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dougie70w Author

Level 1

3 points

Apple Watch peeling at the etching on the back

I spoke with a rep Senior Advisor for Aplle Watch today and have a case # for the back of my watch.

I have had this unit since June 5th and the band started to peel part so bad that I replaced it with an after market metal band that I purchaced on Amazon. I have an appointment at the new haven location 8/19/15 today . I hope I can be assisted with this matter and I also have apple care . But hope there isnt a claim today because I see a number of Apple watches with the same peeling problem.

Apple Watch, iOS 1.x, Peeling watch back at the etching

Posted on Aug 19, 2015 9:42 AM

Top-ranking reply

Jonathan UK

Level 10

163,895 points

Posted on Aug 19, 2015 9:58 AM

Hi Dougie

Welcome to Apple Support Communities!

This is a public forum, so please be careful not to disclose too much personal information (eg your case number).

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50 replies

Nov 30, 2015 3:10 PM in response to dougie70w

I work at an Apple Premium Service Provider, and I also have a space gray sport having this issue. This issue is strictly with the space gray sport and is recognized, if you go to an Apple store and tell them about it they will swap it out under warranty.

wrbailey

Level 1

14 points

Nov 30, 2015 4:37 PM in response to austinlbowers

It's not limited to the space grey. There are numerous individuals with the silver aluminum and even the polish SS with this issue. No argument that it is now being recognized by certain Apple Stores.

Feb 16, 2016 6:12 PM in response to dougie70w

Same problem with mine. 3 months of use. It’s really frustrating even with apple replacing the watch, just because when the warranty is over what we do ?

Dec 9, 2016 1:11 PM in response to dougie70w

i'm on my 3rd apple watch now.. this is my 1st one that i wore for 10 months.. it started peeling after 1 month.. i told them is idiotic to keep replacing with the same model since my warranty will eventually will run out and my apple watch will be useless..

they didn't seem to care after i talked to numerous managers and keep claiming that this is not a known issue.. so apple doesnt care

Dec 9, 2016 8:13 PM in response to dougie70w

I am experiencing the same oxidation/rust on my apple watch sport too. It has started to spread around the speaker grille, mic cut out, power button and around the digital crown cutting.

Also this type of oxidation has been seen in several batches of iPhone 6Ss too... I guess apparently the problem is with few batches of bad 7000 Series aluminum (Thanks to #Bendgate). Since it utilizes zinc as the major alloying element if not anodized properly its prone to this kind of oxidization.

I am going to send my watch to Apple for an inspection soon. Hope they won't put this under the cosmetic damage category and get away with it! Will update on what's happening...

Apple Watch peeling at the etching on the back