How Do You Fit the Apple Watch in Your Rotation?
I've owned Apple Watches for a while now, and obviously understand the contexts to wear them as a dedicated mechanical collector as well. But recently I've been finding myself reaching for it more often, even when my hands are free enough to use my phone or to wear any one of my nicer watches.
I work in a cafe so having an Apple Watch on me is more than enough since I can't use my phone on the floor and I don't want to bring my nicer watches and potentially bang them up unnecessarily. Usually, when I get home from work I take it off and switch to a "lazy" watch like one of my tank style or even MoonSwatch since they're light and I can basically forget that I'm wearing one after a long day. But now my Apple Watch has been my lazy watch and some days I don't even take it off.
So what changed?
I've also been trying to cut back on screen time on my phone (without using the actual screen time setting since I think it's useless) so the Watch has been a great alternative for keeping up to date on my notifications without having to reach for my phone. Even when going to the gym now instead of being on my phone for the five minutes of rest I take in between each set I just check my workout metrics on the Watch instead.
So eventually, I ended up wearing my Apple Watch on my right hand, and my actual nicer watch(es) on my left. At first, it felt very uncomfortable because the Apple Watch weighs more than my usual watches that are made of titanium or steel on a NATO.
Not my picture; credit to Hodnikee
I also have a rubber strap for the Apple Watch that has an Omega-style deployment clasp that's a bit bulky at the bottom and doesn't really tuck in all the way. It feels normal when my Apple Watch is the only one on my normal side wrist but extremely imbalanced on the other. I've seen a lot of enthusiasts rock this combo or two regular watches on each wrist; the latter seeming more balanced.
The thing about the Apple Watch compared to other smartwatches is that it requires a wearer's full undivided attention and physical presence compared to others. This is mostly due to the sheer feature set and how it interacts as a mirror of your iPhone essentially. And as we all know Apple is very intentional with their designs and use cases for their products so having your Apple Watch take a backseat on your wrist rotation is something they tried to get around.
The Apple Watch has a bigger influence on me than I'd like to admit, and finding ways around it without losing functionality is a little bit annoying. However, I love all watches equally, and this is no exception. While I may have invested a good amount of money into my collection, finding new ways to enjoy each piece has been part of the experience of being a collector while also trying not to be monotonous with all these choices.
What do you guys do with your Apple/smart watches besides gym or work? Do you reach for your phone less often or even your own mechanical watches?
Collecting and writing from a Gen Z perspective. Speedmaster nerd and all things Omega 🚀.
Mine hasn’t been in my rotation for a long time since it failed me on a hike. The battery died after an hour into a 4 hour hike and I should have just left it out in nature.
I've got a series 5 and I'm not actually sure where it is at the moment, I too was getting annoyed with the battery life and switched to a Fitbit which lasts about a week. I also wear a normal watch at the same time, just use the Fitbit for stats and paying for stuff.
My smartwatch is in a drawer somewhere. I don't even bring it to the gym anymore because I realized I actually do nothing with the tracking data so... Might as well save the hassle of charging it every day and grab a G-shock.
It never stopped me from grabbing my phone and could never replace it so it was a redundant item for my lifestyle.
Never purchased a smartwatch. Been issued a Suunto Alpha or something, wore it exactly twice. Then got annoyed by having to put it on a charger.
I also get irritated by having a conversation with someone or listening to a presenter in a class, and they CONSTANTLY CHECK THEIR FREAKING WRIST! Put the d@#n thing on silent...you can't make eye contact or go 45 mins without checking status/messages then whatever you are saying or teaching isn't that important...../rant over.
On the step counter thing, I don't get it. Walk with your dog/kid/wife every day. Workout often?
Mostly wear it for work or exercise. Other times i rotate out and try on the "nicer" watches for representation or fun. Series 9 and ultra got a nice boost to battery life as well and you can tone down the features to make it even longer. But if i just want battery life, just slap on that quartz or solar, no big deal
I always liked the Apple Watches but I also knew that getting one would mean I’d never wear my other watches. Those watches need to be worn daily to track your heartbeat, etc.
Being worn daily would mean I’d be cuffed to my job, receiving unwanted dopamine shots (notifications) on my wrist when I’ve been fighting for years to keep my phone away at the restaurant, etc.
So no, I just don’t have one in my rotation!
I’m a runner and the only time I wear mine is when I run to track my mileage. Getting ready for another marathon so it helps me. I don’t take my phone with me because I don’t like having a lot of weight on me. But when I’m not running I have a real watch on.
I don’t.
I had a blue one for a year.
It was one year to realize that:
1. Battery life was limited and I really didnt want the worry of having to charge it every few days or so.
2. I rarely used many of its functions because I didnt need or rather preferred to use my iPhone.
3. I had a Smartwatch that I used as a Watch, but as a Watch, wasnt a good Watch… So…
I sold it. 😑
love mine , I’ve had Garmin , Sunnto but eventually got rid of them
and settled on this , yes I have to charge it at night ( not all the time ) but I have to charge my phone daily as well so what’s the difference ….