Buy a Case and Crystal Protector for Watch!!

[JArcudi]

If anyone has purchased or is anticipating purchasing an Apple Watch, serious, serious, consideration should be given to purchasing a case protector as well as some type of screen or crystal protection. They are cheap and you won't regret it, like I did.

Purchased a Series 3 for my wife from Costco.com and put it in service on Monday, Feb 5th. Did not realize how fragile these devices are! One week later, Monday, Feb 12th, my wife was attempting to put the watch on and it slipped out of her hands from waist high and fell to the kitchen floor. The floor is a tile floor.

The fall from that short of distance to the floor literally obliterated the screen!! Attempting to handle it after the accident, the screen continued to break up into small pieces and chips just from touching the damaged screen. (Wish I would have photographed it prior to mailing) Eventually, the entire watch mechanism released from the case! I immediately call Apple and they sent me a shipping container to return it for an estimate. The watch cost $345.50 and was non-cellular version. The repair estimate is $229.00 ++!! Apple should definitely provide or encourage buyers to purchase case and/or crystal protectors (which by the way are very inexpensive). It would probably cut into their profit realized from their Apple Protection Plan they sell.

Enclosed a note to Apple in the return package telling them if the cost is as they suggested to merely throw the watch away. It would make me doubly sick to my stomach to think about having almost $600.00 invested in a $345.50 watch. Will consider it an EXPENSIVE lesson learned.

 

[s15119]

No thanks. I will just treat my watch like any other of my precious fragile possessions.

 

[bhtwo]

I use a cheap clip protector when I'm working in the cellar (pub).
Looks horrible but I know my watch is safe!

 

[Apple_Robert]

I have 2 LTE SB SS Apple Watches (with AppleCare+) and neither one is in a case. Both still look new. I won't be buying any case for the watch.

 

[Newtons Apple]

I would never even remove my black stainless AW over a tile floor. Not Apple fault here, tile floors are as hard as it gets and will bust your watch for sure.

 

[charlyee]

I agree with the screen protector and do have one but refuse to put it in a case.

I doubt a screen protector would have saved the screen after hitting a tile floor.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[44267547]

If anyone has purchased or is anticipating purchasing an Apple Watch, serious, serious, consideration should be given to purchasing a case protector as well as some type of screen or crystal protection. They are cheap and you won't regret it, like I did.

Purchased a Series 3 for my wife from Costco.com and put it in service on Monday, Feb 5th. Did not realize how fragile these devices are! One week later, Monday, Feb 12th, my wife was attempting to put the watch on and it slipped out of her hands from waist high and fell to the kitchen floor. The floor is a tile floor.

The fall from that short of distance to the floor literally obliterated the screen!! Attempting to handle it after the accident, the screen continued to break up into small pieces and chips just from touching the damaged screen. (Wish I would have photographed it prior to mailing) Eventually, the entire watch mechanism released from the case! I immediately call Apple and they sent me a shipping container to return it for an estimate. The watch cost $345.50 and was non-cellular version. The repair estimate is $229.00 ++!! Apple should definitely provide or encourage buyers to purchase case and/or crystal protectors (which by the way are very inexpensive). It would probably cut into their profit realized from their Apple Protection Plan they sell.

Enclosed a note to Apple in the return package telling them if the cost is as they suggested to merely throw the watch away. It would make me doubly sick to my stomach to think about having almost $600.00 invested in a $345.50 watch. Will consider it an EXPENSIVE lesson learned.

The one thing I don’t like about those case protectors that surround the entire Apple Watch, is that dirt and debris can get trapped inside and can actually scratch the casing. If somebody chooses to use those protective cases or bumpers around the Apple Watch, you want to regularly clean them to prevent any damage from happening.

 

[justiny]

AppleCare+ is only $49 on the WATCH (less than 10% of the price of a new SS model).

I’ve never purchased AppleCare+ for any of my Apple devices, including my MBP. But at only $49, it really should be an automatic purchase and you can damn well bet on my adding AC+ to my next WATCH upgrade. It’s really the only regret I have on my Series 2.

I hope I didn’t just jinx myself.

 

[waw74]

My series 0 took a leap off a shelf onto a tile floor ( i set it down, and i guess the band was caught under itself, it sprung, and flung the watch to the floor)
Apple care+ was great, They placed a hold on my credit card for a new watch, and i had a replacement in 2 days, shipped the old one back, and the hold was released once they got it.
No second thoughts about adding it when i got my S3.

I do somewhat physical work, and my schedule is really random.
I keep a case on the watch when I'm working, if i have a couple days off in a row, or i'm going "out" i'll take the case off.

 

[squirrrl]

If anyone has purchased or is anticipating purchasing an Apple Watch, serious, serious, consideration should be given to purchasing a case protector as well as some type of screen or crystal protection. They are cheap and you won't regret it, like I did.

Purchased a Series 3 for my wife from Costco.com and put it in service on Monday, Feb 5th. Did not realize how fragile these devices are! One week later, Monday, Feb 12th, my wife was attempting to put the watch on and it slipped out of her hands from waist high and fell to the kitchen floor. The floor is a tile floor.

The fall from that short of distance to the floor literally obliterated the screen!! Attempting to handle it after the accident, the screen continued to break up into small pieces and chips just from touching the damaged screen. (Wish I would have photographed it prior to mailing) Eventually, the entire watch mechanism released from the case! I immediately call Apple and they sent me a shipping container to return it for an estimate. The watch cost $345.50 and was non-cellular version. The repair estimate is $229.00 ++!! Apple should definitely provide or encourage buyers to purchase case and/or crystal protectors (which by the way are very inexpensive). It would probably cut into their profit realized from their Apple Protection Plan they sell.

Enclosed a note to Apple in the return package telling them if the cost is as they suggested to merely throw the watch away. It would make me doubly sick to my stomach to think about having almost $600.00 invested in a $345.50 watch. Will consider it an EXPENSIVE lesson learned.

Or you could have purchased AppleCare+ and/or been more careful about putting on your watch over a hard surface. While i plan on getting a screen protector, i feel the case protectors make the watch look terrible IMHO... To each his own though. I don't think there has been any question that dropping any device onto a hard floor will ruin the screen. Just look at the vast graveyards of iphone fronts (and backs with those glass encased ones) that have shattered and made their owners shed more than a few tears and dollars as a result.

Other options: Purchase accidental protection other than AppleCare+ for your device, purchase on a credit card that will insure your purchases, and of course, as you suggested, purchase a case.

 

[gwhizkids]

Series 0 SS owner. 26 months and not a scratch. Banged into doors, walls, fallen on tile floors, you name it. Not a visible scratch on it.

The power of sapphire!

 

[sean000]

Ouch! I’m sorry to hear that. I thinks it’s a bit of a freak accident though... hit at just the wrong angle on the wrong surface.

I have worn an original AW sport everyday since July 2015, and it still looks new despite taking some hard knocks without any added protection. I did purchase AppleCare+ But it has run out. I’m not usually an extended warranty person, but I’d rather pay for AppleCare Plus than put a case on it. Don’t mind a case on my iPhone, but don’t want one for the watch.

 

[JArcudi]

Ouch! I’m sorry to hear that. I thinks it’s a bit of a freak accident though... hit at just the wrong angle on the wrong surface.

I have worn an original AW sport everyday since July 2015, and it still looks new despite taking some hard knocks without any added protection. I did purchase AppleCare+ But it has run out. I’m not usually an extended warranty person, but I’d rather pay for AppleCare Plus than put a case on it. Don’t mind a case on my iPhone, but don’t want one for the watch.

[doublepost=1518908198][/doublepost]Well, you folks convinced me that with this device, Apple Care+ is the way to go. Purchased a new watch (Series 3, GPS) for my bride along with Apple Care+. I bought a protective case for it first but she didn't like the looks. The more I thought about it, I purchased Apple Care+ for my watch (Series 3, Cellular) also! Thanks for your help.

 

[Vermifuge]

Or just get Apple Care and be more careful.

 

[44267547]

Series 0 SS owner. 26 months and not a scratch. Banged into doors, walls, fallen on tile floors, you name it. Not a visible scratch on it.

The power of sapphire!

I think Apple needs to market the Sapphire display more. If only the consumer realized how protective it really is, it might sway some to upgrade . Because there is nothing worse than having to look at a scratch on a 38 or 42 mm display. I’m Actually surprised how many that are non-tech enthusiasts have no idea that the stainless Apple Watch model even has a sapphire display.

 

[Vermifuge]

I think Apple needs to market the Sapphire display more. If only the consumer realized how protective it really is, it might sway some to upgrade . Because there is nothing worse than having to look at a scratch on a 38 or 42 mm display. I’m Actually surprised how many that are non-tech enthusiasts have no idea that the stainless Apple Watch model even has a sapphire display.

A lot of people (like Unbox Therapy) actually thought it was impossible or a lie and went through great lengths to catch apple in the act only to find out it was sapphire all along.

 

[44267547]

A lot of people (like Unbox Therapy) actually thought it was impossible or a lie and went through great lengths to catch apple in the act only to find out it was sapphire all along.

I remember that. I always like it when doubters are debunked about Apple. On a sidenote, I don’t think Apple and Lou from Unbox therapy like each other. I’m not a huge fan of Unbox Therapy.

 

[Vermifuge]

I remember that. I always like it when doubters are debunked about Apple. On a sidenote, I don’t think Apple and Lou from Unbox therapy like each other. I’m not a huge fan of Unbox Therapy.

Lou wouldn't be nearly as popular if he didn't have Apple to kick around. He KNOWS putting Apple in the title of his YouTube videos will get him double the views. Where is Lou's Pixel 2 bend test? Right it never happened. But we all know the Pixel 2 doesn't bend... it CRACKS! Now, who was the first one to make a big deal about the Telugu text bomb? That's right, Lou.

 

[Donfor39]

I have only just ordered a screen protector today.
Haven’t yet considered a case t.b.h.
I’ll use watch or charge from home-not planning carrying it around.

 

[tl01]

I have apple care plus on my watch. I have had each of the apple watches so far and have found them to be quite durable. It doesn't surprised me that dropping it on the kitchen tile floor would break it. That is a long hard fall. It is a small computer. I dropped my iPhone 8 over the tile floor the other day and it broke. I didn't blame apple... I blamed myself. I knew it was stupid to not have it in a case but I was enjoying using it not in a case. I knew that if I dropped it over the floor it would break.... and it did.

That said, I tried the protectors and screen covers for the apple watch and didn't like them. Apple care plus is much protection. I highly recommend it.

 

[Pseudo-Fed]

S2SS owner. Put a case on it right away. Regretted it right away. After only two weeks and maybe 3 removals and cleanings, there were already many fine scratches on the finish. Bad idea.

S3SBSS purchased. No case or screen protector, but Applecare+. Not a mark on it since released.

Oh, and my Mom taught me when I got my first watch at age 8 or so (one of those 1970s LED push-button marvels) that watches are breakable, and if you want it to keep working you should always put it on and take it off over the bed or something else close to you and soft. To this day that is the practice-even when in a hurry. Thanks Mom.

 

[squirrrl]

S2SS owner. Put a case on it right away. Regretted it right away. After only two weeks and maybe 3 removals and cleanings, there were already many fine scratches on the finish. Bad idea.

S3SBSS purchased. No case or screen protector, but Applecare+. Not a mark on it since released.

Oh, and my Mom taught me when I got my first watch at age 8 or so (one of those 1970s LED push-button marvels) that watches are breakable, and if you want it to keep working you should always put it on and take it off over the bed or something else close to you and soft. To this day that is the practice-even when in a hurry. Thanks Mom.

To be fair, you're are comparing two WWWWAAAAAYYYYY different things.

SS is scratched easily, much more than the aluminum watches even, but the point is you can buff out the scratches.

SBSS has a Diamond-Like Coating (DLC) that is supposed to be scratch resistant. Even if you get a scratch, which would be difficult to do, you CANNOT buff it out like you can with the SS.

You're experience has likely absolutely nothing to do with the case but the different watch materials.

 

[csurfr]

To be fair, you're are comparing two WWWWAAAAAYYYYY different things.

SS is scratched easily, much more than the aluminum watches even, but the point is you can buff out the scratches.

You're experience has likely absolutely nothing to do with the case but the different watch materials.

Which is so strange as when I upgraded from the S2SS to a S3 I had absolutely zero scratches on it. Like you said I expected it to scratch easily. Either I was insanely careful or it’s more durable than I expected.