

    Incorrect, sorry. The Warranty is now void, and Apple have a log of the admission to tampering right here. How did he essentially polish it with a pocket knife, which inflicted the initial damage?

     

    If he says the screen 'looks' ok, then do you really think that Apple will never notice?

     

    Pete

  • by lkrupp,

    lkrupp lkrupp May 2, 2015 4:43 PM in response to MattPringle2
    Level 5 (4,143 points)
    May 2, 2015 4:43 PM in response to MattPringle2

    MattPringle2 wrote:

     

    Internal part failure would still be covered under warranty.

     

    Nope. Wrong. Warranties don’t get partially voided. He altered his watch. The entire warranty is void. Try actually reading the document.

  • by nick101,

    nick101 nick101 May 3, 2015 12:09 AM in response to Maxtoid
    Level 5 (5,103 points)
    May 3, 2015 12:09 AM in response to Maxtoid

    It appears to me from your own description that you haven't scratched the sapphire at all - only the oleophobic coating.

  • by kelric1,

    kelric1 kelric1 May 4, 2015 6:56 PM in response to Maxtoid
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 4, 2015 6:56 PM in response to Maxtoid

    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!!

  • by wackerow,

    wackerow wackerow Jun 5, 2015 1:10 PM in response to Maxtoid
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 5, 2015 1:10 PM in response to Maxtoid

    I have to agree with Maxtoid. Same thing happened to me where tiny surface scratched began to appear on my watch face that would visibly go away if you buffed the screen, but if you ran your thumb across the surface (intentionally smearing it), or breath on it so it fogs up, the tiny surface scratches would light right up.

     

    I dared to take the same approach with a scotch brit pad. I took off the watch band and taped the stainless steel around the edge of the watch. I then laid the  scotch brit pad on a hard flat surface and laid the watch face flat on the pad. Used lots of downward pressure and circular motions I buffed the screen for several minutes (~30min). Eventually I wiped the surface and upon similar inspection as prior by fogging up the screen, nothing but pristine glistening sapphire.

     

    I don't know this for sure but based on this experience I have to believe Apple has placed some coating on the surface on the sapphire crystal for whatever reason, and it appears to be vulnerable to scratching even if the sapphire beneath remains unscathed.

     

    As far as the intention behind the scratches in your case Maxtoid, I can't say I blame you too much for testing it out a little. Regardless of your intention, this is likely going to happen to many many other users through normal use since it obviously doesn't take diamond to alter its appearance.


    Thanks for posting your solution!

  • by hksar,

    hksar hksar Aug 9, 2015 9:14 AM in response to stevejobsfan0123
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 9, 2015 9:14 AM in response to stevejobsfan0123

    Not quite. Mine got scratched without me even trying, although that requires a more specific explanation. The scratch is only visible with a smudged screen. Wipe the screen clean and it disappears, only to reappear when the screen is smudged again. I suspect the oil repellent coating got scratched and not the sapphire itself. That would explain  - in my view - why there is no visible scratch whatsoever when the screen is clear of smudges.

  • by LarryHN,

    LarryHN LarryHN Aug 9, 2015 7:03 PM in response to Maxtoid
    Level 10 (84,105 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Aug 9, 2015 7:03 PM in response to Maxtoid
    I think it's UTTERLY stupid that Apple put that coating on.

    Ok

     

    But certainly not as stupid as one intentionally scratching their watch to show off 

     

    LN

  • by rbtwrld,

    rbtwrld rbtwrld Nov 3, 2015 2:59 PM in response to Maxtoid
    Level 1 (6 points)
    Nov 3, 2015 2:59 PM in response to Maxtoid

    And why you don't post photos or a video of how your apple watch looks after grinding the display.

     

    After some months since you do that how is your apple watch doing?

  • by anupfromcary,

    anupfromcary anupfromcary Nov 8, 2015 9:58 AM in response to Maxtoid
    Level 1 (15 points)
    Nov 8, 2015 9:58 AM in response to Maxtoid

    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 !

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