PSA - The PVD coating on series 10 doesn’t seem to help much with scratches

[AppleTLDR]

For anybody interested, I noticed in Brian Tong’s review of the Series 10 that his review unit was scratched up in just a week.

I like the silver stainless models from previous generations as you had the option to buff out scratches with a cape code polishing cloth. But to the best of my knowledge, that won’t be possible anymore without removing the PVD coating of the new Series 10. The natural titanium as shown in Tong‘s video isn’t really natural at all. I find it curious that Apple uses that as a description as it’s actually a pigmented coating just like gold or graphite. Much like the Ultra, it seems to be a warm hue of silver. Not gold by any means but definitely warmer than polished stainless steel. If you want the polished silver in the Series 10 and the ability to buff out scratches, I think the only option is to get the Hermès models. Which is a real shame.

Scratches don’t bother everybody and I think lots of people even like a more aged character. But if you’re not in that camp, hopefully this is useful to know.

 

[the future]

Well PVD is not new to Apple Watches. Previous (steel) gold Watches had this as well, and they held up just fine. Not as good as DLC coating, but still. Who knows how that reviewer tortured his demo model to make it look like that in just a few days.

 

[AppleTLDR]

Well PVD is not new to Apple Watches. Previous (steel) gold Watches had this as well, and they held up just fine. Not as good as DLC coating, but still. Who knows how that reviewer tortured his demo model to make it look like that in just a few days.

From watching the review it was definitely handled ‘robustly’ and there wasn’t much care taken to prevent scratches. But there wasn’t any rigorous durability testing akin to Jerry Rig Everything either.

I’ve never owned one of the PVD watches and I’m sure this has a PVD coating of equal quality to prior generations. Regardless it isn’t a substitute for the polished silver for anybody that wants that option of keeping a more pristine look.

 

[the future]

Regardless it isn’t a substitute for the polished silver for anybody that wants that option of keeping a more pristine look.

Yeah, that‘s true, although you actually can get a silver, non-coated S10 … if you pay the Hermès tax. 😲

 

[AppleTLDR]

Yeah, that‘s true, although you actually can get a silver, non-coated S10 … if you pay the Hermès tax. 😲

I know 🥲 I’m tempted for that reason alone but I just can’t justify it. Not too fond of the Hermès bands either. Now the old leather ones were beautiful.

I think I might stick with the Ultra. Possibly the DLC satin black just to switch things up. Are you planning to pick up a watch this year?

 

[jz0309]

For anybody interested, I noticed in Brian Tong’s review of the Series 10 that his review unit was scratched up in just a week.

I like the silver stainless models from previous generations as you had the option to buff out scratches with a cape code polishing cloth. But to the best of my knowledge, that won’t be possible anymore without removing the PVD coating of the new Series 10. The natural titanium as shown in Tong‘s video isn’t really natural at all. I find it curious that Apple uses that as a description as it’s actually a pigmented coating just like gold or graphite. Much like the Ultra, it seems to be a warm hue of silver. Not gold by any means but definitely warmer than polished stainless steel. If you want the polished silver in the Series 10 and the ability to buff out scratches, I think the only option is to get the Hermès models. Which is a real shame.

Scratches don’t bother everybody and I think lots of people even like a more aged character. But if you’re not in that camp, hopefully this is useful to know.

View attachment 2419886

So 1 YouTuber “complains”?
You’d get a much better sampling of the durability of PVD by searching this forum.
PVD has been used since at least the 7 and while it is not as good as DLC, not many complaints here…
But whatever

 

[AppleTLDR]

So 1 YouTuber “complains”?
You’d get a much better sampling of the durability of PVD by searching this forum.
PVD has been used since at least the 7 and while it is not as good as DLC, not many complaints here…
But whatever

The YouTuber didn't complain or make any reference to scratches at all in their video. It was something I noticed in their footage. True this is just one data point but the observation remains true.

The purpose of this post was to make the point that there is no option to polish the case and maintain a pristine appearance like the old silver steel models. And for folks who were hoping that PVD would negate the need to do that, they'll be left disappointed.

Everyone will have to make their own judgement in terms of what finish they're happy with and can hopefully use this information to draw their own conclusions. Many people will be happy with the PVD coating on their Apple Watch and will continue to be with this one. I like the pristine look on my Apple Watch. And from this initial observation, that won't be possible on the Series 10. Not unless you get an Hermès model since they aren't coated and can be polished.

 

[Bichon]

I have the PVD coating on my launch day graphite SS series 9, and despite a handful of bumps and bangs over the course of the past year it is still absolutely pristine.

If the YouTuber didn't mention it, it's possible that what looks like damage on the video is just dirt and debris that would wipe clean.

 

[AppleTLDR]

I have the PVD coating on my launch day graphite SS series 9, and despite a handful of bumps and bangs over the course of the past year it is still absolutely pristine.

If the YouTuber didn't mention it, it's possible that what looks like damage on the video is just dirt and debris that would wipe clean.

Out of curiosity do you own one of the Milanese loops in Graphite? If you do, how have you found the clasp portion to hold up? I found those to be an area that would scratch on the uncoated silver steel models. But could be refinished etc

 

[the future]

I know 🥲 I’m tempted for that reason alone but I just can’t justify it. Not too fond of the Hermès bands either. Now the old leather ones were beautiful.

You can still get the Hermès Watch with a leather strap, but only directly from Hermès (online or in a store).

I think I might stick with the Ultra. Possibly the DLC satin black just to switch things up. Are you planning to pick up a watch this year?

I‘m on the fence, actually. Need to see the S10 in real life to judge how much I dig the thinner and lighter case. But if I get one, I‘ll probably go with the „Natural“ Titanium.

 

[AppleTLDR]

You can still get the Hermès Watch with a leather strap, but only directly from Hermès (online or in a store).



I‘m on the fence, actually. Need to see the S10 in real life to judge how much I dig the thinner and lighter case. But if I get one, I‘ll probably go with the „Natural“ Titanium.

Did not know that! Really useful to know. Thanks

Will defo be interesting to see how they look in person. Coming from an Ultra I'm expecting to feel pretty wowed by the thinner case. Been a couple of years since owning a series model.

 

[Bichon]

Out of curiosity do you own one of the Milanese loops in Graphite? If you do, how have you found the clasp portion to hold up? I found those to be an area that would scratch on the uncoated silver steel models. But could be refinished etc

No, I avoided buying the Milanese loop specifically due to its propensity to cause damage to the watch. The "bangs and bumps" I mentioned have been into door frames and dropping the watch and charging puck on my nightstand, etc.

 

[lindseybp]

There are golf clubs that use a PVD coating (typically black) and they hold up pretty well but do scratch. But the scratches kind of add character.

 

[ArchEtech]

Any black gloss finish on any product possible will have surface scratches. Period.

Sometimes satin and matte coating can hold up a little better than a black gloss mirror, but they suffer the issue of wearing into slightly glossy areas and smudges.

 

[AppleTLDR]

There are golf clubs that use a PVD coating (typically black) and they hold up pretty well but do scratch. But the scratches kind of add character.

Interesting! Plus with a sport that involves heavy impacts, you'd expect even tough coatings to take some damage...good to know 👍

 

[TotalMacMove]

I have the PVD coating on my launch day graphite SS series 9, and despite a handful of bumps and bangs over the course of the past year it is still absolutely pristine.

If the YouTuber didn't mention it, it's possible that what looks like damage on the video is just dirt and debris that would wipe clean.

My graphite s7 has a good bit of vertical scratches at the top near the screen. The rest of the body is almost perfect. I am pretty careful with it but i upgraded from a silver SS S4 which looked perfect after polishing it!

 

[DMG35]

Looks more like a lot of fingerprints than scratches.

 

[adam1080]

Welp, still happy I have a S7 Titanium with AC+ for as long as I want it. I can buff out scratches on that one, full on polish it as some people have done or just get it replaced.

My Ultra 2 and 15 Pro max have zero scratches after caseless for a year. (the S7 scratches if you look at it funny... you can just use a scotch brite pad to re-buff it if you want)

Sad if these new titanium watches scratch so easily and can't be fixed.

Maybe the S11 will shrink those massive black bezels and get a scratch resistant material.

 

[AppleTLDR]

Looks more like a lot of fingerprints than scratches.

Possibly....heck hopefully as I have one of these on order. Unfortunately there was only really one close up shot in the video. I've put a couple more images of that shot where the watch was at a slightly different angle.

 

[sarcasticgamer]

My Ultra 2 is still flawless without a case after all this time…

 

[AppleTLDR]

Welp, still happy I have a S7 Titanium with AC+ for as long as I want it. I can buff out scratches on that one, full on polish it as some people have done or just get it replaced.

My Ultra 2 and 15 Pro max have zero scratches after caseless for a year. (the S7 scratches if you look at it funny... you can just use a scotch brite pad to re-buff it if you want)

Sad if these new titanium watches scratch so easily and can't be fixed.

Maybe the S11 will shrink those massive black bezels and get a scratch resistant material.

Yeah the S7 edition was great in that way. I have a satin refinishing pad that I used to use on the clasp on the Milanese loop. But some people used them for the natural titanium S7. I'd have been happy to see that finish make a return.

 

[Spenny25]

they definitely look like scratches, I have watched the video a few times and zoomed in and they are not finger prints.....if you check out the comments on the video he mentions that there are scratches on the titanium.

it's a shame as I had one ordered, and coming from a series 7 SS which you can polish these type of marks out.... I'm not so sure about getting it now

 

[AppleTLDR]

they definitely look like scratches, I have watched the video a few times and zoomed in and they are not finger prints.....if you check out the comments on the video he mentions that there are scratches on the titanium.

it's a shame as I had one ordered, and coming from a series 7 SS which you can polish these type of marks out.... I'm not so sure about getting it now

Great spot. I went and took at a look at the comments after your reply and you're right. He did suggest that these are in fact scratches.

One of the earlier replies to this post made a good point that we don't know how the reviewer handled the device or what they did with it. And that's true. Off camera they may have been particularly rough on the watch. That said, it is still a review unit and to my knowledge, Apple expect review units to be returned and not intentionally damaged. Obviously accidents will happen and day to day cosmetic damage etc...

Guess we'll have to see what customers think once they're out in the wild.

 

[Macdude2010]

Do we know for sure that the Hermes models have no PVD coating? My understanding of titanium is it is closer to “natural“ than silver.

 

[Spenny25]

Great spot. I went and took at a look at the comments after your reply and you're right. He did suggest that these are in fact scratches.

One of the earlier replies to this post made a good point that we don't know how the reviewer handled the device or what they did with it. And that's true. Off camera they may have been particularly rough on the watch. That said, it is still a review unit and to my knowledge, Apple expect review units to be returned and not intentionally damaged. Obviously accidents will happen and day to day cosmetic damage etc...

Guess we'll have to see what customers think once they're out in the wild.

I've just canceled my pre-order for the Natural Titanium I had for delivery next week.....not spending £800 on a watch that gets scratched that easily and cannot be buffed out.

Might look into the Ultra instead....🤔