Apple Watch vs Rolex

[BarracksSi]

I personally do not think that the Apple Watch will ever replace a Garmin for those seriously interesting in fitness.

Right -- it hasn't completely replaced my Garmin 410 either. I've used the 410 to keep an eye on my cycling cadence, alert me when my HR got too high (I had a suture that I didn't want to pop open when I ran), beep at me for interval training, and draw out "MOM" in a field for a Mother's Day jog.

But, I haven't "seriously" used the 410 for much more than that. All the data I've uploaded just sits there on Garmin Connect, and I never bother to peruse it. I appreciated that I didn't have to burn my iPhone's battery for GPS mapping, but I haven't done anything with those maps apart from uploading a couple to Facebook (and what good is showing off, anyway?).

Maybe if I competed in races -- especially if I ever had a shot at winning something -- I'd be more involved with fitness data tracking. I just don't care that much. I'm happy being faster, stronger, and lighter than I was ten years ago, and I don't need reams of data or Facebook "likes" to back myself up.

 

[r0k]

Does that mean a Rolex would get bumped by a lowly Garmin as well? I get what you mean and in short, Garmin's are there for one purpose only....and thats activity monitoring. I personally do not think that the Apple Watch will ever replace a Garmin for those seriously interesting in fitness. What it will do is provide an all round device that should give people a good experience of fitness tracking amongst other things like notifications.

Have you tried any of the other apps like Nike or Strava etc, not sure if they give better tracking information.

Of course the Rolex would have to sit in its winder contraption while I was out for a run. I would expect this. But I would not expect to fork over twice the money for a device that alleges to do fitness but does a mediocre job of it for my needs.

I have tried most of the available iOS running, biking and walking apps. To varying degrees, they all do a great job on a sunny day in the summer but at this time they all suffer from the limitation of not locking the AW screen to avoid shirt-sleeve swipes. Locking the screen inside the Workout app is a new feature under WatchOS 2.0. Please note that this is not just a problem when running. This will affect many thousands of users this coming winter when they have heavy coats and gloves putting their Apple Watches into unexpected configurations and they glance down expecting to see the time and find they are staring at a weather screen or stock report. This has happened to me already. It's a poor user experience to have to put down whatever I'm holding in my other hand so I can fiddle with my watch to get it into the mode it should have stayed in from the last time I glanced at it.

When I contacted Runmeter (Abvio) support about this feature, they seemed unaware of the ability to lock the screen so it may not even be documented or even exposed in the WatchOS 2.0 API currently available to third party developers. Considering the sad state of the workout app, Apple has dropped the ball on this one for anyone doing running, walking, skiing or cross-fit wearing long sleeves and who wants anything more than the ability to take a badly cropped screenshot of their results.

I disagree that AW cannot (eventually) replace a Garmin. I logged close to 700 miles without a problem and only when I started wearing long sleeves did I encounter this "watch going off in the weeds" syndrome. It took me over a week to figure out it was my shirt sleeve swiping my AW on my behalf. I believe Apple will either improve their workout app or allow developers access to the API to lock the screen or both. Then they will have a serious fitness device as I doubt the inertial and GPS sensors in a Garmin are any more sophisticated than those in AW. The difference is the software and for AW, software updates can be pulled down over the air.

iPods and iPhones suffered from similar "infancy" issues at the time of their introduction but they were later fixed. Remember copy/paste being missing from iPhone? Now it's there. Remember being unable to create groups of icons? Now you can create groups within groups. Remember being unable to run a third party keyboard or an ad blocker in iOS? Those features are now available (though Ad blocking is admittedly in its infancy).

That the AW is not as good at being a workout watch than the Garmin has little to do with the relative prices of the two devices, or whether one is high-end or low-end. The Garmin is a dedicated device that has only one purpose, to monitor runs. It's not so surprising that it does that one job well.

I think where the Apple Watch excels is for people like me, who was never interested enough in fitness to buy a dedicated fitness tracker. But having bought the Apple Watch for other purposes (in my case notifications), I find I like its activity tracking, and it has helped me get more active.

I must agree that the built in activity reminders are a boon to most users. This is where AW shines. It has brought fitness awareness to the average person. The main reason I don't like activity is I'm already active and don't need the reminders. The notifications take over my Apple Watch screen when I would much rather glance down and see my time,distance and pace. I do believe the AW will evolve to replace the garmin just as it evolved to replace Garmin and Tomtom dedicated nav units in cars. It's only a matter of time.

In the attached screenshots, I compare the Garmin default screen (first image) with the more informative Runmeter default screen (second image) and the workout default screen(third image). Runmeter also offers roughly a dozen other views on Apple Watch and still more on its companion iPhone app. Both Runmeter and Garmin auto-upload run data, including GPS, pace, splits and elevation to their respective web sites so they are viewable in an ordinary web browser. Note I did not purchase the Garmin heart monitor as I await the time Apple exposes the heart rate API to third party running apps and for practice runs in short sleeves, the Apple Watch works well enough. If I like, I can run workout on my Apple Watch and Runmeter on my iPhone, though setting goal distance in workout requires I hit "+" on the touchscreen 100 times to set the distance for a mere 10 mile run! I would have to do this 262 times for a marathon. I don't think so. Imagine standing at the starting line when I'm supposed to be thinking about which wave I should start with I'm hitting "+" 262 times (fourth image).

 

[BarracksSi]

I've got nothing for long sleeves, but…

If I like, I can run workout on my Apple Watch and Runmeter on my iPhone, though setting goal distance in workout requires I hit "+" on the touchscreen 100 times to set the distance for a mere 10 mile run! I would have to do this 262 times for a marathon. I don't think so. Imagine standing at the starting line when I'm supposed to be thinking about which wave I should start with I'm hitting "+" 262 times (fourth image).

Try spinning the Digital Crown instead.

 

[cyberbro]

OP: Your next review should be Apple Watch Vs. Tesla Model S

 

[r0k]

I've got nothing for long sleeves, but…


Try spinning the Digital Crown instead.

I did not try that but while I was in the Apple store today waiting for a repair, I played around with an AW sitting on display (because my AW was off in googoo land while my iPhone was being wiped) and I noticed I could press and hold the + for the miles to increment quickly. I just using the crown on my AW and it works great.

 

[douglasf13]

Ultimately, this is the same discussion every forum has when it's about digital vs analogue music, digital vs analogue photography, gas powered vs. electric cars...even typewriters vs. computers.

The newer, digital versions nearly always win out in the public arena, and we'll each pick a few of the anachronistic, analog pursuits to hold on to for fun. Mechanical watches survived the quartz scare by going up-market, but that was easier when quartz and mechanical watches primarily did the same thing. Now that digital watches are providing more functionality each year, the mechanical watch will be left for enthusiasts to fight over, and it remains to be seen how that will affect their value, whether we're talking Swatch or Rolex, considering the millions of them that already exist.

 

[George Dawes]

i think the biggest difference is that in 5 years time the rolex will actually be worth something and the apple watch will be essentially worthless , maybe if you bought the edition you could scrap the gold content

 

[44267547]

i think the biggest difference is that in 5 years time the rolex will actually be worth something and the apple watch will be essentially worthless , maybe if you bought the edition you could scrap the gold content

Aside from resurrecting A two year old thread, you're comparing a high end mechanical watch to a wearable/replaceable smart Watch. Naturally a Rolex would be worth more than an Apple Watch.

There is no comparison between a Swiss made watch an Apple Watch. The Swiss made watch was made to last years way past an Apple Watch. The Apple Watch is a piece of technology that will be updated between every 12 to 18 months. Apple never designed the watch to compete on the level of a mechanical watch in terms of longevity/resale. They designed it in terms of what it does that a mechanical Watch does not offer in terms of fitness and acts a bridge from your iPhone for notifications.

A mechanical watch and an Apple Watch serve completely two different purposes. Listed below is more of an appropriate thread to help you have a better understanding between a mechanical watch and Apple Watch comparison.

https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...-replaced-your-expensive-swiss-watch.2021618/

 

[MH01]

Aside from resurrecting A two year old thread, you're comparing a high end mechanical watch to a wearable/replaceable smart Watch. Naturally a Rolex would be worth more than an Apple Watch.

There is no comparison between a Swiss made watch an Apple Watch. The Swiss made watch was made to last years way past an Apple Watch. The Apple Watch is a piece of technology that will be updated between every 12 to 18 months. Apple never designed the watch to compete on the level of a mechanical watch in terms of longevity/resale. They designed it in terms of what it does that a mechanical Watch does not offer in terms of fitness and acts a bridge from your iPhone for notifications.

A mechanical watch and an Apple Watch serve completely two different purposes. Listed below is more of an appropriate thread to help you have a better understanding between a mechanical watch and Apple Watch comparison.

https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...-replaced-your-expensive-swiss-watch.2021618/

Mechanical v smart watch , i think is obvious to everyone.

As on owner of both a Rolex and top end space black / bracelet AW, the statement is true, my Rolex is appreciating in value and my AW has been the worst apple product I've bought from resale.

Actual value aside, the AW is probably the best iPhone accessory out there . A pro and a Con. I keep thinking of its potential had apple not created it as an iPhone accessory. Anyway, it pairs with the apple ecosystem very well and is great for today's social media crowd. I still love mine.....just that it's an awful accessory for excesise. The HR for me is the worst of all the devices I own, probably okay for say running, but crap for gym, what I mostly do. I need to wear a first gen Microsoft band with it. So Rolex on one hand MS band in the other, scenario the AW was suppose to fix

 

[44267547]

Mechanical v smart watch , i think is obvious to everyone.

As on owner of both a Rolex and top end space black / bracelet AW, the statement is true, my Rolex is appreciating in value and my AW has been the worst apple product I've bought from resale.

Actual value aside, the AW is probably the best iPhone accessory out there . A pro and a Con. I keep thinking of its potential had apple not created it as an iPhone accessory. Anyway, it pairs with the apple ecosystem very well and is great for today's social media crowd. I still love mine.....just that it's an awful accessory for excesise. The HR for me is the worst of all the devices I own, probably okay for say running, but crap for gym, what I mostly do. I need to wear a first gen Microsoft band with it. So Rolex on one hand MS band in the other, scenario the AW was suppose to fix

I wasn't listing the differences between a mechanical watch and an Apple Watch, being they vary greatly for obvious reasons. And in doing so, you're actually comparing your Apple Watch to your Rolex, which inherently so will retain value with your Rolex, because the Apple Watch is a piece of technology that depreciates because it's replaced every 12 to 18 months, where as a Rolex may not see nearly the amount of turnover for a new model.

However this thread listed below discusses the different factors how one appreciates a mechanical watch over an Apple Watch.

https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...-replaced-your-expensive-swiss-watch.2021618/

I agree with you is that the Apple Watch is certainly is one of the better accessories to the iPhone and naturally should be, being it's a direct reflection of your messages and notifications.

Where I disagree with you, is the Apple Watch I feel is a great fitness tracker. Is it on the level as Garmin is? Likely not. But for most general lifestyles and what it does, I feel the Apple Watch is one of the best ones out there currently on the market.

 

[MH01]

I wasn't listing the differences between a mechanical watch and an Apple Watch, being they vary greatly for obvious reasons. And in doing so, you're actually comparing your Apple Watch to your Rolex, which inherently so will retain value with your Rolex, because the Apple Watch is a piece of technology that depreciates because it's replaced every 12 to 18 months, where as a Rolex may not see nearly the amount of turnover for a new model.

However this thread listed below discusses the different factors how one appreciates a mechanical watch over an Apple Watch.

https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...-replaced-your-expensive-swiss-watch.2021618/

I agree with you is that the Apple Watch is certainly is one of the better accessories to the iPhone and naturally should be, being it's a direct reflection of your messages and notifications.

Where I disagree with you, is the Apple Watch I feel is a great fitness tracker. Is it on the level as Garmin is? Likely not. But for most general lifestyles and what it does, I feel the Apple Watch is one of the best ones out there currently on the market.

The AW is a great fitness tracker. There is a huge caveat there though, if a fitness tracker cannot capture your HR in an accurate manner, it's useless. I've used many HR trackers, and the most accurate ones are naturally on your chest, and be wrist ones, tend to be the ones in the strap. This will naturally vary greatly from person to person. I bought it for fitness purposes, and gave it a huge go, though sorry, it's crap

The reference with AW v Rolex is also to the countless posts on here how the AW was going to be the end of mechanical watches, and Swiss watch industry, hence the value discussion. Simply put I've lost 50% on my AW....it's the worst performing apple product for resale, which you gotta admit is kinda funny in discussions of AW v Rolex. The fact is , the AW has no right to even be compared to a Rolex, none at all, it's like comparing a chrome book to a top end MacBook Pro.....for a crappy analogy.

 

[44267547]

The AW is a great fitness tracker. There is a huge caveat there though, if a fitness tracker cannot capture your HR in an accurate manner, it's useless. I've used many HR trackers, and the most accurate ones are naturally on your chest, and be wrist ones, tend to be the ones in the strap. This will naturally vary greatly from person to person. I bought it for fitness purposes, and gave it a huge go, though sorry, it's crap

The reference with AW v Rolex is also to the countless posts on here how the AW was going to be the end of mechanical watches, and Swiss watch industry, hence the value discussion. Simply put I've lost 50% on my AW....it's the worst performing apple product for resale, which you gotta admit is kinda funny in discussions of AW v Rolex. The fact is , the AW has no right to even be compared to a Rolex, none at all, it's like comparing a chrome book to a top end MacBook Pro.....for a crappy analogy.

That is true, the Apple Watch or any fitness tracker for that matter will never be as accurate as a chest strap. It's not made to be a replacement, it's just a general reader for your heart. I have had good experiences with mine, although I have seen it off kiltered at times as well.

I haven't seen "Countless"'posts saying the Apple Watch is going to end the run of a higher mechanical Watch. But I do think there's a large majority of forum members in that thread I indicated to you that have ultimately mentioned there Rolex/high-end mechanical watches were set aside with wearing their Apple Watch. That's Not to say they completely abandoned it, but they have grown fond of wearing their Apple Watch because of all the available features it can do. I think that would be silly to get rid of a high-end mechanical watch over a piece of technology. Being I own both, I alternate mine for different occasions.

I think the Apple Watch has grown fond for some because they realize it doesn't tether them to their iPhone all the time and it provides more freedom. That and you have to factor in the customization with the Apple Watch with all the straps. You really can customize it in any manner you want The faces and bands. Apple executed the band switching perfectly.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

If you offered me that Rolex I'd happily toss my AW in the river

 

[MH01]

That is true, the Apple Watch or any fitness tracker for that matter will never be as accurate as a chest strap. It's not made to be a replacement, it's just a general reader for your heart. I have had good experiences with mine, although I have seen it off kiltered at times as well.

I haven't seen "Countless"'posts saying the Apple Watch is going to end the run of a higher mechanical Watch. But I do think there's a large majority of forum members in that thread I indicated to you that have ultimately mentioned there Rolex/high-end mechanical watches were set aside with wearing their Apple Watch. That's Not to say they completely abandoned it, but they have grown fond of wearing their Apple Watch because of all the available features it can do. I think that would be silly to get rid of a high-end mechanical watch over a piece of technology. Being I own both, I alternate mine for different occasions.

I think the Apple Watch has grown fond for some because they realize it doesn't tether them to their iPhone all the time and it provides more freedom. That and you have to factor in the customization with the Apple Watch with all the straps. You really can customize it in any manner you want The faces and bands. Apple executed the band switching perfectly.

I think the Rolex v Apple Watch came out of some of our members having a little too much $$$ to throw around it's basically a mechanical v smart watch discussion. And yes for many the mechanical watch has been replaced by the smart watch.

So branding aside, I use my mechincal watch 99% of the time, cause in my case , its does it core functionality perfectly and I don't need to charge it when I do an activity that takes advantage of the AW, it goes on. I'm hoping there is a generation of AW that works for me as an activity tracker and now colour combination special editions in association with Nike or whoever. I genuinely want apple to product a better activity tracker with these Sports companies.... not paint jobs

 

[TangoCharlie27]

Just add a Rolex to your Apple phone.

 

[BeefCake 15]

Funny as Rolex started out as a watch for workers and it took time for it to gain the status it has today in terms of value...your first Gen AW may end up being a collectible one day therefore value would appreciate on it. Comparing an mini computer to a mechanical watch sounds unreasonable to say the least....Mechanical watches have plateaued in innovation for the most part and you won't see much of changes from model to model other than design making its value a lot more durable over the years, it's too mature to be easily obsolete as opposed to SmartWatches and electronics for the most part.

P.S: Folks, humanity have invented way more watches than Rolex some are even more expensive and luxurious. Explore the market!

 

[JT2002TJ]

Funny as Rolex started out as a watch for workers and it took time for it to gain the status it has today in terms of value...your first Gen AW may end up being a collectible one day therefore value would appreciate on it. Comparing an mini computer to a mechanical watch sounds unreasonable to say the least....Mechanical watches have plateaued in innovation for the most part and you won't see much of changes from model to model other than design making its value a lot more durable over the years, it's too mature to be easily obsolete as opposed to SmartWatches and electronics for the most part.

P.S: Folks, humanity have invented way more watches than Rolex some are even more expensive and luxurious. Explore the market!

I actually have gotten into mechanical watches since I got my 0.5 gen AW.

I disagree with the bolded part, only because Apple didn't make it's watch a stand alone product. Since the watch must be coupled with an iphone, and the iphones that can work with the first watch will be valueless, it can't go up in value. If they always support the 0.5 Gen watch with the newest iphone (not the way Apple works), then maybe. But eventually, an apple watch will sit and be unusable...

 

[douglasf13]

I actually have gotten into mechanical watches since I got my 0.5 gen AW.

I disagree with the bolded part, only because Apple didn't make it's watch a stand alone product. Since the watch must be coupled with an iphone, and the iphones that can work with the first watch will be valueless, it can't go up in value. If they always support the 0.5 Gen watch with the newest iphone (not the way Apple works), then maybe. But eventually, an apple watch will sit and be unusable...

If it's already been paired, it would probably still work as a regular watch in power save mode, no? Or maybe someone could hack it to work as simply a watch? (not that I'd say it'll become a collectible)

 

[JT2002TJ]

If it's already been paired, it would probably still work as a regular watch in power save mode, no? Or maybe someone could hack it to work as simply a watch? (not that I'd say it'll become a collectible)

As it is, it will be useless without a phone. And since newer phones will not have the old software to be able to use the old watch, it will be useless. Unless they change watchOS to have an option for stand alone. You can't connect to Wifi (there is no way to join a network without the phone), you cant receive notifications. It would be the worst digital watch without it's smart capabilities...

You would want to clear out the watch before giving it to someone else, so it would be sitting on the pairing screen when they get it. So, if you need to sell it, it is useless to a buyer.

 

[bevsb2]

If you offered me that Rolex I'd happily toss my AW in the river

And if someone offered me a Rolex, it would go in the drawer with all my other watches and I'd continue using my Apple Watch.

 

[SDColorado]

And if someone offered me a Rolex, it would go in the drawer with all my other watches and I'd continue using my Apple Watch.

You know, me too. It would join a couple other expensive watches that I inherited from my father and keep due to emotional attachment, rather than any value for the watch. I just don't wear a watch to wear a watch and wouldn't, regardless of brand or monetary value. To me a Rolex is of no more value or use than a Timex, other than what I would sell it for.

BUT that is just me. I can fully appreciate that some folks value and appreciate these pieces as more than just a "time teller."

 

[Stefan johansson]

I got both an Apple Watch and an old Rolex submariner,and they are two completely different things. The Apple Watch do a lot of different tasks,but is a bit less rugged and more fragile than the time-and-date stainless steel Rolex,so when working in rough environment,where oil,acid,scratching tools and similar is present,I use the Rolex,and in normal use I prefer the lighter and more useful Apple Watch. Of course,the mechanical gyro drive Rolex works better in rural areas withouth possibility to charge the Apple Watch too.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

And if someone offered me a Rolex, it would go in the drawer with all my other watches and I'd continue using my Apple Watch.

That's fair enough. I still wear mechanical watches as well as my AW and always will. The Rolex would get some good wear and I'd enjoy it. For me the AW is a useful tool, but when I want to wear a good looking Watch just for the jewellery element, I pick a nicer looking timepiece.

 

[Newtons Apple]

I always "feel good" wearing my Rolex. The Apple watch is nice but does not give me the same feeling.

Everyone is different and each has their own wants and needs.

 

[douglasf13]

I always "feel good" wearing my Rolex. The Apple watch is nice but does not give me the same feeling.

Everyone is different and each has their own wants and needs.

Oddly enough, I have the opposite feeling. Even though I love mechanical watches (I've even taken watchmaking classes,) I always feel a bit lame wearing my Rolex, as they've longed since moved on from being purposeful tool watches and are now essentially status symbols.