Apple Watch Sapphire scratched ?

thedoc46 · 13 Jul 2015 at 21:02

So three weeks ago my missus went ahead and bought herself a 38mm Apple Watch Stainless steel, which supposedly has the sapphire crystal scratch resistant face.

Yesterday in the sun, she noticed a few small hairline scratches on the crystal face WTF

This is from just normal wear and tear... She's pretty careful, (well we both are with our items) and anyway aren't these things supposed to be completely scratch resistant, with like people taking to them with drills and sharp knifes on YouTube?

I thought only a diamond could scratch it.... Anyway I took it back to Apple, and just said the battery was only lasting half a day and they just swapped it out then and there

.... Didn't want to go down the scratched by itself road... Perhaps it was like that from the factory ? Maybe the manufacturing machine had the ability to scratch it... Who knows... I'd of thought she'd of remembered rubbing it against something pretty harsh.. But she swears blind that nothing that she's aware of has rubbed against it..

I keep mine on during potential scratching opportunities, with the comfort of thinking that its scratch resistant... But evidently not.. Perhaps i'll not be so confident from here on.

Nymins · 13 Jul 2015 at 21:03

Scratch resistant, not scratch proof.

fendi · 13 Jul 2015 at 21:53

Can you get a screen protector?

SDK^ · 13 Jul 2015 at 22:13

It's highly unlikely you scratched a Sapphire Crystal watch face.

Admetos · 14 Jul 2015 at 02:14

I know I'm comparing totally different technology here, however when I read you possible scratched your sapphire glass after 3 weeks I could not help think of my 24 year old Rolex Submariner.

Apologies for possibly taking your thread of course, but above is a 24 year old piece of Sapphire glass. If we all step back for a moment and just contemplate that, I really have to wonder where quality of modern items are going.

thedoc46 · 14 Jul 2015 at 03:09

SDK^ said:
It's highly unlikely you scratched a Sapphire Crystal watch face.

That's what I'm saying to myself..... But there were most definitely scratches on the face.... Pardon the pun, but scratching my head as to how they got there. Told her to drop the extra couple of hundred on the sapphire, for this very reason, that it won't scratch...

I'm hoping to myself, that they were there from the factory, and we just didn't notice... But then again, how unlikely is that .....

momo56 · 14 Jul 2015 at 05:59

Could be the oleophobic coating that was scratched and not the actual sapphire.

Bipolar Kittens · 14 Jul 2015 at 12:13

I've deliberately taken a set of keys to my Omega Seamaster before to try to scratch the Sapphire. It didn't scratch.

thedoc46 · 14 Jul 2015 at 17:09

momo56 said:
Could be the oleophobic coating that was scratched and not the actual sapphire.

So if they have this oleophobic coating then, what's the point of having sapphire? A visible scratch is a VISIBLE scratch ???? :confused:

R4z0r · 16 Jul 2015 at 08:22

Is it possible it's a crack rather a scratch? Regardless, it's Apple. Just take it to the store and they'll make it right.

Adam-r · 16 Jul 2015 at 08:54

Scratch proof is a misnomer. You can scratch anything with a material that is harder than it. (ie it's Vickers hardness number is greater)

You can scratch a diamond with a diamond.

The problem you have during polishing is that you have to use a polishing media that is herder. If there isn't a really good clean in-between the polishing stages then you can leave scratches in. That could've happened here.

Sapphire crystals are hard - but there are a fair few materials that are harder.

Sorry for the science lesson!

HEADRAT · 16 Jul 2015 at 16:42

Not a Rolex but a 21 year old TAG Heuer, no scratches on my glass either, it's never been off my wrist.

tom_e · 16 Jul 2015 at 16:47

Bipolar Kittens said:
I've deliberately taken a set of keys to my Omega Seamaster before to try to scratch the Sapphire. It didn't scratch.

Steel is comparatively as soft as cheese that's why.

Admetos · 17 Jul 2015 at 18:57

Adam-r said:
Sapphire crystals are hard - but there are a fair few materials that are harder.

Totally agree, there are plenty of Rolex's and other sapphire glass watches with scratched / damaged glass, as with everything you have to be careful. Also if you drop a Rolex Oyster glass onto ceramic title it shatters apparently and makes a distinct ping sound!

I was totally surprised when I read the OP's wife had scratched the watch screen in just 3 weeks however.

thedoc46 · 17 Jul 2015 at 20:00

JasonM said:
I was totally surprised when I read the OP's wife had scratched the watch screen in just 3 weeks however.

No more surprised than she was !!! It's not like she goes rock climbing or anything.. Just normal every day wear and tear, by a lady who looks after her belongings.. Her iPhone is scratch free, her car is ding / scratch free.

Admittedly i've not been as careful with mine, under the false security of thinking that if people are taking drills to them, then i'll be find doing everything.. (gym, washing car, cleaning wheels etc) But i have lost my confidence in it now.. Even though my sapphire is scratch free ! might i add.

chef-borjan · 18 Jul 2015 at 23:13

General reports I have seen on the internet suggest you may have scratched the coating.