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“1ST GEN”
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This was the *original* Apple Watch. Sometimes called "Series 0" among those who know about Apple Watches because Apple inexplicably officially called a different watch "Series 1." Depending on condition, $85 doesn't seem too far off from what it would be worth, but I haven't done any research. I'd suggest checking Swappa.com to see what they are going for there.
My main reason for buying Apple Watch is the activity tracking.
Will this gen be enough?
Depends on the kinds of activities. If you like to run or ride outdoors, the GPS on the S2 and S3 are pretty handy if you don't want to bring your phone with you. But then you're also paying more.
If you do swimming, then you're definitely going to want an S2 or S3 for the water-resistance.
It is really annoying.
The first one should have been series 1, then 2, etc....
Lots of people selling the first gen as 1st Gen or 1st Series on facebook messenger so unsuspecting people who think it's a series 1.
If you don't mind having to carry your iPhone with you during the run, then it's not an issue. In theory, if you run using an S0, but leave the iPhone at home, the AW will use the pedometer and algorithms to estimate the distance. In practice, it's not accurate at all.
$85 is not a bad price provided it meets your needs. Does it come with the charging puck? If not, then it's another $30 you have to add to the price ... in which case the value proposition is drastically lower.
Also with a series 0 the battery condition is important my series 0 barely lasted a day after 2.5 yrs of service.
1st gen is the original Apple Watch. The biggest problem with it is a terribly slow CPU. This has now caused several features in watchOS 4 to not be available for "series 0" or the "1st gen" watches. It is entirely possible that watchOS 5 may not even function on the watch when it is released next year. I would suggest if trying to save some money going with "series 1" which is basically the same BODY as the first gen (ie. not waterproof, same dimmer screen) but it contains the faster processor from the "series 2" so it is more future proof for new watchOS versions.
2 weeks ago, I sold my 1st gen 38MM sport, on Swappa for $120.
regarding battery -- i did a remote battery diagnostic with apple support -- asked them to confirm that my battery was still within spec. i included that screenshot on my swappa sell page. i know usage may vary, and i could easily envision a situation where a buyer wants a refund due to the battery not lasting all day. by getting a verified report from apple, it no longer becomes my concern.
if you're going to buy a 1st gen, i would ask the seller to provide a similar report from apple support. it takes less than 10 minutes, and can all be done through the SUPPORT app.
The first generation Apple Watch is splash Rated, Even if you're not using the Series 2 or Series 3 for swimming, you still would want the water resistance if you're running in the rain as more of an added protection gap, as the Series 2 is rated at 50 meters. And the GPS accuracy is something that I would highly consider, because it is beneficial in that area.
GPS accuracy is improved when running off the internal GPS chip HOWEVER the Series 2 & 3 watches CONTINUE TO USE THE IPHONE GPS if you bring your phone with you running and leave the phone connected to the watch. This to me is frustrating as in my opinion it is clear the watch performance is better when not using the iPhone link for GPS.
I have an S2 and an iPhone 6. I've tested the GPS performance both ways using the stock Workout app on an Outdoor walk. In my experience, there's no difference. Distance measured varies between 1.00 and 1.02 miles on my lunchtime walk. Doesn't matter if it's the AW's GPS or the iPhone's GPS. The tracking is the same.
I'm curious as to why your set-up has performance differences?
it's the map track, the gps is obviously updating less frequently with a tether to the iPhone so a lot of time on the map you see cut corners and the like and they disappear when on the internal GPS. you can see images of this in DCRainmakers detailed series 2 and series 3 reviews. a walk is less likely to show cut corners because you are moving slower and the longer update times on the tether don't show the error at the slower speed. even with the cut corners the distance often is only minimally affected so I suppose I shouldn't concern myself but having used almost a dozen different Garmin GPS watches that NEVER showed cut corners and inaccurate map tracks its off putting that my apple watch does and not only that the hardware is inside it to prevent that but apple is making a software decision that causes it. 1st world problems.