Apple Watch Ultra is here! First impressions and photos thread

[drew0020]

Received my Ultra. Coming from a Series 7 Hermes AW. Not sure what to think so far. I am not sold on the two bands I got, the Ocean band and Alpine band. I prefer how easy the Apple Solo Loop bands are to take on and off and also how comfortable they are. Ocean and Alpine not quite as easy to take on/off. I could always just wear a Solo loop. Will decide over the weekend, if this is a keeper or just keep my Series 7.

I’m also coming from a Series 7 Hermes 45mm SS. I’ve always had an Hermes Apple Watch, but with the stagnant design from Series 5-8, the lack of Hermes faces being optimized for the S7/S8, and the boring new Hermes bands for 2022 I decided to go non Hermes for the first time ever.

I feel like this is the best decision I have ever made. The watch looks like a fine piece of jewelry when the sun hits it (finally), love the flat screen, battery life, improved GPS, action button, and the overall screen brightness. To me it’s clear why this is the top tier Apple Watch. I’m surprised it didn’t cost more to be honest.

Good luck with your choice!

 

[mikezmac]

Action shot!!!

 

[carbphrek]

On my 160mm wrist, the crown does not rub my wrist. Replacing my 6 space grey cellular residing in a clown car protector that did its job without issues.

This is so much more comfortable than my fenix 6. It’s the circle shape that causes havoc with my wrist and the way I wear it. I like that I can rotate Apple watches to orient the crown correctly.

 

[Mike Boreham]

That is not a flaw, and again the target audience could care less; you're on a Mac enthusiast forum droning on and on about the top row of the screen having a different geometry than the standard Apple Watch and acting like you just discovered the next antennagate. You didn't and you are obviously not the target audience for the Ultra so stick with your S7, return your Ultra and as they say you do you.

A lot of people buying the Ultra are also not the target audience, and while they may not care that the Ultra shows less text in some situations they might be surprised. I expect as you say the true target group are less likely to be concerned.

 

[Poisonfart]

 

[DennisdeWit]

View attachment 2077414

Looks good! How big is your wrist?

 

[rhemy123]

Does it looks good with the stainless steel link band you have? If you can post more pictures with that band on your wrist I’d appreciate it. If not it’s all good. Thanks for your post.

I think that’s the only band I care about with the watch. The titanium seems warmer/more yellow than the steel.

 

[GorillaHead]

Here is how the watch looks on my charging setup. Love it. It looks so premium and high tech.

 

[djlythium]

View attachment 2077343

This watch case has very different character, so I’m going to be swapping bands more often instead of leaving my sport band on 24/7.

That band IS classy!

 

[TTTedP]

A couple of Nomad bands and Garmin Fenix 7 comparison

 

[NJRonbo]

View attachment 2077387View attachment 2077388View attachment 2077402

On my 160mm wrist, the crown does not rub my wrist. Replacing my 6 space grey cellular residing in a clown car protector that did its job without issues.

This is so much more comfortable than my fenix 6. It’s the circle shape that causes havoc with my wrist and the way I wear it. I like that I can rotate Apple watches to orient the crown correctly.

How do you like the ocean band?

I have two watches on order for pickup tomorrow. One is Alpine band. The other is Ocean. One will be canceled.

Not sure which one to stick with

 

[Poisonfart]

Looks good! How big is your wrist?

Thx, about ≈180mm, did not try the Ocean Band yet but Alpine is super comfy

 

[GorillaHead]

so overall the watch is fantastic. Coming from a series 6. With the smaller case size. Solid upgrade. The only thing I feel disappointed about is the gps. They added improved gps frequencies on the ultra and the iphone 14 pro i have and after comparing performance to a 13 pro. The gps improvement is not obvious in real world situations in other words right now its basically useless. I watched one reviewer compare the gps tracking to other watches cant remember who it was but even their tests didnt show anything dramatic the watch fails a few times but overall its good on tracking but we dont see an obvious improvement over the older gps tech.

Especially in cities where i was hoping to see an improvement.

Otherwise its def a buy

 

[mustu]

I’m coming from the S7 Hermes also. I like (don’t love) the Hermes watch faces, but they really haven’t been optimized for the S7/8. Not a fan of the new horse face either plus the SS design is about 4 years old now. I do like the S7, but bored with the similar design (and the new Hermes bands this year) so I figured id try something new.

Same I used to have the Hermes Apple Watch from the start all but series 4. I find the ultra way better. The flat display is a real winner.
May be next year a Hermes Ultra Edition.

I hope they make an iphone ultra - titanium with ceramic back 🤪. They have my money

 

[rhemy123]

Awesome pics! I have about the same wrist size so I was worried a bit but it looks really good. Congrats!

Also to some people who feel the need to say it looks terrible…. What is wrong with you? OP clearly likes it, so why this need to try to trash it? It is still better to say nothing if you don’t have anything nice to say.

They want it and can’t have it, so they lash out and say things like. Oh it’s not for me, and yet they are reading a thread filled with comments about it. Lol

Also the watch is a big watch. There is almost no one who has wrist that will make the Watch look small or even right sized lol.

 

[CharlesShaw]

That band IS classy!

Thanks. I wish Apple would make the Saddle Brown Classic Buckle again so I wouldn’t have to “conserve” this one. It was the reason I wanted the stainless steel version of my series 0. And their Saddle Brown Smart Cover that was only made for the iPad Pro back in the day was the reason I got the Pro instead of the regular one, lol.

 

[HeyMazza]

View attachment 2077403Action shot!!!

Love the shot!

Would you mind sharing more angles of that band you have on that Ultra, and share what kind of band it is.

 

[GMShadow]

so overall the watch is fantastic. Coming from a series 6. With the smaller case size. Solid upgrade. The only thing I feel disappointed about is the gps. They added improved gps frequencies on the ultra and the iphone 14 pro i have and after comparing performance to a 13 pro. The gps improvement is not obvious in real world situations in other words right now its basically useless. I watched one reviewer compare the gps tracking to other watches cant remember who it was but even their tests didnt show anything dramatic the watch fails a few times but overall its good on tracking but we dont see an obvious improvement over the older gps tech.

Especially in cities where i was hoping to see an improvement.

Otherwise its def a buy

L5 GPS isn't 100% working yet, the government still needs to launch a few more satellites. You can use it, but it will continue to improve in the future.

 

[fakestrawberryflavor]

Anyone have a Hermes Orange sport band that can put it on the ultra and take a pic? I want to see how it looks from a size/fit and also Orange band to Orange action button specific lol.

I know my request is ridiculous, but I have an Ultra on the way and I want to pick up a Hermes Orange Watch Band to go along with it because I prefer the silicon, but need to see the color matching first. Thanks in advance if anyone has this pairing and can hook it up <3

 

[rhemy123]

Its definitely worth saying that if you're just after a larger Apple Watch with a bigger screen and better battery life, this isn't it.

Uh this is it because that’s all there is.

 

[Sanlitun]

I think it looks borderline ridiculous on your skinny wrist. I think it’s going to look big on mine too but I’m not planning on using it when I want to look nice.

Mine is arriving today. I am certain it will be huge, ridiculous and ostentatious and that's all fine.

 

[rhemy123]

I may have a solution…I ordered this strap which I think will go well with the titanium finish:

Dune Sport Band | NOMAD®

Designed to give your Apple Watch a modern and sleek, athletic look for intense workouts and everyday wear. Sport Band has a lightweight and breathable design which is constructed from a soft, flexible FKM rubber for all-day comfort. A low-profile pin-and-tuck mechanism ensures a secure closure.

nomadgoods.com

Any muted tone will probably go well with the watch.

 

[HeyMazza]

Anyone have a Hermes Orange sport band that can put it on the ultra and take a pic? I want to see how it looks from a size/fit and also Orange band to Orange action button specific lol.

I know my request is ridiculous, but I have an Ultra on the way and I want to pick up a Hermes Orange Watch Band to go along with it because I prefer the silicon, but need to see the color matching first. Thanks in advance if anyone has this pairing and can hook it up <3

I found this other thread where people are also posting the Ultras. Keep an eye out for it to see if you find what you're looking for.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/show-off-your-apple-watch.1872015/page-856

 

[mikejfrd]

Just got it. I was worried about the size, but it actually fits and feels pretty good. The weight is good. You can feel it, but it’s not as heavy as you would think.

It’s growing on me as the time goes on. It feels more like a watch than just a black screen. I’m also really liking the dive band. It’s not near as bulky as the pictures Apple posted made it look.

 

[NJRonbo]

Just got it. I was worried about the size, but it actually fits and feels pretty good. The weight is good. You can feel it, but it’s not as heavy as you would think.

It’s growing on me as the time goes on. It feels more like a watch than just a black screen. I’m also really liking the dive band. It’s not near as bulky as the pictures Apple posted made it look.

View attachment 2077464View attachment 2077465View attachment 2077466

Glad to hear that about the Ocean band.

As I had noted previously, have both an Alpine and Ocean on order for pickup tomorrow. I was worried about the Ocean band being too "chunky" and you are the umpteenth person who has said it really isn't that bulky.