Back of Watch fell off

The amazing thing is all these watches are being returned because the backs came off and every so called genius at Apple says they have never heard of this happening before, it's happened to me three times and three different geniuses at the same store has never heard of this happening before.

Yep, that worries me too. This is clearly an issue affecting a good number of customers. I made sure I told the "genius" I dealt with that a simple Google search will reveal that this is a well known issue. I fear that Apple won't do anything until the media pick up on it.

Who is keeping it from "the media?" It's posted right here in plain sight. Any journalist who wants to is free to write an article on it. And believe me, there are lots of them who read this forum. I guess they don't consider it newsworthy.

Lawrence Finch wrote:

Who is keeping it from "the media?" It's posted right here in plain sight. Any journalist who wants to is free to write an article on it. And believe me, there are lots of them who read this forum. I guess they don't consider it newsworthy.

But imagining a conspiracy is just sooo much more fun!

300KpH racing monohull boats are glued together, moisture doesn't seem to affect them very much

Apple have a habit of making kit that cannot easily be opened by the user so I was not surprised to find that my Apple Watch was glued together. Is it an issue ? Not really if the correct glue is used and the quality control is OK (and they fix or replace if there is a problem. After all, many millions of people fly in modern aircraft and most of those are glued together (up to and including the huge 747)and work in a vastly more hostile environment than my watch ever will. I have never known a crash to be down to glue failure.

I am surprised someone actually saw my original post instead of the ultra-short version posted above. The moderators of this forum removed the original one within minutes of me posting it because it “contained rants or complaints that weren’t constructive”. So here I am trying to be really constructive… I agree with you that I should have a solid claim for the watch to be replaced or fixed but Apple’s position seems to be that warranty is warranty and that 12 months and 26 days is more than 12 month. I understand the limitation of warranties, but who buys a product with the reasonable expectation that its useful life ends when its warranty expires (try to tell this to the IRS). At the end of the day, this is a business decision for Apple to make. In my particular case, I am not going to pay an extra $320 for a product that I’ve purchased just a year ago, but this experience has certainly cost Apple my loyalty as a customer.

Yes, but it was only a few weeks shy of one year. Ironically, I received my original watch order in May 2015 but the pink modern buckle strap was much too big. Turns out the sizing on the pink modern buckle was different than the sports bands and many people had this problem. I was told over the phone to go to a store for a trade but then I found out the store could not just replace the strap, because they had no pink modern buckle straps in stock at the store yet, So, I bought a white sport strap and the manager gave me a card so I could return to the store in June to get a new pink strap. When I arrived to pick up my replacement pink strap in June, the store rep said they could not just trade the pink strap. Instead, they took my watch and refunded the cost and sold me a new watch with a pink modern buckle strap. I was surprised because my first watch was a $750 stainless steel in perfect condition and if they took it, the watch could not be resold as new. However, they insisted that they could not sell or trade pink modern buckle straps separately and they had to replace my watch. As to my current problem, I am still wondering if it was my charger that was defective. The watch was still working properly even after the back detached. My friends' watch stopped charging correctly this week, so she bought a new charger and now it charges perfectly again. Much cheaper solution to replace a $16 charger than to replace melted expensive watches.

Update (again): I posted my experience on the feedback site provided by Aaronious. Thank you! I'll let you know if I receive a response. In the meantime, I am cleaning off all lotions and sunscreen off my wrist before I put on my watch in the morning. (easy to do with my suntan line) I also am now cleaning the back of the watch with a dry towel before I place it on the charger at night. Last night, I took it off the charger when I woke up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom since the watch was already 100% charged. No need to keep it on the charger any more than necessary. Paranoid? You bet! 😝

I know exactly what you mean. I find myself babying my watch in hopes that I won't have another incident.

In regards to waiting for a response from the product feedback website I don't believe that you will get one. If I remember correctly it does say something during the submission process that you won't get a response back from Apple but they will go through the information provided.

I just had this happen, after the warranty ran out. Anyone have any luck with Apple? With this seeming to be an issue with the Apple watch I would hope they would replace without question.

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Jonathan,

Thanks for the response. I just thought you'd want to know that I cleaned my watch all of the time after my workouts - as it says to do in the "Apple Watch User Guide". You didn't mention in your recap when you cut and pasted my response but I stated that I use sunscreen because I had Melanoma (skin cancer) in the past and using sunscreen was/is an important part of my health care. My concern for my health is also why I use the Apple Watch exercise aps during my workouts and my health in general. You cut and pasted a portion of the "Apple Watch User Guide", here is a bigger portion of that statement:

"Exposure to liquid Apple Watch is water resistant but not waterproof. You may, for example, wear and use Apple Watch during exercise (exposure to sweat is OK), in the rain, and while washing your hands. If water splashes on to the watch, wipe it off with a nonabrasive, lint-free cloth. Try to minimize exposing Apple Watch to these substances and follow the instructions below in the “Cleaning and care” section if Apple Watch comes into contact with them:

Soap, detergent, acids or acidic foods, and any liquids other than fresh water, such as salt water, soapy water, pool water, perfume, insect repellent, lotions, sunscreen, oil, adhesive remover, hair dye, or solvents"

I do try to minimize exposing my Apple Watch to the sunscreen I use and also clean my wrist with rubbing alcohol before I put on my watch but I still think this is a design flaw and would hope that Apple would address this flaw especially after they flaunt the fact that it can be used for outdoor exercise. You really should be able to use sunscreen when wearing a watch partially designed for an active lifestyle.

Again, I do appreciate your response and I know that you are only quoting portions of the User Guide and maybe this will help other people. I also believe I've been very reasonable and careful in the handling of my Apple Watch. I do many of the things that Apple uses as advertisement for the Apple Watch, i.e. outdoor activity. While doing that outdoor activity, any doctor will tell you to use sunscreen. Even though I think I have always babied my watch, I will certainly baby it more because I like everything else about the watch and will continue to support Apple.

Respectfully,

dfswatch

dfswatch,

I also have had the same problem the same number of times and i agree with you. I believe there is a design flaw. My watch back just fell off again yesterday. I am going to go to the apple store tomorrow. Can i ask which watch you have? I have the stainless 38mm.

The Genius Bar tech I talked to hadn't heard of the problem, but it only took him seconds to find it on his iPad. I guess some Geniuses are better at debugging than others. I hope that most people will look here first and go to the Bar prepared.

I sure hope they do the same for my wife's watch..I bought ours a month after you and two days ago my wife's popped off..Right after the Warranty passed. My wife is very gentle so I only bought AC for mine! Regardles, No one should buy a 400.00 watch only to have the back pop off a year later. Hopefully, they will take care of us like they did you. BTW..Where are you located? GA perhaps? Pic below..

<Image Edited by Host to Remove Personal Information>

I have removed the serial number..If Apple will not fix an obvious defect does anyone have a suggestion on a home fix? I will not be paying to fix a watch that should still be in PERFECT condition. Don't get me wrong, I have a lot of apple products and most of the time they will take care of their customers but this is straight silly manufacturing right here...