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Repairs of Some Older Apple Watches May Qualify for Series 2 Replacement Due to Parts Shortage

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Repair parts are temporarily constrained for 42mm models of the Apple Watch Series 1 and first-generation Apple Watch, nicknamed Series 0, according to an internal document distributed to Apple Authorized Service Providers today.

Apple Watch trio
If a customer initiates a repair order for one of those Apple Watch models, Apple has permitted Apple Authorized Service Providers to offer a 42mm Apple Watch Series 2 as a substitute starting February through April according to the document, obtained by MacRumors from multiple proven sources.

The document does not mention Series 2, Series 3, Series 4, or 38mm models of any kind as qualifying, nor does it specify if the parts constraint is limited to aluminum, stainless steel, or other finishes. No further information is provided.

The document was distributed to Apple Authorized Service Providers in the United States and other countries, and it was likely sent to Apple Stores as well, in which case the Genius Bar would follow the same guidelines. We have elected not to share a screenshot of the document to protect our sources.

Visit the Get Support page on Apple.com to initiate an Apple Watch repair.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch 11
Tag: Apple Authorized Service Providers
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Caution)

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Top Rated Comments

AngerDanger Avatar
AngerDanger
95 months ago
On an entirely unrelated note, I've gotta go check out the prices of broken series 0 Apple Watches on eBay. I'm just… curious! Yeah! Haha… :oops:
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
macduke Avatar
macduke
95 months ago
I've got my Series 0 on display with my iPhone and iPad. Keeping it forever.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
D
douglasf13
95 months ago
That is sad. When I bought a series 0, I thought it would last a long time and could get battery replacements from Apple, so I could keep it 10-15 years at least. Now they’ve released yearly upgrades, which wouldn’t be a big deal if it didn’t mean running out of parts like this. I only got a Series 2 because Apple Pay didn’t come to Japan in a totally compatible way.
Really? I've been rather surprised that I've managed 3-4 years with my Series 0, although the thing is certainly sluggish compared to newer models. Do you normally expect a tech gadget to last 15 years?
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nutmac Avatar
nutmac
95 months ago
Before you run to Apple Store to "upgrade" your broken S0 or S1 to S2, consider that unless you have active AppleCare+, non-battery replacement service runs $199 for S0/1 Sports and $229-249 for Aluminum.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
japanime Avatar
japanime
95 months ago
Really? I've been rather surprised that I've managed 3-4 years with my Series 0, although the thing is certainly sluggish compared to newer models. Do you normally expect a tech gadget to last 15 years?
I think the answer for many of us longtime Apple users is "yes, we do." Within reason, of course.

Apple products used to be built to last. For instance, in my office, I still have a 2006 MacBook and a 2009 MacBook Pro in regular use. I also have a 1999 Apple Cinema display hooked up to a 2011 MacBook Air as a main machine. All have been taken well care of and look as good as new. And while they don't perform like the latest, greatest, they hardly feel old. We also use a 2007 second-generation Apple Wireless Keyboard, two 2009 third-generation keyboards, and a 2009 Magic Mouse, all of which are perfect.

Maybe those products don't qualify as "gadgets," but they do go to show that tech hardware can remain relevant long after Apple has officially listed it as "obsolete."
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sk2sep2304 Avatar
sk2sep2304
95 months ago
Went to an Apple store yesterday and they ran a diagnostic and my 3yo series 0 battery passed. They quoted $200 for the repair.

At this point I was willing to pay $79 for a new battery.

Chatted with apple support to ask about the $79 battery offer for out of warranty repairs and they referred me to their supervisor without me asking. Received a scheduled phone callan hour later and they offered to send a one time replacement since they replace batteries for the series 0.

We’ll see what I get in the mail a couple weeks from now...
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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