My Apple Watch Try On Experience (from Australia).

[InAustralia]

I already pre-ordered the 42mm Stainless Steel with Sport Band (although I wanted to get the Stainless Steel Link Bracelet), but made an appointment at the Bondi Junction Apple Store in Sydney Australia to try on the various watches in person. Here are my thoughts.

Arrived at The Bondi Junction Apple Store at 11am on Sunday 12 April and found it surprisingly quiet. Whilst there were a number of people in the store (there always is), the people were scattered around the store and not looking specifically at the Apple Watch. I was able to go straight to the desk with the Apple Watches and have a look as well as play with with the demo units without waiting. I was then approached by a young female sales assistant who was starting to explain the Apple Watch to me. I was 30 minutes early for my try on appointment, but they said no problems as it was not busy so they started my appointment straight away.

I opted to only try on the 42mm versions of the watch as I prefer larger face watches and I knew the 38mm version would be too small for me. My wrist size 170mm.

The Sales Assistant was quite knowledgeable about the Apple Watch and confessed to being a watch fanatic herself. She said she owned a number of premium watches and was wearing a Rolex. She mentioned that she thought it was interesting that Apple went into the watch business as she always saw watches as prestige items which you keep for many years whilst the Apple Watch will have a definite use by date.

I first looked at the Milanese Loop (being the cheapest metal band option available at $229AUD). The band was soft and easy to adjust but I really did not like the band at all! My wife looked at the band and said it was too feminine. I agreed, as did the sales assistant. However the sales assistant did state that the Milanese Loop band was quite popular.

The next band I looked at was the Leather Loop (sorry, at this stage I got a bit too engrossed in the watch try on process and forgot to take photos of the watches on my wrist). The Leather Loop was quite nice. Like the Milanese Loop, it was very easy to adjust and felt comfortable. The Leather did not feel quite like leather though (I think this was due to the magnets imbedded inside the strap itself) but it was still comfortable.

The next watch I tried was the 42mm Space Grey Sport Edition with Sport Band. The Sport Band was quite nice actually. The material was soft and supple and very comfortable, however I don’t think it would be suitable for long term wear as it would not be breathable.

I then tried on the Stainless Steel with Link Bracelet and found this watch to be the best of the bunch. My wife and the sales assistant both agreed that this watch combination looked the best on me. The Link Bracelet was comfortable and stylish, however I was expecting the link bracelet to have a more premium feel. The link bracelet felt nice though. I currently wear a watch with a stainless steel link bracelet and found that the Apple Watch version did not feel as nice as my current watch.

I had a look at the Space Black Stainless Steel with Link Bracelet but found the colour a bit off. It looked a little cheap in my opinion. It just did not seem to have the classic look that the Silver Stainless Steel option provided.

The pick of the bunch in terms of bands was definitely the Stainless Steel Link Bracelet.

My band preference would be:

1. Stainless Steel Link Bracelet
2. Leather Loop
3. Classic Buckle
4. Sport Band
5. Milanese Loop

(I did not try the modern buckle as I only tried the 42mm watch)

The end result was I placed an order for an additional Stainless Steel Link Bracelet.

 

[jabingla2810]

Fantastic pictures and thoughts!

To be honest, I think the 42mm looks too big on you, but pictures can be deceiving, and as long as your happy that's the main thing!

I've ordered the leather loop, so it's nice to see you think highly of it!

 

[InAustralia]

It does look big on my wrist doesn't it. I thought it was fine in the store but looking at the photos it looks too large.

Hhmmm, I might have to go back for another try on and see it again.

 

[jabingla2810]

It does look big on my wrist doesn't it. I thought it was fine in the store but looking at the photos it looks too large.

Hhmmm, I might have to go back for another try on and see it again.

I have read others talk about how the photos are deceptive. Remember the watch is much closer to the camera lens then your wrist is!

How it felt in person is more important than how it looks in pictures

 

[largefarrva]

It's funny that you and your wife both felt that the milanese loop was too feminine looking. I've felt that way the entire time and was actually surprised how popular it was here amongst men. Everyone talks about how the modern buckle is the feminine choice of bands but none mention the same about the milanese loop.

I'm on the fence about ordering the link bracelet as an additional band for my 42mm with black sport band I have on order. But the more reviews I read about it inches me closer and closer to ordering one.

 

[matrix07]

Thank you for the experience. And yes, in the picture the Watch will look bigger than inreal life since the Len of iPhone is wider than our eyes. (The closer object is to the Len, the bigger it'll appear to be)

 

[cardfan]

It's funny that you and your wife both felt that the milanese loop was too feminine looking. I've felt that way the entire time and was actually surprised how popular it was here amongst men. Everyone talks about how the modern buckle is the feminine choice of bands but none mention the same about the milanese loop.

I'm on the fence about ordering the link bracelet as an additional band for my 42mm with black sport band I have on order. But the more reviews I read about it inches me closer and closer to ordering one.

Yep, I consider the milanese band as a lady's band. I know some think otherwise but don't be surprised if people react to your milanese band with smiles.

 

[MH01]

My thoughts exactly.

Before going into the Apple Store, I thought the black SS was the best looking with the link bracelet, in person it looked cheap compared to try SS link bracelet . While i liked the link bracelet to look at, it felt too thin and cheap wearing it. I opted for the SS with leather , also could not justify the price for the link bracelet, just did not feel it was worth the money, nice.... But not almost twice the price

----------

Yep, I consider the milanese band as a lady's band. I know some think otherwise but don't be surprised if people react to your milanese band with smiles.

From the start I thought it was made for females , in my opinion . I'm sure males will buy it though

 

[Zxxv]

Fantastic pictures and thoughts!

To be honest, I think the 42mm looks too big on you, but pictures can be deceiving, and as long as your happy that's the main thing!

I've ordered the leather loop, so it's nice to see you think highly of it!

It does look big on my wrist doesn't it. I thought it was fine in the store but looking at the photos it looks too large.

Hhmmm, I might have to go back for another try on and see it again.

weird as I think it looks fine on you

something smaller would look more like jewellery

 

[mattopotamus]

It does look big on my wrist doesn't it. I thought it was fine in the store but looking at the photos it looks too large.

Hhmmm, I might have to go back for another try on and see it again.

I did the same thing. Initially only tried the 42mm based on the way the size looked. I later went back and tried on the 38mm, and it fit much better.

You took really good photos.

 

[dotnet]

Good onya for taking those pics, I went to my Castle Hill appointment with a DSLR and didn't take single photo I spent most of my time with the hands-on watches.

I very much liked the look and feel of the link bracelet, too, but the Milanese loop still is my fav. It feels as comfortable and supple as a thin nylon braid, yet indestructible, tough and most importantly, washable. I've always loved the look of chainmail bands on serious watches.

I've been wearing link bracelets for most of my life, but I always hated their rigidity. I like my bracelets snug, not floppy, and adjusted that way they would always feel loose in the morning and tight in the evening. For that reason I switched to leather bands, which will stretch to fit and can be adjusted to different holes if necessary. They do have the big disadvantage that they will simply rot away, smell and disintegrate from sweat and accidental water within less than two years.

Hence, for me, the Milanese loop combines the advantages of both steel link and leather without the downsides. Plus, I like the look of it, even though my wife doesn't

 

[poppe]

I already pre-ordered the 42mm Stainless Steel with Sport Band (although I wanted to get the Stainless Steel Link Bracelet), but made an appointment at the Bondi Junction Apple Store in Sydney Australia to try on the various watches in person. Here are my thoughts.

Arrived at The Bondi Junction Apple Store at 11am on Sunday 12 April and found it surprisingly quiet. Whilst there were a number of people in the store (there always is), the people were scattered around the store and not looking specifically at the Apple Watch. I was able to go straight to the desk with the Apple Watches and have a look as well as play with with the demo units without waiting. I was then approached by a young female sales assistant who was starting to explain the Apple Watch to me. I was 30 minutes early for my try on appointment, but they said no problems as it was not busy so they started my appointment straight away.

ImageImage
Image
Image
Image
Image

I opted to only try on the 42mm versions of the watch as I prefer larger face watches and I knew the 38mm version would be too small for me. My wrist size 170mm.

The Sales Assistant was quite knowledgeable about the Apple Watch and confessed to being a watch fanatic herself. She said she owned a number of premium watches and was wearing a Rolex. She mentioned that she thought it was interesting that Apple went into the watch business as she always saw watches as prestige items which you keep for many years whilst the Apple Watch will have a definite use by date.

I first looked at the Milanese Loop (being the cheapest metal band option available at $229AUD). The band was soft and easy to adjust but I really did not like the band at all! My wife looked at the band and said it was too feminine. I agreed, as did the sales assistant. However the sales assistant did state that the Milanese Loop band was quite popular.

The next band I looked at was the Leather Loop (sorry, at this stage I got a bit too engrossed in the watch try on process and forgot to take photos of the watches on my wrist). The Leather Loop was quite nice. Like the Milanese Loop, it was very easy to adjust and felt comfortable. The Leather did not feel quite like leather though (I think this was due to the magnets imbedded inside the strap itself) but it was still comfortable.

Image
Image

The next watch I tried was the 42mm Space Grey Sport Edition with Sport Band. The Sport Band was quite nice actually. The material was soft and supple and very comfortable, however I don’t think it would be suitable for long term wear as it would not be breathable.

Image

I then tried on the Stainless Steel with Link Bracelet and found this watch to be the best of the bunch. My wife and the sales assistant both agreed that this watch combination looked the best on me. The Link Bracelet was comfortable and stylish, however I was expecting the link bracelet to have a more premium feel. The link bracelet felt nice though. I currently wear a watch with a stainless steel link bracelet and found that the Apple Watch version did not feel as nice as my current watch.

I had a look at the Space Black Stainless Steel with Link Bracelet but found the colour a bit off. It looked a little cheap in my opinion. It just did not seem to have the classic look that the Silver Stainless Steel option provided.

Image

The pick of the bunch in terms of bands was definitely the Stainless Steel Link Bracelet.

My band preference would be:

1. Stainless Steel Link Bracelet
2. Leather Loop
3. Classic Buckle
4. Sport Band
5. Milanese Loop

(I did not try the modern buckle as I only tried the 42mm watch)

The end result was I placed an order for an additional Stainless Steel Link Bracelet.

I feel like we had the exact same experience. Even down to preferences. I was dead set on Milanese loop up until two weeks ago. Since day one.

 

[Marco123]

It does look big on my wrist doesn't it. I thought it was fine in the store but looking at the photos it looks too large.

Hhmmm, I might have to go back for another try on and see it again.

You should go back and try them but don't let the photo deceive you.
A previous thread brought up how the 42 can look bigger on photos and it definitely does.
I was all set for 38 because of this and after trying the two sizes now I am most definitely a 42 now but my preorder was a release day 38 and I'm now set for June on a 42. Better then being disappointed with a watch that would be to small.

 

[InAustralia]

I have read others talk about how the photos are deceptive. Remember the watch is much closer to the camera lens then your wrist is!

How it felt in person is more important than how it looks in pictures

You should go back and try them but don't let the photo deceive you.
A previous thread brought up how the 42 can look bigger on photos and it definitely does.
I was all set for 38 because of this and after trying the two sizes now I am most definitely a 42 now but my preorder was a release day 38 and I'm now set for June on a 42. Better then being disappointed with a watch that would be to small.

I just took a photo of my current watch on my wrist and it looks equally as big on my wrist as the Apple Watch (but it is actually a perfect fit for me). It's been my daily watch for the past 23 years!

I love it, so will have to see if the Apple Watch can replace it as my daily watch when it arrives.

 

[InAustralia]

Ducked back into the Apple Store today for a quick follow up.

The 42mm Apple Watch looks fine on my wrist (but the 38mm looked pretty good as well). In a bit of a dilemma now as I could get the smaller 38mm watch and pass it down to my wife when the Apple Watch 2 comes out.

The 42mm Apple Watch would be too big for my wife. It just means I would have to cancel my current order (delivery on 24 April) and wait until June to get the 38mm.

Decisions, decisions.

 

[chibamac]

Ducked back into the Apple Store today for a quick follow up.

The 42mm Apple Watch looks fine on my wrist (but the 38mm looked pretty good as well). In a bit of a dilemma now as I could get the smaller 38mm watch and pass it down to my wife when the Apple Watch 2 comes out.

The 42mm Apple Watch would be too big for my wife. It just means I would have to cancel my current order (delivery on 24 April) and wait until June to get the 38mm.

Decisions, decisions.

IMO stick with the 42mm order on the 24th. When a new generation comes out just get your wife the new one.

You won't have to wait 2 extra months + 42mm will have better battery life, larger screen.

Chiba