My First Apple Watch and I am conflicted…

[arkitect]

tl;dr
I miss my old mechanical watch and the Apple Watch just doesn't thrill me as much as all the hype would lead me to believe.


For the record, I am 58 years old, so it might be an age thing.

After years of avoiding getting an Apple Watch — there have been some close calls where temptation was huge — I finally bought myself an Apple Watch SE.
Bog standard, 40mm, silver aluminium and blue band.

My daily watch for the past… 20 years have been my 1914 Trench watch, solid silver case.
It gains or loses a minute or so depending on the weather.
I have it serviced every couple years and it keeps on ticking.

It has a lovely comforting ticking sound, a mechanical heartbeat. It has character and history… 108 years old.

Even now as I sit here typing this with the new Apple gizmo on my wrist I can faintly hear the watch ticking away as it sits on my desk.

This is going to sound weird, but I miss it.

The Apple Watch is just I don't know… soulless.

Yes, I've used it to buy stuff… milk, wine, headache tablets.
Yes, I've closed my exercise and standing and what not rings…
Yes, it alerts me to messages — and I had fun (of a kind) trying to scribble a reply. What larks!
Yes, I know what my heartrate is…

Don't get me wrong, it is a lovely bit of kit. Apple do gorgeous things. But it does nothing for me more than my iPhone already does.

Anyway… I don't know. I am just left a bit empty.

My 1914 mechanical does one thing. It tells me the time… and I am very fond of it.

Anyway! Who knows maybe today it will all click in place and I will find that magical "How did I get along without my Apple Watch!"

But right now it seems to me I am desperately trying to find uses for it to justify having it.

A

 

[MisterSavage]

You're allowed to not like things that other people do! What you described is the reason why I put off buying one until series 3. "If my watch can do all of those things better why do I need one?" For me the convenience factor of not having to carry my phone around or not having to get my phone out was more tantalizing than I realized. I came to absolutely love my watch but if you don't there's nothing wrong with that.

 

[azentropy]

You can use some different watch faces and change to different bands to give it a bit more "soul". But IMO the rectangle face will never be as attractive as a round face. I do really like being able to accessorize it with different bands though and it is really easy to change them out, unlock other watches I've owned over the years.

As I wrote in other posts - I really like it as a fitness tracker and it is ok for showing some notifications. But input and everything else is still just meh and more often than not I just end up using my iPhone anyway as it is easier. Siri/Dictation is still just horrible for me, so I gave up responding to texts with it as it made me look like an idiot. Even something like using Apple Pay. You actually have to use TWO hands, one that it is on and then the other too double click to authorize vs. with my iPhone 12 mini I can just pull it out of my pocket with the same hand and authorize it with that same hand (one of the reasons I prefer the smaller iPhones). On top of that the battery life for me continues to disappoint. My Series 5 (I've had a 0,1,4 and now 5) pretty much goes into low power mode around 7pm everyday.

When my 5 dies I'm not sure if I'll get another Apple Watch unless there is a big improvement (especially in battery life) between now and then. I think just a good fitness tracker that can display notifications might be the way for me to go next. I might have switched already buy Apple hooks me in with extending my streaks! (I'll hit 1200 days on Sunday)

 

[fwmireault]

I think you have enough reasons to return it. I love mine but I get that it’s not for everybody. Besides, your mechanical watch is beautiful and I can understand you want to stick with that!

 

[PatrickNSF]

I agree. Your particular Apple Watch, when paired next to your mechanical, looks “soulless.“

Maybe an titanium or stainless steel watch with an always-on display showing the California watch face and paired with a leather band would have been a better fit for your aesthetic?

 

[jazzpolizei]

I suppose you could wear them on each wrist.

 

[jz0309]

tl;dr
I miss my old mechanical watch and the Apple Watch just doesn't thrill me as much as all the hype would lead me to believe.


For the record, I am 58 years old, so it might be an age thing.

After years of avoiding getting an Apple Watch — there have been some close calls where temptation was huge — I finally bought myself an Apple Watch SE.
Bog standard, 40mm, silver aluminium and blue band.

My daily watch for the past… 20 years have been my 1914 Trench watch, solid silver case.
It gains or loses a minute or so depending on the weather.
I have it serviced every couple years and it keeps on ticking.

It has a lovely comforting ticking sound, a mechanical heartbeat. It has character and history… 108 years old.

Even now as I sit here typing this with the new Apple gizmo on my wrist I can faintly hear the watch ticking away as it sits on my desk.

This is going to sound weird, but I miss it.

The Apple Watch is just I don't know… soulless.

Yes, I've used it to buy stuff… milk, wine, headache tablets.
Yes, I've closed my exercise and standing and what not rings…
Yes, it alerts me to messages — and I had fun (of a kind) trying to scribble a reply. What larks!
Yes, I know what my heartrate is…

Don't get me wrong, it is a lovely bit of kit. Apple do gorgeous things. But it does nothing for me more than my iPhone already does.

Anyway… I don't know. I am just left a bit empty.

My 1914 mechanical does one thing. It tells me the time… and I am very fond of it.

Anyway! Who knows maybe today it will all click in place and I will find that magical "How did I get along without my Apple Watch!"

But right now it seems to me I am desperately trying to find uses for it to justify having it.

View attachment 1953676
A

it's not an age thing, I am older than you and have enjoyed AWs since 2015 ...
try out different watch faces, look at different bands if aesthetics is important for you.
if the features the AW offers are not sufficient for you, well, return it, you have 14 days if you bought from Apple.
And, AW is not for everyone, nothing wrong with that ...

 

[TechRunner]

Your mechanical watch is awesome! I can understand why you're conflicted. Having said that, maybe a weekday/weekend thing? I've had jobs where the phone was not allowed out during work hours, so the connected watch was mandatory with aging parents (you and I are the same age, btw), but on the weekend, not so much, so I had the freedom to wear something different as my phone was always on me.

 

[jmgregory1]

Last year I gave my youngest son my beloved Seiko Automatic watch that I had worn daily for 15+ years, with zero issues. It’s certainly not as old as your trench watch, but similarly I loved the high tech yet mechanical nature of my Seiko, and it always got noticed by people, because it was unique. But like you, I had purchased an Apple Watch (series 5) and effectively stopped wearing the Seiko more than a year ago. I’m in my mid 50’s and the Apple Watch has become part of my daily routine of improving my health and fitness.

Sure, I will answer the occasional phone call on it, or respond to text messages, but for the most part it’s the tracking of my heart rate and exercise that I use it for daily. My son has an Apple Watch (series 3) and he’s stopped wearing it, instead he’s now wearing my old Seiko, which he now loves, so I feel good that he can appreciate it and I know he feels good having something I used to love that he can have responsibility for now. And because he’s in his 20’s, he really doesn’t need to track his health stats, in the way that I do, so it makes more sense for him to give up his Apple Watch.

 

[DrwMDvs]

WatchOS really needs to add complete customizability for the watch faces. I want to pick every single color, background, needle, etc. Sure there's a handful of watch faces, but in the end, they're all quite similar and limiting.

 

[jazz1]

I'd say if you are not finding the Apple Watch particularly useful then return it. I have to admit I have become so "addicted" to the iPhone and Apple Watch the constant "taps" on the shoulder do get old. But, I manage them with the "Do Not Disturb" feature/settings.

One thing I do appreciate is the safety features of the watch. I set mine off once the I didn't catch it in time. Yes, the local police called within 30 seconds. Embarrassing, but proof if I had an emergency this would come in handy.

That old watch is beautiful. I have some mechanical watches that need service. Thank OP for inspiring me to get them out and look for service on them!

 

[boss.king]

It sounds like it’s not for you. That’s fine, your other watch looks really nice. Use what makes you happy, there’s no point in forcing yourself to try like something to replace the thing you already like.

 

[antiprotest]

You should return it and move on. Live your life and be happy.

 

[bluespark]

Not everyone has to like everything. There's no reason to spend time and mental energy looking for reasons to like something you just don't like.

 

[benjaminww]

tl;dr
I miss my old mechanical watch and the Apple Watch just doesn't thrill me as much as all the hype would lead me to believe.


For the record, I am 58 years old, so it might be an age thing.

After years of avoiding getting an Apple Watch — there have been some close calls where temptation was huge — I finally bought myself an Apple Watch SE.
Bog standard, 40mm, silver aluminium and blue band.

My daily watch for the past… 20 years have been my 1914 Trench watch, solid silver case.
It gains or loses a minute or so depending on the weather.
I have it serviced every couple years and it keeps on ticking.

It has a lovely comforting ticking sound, a mechanical heartbeat. It has character and history… 108 years old.

Even now as I sit here typing this with the new Apple gizmo on my wrist I can faintly hear the watch ticking away as it sits on my desk.

This is going to sound weird, but I miss it.

The Apple Watch is just I don't know… soulless.

Yes, I've used it to buy stuff… milk, wine, headache tablets.
Yes, I've closed my exercise and standing and what not rings…
Yes, it alerts me to messages — and I had fun (of a kind) trying to scribble a reply. What larks!
Yes, I know what my heartrate is…

Don't get me wrong, it is a lovely bit of kit. Apple do gorgeous things. But it does nothing for me more than my iPhone already does.

Anyway… I don't know. I am just left a bit empty.

My 1914 mechanical does one thing. It tells me the time… and I am very fond of it.

Anyway! Who knows maybe today it will all click in place and I will find that magical "How did I get along without my Apple Watch!"

But right now it seems to me I am desperately trying to find uses for it to justify having it.

View attachment 1953676
A

Thanks for sharing how you feel—your feelings make sense.

I personally double-wrist (left: mechanical, right: apple watch) and absolutely love it. It's definitely a statement—so I understand it's not for everyone—but I've noticed that other watch hobbyists really respect it, and if you fully own it / wear it confidently, when people talk with me about it I can crack some funny jokes: "Yeah, this is just a proactive measure, in-case I lose an arm or something."

I've even been inside an Apple Store and had a retail rep comment on how he immediately takes his Apple Watch off when he gets home to put his mechanical one on, and that he noticed I like watches by my double-wristing, and maybe he'll start doing it because it doesn't look as crazy as he thought it would.

Sadly Apple doesn't make an Apple Band or Apple Fitness Band that provides the same features as their watch. If that exists, I wouldn't double-wrist.

It's helped me to think of my Apple Watch as more of a fitness accessory than a timepiece.

 

[now i see it]

Get rid of it. You obviously don’t like it (and yes the A-watch is the definition of ugly).
I’ve never been even slightly interested in them.

 

[glenthompson]

Definitely not an age thing, I'm 70 and the Apple Watch is the best watch I've ever owned. Bought it originally because my wife and I got tired of our Fitbits and other fitness trackers dying too easily. Gave the watch a try and we both love it. As to the ticking, I haven't owned a mechanical watch for decades so can't relate. I'm not a fashionista so don't go for the classic watch looks.

 

[Dc2006ster]

If the Apple Watch offers nothing you really need, return it and stick to your Trench watch. I am 76 and use the AW to monitor my heart rate during exercise. So I have what I think is a valid use. I had used a Fitbit but it was tough to read , not very convenient to use and the screen died so I switched to and AW. Other things, like notifications, activity circles and other complications or apps are things I now use but could live without - they are a bonus.

 

[JM]

Sorry I didn’t read all of your post, but I can appreciate your love for the simplicity and soul of the mechanical watch. You’re just that kind person! You’re not as into the tech of the Apple Watch.

If it helps, I still the Apple Watch as a “really nice to have”, and wore watches before o Ly for their utility of time and date telling. The Apple Watch does that and offers more utility, and I appreciate the tech and design qualities of it.

You, appreciate the tech and design qualities of old Watch, more, right? Totally valid and makes sense

If the Apple Watch doesn’t make you feel good, then definitely go back to what you love.

Maybe one day Apple could create a hybrid mechanical, digital Watch with all the health sensors (that I am expecting to rely on ad I continue aging. I already am very glad to have heart rate monitor as my heart heart can shoot up to unsafe levels very quick.)

 

[MisterSavage]

WatchOS really needs to add complete customizability for the watch faces. I want to pick every single color, background, needle, etc. Sure there's a handful of watch faces, but in the end, they're all quite similar and limiting.

Agree 100%. Some of the watch faces are "close" to what I want, which makes it even more frustrating not being able to change them like I want.

 

[Madhatter32]

Wear your mechanical if that is what speaks to you. I, too, like mechanical watches and yours looks awesome. Return the Apple watch and get an inexpensive Fitbit for workouts and activity tracking.

 

[djcerla]

The Apple Watch looks much better on your wrist. And your old timepiece won’t help you when you need it the most. It won’t call for help in case of accidents & falls, won’t alert you about heart dangerous conditions.

Embrace the change friend.

 

[GMShadow]

I wore an Apple Watch for four years (S1, then S4). Eventually I went back to traditional wristwatches (nothing quite so nice as yours, I prefer my Seiko Arnie ana-digi) and haven't regretted it once.

I'd worn a watch before getting an AW though, which may have had an effect on my sentiments.

 

[ufgatorvet]

I'm an old fart too but love the AW. Your watch face is kind of boring, perhaps explore more interesting apps or complications?

 

[Night Spring]

My 1914 mechanical does one thing. It tells me the time… and I am very fond of it.

I love the look of your mechanical watch, and can see why it's special to you. But if you are looking for "the soul" of the Apple Watch, the face you have showing in the pic isn't the best for that. IMO, the Apple Watch faces that try to imitate the look of analog watches are pale imitations of the real thing, and will always disappoint. I tend to use the digital faces, ones that I can fill up with complications that show me all the info I want at a glance. I also enjoy the Astronomy and Solar faces, which give unique looks only possible with a digital display. And some of the complications for the X-Large face are quite useful -- the compass looks and works like a real compass, and the timer also feels like a real timer. I think people overlook that face because it's not obvious that you can use complications with it, and how useful some of the complications for it are.

Obviously, the Apple Watch isn't for everyone, and your mechanical watch is lovely, so if you decide to stick with that, that's great. But if you want to give the Apple Watch a real go, try the more computer-like aspects of it. It's a computer on your wrist, and that's where it's strengths are.