Finally took the plunge...

[Lexical]

I originally pre-ordered an Apple Watch but then a few weeks later decided i didn't need one and cancelled it.

However it was my birthday recently and i thought what the hell ill get myself one and see what its all about. Having read lots of peoples opinions and read lots of reviews i was partly expecting myself to be returning it quite quickly.

But you know what? Im really quite impressed with it. This is coming from someone who has tried on 2 occasions to get on with an iPad and ended up selling it both times after never using it and not seeing the point. The watch is different though...

Firstly i needed a watch, plain and simple. I haven't worn one for years but getting a bit older now i think its something i really should have. So really one of the main reasons i bought it was because i wanted a watch and anything else was a bonus.

I think this is what people don't quite understand. I think everyone expects it to be some amazing do it all device. But if you pair it back and think about the basics of what a watch should be, i think it does it exceptionally well. I don't actually use hardly any of the apps on it, aside from glances. I mean whats the point in looking on Twitter or something? Might as well get your phone out for that!

Im really enjoying it though. I love the little taps you get for notifications and the little added bonuses. Love the fact i can change the music in my car from my wrist (I just plug my phone into my car with a phono cable so this is a real bonus for me), the map direction taps and the awesome tracking it does which is really encouraging me to get up off my lazy ass and do some exercise. Also barely ever used Siri ever until i got my watch but now i use it to reply when I'm driving or whatever.

So i guess I'm just writing this for people like me who after all the reviews and stuff aren't sure. But I'm really pleasantly surprised and I'm sure its only going to get better.

Bearing in mind i only went for the cheap Black with Black sports band. But i decided i liked the look of that model watch but wanted the leather loop because it was so comfortable after trying it on in the store. Bit silly maybe as the cost is almost as much as the SS with BSB, but i think its a great looking combo and looks really classy. The Sport Band isn't that great in my opinion, looks and feels cheap. The straps other than the sports band, albeit stupidly expensive, are really lovely.

Anyway... Thought i would add a picture!

 

[Armen]

Congrats.
Tips:

- remove the battery percentage from the watch face and just add it to glances. This way you won't obsess over the battery. (in iOS 9 Apple added a batteries widget so that you can see both your iphone and watch battery from notifications on your iPhone).

- Here's a trick to add the digital time as a complication on a analog watch face (like Mickey).

1. Go into world clocks on your iPhone and add a clock for the city you are in. Next
2. In the Apple watch app go to clock > City Abbreviations and put a <space> for the city you just created.
3. On any complication select your new world clock to display the current time in digital.

 

[Lexical]

Ah thats a great tip thank you!

To be honest I'm not really obsessing over the battery. Haven't had it go below 30% yet, so yeah i could probably remove the complication.

 

[AppleWes]

Congrats! Nice choice. Same here- (just with Sport band). I use it the same way you do. No need for a lot of apps but notifications work great, and nice to not have to check my phone at work all the time.

My phone stays in my pocket or sitting on my desk a lot more now.

*Thanks for the world clock tip @Armen!

 

[Phil A.]

i did exactly the same as the OP - pre-ordered then cancelled as I thought I didn't really need one and finally purchased the SGS with an additional black leather loop strap
I'm also delighted with my watch and in the week I've had it, it's become second nature to use

 

[Mac2me]

OP Don't feel bad about not using a lot of apps. I don't either. I don't ever want to spend a lot of time reading a small thing on my wrist. So far haven't added any but do want to get the Dark Skies for the weather (better than the one that comes on the watch and more reliable for my area where there's a lot of changes in topography and varying weather). I still haven't explored the maps, music or activities/health. I'm forever setting alarms with Siri on it for quick reminders like when I need to leave or even change a channel for a program I want to catch.

I found your comment about buying and returning your iPads interesting. Man I live on mine. Love to lay in bed at night and get caught up on news stories, mail and forum topics. I find it so comfortable laying on my back propped up with pillows and reading it like a book or newspaper.

Anyway just got a little tap on my wrist that I have an allergy shot coming up so gotta go. The watch looks nice on your wrist BTW.

 

[Planey28]

Your watch looks amazing, that's a really nice combination. If only I could afford the leather loop...

 

[Haxley]

I have the same combo, though I actually prefer the black sports band because of it's comfort and versatility(water resistance). I do love wearing the black leather loop for a night on the town. Since you're still in the 14 day return period, you may want to consider swapping the large leather loop for a medium. That's what I did and it fits much better. As you can see below, my large leather loop wrapped up to the case, almost. Yours fits a bit better than mine, but it may be worth comparing the medium and large in the store within the next 2 weeks before the return expires. Grats though, definitely an awesome combo imo

 

[CharlesShaw]

Happy belated birthday. Glad you came to your senses. And to everyone else waiting for some arbitrary reason, I say this: you know you want it, so why not end the torture now and just get one?

 

[Ben_Dover]

I originally pre-ordered an Apple Watch but then a few weeks later decided i didn't need one and cancelled it.

However it was my birthday recently and i thought what the hell ill get myself one and see what its all about. Having read lots of peoples opinions and read lots of reviews i was partly expecting myself to be returning it quite quickly.

But you know what? Im really quite impressed with it. This is coming from someone who has tried on 2 occasions to get on with an iPad and ended up selling it both times after never using it and not seeing the point. The watch is different though...

Firstly i needed a watch, plain and simple. I haven't worn one for years but getting a bit older now i think its something i really should have. So really one of the main reasons i bought it was because i wanted a watch and anything else was a bonus.

I think this is what people don't quite understand. I think everyone expects it to be some amazing do it all device. But if you pair it back and think about the basics of what a watch should be, i think it does it exceptionally well. I don't actually use hardly any of the apps on it, aside from glances. I mean whats the point in looking on Twitter or something? Might as well get your phone out for that!

Im really enjoying it though. I love the little taps you get for notifications and the little added bonuses. Love the fact i can change the music in my car from my wrist (I just plug my phone into my car with a phono cable so this is a real bonus for me), the map direction taps and the awesome tracking it does which is really encouraging me to get up off my lazy ass and do some exercise. Also barely ever used Siri ever until i got my watch but now i use it to reply when I'm driving or whatever.

So i guess I'm just writing this for people like me who after all the reviews and stuff aren't sure. But I'm really pleasantly surprised and I'm sure its only going to get better.

Bearing in mind i only went for the cheap Black with Black sports band. But i decided i liked the look of that model watch but wanted the leather loop because it was so comfortable after trying it on in the store. Bit silly maybe as the cost is almost as much as the SS with BSB, but i think its a great looking combo and looks really classy. The Sport Band isn't that great in my opinion, looks and feels cheap. The straps other than the sports band, albeit stupidly expensive, are really lovely.

Anyway... Thought i would add a picture!

Enjoy it while it lasts....

 

[TrueBlou]

Congrats.
Tips:

- remove the battery percentage from the watch face and just add it to glances. This way you won't obsess over the battery. (in iOS 9 Apple added a batteries widget so that you can see both your iphone and watch battery from notifications on your iPhone).

- Here's a trick to add the digital time as a complication on a analog watch face (like Mickey).

1. Go into world clocks on your iPhone and add a clock for the city you are in. Next
2. In the Apple watch app go to clock > City Abbreviations and put a <space> for the city you just created.
3. On any complication select your new world clock to display the current time in digital.

Well found, can't imagine really needing a digital readout but I'm using it nonetheless because I think it's a nice wee trick

 

[Michael CM1]

It really just depends on what you need. I don't think it's ready yet for tech novices like my mom. I had to explain to her over the phone what a window was on a Mac. She gets plenty on her iPhone and iPad -- the latter because it IS a big iPhone -- but hasn't done much else to change technology-wise. I can't even get her to use Touch ID because she thinks it's too hard.

But for someone like me who lives to figure these things out and make life easier, SCORE. The Activity app is simply great. I have almost always gotten the stand goal, mostly gotten the move goal and have increased my working out now. There's something about getting credit for doing that workout somewhere that helps.

It also helps you screen calls. If your hands are full at a store and your phone is in a pocket or purse, it allows you to just flick your wrist to see who it is. Same thing with emails and messages.

But it needs some work. Hey Siri need to be more consistent on working. The apps gotta get faster, and the extra APIs should help with more types. I know the storage is limited, but if Apple could develop some sort of NFC or Bluetooth method of using the Watch as a USB flash drive a lot like iCloud Drive can kinda do, that might be another great use for it. And if somehow I could access my iCloud Keynote presentations and shoot them directly to an Apple TV without the need for a phone, iPad or computer, even better.

 

[Armen]

Well found, can't imagine really needing a digital readout but I'm using it nonetheless because I think it's a nice wee trick

The Digital clock read out comes in handy when accuracy of the watch face you are using is approximate.

Example below .

 

[TrueBlou]

The Digital clock read out comes in handy when accuracy of the watch face you are using is approximate.

Example below .

View attachment 564341

Good point and one of the reasons I've been steering clear of those faces. Until now

 

[Javabird]

Well found, can't imagine really needing a digital readout but I'm using it nonetheless because I think it's a nice wee trick

I like to use on mine to show 24-hour time with an analog-style watch face.

 

[Pravda]

Glad you didn't give up and at least giving the Watch a try.
It's definitely not for everyone, it's definitely not a must have device, but once you start using it and realize how much it actually helps you out and frees you up from the iPhone and other devices, its a breath of fresh air.

 

[vincent_007]

The Digital clock read out comes in handy when accuracy of the watch face you are using is approximate.

Example below .

View attachment 564341

I am doing just the same and I love that watch face. Always coming back to it.

 

[Lexical]

Your watch looks amazing, that's a really nice combination. If only I could afford the leather loop...

Yeah im super pleased. I think its the closest you can get to the Black Stainless with link bracelet (From afar anyway...!) and less than half the price. I know the leather loop is expensive but its so worth it in my opinion, looks like a much classier watch.

 

[Lexical]

I have the same combo, though I actually prefer the black sports band because of it's comfort and versatility(water resistance). I do love wearing the black leather loop for a night on the town. Since you're still in the 14 day return period, you may want to consider swapping the large leather loop for a medium. That's what I did and it fits much better. As you can see below, my large leather loop wrapped up to the case, almost. Yours fits a bit better than mine, but it may be worth comparing the medium and large in the store within the next 2 weeks before the return expires. Grats though, definitely an awesome combo imo
View attachment 564220

Im wearing a medium! I have small wrists. The medium leather loop only just fits, the larger was huge on me wasn't even possible to do it up.

 

[Lexical]

The Digital clock read out comes in handy when accuracy of the watch face you are using is approximate.

Example below .

View attachment 564341

I love this watch face now. I use it all the time.

I started out with the modular one but now i prefer the simple face with the time trick explained earlier in this thread.

 

[Lexical]

Also as some of you liked the look i took a few more pictures after i got it, might help those sitting on the fence about the band or the combo.