RE: Intresting Fact about the 9C
If the "spotting" you described is anything like what I see on my 9C, I don't think it's really a defect. The very thin coating appears to be some kind of clear coating over the silver chrome parts of the front bezel. I can rub my finger over the surface hard to get rid of all of it. It doesn't scratch, dull or affect the silver chrome in anyway. It does appear to be a thin coating meant to be rubbed off in regular use. Once it's all worn off, the chroming shines brighter than ever.
The features and benefits of the 9C far outweigh little cosmetic details like this.