Dear Apple,
design a phone that’s less “crystal wine glass” and more “attractive travel mug!!!”
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Apple “investment”? No ones Apple Watch is gaining value, although they are useful. Anyway, no need for a case here. I’ve smacked them on door jams and dropped them plenty of times with no issues. My current Ultra certainly has more patina than my SBSS S4 ever did though. 🤷♂️
Idk, seems to me apple does a pretty good job with the build quality of, at least, their watches. I’ve owned an original Apple Watch, a series 1 (refurbished even) and currently a series 6. I am not gentle. I smack my watches on all kinds of things, mostly doors and door frames (accidentally of course). I also wear it during martial arts workouts, even on a wall bag, wave master, and wooden dummy. Still going strong!
Might get a second generation ultra when they come out, especially since I’m looking to do more camping, hiking and outdoor trips. Plus, the extra insurance from its even more durable frame couldn’t hurt.
The Apple Watch already comes with a case. You can get the case in Al, SS or Ti. Some in assorted colors. It’s made to protect the more important guts inside the Watch.
I haven't worn a watch since I got my first cell phone in 1996 as even back then those things could tell the time, so I no longer had need for a watch. I'm still not sure why I would want an Apple watch, yet, except maybe for easier Apple Pay use. In the meantime the wife and I each have an iPhone 12 mini, and while we have silicon cases I have not bothered with screen protectors. I tried screen protection on our SE's, which only served to reduce the response of the touch screen. I highly doubt I would add any extra protection to an Apple watch.
We regularly go on self-drive safaris in Africa, with our phones loosely lying around the vehicle, not a scratch. This is in a 1998 Landrover Defender, vehicles known to not have the most comfortable suspension. Then there is the dust in places like Namibia. And all the while I'm not at all worried about our €600 phones.
Now the only real reason I've put them in silicon cases is because the camera lenses protrude out the back, but we also like to lie them facedown, the extra silicon making them less likely to slide off whatever surface we put them on. The other reason is holding the phone, as without the case they can easily slip out your hand. This can be a bit of a problem when taking photos on cruise ships and boats. Either way I'm pretty confident these phones, watches etc are hard core enough to protect themselves to a certain degree without any extra cases.
Then I have a Nokia from 2005 that still works, this phone being pretty much indestructible right out the box....
We regularly go on self-drive safaris in Africa, with our phones loosely lying around the vehicle, not a scratch. This is in a 1998 Landrover Defender, vehicles known to not have the most comfortable suspension. Then there is the dust in places like Namibia. And all the while I'm not at all worried about our €600 phones.
Now the only real reason I've put them in silicon cases is because the camera lenses protrude out the back, but we also like to lie them facedown, the extra silicon making them less likely to slide off whatever surface we put them on. The other reason is holding the phone, as without the case they can easily slip out your hand. This can be a bit of a problem when taking photos on cruise ships and boats. Either way I'm pretty confident these phones, watches etc are hard core enough to protect themselves to a certain degree without any extra cases.
Then I have a Nokia from 2005 that still works, this phone being pretty much indestructible right out the box....
Using case or not is really depends on usage environment and type of person. For some people, naked watch (and iPhone and iPad) are still good for years, while for others, it took only few days to get their first scratch.
The Apple Watch Ultra does look like something I could one day use, but I still wouldn't add any extra protection to it. I don't like using protection.
I always put a case on my iPhone as I drop it more often than I should. However, the Apple Watch is too bulky with a case IMO. The standard aluminium version is much more durable than the stainless in regards to impacts but can scratch. Mine is scratched in places but it’s only used for a few years and who wants to put a perfectly pristine AW in a drawer? Enjoy it, let it show the history and character of being enjoyed.
Here is my 3+ year Series 5 complete with scratches and slightly melted screen from cutting steel. It works, still looks like a nice smartwatch and nobody can see it’s scratched unless they look very closely.
If you think you’re likely to smash your watch, put a case on it if that’s your thing. I did have a work colleague slip whilst undoing a bolt and smashed his new Stainless steel watch screen a couple of years back.
Here is my 3+ year Series 5 complete with scratches and slightly melted screen from cutting steel. It works, still looks like a nice smartwatch and nobody can see it’s scratched unless they look very closely.
If you think you’re likely to smash your watch, put a case on it if that’s your thing. I did have a work colleague slip whilst undoing a bolt and smashed his new Stainless steel watch screen a couple of years back.
There are cases that add very little bulk. A poster posted one earlier in this thread.
I think it's a bit silly to cover a beutifully designed watch with a case. Case essentially hides the nice aesthetics and you never really get to enjoy the watch to the fullest. IMHO just enjoy the product like it was designed to.
Of course if you are working e.g. in construction site, then it makes sense to add some protection.
Of course if you are working e.g. in construction site, then it makes sense to add some protection.
Please wear vambrace for your door arm-smacking habit 
Joke aside: Apple Watch is at the lowest risk tier for myself because I ain’t dropping my watch in daily life
Joke aside: Apple Watch is at the lowest risk tier for myself because I ain’t dropping my watch in daily life
I have always had a case, but recently removed it from my iPhone 14Pro. I get a new phone every year. I have AppleCare + and I have decided that if something bad happens, it will get resolved through repair. I do feel that I enjoy the phone more without a case and it is lighter without it. It is, agreed, a personal decision. You do you.
That's not the branding, it's the theft-proofing. Make your $800 watch look like it came from the $10 rack at Target and nobody will want to steal it. 😄
as I've said before, AppleCare+ is my case. If my phone gets some scratches on it, I'll smash it into the floor until it is damaged beyond repair, and apple will be forced to replace it. But, usually scratches don't bother me. I get AppleCare for the occasional, accidental drop or battery service.