hydrophobic coating?

Yeah, exactly. Mine is like this. 

When I clean it is not noticeable. But once I touch it or gets wet and then dries it comes back. I have contacted garmin to see if they give me a solution. I'm certain that it is the oleophobic coating that is defective. I've had similar problems with other screens in other devices and the manufacturer gave me a new one. We'll see. It's not a cheap watch to have these defects....

By the way, the hydrophobic properties are natural to sapphire. I have many other watches with sapphire crystals and it's the same with water. 

it's off obviously.....

Can you update if/when you hear back from Garmin?

Hi! Have you heard back from Garmin on this? Mine has the exact same "issue". Not noticeable unless the glass is dirty with grease. I'm reluctant to ask for a replacement and have the same issue again if others are experiencing the same. Thanks!

Hi. Garmin support told me that they hadn't seen any problems like mine and asked me to send them the device, However, the stains eventually wore off and now they are not noticeable so I did not return it. Maybe when new the screens have some type of coating or residue from manufacture that clears off after used in a couple of weeks. So I would not worry if you have the same issue.

Please describe what model this should be.

Hi. I have this issue with my Fenix 6X Sapphire. I have not noticed any decrease in the "smudge". It's very noticeable first thing in the morning, possibly because of body oils. Wiping it clean keeps the "smudge" away for most of the day, or until body oils (from fingers/arms) come into contact with the glass.

Same Issue over here: 6x Sapphire. What did you guys do? Replacement oder just wait? I’m afraid that a replacement won’t solve the problem for long... Guess it will happen again. I also noticed that the water repellency is gone at those spots...

I decided not to bother returning mine, although Garmin did say I could send it back. I just didn’t want to spend any days without my watch - how would any of my exercise count without it!

They did also confirm there’s a coating on the sapphire screen to aid in repelling of water.