Controversial: My most worn watch of 2023

Interesting topic. I do a lot of sport, so I thought quite a lot about them... and never took the step to purchase one.

Why ? Because I globally feel over connected. Really burned out with technology in general.

As I work in the computer industry, it's already my job to work on electronic devices and Internet.

As everyone, I have a smartphone with all the distractions it implies. After 20 years of screen-related work and entertainment, I got hit with burn out and still feel over-exposed with this stuff.

Now, most of my hobbies are outside and unconnected : sport, photography and hiking.

I reached the point that even for cameras, I avoid mirrorless ones (as it is basically just a screen) and use only DSRL or film cameras.

Same goes with cars. I use often a GPS, but other than that, I chose a car with as little electronics as possible.

And of course, you guess it, I do the same with watches.

I like that watches are mechanical, not tracking me, not containing any electronics.

Thus, when I walk or do sport, I feel more free.

That's just my very personal take on this, of course if you feel good with it, it's fine!

"There's nothing smart in being connected to the internet" - Alec from Technology Connections, episode on microwaves and popcorn.

Truly smart technologies can do all their stuff on their own. That being said, if it works for you, great! I jog with my G on wrist, and my phone in the pocket. You only need one thing for tracking. It's a matter if preferrence. The purity-functionality scale goes manual-automatic-quartz analog-quartz digital-wrist computer-phone accessory. The phone accessories are less useful in some cases than some dedicated outdoorsy wrist computers. I love the functionality of digital, but also the retro charm, while some detest anything non-mechanical. We'll see if I ever need and like some wrist computer.

I totally understand. For me I do not wear my Garmin during the day, to avoid getting messages on my wrist. For first year I was wearing it 24/7, but since I got into watches, I enjoy unplugging from constant messages and notifications, but for running and hiking Garmin is great tool for me.

For me Garmin is not for internet connection or reading messages or even listening to music. I try to avoid those features as much as possible. I use it for pulse/speed/distance monitoring when I am running and altimeter for hiking in the mountains.

I have a laptop smaller than that watch!

Thought it was a clock. 😁

I tried a smart watch, but it essentially tracked things I didn't need, and it also did so less accurately than I expected. However, I could see using a Garmin when hiking in certain types of terrain. I know that my G-Shock gets a lot of wrist time on holidays, but that's largely because it is inexpensive and rugged.

I don't think this is all that controversial.

IMO the best use for it. I wonder how it compares to a Casio Rangeman, which is also full of features. I don't know it either, since it's too big for me anyway.

Nice watch computer. very short battery life and it will tattle on you all day long to your phone. as long as that is secure.

I use my Rangeman when I'm in the mountains but to be honest, it's not really needed. It's got a compass, barometer, etc, and I've found both to be pretty good but I always have a dedicated compass and usually a backup anyway so it's kind of pointless. The feature where you can save bearings could be pretty useful, though.

Smartwatches aren't for me. I'm too connected as-is and wrist notifications may put me over the edge 🤪

Harvard says they can provide some benefit...

"findings suggested that trackers encouraged people to walk 40 more minutes per day, resulting in about two pounds of weight loss per person in about 5 months.... wearing a tracker was linked to lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels."

https://www.health.harvard.edu/exercise-and-fitness/do-activity-trackers-make-us-exercise-more

The world is competing for my attention, and I don’t want to give it any more avenues to do so. Shutting off notifications may help, but my brain and body still know the dopamine hit of checking things is just a couple clicks away.

Im not sure I see the point of a smart watch and a smart phone. You can construct situations where it has an advantage but you can do that for almost anything.

Now, THAT is a clock.

Title: „My most worn dinnerplate of 2023“

Sorry mate, but that thing looks three sizes too big. Or maybe it’s lens distortion. Dunno 🤷🏻‍♂️

Athletic training. You simply can't do that with a phone, and no one does it better than Garmin.

Actually battery life for this watch is ~2 weeks. So not that bad, not like Apple watch where you need to charge every day or two

Agree on wrist notifications, thats why during the day Im wearing mechanical watches and when Im using Garmin notifications are mostly off.

I know and agree its a chunky watch and its not beautiful in any way, but I still love as it serves its function for me when Im running or hiking and on the hand its not uncomfortable

Agree, would prefer for it to be smaller

Spot on, that is my best use case 👍

My most worn watch is my Apple Watch, and has been for many years. Because it's always on my right wrist except when it's charging. But my left wrist is where I wear my mechanical watches, and then it's a constant rotation, so nothing can compare to the wrist time of the Apple Watch.

I know it's not for everyone, but I bought my mechanical watches to wear them, so I'm gonna wear them... and I have my Apple Watch for the functionality, mainly for health tracking. I'm not willing to sacrifice either for the other.

Carl Lewis didn't have a smart watch 😁

Didn't have a smart phone, either.

Exactly 😉

Carl Lewis had a professional trainer. Most of us don't.

I would add that the comments on the size are silly and irrelevant. I'd almost wear a freakin' PIp-Boy on my wrist if that's what it took to get my data. Anyone wearing a fitness device like a Garmin Epix Pro 2 obviously isn't wearing it for style. For me in perticular, at 54 years old I can't read small things like I used to, so I went with the biggest screen I could so I can actually read the data.

If I could make it invisible when I'm not interested in the data, I would gladly do so. I'm a data geek. I want to track my workout and recovery data, and the only way to do that is to wear it all the time. And the fact is no one, Apple included, does this better than Garmin.

That's where your going wrong 😁

If I paid for a personal trainer, I couldn't buy so many real watches!

I do really like them Garmin so so wished they had those back in the days (80s).When I was in High school perfect for running and keeping up with self stats. But in the near future for health workout purposes. I don’t hate them all depending if you have a use for them.