FENIX 5 Bezel Durability

I don't think you will be able to return it just because you have scuffed the bezel. Presumably the watch has come into contact with a wall or object to cause the abrasions. What do you expect the retailer is going to do with your second hand watch? They obviously can't sell it on as new if it is not in new condition, and the product is not "defective".

I also have the sapphire black F5 but haven't knocked it against anything yet so it still looks shinny and new. I am considering selling it though due to poor GPS and OHR performance, but I can't take it back to the shop for a refund as it's used. I will have to sell it and take the hit. If I had brought it online then I could have returned it within 14 days - my bad.

Scott, I can and will return it, don't doubt my ability to do so. I will also pick up the Grey Black based on the kind and honest feedback others have given in this thread.

For the price, i'd expect a better coating. I have automatic Seikos, Magrettes and a few Luminoxes that cost less than 1/2 the price of the F5 Sapphire and deliver a much better finish. I'd also argue that if Garmin intends the watch to be used through it's paces (hiking, skiing, etc), it should have a better quality finish. Obviously you would see wear over time and the amount of wear you would see would be based on the activities you pursue (or accidents :p). However, all i did was run on the treadmill, indoor row and some weightlifting - I'f anything i might have rubbed it against the bench or row cables. Overall, i think that for the price and for the purpose of the watch, the coating on the Fenix 5 Black Sapphire is lacking.

Scott, can you comment some more on the GPS and OHR performance? I haven't ran outside yet but i'm anxious to hear what you and others think.

Scott, I can and will return it, don't doubt my ability to do so. I will also pick up the Grey Black based on the kind and honest feedback others have given in this thread.

For the price, i'd expect a better coating. I have automatic Seikos, Magrettes and a few Luminoxes that cost less than 1/2 the price of the F5 Sapphire and deliver a much better finish. I'd also argue that if Garmin intends the watch to be used through it's paces (hiking, skiing, etc), it should have a better quality finish. Obviously you would see wear over time and the amount of wear you would see would be based on the activities you pursue (or accidents :p). However, all i did was run on the treadmill, indoor row and some weightlifting - I'f anything i might have rubbed it against the bench or row cables. Overall, i think that for the price and for the purpose of the watch, the coating on the Fenix 5 Black Sapphire is lacking.

Scott, can you comment some more on the GPS and OHR performance? I haven't ran outside yet but i'm anxious to hear what you and others think.

I am only thinking from the retailer's perspective, but good luck. If you have knocked the bezel against gym equipment also made of metal then I'm not surprised that it's left a mark. Your bezel has been treated to look darker than pure steel so it's going to come off worse in a cosmetic sense.

I recently purchased a Fenix 5 Sapphire in NYC. After a few days of normal usage (running, weightlifting, rowing), the bezel now shows a decent amount of wear. I haven't even been rough with it like I've been with my old Fenix 3 sapphire but the little "scuffs" on the black/black Fenix 5 Sapphire model shows silver underneath. Not that its a huge deal but I thought the new coating on the black model would have been more resistant to wear. Clearly it's not.

I'm tossing up the idea of returning it and picking up a regular non-sapphire grey/black version and I'll add a tempered glass screen protector. Are there:

1. Any of you folks seeing the same issues with the black sapphire watches.
2. Any of you folks that have the grey/black non-sapphire version and can comment on the durability of the bezel?

Kind regards.

I've had the non-sapphire grey/black since March 20th. 175 miles of running on the watch, all outdoors, plus 10 miles of hiking. I don't do any weightlifting or the gym.

Honestly any watch with any coated finish is going to have a tough time with abrasion and scratches from the gym. If you have a silver bezel it probably just won't be as noticeable.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/hbl0i2xyff7bcbr/Photo%20Apr%2020%2C%2012%2040%2042.jpg?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/nqjysz89oogkrpd/Photo%20Apr%2020%2C%2012%2041%2000.jpg?dl=0

(shot with iPhone 7+)

* that's a piece of dust between the two lugs on the upper right - not a scratch.

Personally I couldn't see the point of paying $100 extra premium for the Sapphire/Wifi version in technology that will be obsolete in a few years. It's not the same as paying a premium for something that will last decades. I still have and occasionally use a Tag Hauer watch that I bought almost 20 years ago.

I have mine for 1 week. Normal use. No scratches on the bezel. Thankfully. Will see how it stands up after a month.

Scott, I can and will return it, don't doubt my ability to do so. I will also pick up the Grey Black based on the kind and honest feedback others have given in this thread.

For the price, i'd expect a better coating. I have automatic Seikos, Magrettes and a few Luminoxes that cost less than 1/2 the price of the F5 Sapphire and deliver a much better finish. I'd also argue that if Garmin intends the watch to be used through it's paces (hiking, skiing, etc), it should have a better quality finish. Obviously you would see wear over time and the amount of wear you would see would be based on the activities you pursue (or accidents :p). However, all i did was run on the treadmill, indoor row and some weightlifting - I'f anything i might have rubbed it against the bench or row cables. Overall, i think that for the price and for the purpose of the watch, the coating on the Fenix 5 Black Sapphire is lacking.

Scott, can you comment some more on the GPS and OHR performance? I haven't ran outside yet but i'm anxious to hear what you and others think.

No issues with my black/sapphire F5.

The question for Garmin is what type of PVD/DLC coating they've put on the bezel. I vaguely remember one of the F3 (tactical?) versions specifically called out having a DLC coating. Not sure if that's the case here otherwise Garmin would have marketed it?

I'm sure I read on another thread that F3 bezels were available as a spare part and could be swapped out fairly easily. If this is the case for the F5 it might lessen the worries as an owner can go that route at the point they want to resell the watch.

After reading this thread, I may start wearing a sandwich bag over my hand and wrist at all times.

I'm sure I read on another thread that F3 bezels were available as a spare part and could be swapped out fairly easily. If this is the case for the F5 it might lessen the worries as an owner can go that route at the point they want to resell the watch.

I had no idea that this was an option with the F3. I haven't seen Garmin advertise it for the F5 (yet).

I wear my Fenix 5 grey/black non-saphire during MTB rides. Had few falls already - not a single, minor scratch on the bezel - see picture from one of such falls :).
BTW - pretty sure it would suffer if I had it mounted on the handlebar.

One thing to note on this topic is the F5 slate bezel is light years better than the F3/HR bezel both in terms of looks and not showing scratches