space gray sport band peeling

UPDATE:

I did a web chat with Apple support yesterday about this (since the retail stores are saying "normal wear and tear" which is total BS).

Anyway, I explained the situation, attached a JPG of the photo and was escalated to senior support. After a few minutes, they acknowledged this is a defect in the rubber (assuming there were no solvents used in cleaning) and an email followed shortly thereafter informing me that a replacement band would be shipped to my home.

Again, the important factor here is that you do NOT use any solvents, alcohol, bleach, or ammonia based cleaners, etc. on this rubber watch band as it WILL ruin the coating. Since mine was only exposed to sweat (from workouts at the gym) and warm water with mild dishwashing soap, this was covered under warranty.

Personally, this appears to be a major defect in manufacturing if only sweat/salt and water can do this within a month of wear, especially for a band that is "made for sports". Anyway, if anybody has the same issue with your rubber watch band and you only used water and mild soap for cleaning, then do the above and you should be able to get a replacement.

Hope this helps.

I found I could simply rub off the first layer using a piece of t-shirt like cloth. After about a minute or two, I had completely removed the top layer (which was peeling off anyway). I'm now left with a clean, flat black band without any indication of distress or wear. I couldn't be happier with my Apple Watch, and now the watch and the band look as new as the day I unwrapped it.

Its quite ridiculous. I bought my space grey apple watch a week ago from Best Buy and it looked the same. Apple advised me to take it back to best buy and they exchanged it for another. Hopefully it doesn't happen again. If it does I'm going to get a silver or gold finish because i have a feeling its the space grey bands that are defective.

I Have the series 2 in black sport model and I experienced this tw with the Origional band and returned the whole watch back as I wasn't paying a rediculois upcharge for another apple band.

On the new one, I've already had the Origional do this and the band replaced. Thinking if this happens again I will request a different color as everyone else seems to be indicating this is related to the black only. Still surprised at Apple and his this is ever considered normal as my apple gear all looks like it's new in box as I keep up with it and this is obviously not a wear issue if people have this happen within days of use. Myself in an office setting where I'm obviosuly not working out or sweating