Screen problem (oleophobic) on series 4 - apples response

[Dingo Dave 69]

so I noticed a problem with my Apple Watch recently which looks like the oleophobic coating coming off. It’s only three months old. If I clean the watch it seems to be looking better but after a short amount of time the issue comes back.

I took it into apple today and the apple rep said this wasn’t the oleophobic coat coming off and what I was experiencing was normal. When I said my three year old series 0 watch didn’t have this problem he more or less ignored this comment.

So in the end he has sent it off to the service department for me. I should get it back in 7-10 days once they have checked it over but he doesn’t see a problem with the watch. Has anyone else had similar experiences? Not impressed with it at all, three months usage and for the cost of the stainless steel model quite disappointed. Hopefully apple will replace it.

Some pics below to show how it looked. Last one is how it looked in the store once it was cleaned but it does come back. The rep said to me if it was the coating then it wouldn’t disappear when wiped and I would be able to feel a difference on the screen where the coating is coming off. What do you think?

 

[Starship67]

Doesn’t look like the coating coming of to me either. If the coating were wearing off it wouldn’t clean up like it did.

 

[Dingo Dave 69]

That’s interesting, some other threads I have seen have said the a similar thing to me and been replaced. What do you think this is?

 

[Newtons Apple]

Are you using something different to clean your watch. That is some strange wear for sure.

 

[Dingo Dave 69]

Nope, micro fibre cloth. Once or twice I have used a screen spray that’s for phones etc. I have used it on iPhones and my series 0 watch many times with no probs.Would it matter on the sapphire screen?

 

[Starship67]

Quite honestly it looks like oil, dirt, dust, smears and general schmutz being built up from say a long sleeve shirt or sweater.

 

[Dingo Dave 69]

It’s odd. It can only be seen under certain lights. I can clear the screen and it looks ok, leave it 40 mins or so and it appears back again without touching it. I will see what the apple service department say.

I have a series 0 waych (aluminium) since release and never had this issue. Side by side the series 0 screen actually
Looks better. Odd one.
[doublepost=1545414683][/doublepost]Old watch and new to compare.

 

[johnyslats]

Had a series 2 that displayed this issue fresh out of the box and was thankfully exchanged within 14 days. It kinda makes sense that after cleaning it the entire face would then appear more uniform. Upon exposure to oils the area with reduced coating would get smudged at a faster rate

 

[techno-Zen]

Weird.. I swim with my SS model S4, use the hot tub and use microfiber cloths to wipe clean. No idea that the hell is up with that

 

[BugeyeSTI]

I’ve seen AR coatings on sapphire watch crystals do that when they are coming off. Most people have the coating removed on watches vs. replacing the crystal but honestly not sure what type of coating or the process used by Apple to apply it to their sapphire screens..

 

[SoN1NjA]

Your watch looks awful, hopefully it gets resolved

 

[mavis]

Kinda just looks like normal wear and tear to me. Once the oleophobic coating wears off/down, that part of the screen will collect/show oils and grime faster than the rest of the screen, and will be much harder to clean.

I usually refresh the coating myself, using a product called Fusso Coat (sometimes they call themselves Fussode) ... I've tried literally a dozen or more screen cleaning products on iPhones, iPads and Apple Watches over the years, and it's the only one that actually works. It's expensive ($20 or so, for either 3ml or 5ml) but it lasts for ages. About once a week I put a drop or two on my freshly cleaned AW display, make sure it's coated all over (I wrap a little piece of Saran Wrap around my finger - don't want the stuff being absorbed into a microfiber cloth - and use it to wipe the Fusso all over the screen) and then let it sit overnight. Works like a charm.

 

[mackie8]

Actually the S0 screen is not bad at all after using if for 3yrs haha

 

[Dingo Dave 69]

Thanks everyone, it will be interesting to see Apple’s response. I will post back once they get back to me.

 

[44267547]

That’s interesting, some other threads I have seen have said the a similar thing to me and been replaced. What do you think this is?

Your watch display isn’t normal, it shouldn’t be like that after a few months of owning it, and the fact that it returns back to that state after you clean it, I think it’s a separation of the coating, but again, you will find out, every store will vary in opinion on what they think. Hopefully they replace it.

 

[Dingo Dave 69]

Good news! Apple have sent me a replacement watch. Seems the genius in the store was telling me wrong info (which I knew would be the case). Either way feedback left from the survey apple sent me asking how the genius service was and I am happy I have a replacement watch, I would have been surprised and very disappointed if they didn’t do this.
[doublepost=1546518090][/doublepost]On another note, I want to take AppleCare+ out on my watch but it is past the initial 60 days, does anyone k ow if they are able to extend it given I had to have the watch replaced?

 

[oeagleo]

I'd say go to the Apple Support site, and use the "Chat" feature; I've found that those folks are pretty knowledgeable, and I've been able to test, and purchase AppleCare right from the chat.

 

[44267547]

On another note, I want to take AppleCare+ out on my watch but it is past the initial 60 days, does anyone k ow if they are able to extend it given I had to have the watch replaced?

Good question. In your specific situation, being that you were inconvenienced due to a defect out of your control, they may be able to waive the 60 day restriction and allow you to addAppleCare to your device. I would just call and ask directly.

 

[nepatriot]

Good news! Apple have sent me a replacement watch. Seems the genius in the store was telling me wrong info (which I knew would be the case). Either way feedback left from the survey apple sent me asking how the genius service was and I am happy I have a replacement watch, I would have been surprised and very disappointed if they didn’t do this.
[doublepost=1546518090][/doublepost]On another note, I want to take AppleCare+ out on my watch but it is past the initial 60 days, does anyone k ow if they are able to extend it given I had to have the watch replaced?

Great they replaced it! But what was the reason for what happened? Would be nice to know so the rest of us can avoid what every caused that to happen on a 3 month old watch.

 

[Dingo Dave 69]

So new watch arrived and looks great, no sign at all of the problem I was having. They have confirmed it is a replacement watch and not mine repaired. They have not said what caused it and couldn’t add AppleCare to it as its past the 60 day mark. Hopefully this problem doesn’t happen again.

On discussing the issue with a friend the exact same thing happened to him too, worth keeping an eye on them if you. Bought them at launch.

I also left feedback with apple saying I wasn’t that impressed with the initial attitude of the genius. I got a phone call to say they had spoken to him and he has realised he could have done more to help, so hopefully this helps too.

 

[cbouabjian]

So new watch arrived and looks great, no sign at all of the problem I was having. They have confirmed it is a replacement watch and not mine repaired. They have not said what caused it and couldn’t add AppleCare to it as its past the 60 day mark. Hopefully this problem doesn’t happen again.

On discussing the issue with a friend the exact same thing happened to him too, worth keeping an eye on them if you. Bought them at launch.

I also left feedback with apple saying I wasn’t that impressed with the initial attitude of the genius. I got a phone call to say they had spoken to him and he has realised he could have done more to help, so hopefully this helps too.

Hey, I have the same and they even refused to take it to send it to service or to check it. Do you have any contacts that they can confirm the diagnostics?

 

[tomtattoo]

My one year old AW4 looks similar...not so much, but it is obviously the same problem.
Thanks for your report..I will try to get support from Apple.
To make it worse: my 18 months old red iPhone8 has got also this problem.
Never had this with any iPhone the last 7 years. 2 years iPhone 5, 3 years iPhone 6+, 6 months SE. No prob at all.
Same cleaning behaviour all the time: micro fibre cloth, tshirts, what´s to grab..
Something is wrong with Apple´s coating.

I´m very, very disappointed. First time I have a real problem with any Apple device.

 

[cbouabjian]

Pleas let me know if you reach anything cause I’m reaching sort of a dead end with Apple and it’s getting on my nerves to the point that I just bought the series 5 and I’m thinking of returning it

 

[tomtattoo]

Just made an appointment with Genius at my store on next saturday.
Will give feedback after that.

 

[cbouabjian]

Great! Keep me posted. I’ll try to go a premium service provider as well or the Apple store to try again