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andrewsjra

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jul 10, 2013
137
12
I just purchased the Apple watch series 3 LTE and noticed my digital crown has a little bit of resistance when turning it. My wife's turns much smoother with ease. Her older series 2 also was smooth. Did I just get a dud?
 
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44267547

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I just purchased the Apple watch series 3 LTE and noticed my digital crown has a little bit of resistance when turning it. My wife's turns much smoother with ease. Her older series 2 also was smooth. Did I just get a dud?

In the past, some have reported the same issue as you. There is a seal behind the Crown, which might be pinched. If it continues to the way it is, exchange it or have Apple look at in Store.
 

ghsDUDE

macrumors 68030
May 25, 2010
2,948
763
The Apple Care rep told me this is the first time she's heard of this issue. What a joke lol.
Lol - I just posted the same exact thread as you. Mine has a bit of “resistance” too.

I assume it’s because ours our water proof? My wife’s Series 0 spins with ease...mine definitely spins but there is resistance.
 

DMVillain

macrumors 6502a
Jul 20, 2011
624
382
Yeah, I agree. Feels much more solid than my Series 0 & 2. Until I saw this thread I just assumed they improved it.
As did I. Then the macrumors suggested posts showed me this, posted a year ago about the series 2.
My Series 0 Space Grey 42mm Sport had a really slick, smooth digital crown movement. There was practically no resistance and it was very comfortable to use.

I picked up a Series 2, also Space Grey 42mm Sport, yesterday and the first thing I noticed right out of the box was that the digital crown feels very stiff. It's as if there's some tension or friction that is slowing it down, especially when making small/fine adjustments.

Can anyone else with a Series 2 AW speak to their experience with the digital crown? Is this a "feature" because of the new waterproofing or could I possibly have a damaged or defective piece? I really miss the smooth action of my old watch and it's a constant bother every time I have to use the crown.
Nothing new under the sun, I guess.
 

fel10

macrumors 68020
Feb 2, 2010
2,295
3,550
Woodstock, GA USA
Mine is actually super smooth. Feels better than my series 2. The only thing I was wondering about is if anybody else’s crown feel “clicky” when you press it?
 

Marconelly

macrumors 6502
Jul 5, 2008
391
223
My series 3 shows some resistance to movement, and I don't like it. I think this is almost for sure because the rubber gasket inside is misaligned, because it also feels a bit mushy when I click the crown in. This has happened on the first series 2 I bought as well, and I replaced that one. The crown is supposed to spin smoothly, and there's supposed to be a nice defined click when you push it in.

Mine is actually super smooth. Feels better than my series 2. The only thing I was wondering about is if anybody else’s crown feel “clicky” when you press it?
What you have is exactly how it's supposed to be.
 

DblHelix

macrumors 6502a
Mar 19, 2009
814
660
It loosens a bit over time. My s0 has no resistance my s2 has some and loosened up my s3 feels the same as I remember my s2 when I got it
 

Marconelly

macrumors 6502
Jul 5, 2008
391
223
Welp, I've received my replacement S3, and on it too, the crown feels mushy and there's more resistance when I spin it than I would like. It's pretty much the same as it was on the first one I got. At least the screen on this new one is not quite as yellow as on the one I returned. I still think this is a result of manufacturing variance, rather than an actual design change for the series 3 watches.
 

Tyler23

macrumors 603
Dec 2, 2010
5,664
159
Atlanta, GA
I just got my Series 3 SS LTE and I feel this too. My crown turns just fine, but it feels like there's resistance or some stickiness perhaps behind the crown..almost like there's dirt in there.

I ran it under water last night while turning and clicking the crown, however, the feeling persists today.

It doesn't seem to have any impact on the function of the watch..as much as I want to get it swapped out, I also feel like that's just a waste and it's not worth it.

Are others still experiencing this?
 

44267547

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Jul 12, 2016
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I just got my Series 3 SS LTE and I feel this too. My crown turns just fine, but it feels like there's resistance or some stickiness perhaps behind the crown..almost like there's dirt in there.

I ran it under water last night while turning and clicking the crown, however, the feeling persists today.

It doesn't seem to have any impact on the function of the watch..as much as I want to get it swapped out, I also feel like that's just a waste and it's not worth it.

Are others still experiencing this?

There is actually an O-ring seal behind the digital crown, which I know others have had that issue in the past where it gets pinched and causes resistance when turning the digital crown. Perhaps that's what you're experiencing. If it continues to be a problem, I would make an appointment to have Apple look at it.
 

Tyler23

macrumors 603
Dec 2, 2010
5,664
159
Atlanta, GA
There is actually an O-ring seal behind the digital crown, which I know others have had that issue in the past where it gets pinched and causes resistance when turning the digital crown. Perhaps that's what you're experiencing. If it continues to be a problem, I would make an appointment to have Apple look at it.

It’s strange, sometimes I feel the resistance and sometimes I don’t. Is there any consequence if the seal is the issue? Or would the watch be fine without any intervention? Also, is this something they would address in store or need to swap it out?
 

44267547

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Jul 12, 2016
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It’s strange, sometimes I feel the resistance and sometimes I don’t. Is there any consequence if the seal is the issue? Or would the watch be fine without any intervention? Also, is this something they would address in store or need to swap it out?

If the O-ring seal is the issue, you will know if it continually gets tighter. The seal is there just for water resistance. If you decided to take it to the Apple store and they believe there was an issue, They will just replace your watch with a new one or replacement watch. They won't try to repair it, as they don't do that in stores.
 

Tyler23

macrumors 603
Dec 2, 2010
5,664
159
Atlanta, GA
If the O-ring seal is the issue, you will know if it continually gets tighter. The seal is there just for water resistance. If you decided to take it to the Apple store and they believe there was an issue, They will just replace your watch with a new one or replacement watch. They won't try to repair it, as they don't do that in stores.

Last night I tried rinsing that area again to make sure it wasn’t dirt from production. The water accidentally got too hot before I could turn it down. Not scalding hot, but hot. Could that cause any issues?

The “resistance” is still there, probably best described as friction at times when turning the crown.
 

44267547

Cancelled
Jul 12, 2016
37,642
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Last night I tried rinsing that area again to make sure it wasn’t dirt from production. The water accidentally got too hot before I could turn it down. Not scalding hot, but hot. Could that cause any issues?

The “resistance” is still there, probably best described as friction at times when turning the crown.

As Long as you didn't run the hot water too long, there shouldn't be any issues.

My suggestion, is if you are really concerned about it, make a Genius appointment with Apple and have them inspect it. If they think it's an issue, they will replace it.
 

newellj

macrumors G3
Oct 15, 2014
8,154
3,047
East of Eden
Could? Yes, it's possible. The o-ring or whatever is being used as a seal could become more flexible than intended at a higher water temperature and become less water resistant. How likely that is depends on a lot of things. If you got water in the watch, unlike normal watches, I'm not sure whether you'd see condensation evidence as you would with conventional watches.
 
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