Outdoor Recreation Archive

fēnix 5 Series FENIX 5 Bezel Durability

FENIX 5 Bezel Durability

Former Member over 8 years ago

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.

0 Former Member over 8 years ago

Are you referring to this?

This one is looking correct also. Like mine.
You should choose a paste colored in black polish cream (not a liquid cream).

Name of the product i have used :
Abelauto Efface Rayures Coloré - Noir.

Just a very little quantity of product (like a needle head, and use soft coton), very easy to do it.

The product is this one :

0 Former Member over 8 years ago

Are you referring to this?

You can use this one (probably the same of mine i have bought in France) :
Turtle Wax Color Magic Car Polish Cleans Shines Restores Scratches Remover 150 g Tube (Black)
https://www.amazon.com/Turtle-Wax-Restores-Scratches-Remover/dp/B06XNQS7R1/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1492977102&sr=8-7&keywords=car+polish+scratch+color+black

Or any black wax polish (but not liquid one !)

The one i have used is this one :
http://www.autobacs.fr/lavage-entretien/entretien/efface-rayures-colore-noir.html

0 GaryHawke over 8 years ago

I have a Slate Grey F5, and noticed that there is some very slight rubbing on the Bezel at the top. There also appears to be two very faint small scratch marks. Again, as other have said, I am not sure how this happened, and when. I only noticed them yesterday as the sun light showed them up. So they could have been there since I purchased the watch.

I noticed that some folk are suggesting a paint/polish for the Sapphire Black bezel - would anyone know of a similar paint/polish for the Slate Grey version.

0 Former Member over 8 years ago

Update

Hi All,
Wanted to let you know that i returned my F5 Sapphire and picked up a Slate Grey F5. I'm also planning on ordering a tempered glass protector - i see a number on Amazon under $7. Aside from the sapphire glass, i really like the dark grey bezel contrast to the black plastic on the watch - it give sit more pop than the all black!

0 jsheller27 over 8 years ago

Also Experiencing Bezel Issue

Not to add on but I have the same issues with the black bezel. I've had the black on black and already have scratches on the top and bottom of the bezel.

Any one have issues with the glass? That would be a deal breaker, I can deal with the bezel.

0 Former Member over 8 years ago

I'm going to jinx myself I know but... 3 weeks with the Fenix 5S black/black sapphire and the bezel is flawless. On two occasions I have struck the bezel on a sharp edge of something metal and it left what looked like a bad scratch in the bezel but rubbing it with a finger and then buffing it with some cloth and the "scratch" just totally vanished. I'm sure I will eventually mar it but so far I am quite happy with how its holding up. The sapphire of course is flawless.

0 Former Member over 8 years ago

Had my F5 Sapphire Black for two weeks and mine is flawless. I don't think it's had anymore than a tap against a few objects though.

0 scotthunter2 over 8 years ago

I've also had my F5 sapphire black for 10 days and it still looks perfect, but I have been very careful. But seriously, any watches, including Rolex costing £1000's are not immune to cosmetic wear and tear. Sports watches more so as they are designed to be lightweight compared to jewellery watches. Just don't be clumsy, and keep your arms away from walls etc. I expect in winter it will be less of an issue as people tend to wear long sleeves.

Before the Fenix line there was never this issue because people would put their running watch on before any activity, then take it off until the next activity. But now these devices are intended for daily wear and are more likely going to get bumped and knocked.

0 PaddyDeng over 8 years ago

DLC Bezel Coating?

I have been looking around all the difference versions of Fenix 5 at the different region, I found the Fenix 5 Sapphire version sold in Asian region stated on their package box which indicated it has DLC (Diamon like Coating) on their Fenix 5 Bezel. I would like to know if the one sold here in the US has DLC letter stated on the package box too? Not sure if there has any difference besides the language selection in the setting menu. And I couldn't find anyone reports any issue with their Fenix 5 watch bezel scratch so easily.

0 Former Member over 8 years ago

I have been looking around all the difference versions of Fenix 5 at the different region, I found the Fenix 5 Sapphire version sold in Asian region stated on their package box which indicated it has DLC (Diamon like Coating) on their Fenix 5 Bezel. I would like to know if the one sold here in the US has DLC letter stated on the package box too? Not sure if there has any difference besides the language selection in the setting menu. And I couldn't find anyone reports any issue with their Fenix 5 watch bezel scratch so easily.

I do not see this anywhere on the package. I have a black on black saphhire edition.