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I didn't know the devil wore watches...

Sure does:

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I'm having the same issue. I think I'm actually going to return the watch. I suspect I'm allergic to something in it. I haven't worn the watch in the last 24 hours, but my wrist still feels irritated as if I were wearing a watch.
 
I'm having the same issue. I think I'm actually going to return the watch. I suspect I'm allergic to something in it. I haven't worn the watch in the last 24 hours, but my wrist still feels irritated as if I were wearing a watch.

If you have the sport model, you could always order and try the stainless model - the back sensors are made from different materials which may irritate you less.

But if you haven't worn a watch in a long time, it will probably take some getting used to. Fortunately I've been wearing watches on and off for decades, so it didn't require any adjustment for me.
 
I experience exactly the same, and only happens with the Apple Watch, not with other watches.
I love the Apple Watch but I'm thinking of returning it.
 
If you have the sport model, you could always order and try the stainless model - the back sensors are made from different materials which may irritate you less.

But if you haven't worn a watch in a long time, it will probably take some getting used to. Fortunately I've been wearing watches on and off for decades, so it didn't require any adjustment for me.

I have the sport model, but I'm not about to pay a couple hundred more dollars for the stainless one. Maybe I'll wait for a future generation before buying a more expensive one. My current non-smart watch is stainless and I have no issues with that.
 
If you haven't worn a watch in years and jump to a bulky sport watch, make and model are irrelevant, you will likely experience some discomfort as your hand gets used to having something on it. This is going to get worse over he span of a day as you sweat and swell. Yes, your hands and feet and other body parts swell throughout the day.

However, it is entirely possible that you are having an allergic reaction to something on the back of the watch. Not sure how long you have to return the watch and if you want to take the time to go see a doctor to diagnose the allergy. It shouldn't take very long for a decent doc to diagnose if it's an allergy or just plain physical irritation from something new on your hand.

The other thing to consider is where you're wearing it. While there is a recommendation to wear above the wrist bone for comfort, for some that doesn't work. Find out where the comfy spot is for YOU and make sure you're not over tightening the band. You should be able to easily generate a gap between your wrist and the watch. Maybe snug it up when working out to get better HR data, but throughout the day the band shouldn't be tight so you can compensate for the swelling and shrinking.

Sorry your having an issue and hope you resolve it.
 
I'm in the same boat, with the same symptoms: right after putting my 42mm sport version on it feels light and surprisingly comfortable. Moments later the top part of my wrist feels irritated enough to set my teeth on edge. This happens on both of my wrists, even if I flip the watch around to the bottom of the wrist (which is impractical anyway as the glass clicks against the table when I type).

For the last six months or so I've used the Pebble Steel which is only uncomfortable in a "my wrist can't breathe through a small piece of metal" kind of way. But because the Apple Watch's domed "sensor pack" back is made of glass (EDIT: actually plastic, thanks mightyjabba) it can't easily slide around like the Pebble Steel can, which makes repositioning it with a casual flick of the wrist much more difficult. I understand that this ought to be an advantage in that it keeps the sensor cluster more attached to the skin, but the discomfort is outweighing the benefits: I now wish for an Apple Watch with none of the fitness features and with a flat or even form-fitting back plate used purely for communication.

Before the Pebble Steel I was a major watch hobbyist (I fixed mechanical watches). Again, none of the many watches I had nor the Pebble Steel set my teeth on edge like the way the Apple Watch does now.

I really want to keep the Apple Watch, but again like others above I may be forced to return it due to the discomfort. A real shame.
 
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I experience exactly the same, and only happens with the Apple Watch, not with other watches.
I love the Apple Watch but I'm thinking of returning it.

What model do you have? I'm seriously considering returning my SS watch and ordering a SG. Perhaps I will would be better with the composite material than the ceramic.
 
Had a bit of consternation going with itchiness on day one.. that's all gone and I put it down to glue residue from the wrap around the watch.

I think you should investigate wearing the watch higher up the wrist and just beyond the 'wrist knuckle'. This position seems to work well for me, it't comfortable and doesn't rotate around my wrist.. it my be different with a link bracelet and I've always worn that type of band adjusted to have the watch lower but having it placed just so, above the wrist knuckle is very comfortable now with the classic leather buckle.
 
No problem here with the 38mm SS WSB. Very comfortable.

That said, when I'm lazing around in the evening, I loosen the watch so it's only in the first hole or so.
 
I wore the 42 mm sport and developed a permanent ache where the heart rate monitor sits. I switched to the 38 mm and the problem went away. Luckily I had ordered both so I could do this.
 
I've also got a problem with the watch irritating my skin. The dome part of the underside of the Sport watch is causing the irritation. I have the band set on the 3rd from smallest hole and it seems that this might be too tight. Yet, if i move to the 4th hole, the watch becomes way too loose, and the heart rate sensor becomes less responsive.

I've worn a men's stainless steel divers watch for years with no issue. I believe the problem is either the band being too tight, or the composite material of the dome, either way i'm have to say goodbye to the Sports watch.

I can't order a SS watch at the moment because i've already ordered 2 watches, my one and one for my SIL. Before anyone argues, Apple keeps cancelling my orders while saying i've exceeded my limit of 2 watches.

I've got a call in the an Apple senior advisor tomorrow to sort out the order, hopefully.
 
I wore the 42 mm sport and developed a permanent ache where the heart rate monitor sits. I switched to the 38 mm and the problem went away. Luckily I had ordered both so I could do this.

I guess in my case I would need to try the 42mm which seemed too big for my wrist in store. Looks like I might have to sit out the 1st gen watch :-/

I wonder if this issue will become wider as ship times begin to improve....

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I've also got a problem with the watch irritating my skin. The dome part of the underside of the Sport watch is causing the irritation. I have the band set on the 3rd from smallest hole and it seems that this might be too tight. Yet, if i move to the 4th hole, the watch becomes way too loose, and the heart rate sensor becomes less responsive.

I've worn a men's stainless steel divers watch for years with no issue. I believe the problem is either the band being too tight, or the composite material of the dome, either way i'm have to say goodbye to the Sports watch.

I can't order a SS watch at the moment because i've already ordered 2 watches, my one and one for my SIL. Before anyone argues, Apple keeps cancelling my orders while saying i've exceeded my limit of 2 watches.

I've got a call in the an Apple senior advisor tomorrow to sort out the order, hopefully.

I've tried loose and tight and nothing seems to make a difference. I am in complete agreement that the issue is the dome, that is where the irritation is. I was debating whether another band might make a difference, but can't see that it will :(
 
I guess in my case I would need to try the 42mm which seemed too big for my wrist in store. Looks like I might have to sit out the 1st gen watch :-/

I wonder if this issue will become wider as ship times begin to improve....

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I've tried loose and tight and nothing seems to make a difference. I am in complete agreement that the issue is the dome, that is where the irritation is. I was debating whether another band might make a difference, but can't see that it will :(

I want to try the leather loop to see if the minute adjustment is the issue but I don't have the time to wait. My sport watch needs to be returned way before the loop will be available. I also want to try the Watch in case it is the composite but I am unable to order one because of Apple policy of limited number of orders.
Guess it's going back until the Watches become more easily available. :(
 
I want to try the leather loop to see if the minute adjustment is the issue but I don't have the time to wait. My sport watch needs to be returned way before the loop will be available. I also want to try the Watch in case it is the composite but I am unable to order one because of Apple policy of limited number of orders.
Guess it's going back until the Watches become more easily available. :(

It could indeed make a difference, but the fact remains, the dome will still be there... Good luck with changing your watch, crazy that you have to pay a whole lot more just to see if it feels better.
 
It could indeed make a difference, but the fact remains, the dome will still be there... Good luck with changing your watch, crazy that you have to pay a whole lot more just to see if it feels better.

The dome on the sport watch is made from plastic composite while the dome on the SS is ceramic. I hope this makes the difference.

I hate that I have to pay the extra £240 to try it out. Having said that it's not as if I hate the look of the SS, it's a great looking watch but so is the sport.
 
I have the solution to most of your problems.

Buy the correct size watch!!!!

Form what i have seen most people who think they are a 42 are actually a 38.

I understand that some people prefer the bigger watch face for the style or screen size however the apple watch was not designed with this in mind (Hence the 2 different sizes). Smart watches look big and bulky and apple specifically wanted to get rid of the smart-watch stereotype.

If you get the correct size watch you will not have to deal with the watch becoming uncomfortable.

This being said the choice is up to you :)
 
Watch becoming uncomfortable as the day goes on...

Sport band. I've never worn a watch in my life, and I get antsy with things like jewelry. I expected a long and painful adaptation process. Instead I never notice it's there. How tight are you guys wearing the band?
 
I have the solution to most of your problems.

Buy the correct size watch!!!!

Form what i have seen most people who think they are a 42 are actually a 38.

I understand that some people prefer the bigger watch face for the style or screen size however the apple watch was not designed with this in mind (Hence the 2 different sizes). Smart watches look big and bulky and apple specifically wanted to get rid of the smart-watch stereotype.

If you get the correct size watch you will not have to deal with the watch becoming uncomfortable.

This being said the choice is up to you :)

The size of this watch is almost identical in size to the watch i've worn for 15 years. The size isn't the issue, the materials are.
 
I have the solution to most of your problems.

Buy the correct size watch!!!!

Form what i have seen most people who think they are a 42 are actually a 38.

I understand that some people prefer the bigger watch face for the style or screen size however the apple watch was not designed with this in mind (Hence the 2 different sizes). Smart watches look big and bulky and apple specifically wanted to get rid of the smart-watch stereotype.

If you get the correct size watch you will not have to deal with the watch becoming uncomfortable.

This being said the choice is up to you :)

I take your point on board, I tried all the sizes on in store and plumped for the 38mm. This isn't a size issue, I am just one of the unlucky few that become irritated by the materials. I love the watch but since wearing it since the 24th, there has been no change.
 
the sport band is not very good. Apple did it on purpose to make you buy their better bands

Honestly the sport band is the most comfortable watch band I have ever used...and I've used nato straps, leather, link bands and normal rubber straps. I usually constantly fidget with my watch bands, but the sport band is the first one comfortable enough not to.
 
Honestly the sport band is the most comfortable watch band I have ever used...and I've used nato straps, leather, link bands and normal rubber straps. I usually constantly fidget with my watch bands, but the sport band is the first one comfortable enough not to.

I agree about the sport band. Very well made and comfortable. Along with a few others, its the dome under the watch which is proving uncomfortable.
 
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