Apple Watch Sapphire screen damage

[ApplesAreSweet&Sour]

I'm pretty sure your issue can best be described as an "oleophobic coating" issue. The stains aren't actually stains but areas of display where the oleophobic coating has been worn off or was never applied correctly(during manufacturing):

A quick way to test if the oleophobic coating has been worn down is to drip a few drops of water over the different areas of the display.

The water will form spherical drops (beading) where the coating is intact but lie more flat (sheeting) in the areas where there's no or little coating.

On a smartphone display (left is with coating, right is without):

How it looks on a big piece of glass:

If it is indeed just the oleophobic coating that's worn off then you can reapply it yourself fairly easily:

Oleophobic coating – what it is, how to clean your phone, what to do if the coating wears off

By this day, you've probably seen the term "oleophobic coating" on some tech-selling sites – it's sometimes mentioned in phone specs, while at other times – screen protector manufacturers will boast about it on their product's page. But what exactly is this strangely-named substance, what does...

www.phonearena.com

 

[Valentin_92]

To be honest I've noticed months ago that when I wash it on the sink after a workout, the water never stays on the flat surface of the screen, it always goes on top and bottom parts where the curvature is and never on the left or right sides. This might be because of the coating problem or just the shape of the watch, cannot really tell. Here is an image what I mean, (red area is water) because it is difficult to take a close picture on my actual watch, but yes the water goes where the damaged area is.

 

[ApplesAreSweet&Sour]

To be honest I've noticed months ago that when I wash it on the sink after a workout, the water never stays on the flat surface of the screen, it always goes on top and bottom parts where the curvature is and never on the left or right sides. This might be because of the coating problem or just the shape of the watch, cannot really tell. Here is an image what I mean, (red area is water) because it is difficult to take a close picture on my actual watch, but yes the water goes where the damaged area is.

View attachment 2408012

Well, the water forming droplets is because the oleophobic coating is repelling it. I wouldn't expect the coating to push off the water entirely. But if the coating is still intact, it would at the very least see the water form droplets instead of sheeting with the (raw, uncoated) glass surface.

In the spots where the coating is missing, the areas you've drawn in red, the water would be more "attracted" to as there's very little or nothing repelling it away.

It would definitely seem the oleophobic coating has worn off in those areas. And the stuff that looks like stains are small holes in the coating.

Which is good news because the coating doesn't impair the Watch in any way or means that it's in any way more prone to damage.

And you should be able to easily fix it yourself like seen in the videos I linked to.

 

[Valentin_92]

I should clarify than in the red areas of my image the water stays as one solid body, not some small droplets. However if the problem is the glass coating how could you explain the same discoloration on the back to the watch?

 

[goldmac2006]

I should clarify than in the red areas of my image the water stays as one solid body, not some small droplets. However if the problem is the glass coating how could you explain the same discoloration on the back to the watch?

Y’all there is no way we can see the ceramic back tarnishing in any way, but as @ApplesAreSweet&Sour said, there may be an oleophobic coating on both sides of the Apple Watch that would be causing it, if not the case that it is occurring in the underside of the screen and ceramic back.

 

[hagjohn]

Looks like some water spots and oil to me.

 

[xpxp2002]

I have not seen this issue before but to be honest I only had a series 4 Saphire. After one and a half year while I was working out it fell on the floor and the screen broke. It came cut perfectly clean from the edges. After that all my Apple Watches series 5 and 8 are with ion x glass. Never had a broken screen again. I believe that saphire is not worth it in this design as in normal watches you have the bezel that protects the saphire while in Apple Watch you have zero protection.

My understanding is that the sapphire glass is more resistant to scratching, while the Ion-X is more resistant to cracking. Because of the physical properties of the materials, improving one affects the other. In other words, more scratch-resistant glass is more likely to crack, and more crack-resistant glass is prone to more scratching.

In my practical experience with both types of watches, I always go with the sapphire glass option. Having Apple Watches since the first-gen, I've never cracked a screen. But everyone I know who went with an aluminum watch has scratches galore, no matter how careful they are.

My spouse is particularly careful, but got at least one scratch on every Apple Watch with Ion-X glass within a week. Meanwhile, I've hit my sapphire glass on metal table corners numerous times, and it still remains scratch-free.

 

[ApplesAreSweet&Sour]

I should clarify than in the red areas of my image the water stays as one solid body, not some small droplets. However if the problem is the glass coating how could you explain the same discoloration on the back to the watch?

That's exactly my point: If the water does not form droplets on any part of the display, or really any part of the Watch, then that part does not have oleophobic coating.

I'm not saying I know how or why the coating has worn off, whether it wasn't applied properly during manufacturing, or if you have worn it off by using your Watch.

But even if applied perfectly by the manufacturer, oleophobic coating is known to wear off over time.

Although I don't know for sure if the bottom glass parts are coated too, you can do the water droplet test on those too to see if the coating is worn off.

My assumption is that there's coating on the entire display and entire bottom glass. I'm not sure though.

 

[Otrori]

@Valentin_92 completely unrelated but I spent time in Novo Selo training area in Bulgaria. Probably one of the most beautiful countries I've visited. People were super nice, truck driver we had shared his lunch with us, no idea what it was but it was delicious!

I hope you get your watch fixed soon!

 

[Valentin_92]

@Valentin_92 completely unrelated but I spent time in Novo Selo training area in Bulgaria. Probably one of the most beautiful countries I've visited. People were super nice, truck driver we had shared his lunch with us, no idea what it was but it was delicious!

I hope you get your watch fixed soon!

Thank you for the good words!

 

[Valentin_92]

Ok guys here is an update from me.
I sent my Apple Watch to sertified repair shop here in Bulgaria on 18 September. One week later I called them just to check how's the things going on and they told me that the watch had been sent to an official Apple repair shop abroad (I guess somewhere in western Europe). I am fine with that, the guy on the phone was extremely polite and told me than in this kind of situations Apple usually replaces the watch and I felt relieved and happy. One week later (this Friday October 4th) the guy from my local repair shop called me and told me they got the watch back, but Apple had refused to replace the watch with an explanation that this is kinda normal, scratches happens sometimes and the sapphire glass is fine. Yesterday October 5th I got my watch back looking just like I sent it 2 weeks ago.

I really have no words to describe how frustrated I'm now. Unfortunately my watch isn't under a warranty since October 1st which means, there is nothing more I can do. Some of you might ask why I don't have Apple Care, and I would say, because I consider myself as a person who takes care of its devices. For example I had iPhone 5S and X and never had case nor screen protector on them and still looks just like I bought them, just because I don't drop my phones. Currently using 14 Pro for nearly 2 years, same no case no screen protector and it's like brand new.

Just wanted to share my bad experience, if you could give me an advice what to do is welcome. Here is a pictures of my watch from today.

 

[iSuzan]

Maybe I have overread it.. but you tried to clean it with Isopropanol?

That is not normal at least. I wore my "cheap" Alu series 7 for sports, swimming in the pool and the ocean, cleaned it with water and soap, used Isopropanol... and it still looks like new.
I have a series 10 now, lets see how this works out.

And maybe call Apple chat again in person.

 

[Valentin_92]

Yes, before I sent it to Apple, I had tried several times rubbing the glass with Isopropanol, no difference.
I should add that I don'd to anything extreme with my watch. I work from home (not some chemical factory where I could melt the screen). I do some basic workouts every day and after a workout my wrist is sweaty, I wash the watch with water (normal temperature) I had never washed with soap because I was afraid that I could damage the screen coating. Well it's all confusing...

 

[azhava]

AppleCare wouldn't have mattered because it says right in the Terms & Conditions that they won't cover "normal wear and tear, or cosmetic damage not affecting the functionality of the Covered Equipment".

The "damage" you have is purely cosmetic and doesn't affect the functionality of your watch, so I'm not surprised they declined to repair it.

 

[Valentin_92]

Honestly I would agree with you and with Apple 100% if it was about the aluminum watch, but paying premium price for steel and sapphire and getting this king of quality really frustrates me.

 

[goldmac2006]

AppleCare wouldn't have mattered because it says right in the Terms & Conditions that they won't cover "normal wear and tear, or cosmetic damage not affecting the functionality of the Covered Equipment".

The "damage" you have is purely cosmetic and doesn't affect the functionality of your watch, so I'm not surprised they declined to repair it.

That applies to scratches that we easily get on the aluminum Apple Watch as well. Sending it in to Apple will not make a difference to think they would replace the sapphire crystal screen with a new one, but sheesh 🙄 it’s an easy fix. But for the buttons to swap out the bands by releasing them, these two tiny buttons are covered by the logic board so you have to dig all the way down there to get them out.

Ok guys here is an update from me.
I sent my Apple Watch to sertified repair shop here in Bulgaria on 18 September. One week later I called them just to check how's the things going on and they told me that the watch had been sent to an official Apple repair shop abroad (I guess somewhere in western Europe). I am fine with that, the guy on the phone was extremely polite and told me than in this kind of situations Apple usually replaces the watch and I felt relieved and happy. One week later (this Friday October 4th) the guy from my local repair shop called me and told me they got the watch back, but Apple had refused to replace the watch with an explanation that this is kinda normal, scratches happens sometimes and the sapphire glass is fine. Yesterday October 5th I got my watch back looking just like I sent it 2 weeks ago.

I really have no words to describe how frustrated I'm now. Unfortunately my watch isn't under a warranty since October 1st which means, there is nothing more I can do. Some of you might ask why I don't have Apple Care, and I would say, because I consider myself as a person who takes care of its devices. For example I had iPhone 5S and X and never had case nor screen protector on them and still looks just like I bought them, just because I don't drop my phones. Currently using 14 Pro for nearly 2 years, same no case no screen protector and it's like brand new.

Just wanted to share my bad experience, if you could give me an advice what to do is welcome. Here is a pictures of my watch from today.

View attachment 2433707View attachment 2433708View attachment 2433709

Honestly I would agree with you and with Apple 100% if it was about the aluminum watch, but paying premium price for steel and sapphire and getting this king of quality really frustrates me.

I understand your frustration, bro 😎. As a stainless steel Apple Watch wearer like you and with my decades experience of Apple products I understand that this issue is a defect and is beyond wear and tear. Even with getting it off with screen cleaner and seeing that it is embedded underneath the layers of the display and ceramic buttons for band changes it seems unfair for the company to reject this issue. Display damage in Apple products including Apple Watch is covered for accidental damage within AppleCare+ but not warranty protection according to Apple, so they had a right to deny forgoing the repair.

I heard your comment on not using cases and other alternatives to keeping your iPhones like new, especially with your Apple Watch. Btw, when I used clear cases back in the day for a few times on my S1 (as some of my bands came with a bumper cover for my Apple Watch), it can collect gunk and debris from sweat and dust over time if you do not clean your Apple Watch and take it off the case during band changes. Do you use any protective gear on your Apple Watch before attempting to clean it with IPA or lens cleaning solutions?

 

[goldmac2006]

Maybe I have overread it.. but you tried to clean it with Isopropanol?

That is not normal at least. I wore my "cheap" Alu series 7 for sports, swimming in the pool and the ocean, cleaned it with water and soap, used Isopropanol... and it still looks like new.
I have a series 10 now, lets see how this works out.

And maybe call Apple chat again in person.

Same, I took my S6 to swim in my relatives pool party and I used proper water resistance precautions like Water Lock, promptly cleaning and drying the Watch before taking a dip in the pool and after the swim and wearing a Sport band. I do use lens cleaner that I also use to sanitize my iPhone and my glasses, no streaks of any kind.

OP should contact back AppleCare with updating to the Advisor or Senior Advisor of AppleCare that the repair center turned away from the screen replacement.

 

[Valentin_92]

Actually I don't use cases on my iPhones but when it comes to the watch I do use a bumper by a brand called Uniq. I use it only when I do some DIY work around the house or maintaining the car for example but this is not every day of course just when I need it. So I think I take adequate care of my watch but still got damaged.

So does anybody thing I can do anything more in this situation? Should I contact Apple Support again, may be have a chat with them or anything else?

This is my bumper.

 

[Jackbequickly]

The band release button color is bizarre. Something is wrong.

 

[Valentin_92]

The band release button color is bizarre. Something is wrong.

My logical explanation is than sweat during workout might causes some chemical reaction or maybe when changing bangs I am peeling the coating with my nails. I know it sounds stupid but cannot find other explanation. I really don't mind the buttons discoloration because I don't see them all the time, but the glass shadows are what irritates me every time I look at my watch.

 

[goldmac2006]

Actually I don't use cases on my iPhones but when it comes to the watch I do use a bumper by a brand called Uniq. I use it only when I do some DIY work around the house or maintaining the car for example but this is not every day of course just when I need it. So I think I take adequate care of my watch but still got damaged.

So does anybody thing I can do anything more in this situation? Should I contact Apple Support again, may be have a chat with them or anything else?

View attachment 2434689View attachment 2434690
This is my bumper.

My logical explanation is than sweat during workout might causes some chemical reaction or maybe when changing bangs I am peeling the coating with my nails. I know it sounds stupid but cannot find other explanation. I really don't mind the buttons discoloration because I don't see them all the time, but the glass shadows are what irritates me every time I look at my watch.

Critical point to add. Cleaning the watch regularly especially with bumper cases after workouts is important. The case itself should be cleaned. The material could have rubbed a dye into the edges of the screen which are the bezels; that portion covers the screen. Same with the back; many rugged Apple Watch cases that are universally compatible would have both sides open but if it’s covering the back around the heart rate sensor it would rub off the finish on it as well.

I rarely use cases like you and I only use it when I need to use heavy machine tools like lathes and CNCs, and I do not use bumpers even clear ones as they defeat the purpose of showing off the shiny mirrored surfaces of the stainless steel Apple Watch, in addition to concerns of gunk and dust after working out or being in the water.

The band release button color is bizarre. Something is wrong.

If you do not wear nontoxic or dark/shiny nail polish 💅 the nails would not cause this issue. I change my bands every day and I do not get marks like that on my SS Apple Watch.

 

[sprucemoose]

Ok guys here is an update from me.
I sent my Apple Watch to sertified repair shop here in Bulgaria on 18 September. One week later I called them just to check how's the things going on and they told me that the watch had been sent to an official Apple repair shop abroad (I guess somewhere in western Europe). I am fine with that, the guy on the phone was extremely polite and told me than in this kind of situations Apple usually replaces the watch and I felt relieved and happy. One week later (this Friday October 4th) the guy from my local repair shop called me and told me they got the watch back, but Apple had refused to replace the watch with an explanation that this is kinda normal, scratches happens sometimes and the sapphire glass is fine. Yesterday October 5th I got my watch back looking just like I sent it 2 weeks ago.

I really have no words to describe how frustrated I'm now. Unfortunately my watch isn't under a warranty since October 1st which means, there is nothing more I can do. Some of you might ask why I don't have Apple Care, and I would say, because I consider myself as a person who takes care of its devices. For example I had iPhone 5S and X and never had case nor screen protector on them and still looks just like I bought them, just because I don't drop my phones. Currently using 14 Pro for nearly 2 years, same no case no screen protector and it's like brand new.

Just wanted to share my bad experience, if you could give me an advice what to do is welcome. Here is a pictures of my watch from today.

I don’t know how well this might work in Bulgaria, but this would be my suggestion:

Contact Apple Support by phone directly, explain the situation and politely demand to be escalated to a specialist. You need to get past the first tier of support. You can argue that your watch being past the warranty is irrelevant because you believe there is a manufacturing defect and they need to honour EU consumer laws. If you manage to get your case escalated to a specialist, you can share your photos and hopefully get a reasonable response.

If this doesn’t work, please try sending a concise email to Tim Cook’s email address (just Google what this is) mentioning the issue and the poor customer experience you received. With any luck, you’ll get a response back from an Apple Executive Relations representative who will personally look into your case.

Good luck.

 

[Jackbequickly]

It almost looks like some type of fungus is eating away at the coating of sapphire coating.

 

[goldmac2006]

It almost looks like some type of fungus is eating away at the coating of sapphire coating.

? How would mold be growing on an Apple Watch stainless steel case? Only it would do that on the rubber case he puts on it sometimes.

 

[Jackbequickly]

? How would mold be growing on an Apple Watch stainless steel case? Only it would do that on the rubber case he puts on it sometimes.

I am talking about the screen not the stainless. There is a type of fungus, not mold, that eats lens and their coatings.

Lens fungus: