Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Series 10 Jet Black aluminum=scratch city?
- Thread starter Isaiah408
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
I'm finally upgrading my Series 4 (also black aluminum) and there are no scratches on it and I'm not gentle with it lol This gives me confidence that the jet black will hold up just fine, which I just purchased
You might be right. My Series 6 with blue aluminum case has no scratches (face has tons lol), but it is also a mat finish which seems to hide/is more resistant to scratching. The iPhone 7 regular mat black didn't scratch like the iPhone 7 Jet black which had a glossy finish.
This thread has me double minded now. I wanted the dark option but not sure I can stand scratches.........
Last edited:
Depends what the coating is. If it's the same anodised colours but polished, it'll scratch the same as before.
If it's a PVD style plating, it may be more durable.
I've had graphite PVD (steel) Apple Watches and they have stayed pristine.
Also had multiple black DLC (steel) and they were bombproof.
If it's a PVD style plating, it may be more durable.
I've had graphite PVD (steel) Apple Watches and they have stayed pristine.
Also had multiple black DLC (steel) and they were bombproof.
Great info, thanks.
This is what Apple says on their website:
"For the first time, Apple Watch comes in an eye-catching Jet Black aluminum. The case is polished until it’s extremely reflective. It then goes through a 30-step anodization process to create a deep, glossy black that’s truly striking. The result is a timeless, sophisticated look."
The 'deep' description implies light scratches won't got through to bare aluminium and stick out like a sore thumb, may even be able to polish out light blemishes.
Won't really know until the public get them and the inevitable, "I scratched my new watch!" posts. Or some YouTuber scratch tester gets their hands on it.
Won't really know until the public get them and the inevitable, "I scratched my new watch!" posts. Or some YouTuber scratch tester gets their hands on it.
In this case, I think “deep” refers to the depth of black i.e. “pitch black”, and not the layer depth.
Mind you, to get black black, it will be deeper anodization then say graphite, but it will still scratch or chip if the watch is dinged a la the space black iPhone. (If they haven’t added another layer of protection).
If it's anything like the iPhone 7 Jet Black finish, absolutely.
also
If it's anything like the iPhone 7 Jet Black finish, I will be buying one immediately.
also
If it's anything like the iPhone 7 Jet Black finish, I will be buying one immediately.
This is exactly my concern...
I pre-ordered it, but if I'm amongst the first who receive it, I might wait to open the box until it's a go from a YouTube video/experiment or something.
What's bad is, if it scratches, there's no other option for black. Hopefully it won't be another FineWoven party...
I pre-ordered it, but if I'm amongst the first who receive it, I might wait to open the box until it's a go from a YouTube video/experiment or something.
What's bad is, if it scratches, there's no other option for black. Hopefully it won't be another FineWoven party...
You're right - there is no mat black option, glossy is it and the glossy finish looks amazing. I'm hoping Apple remembered the iPhone 7 Jet Black issues and has addressed them with their "30-step anodization process".
Scratches are probably more visible on Jet black than on Silver aluminium because jet black is very shiny/reflective.
But I think it will be way better handling those issues than Jet Black on iPhone 7 because Apple did not put any disclaimer for that color.
In my country at least (France), Apple had put a small text on their official website mentioning than iPhone 7 in jet black was a bit more likely to collect "micro-abrasions" over time than other colors. Here there is no disclaimer at all so it can't be that bad
But I think it will be way better handling those issues than Jet Black on iPhone 7 because Apple did not put any disclaimer for that color.
In my country at least (France), Apple had put a small text on their official website mentioning than iPhone 7 in jet black was a bit more likely to collect "micro-abrasions" over time than other colors. Here there is no disclaimer at all so it can't be that bad
Last edited:
I think this is what I'm gonna do. Wonder how it compares to Graphite.
Apple's announcement says the same basic process of polish then anodize with black dye is used for the watch, which is how the iPhone 7 was done. Unless they dramatically improved the anodization process, it'll scratch all the same.
Which is a shame, because I want one, but only as like a secondary watch. I'd like to keep mine pristine. That means I need to buy one new, though, so I'm not inheriting someone else's scratches.
Which is a shame, because I want one, but only as like a secondary watch. I'd like to keep mine pristine. That means I need to buy one new, though, so I'm not inheriting someone else's scratches.
If its the same jet black finish as the iPhone 7, then yeah, its gonna be swirled and scratched to hell within 6 months.
I would not recommend. Looks cool for like the first 2-3 weeks though
I would not recommend. Looks cool for like the first 2-3 weeks though
It would not scratch the same because it is not used the same. It is resting on your wrist, not being pulled in and out of pockets or rubbed around in it all day. If, after 9 years of advances, it even is the same exact process.
Yeah, you're right, the watch that gets dragged on tables and banged on doorways and rubs against sleeves surely won't scratch the same.
How did you manage not loosing your arm yet? You seem to be terribly clumsy with it.
OMG I bump into door frames\ so often! (and the first thing I do is check to see if i cracked my watch face! I don't know WHO put those doors there that weren't there the last time i walked through! lol! i drop my phone often, too...!)
I’m torn, I really like the shiny black. I pre-ordered the black, but I’m tempted to just switch silver instead. I’m coming from a space grey S5, which has held up well, but the polished may be a different story.
go to eBay and look at used watches. You'll see a ton of aluminum models that are super beat up. Nobody's losing limbs.. just gets more wear than you'd think.