I'll post some instant reactions to my unboxing today, and photos later. I was VERY, VERY, VERY concerned as I have 162 mm thin wrists for a guy and while I felt my S7 45mm looked fine, it also appeared to me to be at the limit of what I'd find acceptable in terms of size. I wear a Sport or Braided Loop in size 4 (it's tight, I think 5 might be better but I don't like it to move) in the 45mm sizing.
1. The unboxing experience is the best Apple has done for any product in years. After years of having reduced the famous unboxing experience in the name of environmentalism (and I'm sure $$$$) in even their nicest products, this really was a step up. It was fun and felt premium.
2. The watch is BEAUTIFUL. It looks and feels like an Apple Watch, yet looks nothing like the old Apple Watches if that makes any sense? After years and years of essentially the same basic shape and design it is so refreshing. It does give the feel more of a watch than the "glass pebble" of the regular Apple Watch. The shape of the case is very unique from the flat sapphire, to flat sides that then become round, to a unique Titanium texture that looks premium to me it really is a winner.
3. I think the Alpine Loop is really nice. I have it in both Green and Starlight. I think the whole clasp issue is so overblown, a couple of tries and it was trivial to open and unopen the strap (I'm using Medium with my 162mm and find it perfect, the clasp can fit nicely in the 4th or 5th loop down.) Even with the lugs it doesn't hang over the flat of my wrist and the band sits tightly around the sides so it doesn't bunch up, I've seen some photos were it does but it seems people are wearing the band too lose (I know it's taste but I like a tight watch that doesn't move at all, plus that helps with health monitoring and workout tracking.)
4. I am picking up a Midnight Ocean Band on Monday and we will see how the one size fits all on my smaller wrist, I hope the strap tucked into the second buckle isn't too visible from the front but I'm afraid with my smaller wrist it will and make the strap look bulky. I wasn't going to buy one but I was surprised how nice they looked in the various YouTube unboxing videos and so I wanted a silicone band that is appropriately wide for the 49mm case. I have plenty of 45mm bands that look FINE with this watch but the Ultra bands are wider than the 45mm bands (despite the connector working interchangeably) so they just look a bit more appropriate. I also have a black Trail Band on order for November, not sure I'll keep that even as a runner since I like the Alpine Loops so much. We will see how it goes it in workouts, but the Alpine Loop worked great in my first spin bike workout with the Ultra. $300 for 3 extra nylon and silicone bands seems beyond the pale but the quality is fantastic, the materials include matching titanium, and they are the only Ultra specific (in terms of width) bands out there right now.
5. The watch LOOKS FANTASTIC on my 162mm wrist. I really thought I would have to accept it looked a "bit much" but I think it looks like a great sports watch. Even the thickness doesn't look strange to me. The palm against your stomach and look in the mirror almost makes it look like you can go bigger lol! I'm planning to keep my S7 (not much resale value) and planned on using it for "dressier" occasions but to be honest I don't think the Ultra would look very out of place in any situation so long as you find an appropriate band for the situation. The entire size thing turned out to be a non-issue. I'll take pictures and post later tonight.
6. I like the buttons and the new Digital Crown has a great physical size and feel but I do feel it digs a bit into the skin sometimes when I try to turn it and that causes it to not turn smoothly. It like is because the crown now sits a bit closer to my wrist bone since the whole watch is wider than the 45mm was. I find if I'm careful to not push down toward to wrist but lightly rotate the crown then it operates smoothly, I can also slightly lift the watch from the crown side upwards with my middle finger while rotating the crown easily with my thumb. I think a combination of getting used to it and maybe not wearing my watch as tight will make this a non-issue quickly.
7. Let's get this out there... the screen is essentially the same size as the 45mm, being only 1.83% larger in physical size. That said there are some things you should know. First off with the font the same as my S7 45mm there are some menus where the Ultra shows a bit more of the menu. I have NOT had LESS shown in any scenario vs. my same font size S7 unlike some have claimed they found. So that was good news. Further certain screens made the Ultra seem much larger, for example the PIN entry screen seems MUCH easier to use and "bigger" because the edges of screen don't curve down like on the 45mm, there was always a "feeling" that the extreme edge on the 45mm wasn't useable / clickable and now being totally flat with larger bezels (which I don't find off putting, it looks nice because of the overall aesthetic) there is more room to work/click the display. It's minor but ultimately I think the screen is better for all but the speciality watch face from the S7/S8 that curves the numbers around the bubble edge, that looks not quite as nice on the Ultra.
8. This is the first time I've ever decided to activate the cellular. I've had several cellular watches in the past with Stainless models but I just always bring my iPhone with my everywhere. I've decided to try and leave the iPhone behind on outdoor workouts when I'm just leaving the house or hotel (if I'm off hiking long distance or something I'm bringing the phone!) for a quick run or walk as well as only bringing the watch to my indoor workouts in the house (I guess that would have worked on Wifi) or hotel (I stay in hotels at least 2 nights a week year round.) I'll see if after a year this is worth it but I'm hoping it will feel that way, I think my first run ever with just Beats Fit Pro and an Ultra will be really cool.
9. For me this is all about the look of the watch and the battery life. I'm hoping the extra battery life takes away the need for me to never make a mistake charging my watch whenever I can (I wear it to sleep) to keep it alive and allows me to just NEVER think about battery other than making sure at a minimum if I failed to charge it one day I need to remember to charge it right away the next. I'm hoping everything on, all sensors, cellular you name it is just a plain none issue for my usual 1 hour or less workout a day. I know things will be different if I run a marathon or do a day hike but I can prep for that.
10. All in all, I love it. I hope Apple supports this watch with good WatchOS updates either in point releases or next year, for example some insiders have all but stated that Apple is "well aware" that the watch needs hiking directions and topographical maps built in, none of this "breadcrumb" half measure junk, and it is coming in time. Hopefully Apple rewards early adopters of a $800 premium watch with some of these features before immediately just saying you have to buy a new Ultra (although who am I kidding, I'm a sucker for upgrading early.)
Cheers!
