Apple Watch (Gen 1) Screen fell off

I went into the Apple Store with mine and was expecting the worst. Instead, I was completely satisfied. They looked at it, said the battery had swelled and pushed off the screen. They were quick, courteous, and helpful. Said they’d fix it for free, but it would take 3-5 business days. That was on a Friday. On Tuesday, less than 2 business days later I received an email that it was ready to be picked up. I went by to get it and found that they hadn’t repaired it, they’d replaced it. Free of charge. I was pleasantly surprised to put it mildly. Thanks Apple! You certainly surprised me.

I got the worst, they said they could cover it if the battery was determined to have swelled but in my case it wasn't apparent. There is definitely a problem with these watches, when the screen pops off neatly like someone used a glass cutter it means there was uniform pressure to make it come off like that, could be gasses from the battery built up inside the stainless steel case or perhaps faulty adhesive. If you look at pictures of people who have actually damaged their watches it is cracked like a phone would, looks like a spider web.

Had the same issue with my watch. The screen pop off.

Went to the Apple Store and they wanted to charge me $199.

I asked if the battery was swollen and they said no. The screen is working, so I wonder how they will use the 199 dollars. Is adhesive really that expensive? I refused to pay 199 dollars.

Dear Apple, you might have "saved" 199 dollars here but you lost a couple thousand from me in the future.

I found out they sell tape strips on amazon to glue the screen back on, you may want check that out. I was surprised there was actually a product in response to Apple's faulty product. My rep told me I damaged the watch even though you would need a glass cutter to make a cut that clean, obviously they have a problem with the adhesive they are using, sooner or later they will have to address the issue or they could just keep losing customers. We have 5 iPhones and 4 iPads but it will be a cold day before I buy another Apple product.

My friend and her husband had this happen to both of their watches about a month ago. I jokingly told them that mine would be next as I bought mine a month after they bought theirs. Sure enough, mine opened last week. They were out of warranty yet when they brought their watches to the Apple store they were told that this is a known issue and both of their watches were sent in and replaced. No questions asked. I am under Apple Care still and just sent mine in yesterday. I guess it depends on who you talk to... keep pursuing.

Thanks for the info, glad they are taking care of your friend's watches as they should. Did any of the problem watches have swollen batteries? My rep said they cover those but mine wasn't swollen, screen just popped off, my guess is the adhesive fails after about 14 months. Might be related to the stainless cases, I've noticed a lot of posts with SS case watches.

I got my watch back from Apple this week. Actually they replaced it. Apple didn’t indicate to any of us what the problem was; they just replaced them. I thought it was a bit odd that all of our watches had the glass covers pop open about 22-23 months after we bought them and all in the same sequence and time frame from when we originally purchased them. Odd.

Brand new watch one week old .

Go to work and look at my watch To see what time it is and there is no screen on it .

Hadn’t a clue where it fell off as id been to a fair few jobs that morning .

Went into the Apple shop and they didn’t give a toss just said because you haven’t got the screen couldn’t do anything . How the **** do they expect you to find a small screen like that. Should off not fell out in the first place looks like it’s £360 down the pan .

Going to see trading standers tomorrow as it’s not on

Will not be letting this matter go

Apple markets these watches as durable devices that can be used while working out, surfing or and every other physical activity, what a joke. Apple should be ashamed of the way they are treating people, and mostly for the quality of their product.

Just to say that my 1st gen watch screen also came off a couple of weeks ago. It is in immaculate condition.

I went to make an appointment and initially was told I would have pay to replace it. I told the concierge there may be a known issue. She looked at it, specifically inside the watch and then made me an appointment.

I saw a genius yesterday and pointed out I realise I'm out of warranty, but a deice that has clearly been looked after should not break in this manner. The genius completely agreed and I didn't have to really plead my case. He asked a supervisor if there was a scheme. I get a replacement watch in a couple of weeks upgraded to series 1 Rose Gold.

I, like you, take exceptional care of my electronic devices. I quit wearing my 1st gen apple watch (38 mm with Milanese loop.) I began wearing one of my traditional Omega watches again and had not worn the apple watch in about two months. I picked it up from my dresser last night and the face had become detached since last wearing it. The face was dangling by the ribbon cable. How in the world did that happen? Am I to understand that apple is charging about half what the watch costs to simply re-attach the face to the case? If so, they can count me as a former watch customer from now on.

Similar problem here with my Gen 1 watch face lifting. I have a Genius Bar appointment this Friday but with my watch being 2 years and 8 months old and being out of Apple care suspect I will get the standard answer. Ironically I purchased a similar watch for the Granddaughter and she had a similar problem after 2 years and 5 months. Sounds like a systemic problem.

I have a work around until my repair appointment by scotch taping the face to the body and the watch is still functioning. This was not recommended by Apple.

My Gen 1 sport 38mm watch had the same problem. The lower part of the touchscreen detached from its base. I have an appointment made with genius bar this Saturday. Let's see what they say. Someone mentioned Apple extended warranty on some models of Gen 1 watch but I can't find an official link to the policy. I might have to show it to the Apple store.

From a fellow San Diegan to Richard from San Diego,

The exact same thing happend to me last October when I was in Spain, and I had to chat online with Apple Support Spain especially since my 1-year warranty was going to run out before I returned in late October to sunny SD. The online guy made sure to put in the notes that I had contacted Apple before the warranty was up, so that I’d be covered when I returned.

I then made an appointment with the Apple Store in UTC, and fully expected to have to “defend” myself when I went in.

Lo and behold, the “genius” took one look at my AW and said, it was a known issue with 1st gen AW whereby the battery swells up and pushes the screen off. With no questions asked, he simply took my AW and ordered a replacement which I received within a week or so. Not a 1st gen but the next generation, whatever it’s called.

I hope you’re having the same luck today as I did.

Thank you for sharing your experience. My visit to the Apple store was quick and easy. They are aware of the battery issue and it is covered under the extended warranty. Did you get a serie 3 watch with GPS back?