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Fenix 7 Stainless Steel bezel scratched, replaceable?

Mike
over 3 years ago

Sad to say I’m a little disappointed after 2 weeks of owning my Fenix 7, using for road running and on the bike, I’ve found the bezel to be scratched already.  Perhaps it’s karma for not splashing out on titanium Disappointed

I honestly can’t think of anytime I’ve knocked or scraped it, it has caught on my jacket a couple of times but that’s all.

Do we know if this bezel is going be replaceable? I haven’t looked into removing it but I really hope so.

  • 0 over 3 years ago

    Titanium is softer than SS. I assume you mean the DLC coated models? Nope, the bezel is not replaceable.

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to scotthunter2

    Oh I always thought Titanium was virtually scratch proof and used on the more expensive models?

    Such a shame if not replaceable, will just have to learn to live with it I guess.

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to Mike

    I'm in the same boat. Got a Fenix 7 Solar Titanium with DLC coating watch for my birthday 24 days ago and naively thought the bezel was bulletproof due to the metal type and coating wizardry. Was watering the garden, went to reel out the hose and barely glanced the side of a wall that is red brick. Found small hairline scratch on bezel. Now I've learnt through reading posts that Titanium is softer than stainless steel although being harder & lighter than other metals which seems to be a contradiction in logic. Bottom line is you have to be super careful you do not touch anything with your watch bezel. Like owning a pair of white suede shoes that you don't want to get scuff marks on. Instead of DLC coating which is practically useless they should have coated it in a super hard film of transparent resin or plastic that is heavily product tested to ensure aesthetic durability. If you used this watch as a tradesperson or in construction the pretty bezel would last about a week. Will just have to get used to it getting scratched up. C'est la vie.     

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to Vlacha

    For MTB or any other activities were dynamic contact with ground is pobable this cover could be good idea: https://www.amazon.pl/Kompatybilne-onetuo-kompatybilna-przezroczysta-obudowa-czarna/dp/B09V5CFXMZ/ref=sr_1_4?__mk_pl_PL=%C3%85M%C3%85%C5%BD%C3%95%C3%91&crid=O0K98BHY0XDE&keywords=garmin%2Bepix%2B2%2Bsilicone&qid=1648225140&sprefix=garmin%2Bepix%2B2%2Bsilicone%2Caps%2C89&sr=8-4&th=1

    This one is enormously expensive considering material and design but I suppose soon there will be cheaper options.

  • 0 over 3 years ago

    The DLC coating is very sensitive and irreplaseable. It is very disappointing for an watch that is suposed to be used outdoor to be so sensitive. At least, if the besel was replaceable that could be a solution, even costlt. As for tpu protection covers, I red that if sand get trapped, will scratch the besel badly.

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to Grandros

    Are we certain it definitely isn’t replaceable this time around with the extra lugs being part of this bezel too?  I haven’t tried unscrewing it but I’m tempted to give it a go!

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to Grandros
    Grandros said:
    It is very disappointing for an watch that is suposed to be used outdoor to be so sensitive.

    Why is it assumed the watch i sensitive with no fault attributed to the user? There's a common thread with these issues where the person reporting the damage has apparently never banged, scratched or scraped the watch but somehow damage miraculously appears. Meanwhile others here have fallen off bikes, stumbled and tumbled to the floor and banged the watch into things without causing any damage. Miracles indeed!

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to Dr Phil

    I don't think that's it. In some reviews and user community posts, I have often seen that the bezel is scratched even compared to the fenix 6.

    Titanium material such as DLC coating, colored titanium and just titanium but looking at this post, stainless steel is also easily scratched. A while back, I saw in another community's post that fenix 7 standard's stainless steel also scratches easily.

    There were many cases where users said that they saw scratches after a moment that they could not even remember because no strong impact was applied. Therefore, the bezel of the fenix 7 seems to be weak against scratches in everyday life, not in intense sports conditions.

  • 0 over 3 years ago

    Guys, whatever the coating, colour, metal the bezel is, it's possible to scratch it. Yeah I may try to scratch it and I may not succeed. However, any other soft force may result in some scratches. It's a bit of chance. Will you try to replace the bezel everytime it's scratced?

    For older watches there are used bezels from faulty watches. For example my 6X Pro has a second bezel with display from Aliexpress. However, for 7 series it'll take some for some watches to break and so that they'll start to sell their parts.

    So it's not an easy job to solve it that way. Simply live with it. Who looks at your watch and ask how you scratched it? Some of Fenix community simply accepts them as marks of war or character of the watch. :)

    I had used Garmin Fenix 3 Silver and when I sold it, the buyer was very pleasent that it looked like new. Metal besel is still metal when it's scratched. So if you want scratchless experience go with metal colour versions. Scratches on colour versions are much easier to see. Just don't see it.

    Or use bezel protectors during activities but we don't know when it'll get scratched.

    I hope Garmin someday starts to use some really durable coating...

  • 0 over 3 years ago

    Jeweler’s cloth with a fiberglass brush should do the trick. Cheap and very effective