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[…] As for me, my Stainless Steel Series 0 served me well until I replaced it with my current Space Black Stainless Steel Series 4.
I did very a similar move. The first generation was just so interesting a device and interface, I decided to throw the money away just to try it all out. And of course the one that caught my eye was the Space Black Link Bracelet that ended up being the most expensive before the (way-out-of-my-league) Edition models. The older watchOS was laid out much differently. When they dropped support for new watchOS on first-gen models they also released Series 4 and convinced many of us to upgrade I think. New design, bigger screen, many other new features, and band compatibility made it compelling. It might have also been the last year that getting Space Black stainless steel was straightforward.
 
I bought the Series 0 the day it became available in the States and had my dad ship it to me in NZ, since it wasn’t launching here for several more months. It immediately motivated me into a heavy fitness routine that put me in the best shape of my life.

The Series 0 Apple Watch hasn’t been my daily driver since I got the Series 3 in 2017 (which I handed off to my partner last year). It’s always been incredibly slow, even from day one; its OS is now four major versions behind; and its original battery failed and popped the screen off in 2019. Thankfully a battery replacement was only NZ$79 via third-party repair.

It’s still a backup watch for when my Series 6 is on the charger. It would be pretty unthinkable to use it as my sole watch now, considering how many more features the Series 6 has, but as an occasional backup wear it still serves its purpose.
 
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Not daily, but I still use mine. Looking into replacing the battery on it as it is struggling in that regard. Sadly I had to replace a bit early (IMO) with a Series 3 when the mic stopped working in mine right outside of AppleCare.
 
Wow, already?

I'm getting older way too fast!

In any case, this'll probably be the year when the wife and I make the jump to our first Apple Watch.

Since the original iPad, I never ever jump in on a 1st-gen Apple product. I learned my lesson back then. Then again, I used to upgrade EVERY year, but that came to a grinding halt between the 1st gen iPad and the death of the 17"MBP.

Nowadays, and because of the above, I keep my Apple products almost until the wheels fall off.
The iPad 3 with Retina display was the worst. It was too slow to handle the graphics and was only on the market for 6 months.
 
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AW is quintessential planned obsolescence creating such waste and redundancy in purchases. after my series 2 couldn't last more than 2 years, I was done. battery life, the necessary phone pairing, and then becoming a casualty of not having software that could adequately keep up with the phone updates...

yes all tech products, apple in clued, are steeped in planned obsolescence, the watch just takes the cake.
 
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I remember the hype over this.

This taught everyone to chill when it comes to first gen apple products.

Only excellent first gen product is the Airpods Max but when you come to think of it they aren't really first gen.
I think we knew that before the watch - the first iPhone and first iPad both seemed very old, very fast. the first gen AirPods were pretty great though.
 
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Imagine if you bought a gold one.
I will always comment on this as I worked in Apple Retail during the launch of the first watch. Our managers told us that the Apple Watch was like no other product we had ever released in that it is 'jewelry.' My store leader's exact words were that it would be considered an 'heirloom that you pass down to your kids.'

I was immediately put on his sh*t-list when I mentioned that it has a Li-On battery and the CPU architecture is going to be outdated before it even hits the shelves. I almost lost my job because of it (insubordination).

What a joke.
 
Considering they are still selling the Apple Watch 3, that likely won’t be put into vintage status until 2027.
 
It might be time to break out my vintage SBSS S0 with the Space Black link bracelet.
My SBSS link band is on my Alumininium Space Grey Series 4. I’ve reglued my series 0 screen twice, replaced the battery once, and the screen is burned like a vintage 80s arcade machine. I was using it for sleep tracking until the screen came off a third time.

Maybe I’ll fix it again.

iOS 3 ruined the series 0. With iOS 2, it was great. for 4 months, iOS 3 made it useless for workouts. 3.1.2 made it barely functional. Now, it’s laggy as heck And slow slow slow.
 
I was immediately put on his sh*t-list when I mentioned that it has a Li-On battery and the CPU architecture is going to be outdated before it even hits the shelves. I almost lost my job because of it (insubordination).
Well, yes, regardless of the truth, “pulling a Ratner” can be a career-limiting move in retail...

Frankly, though, although I don’t have a beef with the idea of a smart watch, I’m not sure what possible confusion of ideas caused *anybody* with five minutes of experience of consumer tech to buy the more expensive models thinking they’d be an investment (the ones given to celebrities, maybe, if they’re still celebrities in the future). Folks, the thing that will be selling for squillions at auctions in 30 years time, like the Apple 1 today, isn’t selling today with “collectors edition“ on the box - it will be whatever you threw away yesterday without a second thought.
 
My Series 5 broke 2 weeks ago and eager to get the 7. Meanwhile wearing again my Series 1. Was actually amazed how well it still worked, holds it's charge and even supports Apple Pay. Only feature I'm missing is "Unlock iPhone" when wearing a mask. And yes, it's not the worlds fastest...
 
It was like the original iPhone, a cool tech demo that was incredibly underpowered. Mine can barely tell time now.
 
If you did, you did so as a fashion statement and not as a long-term timepiece, so...


As for me, my Stainless Steel Series 0 served me well until I replaced it with my current Space Black Stainless Steel Series 4.

Mine lasted until my current S5. And even then I could have probably just swapped the battery.
 
I'm actually wearing mine right now. My older sister gave it to me (her husband's friend gave it to him and he didn't want it.) It's good for counting my steps and not needing to enter my login PW fpr my iMac as much. Also I use a lot of timers (ADHD management) and it's great for that stuff. In the year I've had it I'm not sure I've ever tried to browse a website, so not sure how slow it is there. I might actually take the plunge on a S7 this year though.
Also used my Series 1 for timers and alarms. It would take a couple seconds just to start a timer, driving me nuts. Much better with the Series 6.
 
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