closing tag is in template navbar
timefactors watches



TZ-UK Fundraiser
Results 1 to 50 of 54

Thread: Apple Watch.

Hybrid View

  1. #1
    Master
    Join Date
    Aug 2012
    Location
    Gods own county of Sussex
    Posts
    1,051

    Apple Watch.

    I may be a bit late to the party here, I am a self confessed Luddite, I know there are mixed feelings here about them, and I’m not sure if it’s my cup of tea...
    But a colleague at work got the latest top of the range Apple Watch this weekend for a birthday and that’s the first time I’ve handled one in person.
    I must say what an utterly magnificent piece of technology. Truly, truly impressive.
    If like me you grew up watching Star Trek, I would say science fiction is well and truly fast becoming reality.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  2. #2
    Master theoriginaldigger's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    As far from stupid as possible
    Posts
    1,555

    Apple Watch.

    I have one, the latest "top of the range" version and I love it. I like the ability to personalise it with straps and watch "faces". I like the fitness tracking and health monitoring aspects. I love the Bluetooth music streaming and podcasts straight to headphones. I hate to admit I love the ability to take a phonecall straight to the watch but realise I look like a complete pudding. I haven't set up Apple Pay yet but I'm sure I will use it.

    All this said it will never replace any of my mechanical watches and I realise it will probably end up in the recycling in three years time.

  3. #3
    Journeyman
    Join Date
    Jul 2016
    Location
    London
    Posts
    56
    I wonder how do people who have/like smart watches manage wrist time? Do you use one watch in each wrist (I've seen that in the past but I personally think it looks weird), or do you keep your proper watches for special occasions only? I particularly like the heart rate monitor and activity trackers on smart watches but I haven't found any that I really like to wear most of the time. Also having to charge the watch is kind of a PITA if you ask me :/

  4. #4
    Master robcuk's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Location
    Haarlem, NL
    Posts
    2,648
    Quote Originally Posted by fleshpress View Post
    I wonder how do people who have/like smart watches manage wrist time? Do you use one watch in each wrist (I've seen that in the past but I personally think it looks weird), or do you keep your proper watches for special occasions only? I particularly like the heart rate monitor and activity trackers on smart watches but I haven't found any that I really like to wear most of the time. Also having to charge the watch is kind of a PITA if you ask me :/
    ‘I have the small Apple Watch on my right wrist and the ‘watch de jour’ on my left!

  5. #5
    Craftsman
    Join Date
    Feb 2018
    Location
    U.K.
    Posts
    257
    Apple pay is really useful and so is reading a text sneaky during a meeting.
    Very popular with watch sellers who actually have a hobby - like cycling.

  6. #6
    I’ve had one for about 18 months and after an initial burst of enthusiasm I never wear it. It doesn’t do anything my phone doesn’t do, and that’s always with me - that was he first issue. I also find the ‘tip your wrist to switch on the display’ massively annoying, and the constant notifications were really irritating after a bit. Sure, you can switch them off but again, why bother when it’s on your phone?! - I agree the tech is amazing but tbh I find it a bit creepy and irritating!


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  7. #7
    Grand Master MartynJC (UK)'s Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Somewhere else
    Posts
    12,336
    Blog Entries
    22
    Leave it for 24hrs and it's dead. Less than mechanicals!

  8. #8
    Master
    Join Date
    Apr 2017
    Location
    M62 corridor
    Posts
    4,711
    Quote Originally Posted by RobDad View Post
    ... after an initial burst of enthusiasm I never wear it. It doesn’t do anything my phone doesn’t do, and that’s always with me ....
    My view also!

  9. #9
    Master ozzyb123's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2019
    Location
    London
    Posts
    1,027
    Quote Originally Posted by RobDad View Post
    I’ve had one for about 18 months and after an initial burst of enthusiasm I never wear it. It doesn’t do anything my phone doesn’t do, and that’s always with me - that was he first issue. I also find the ‘tip your wrist to switch on the display’ massively annoying, and the constant notifications were really irritating after a bit. Sure, you can switch them off but again, why bother when it’s on your phone?! - I agree the tech is amazing but tbh I find it a bit creepy and irritating!


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    They've fixed that in the new one, screen now always on...

    Have to say Apple Watch getting very tempting. And it costs less than an Omega service...

  10. #10
    Master theoriginaldigger's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    As far from stupid as possible
    Posts
    1,555
    A few things in response; I thought the daily charging would be annoying but actually as I never wear a watch in bed it doubles very nicely on an inexpensive stand as a bedside clock / alarm clock.

    I have always worn inexpensive mechanicals as daily wearers e.g. I currently have an Orient Ray and a Dan Henry 1970 and then worn something nice when going out e.g. Tudor or Rolex. So the Apple Watch has replaced the dailies for now.

    One of the things I like best about the Apple Watch is not having (or rather feeling the need) to take a phone everywhere. This is probably the first time in 20 years I haven't worried about not having a phone with me. The watch has enough functionality to take a call, read an email or take and respond to a text/WhatsApp message or not as I see fit same as with a phone.

    I nearly bought a FitBit instead to wear on the other wrist so as not to stop wearing a proper watch but there really is no comparison between the Apple Watch 4 and anything else I looked at and no I don't wear the Apple Watch on one wrist and a mechanical on the other.

  11. #11
    Grand Master
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Location
    Wakefield, West Yorkshire
    Posts
    22,498
    Wouldn’t be seen dead in one, they look horrible. I don’t need the capability they offer, and even if I did I still wouldn’t wear one. I find it hard to believe that folks who like real watches want to own the bloody things.

  12. #12
    Master
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Borrowash
    Posts
    6,557
    Blog Entries
    1
    As said earlier, anyone who has another hobby - like cycling or running - would find the Apple Watch useful. I usually take my phone everywhere too but sometimes, say running a half marathon, you don’t want to faff about with it. I still think Garmin is better as an activity tracker but it fails at very basic tasks e.g. when you want a stopwatch. You have to turn notifications off on a modern Garmin too; not a big issue.

  13. #13
    I bought a gen 1 from here sometime ago and was impressed enough to start thinking about upgrading. I do sometimes wear a mechanical on my right wrist and the apple watch on the wrong wrist but on my cycle blasts and tabata/kettlebell sessions, the apple watch is the only wrist adornment, to track performance. I have turned all notifications off and also the automatic turn-on to prolong the battery.

  14. #14
    Master
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    Reading, Berks
    Posts
    3,542

    Apple Watch.

    Quote Originally Posted by walkerwek1958 View Post
    Wouldn’t be seen dead in one, they look horrible. I don’t need the capability they offer, and even if I did I still wouldn’t wear one. I find it hard to believe that folks who like real watches want to own the bloody things.
    In your opinion..... 22.5 million people who bought one last year might disagree with you.

    “I don’t need the capability they offer, and even if I did I still wouldn’t wear one.” What a silly comment.

    I wear one for sport - it has Strava for cycling (no need to carry phone). HR etc for any fitness activity.

    I also like the feature you can set yourself goals to achieve during the day.

    I feel I can like it as well as my mechanicals.

    Live and let live.
    Last edited by watchmad; 15th September 2019 at 09:02.

  15. #15
    Craftsman
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Sheffield
    Posts
    350
    Love the tech but can't get on with it being obsolete in three years.

    Also want to wear a mechanical at the same time which looks daft.

    I want a very thin slim health / fitness tracker that also does HR but doesn't look like a watch

    Sent from my CLT-L09 using Tapatalk

  16. #16
    Grand Master Dave+63's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Location
    East Sussex
    Posts
    15,908
    Quote Originally Posted by Dan1981 View Post
    Love the tech but can't get on with it being obsolete in three years.

    Also want to wear a mechanical at the same time which looks daft.
    You’re worried about it being obsolete in three years yet want to wear a watch that was obsolete fifty years ago!

    I bought one for my wife earlier this year (series 3) and she loves it. She won’t wear any other watch now.

    Personally, I’m not sure; sometimes I think I’d like to try one and other times not. Maybe I’ll try the wife’s once she’s got the 4.

  17. #17
    Craftsman
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Sheffield
    Posts
    350
    Quote Originally Posted by Dave+63 View Post
    You’re worried about it being obsolete in three years yet want to wear a watch that was obsolete fifty years ago!

    I bought one for my wife earlier this year (series 3) and she loves it. She won’t wear any other watch now.

    Personally, I’m not sure; sometimes I think I’d like to try one and other times not. Maybe I’ll try the wife’s once she’s got the 4.

    Haha - yeah strange isn't it?!

    But at least a 50 year old mechanical watch can still be worn.

    As I understand it Apple phase out support for the older tech so it literally becomes a paperweight? (I may be exaggerating here)


    Now does anyone know of a wearable fitness tracker that doesn't have a huge screen, & does heartbeat - kinda like the Fitbit Flex 2 - but with the HR feature?!

  18. #18
    Quote Originally Posted by Dan1981 View Post
    Haha - yeah strange isn't it?!

    But at least a 50 year old mechanical watch can still be worn.

    As I understand it Apple phase out support for the older tech so it literally becomes a paperweight? (I may be exaggerating here)
    Apple tech rarely becomes obsolete, just un-supported by updates. There are still perfectly usable LCII macs around, and iPhone 1s still work, it won't support 4g, but it never did.

    I think there will be a new Apple watch launched later today for anyone interested.

    From initial release I've always thought by version 6 it'll be a pretty well sorted device, that could be with us next year. My wife wears v3 and thinks it's great. I'm keen to see what the next release is like as I'm planning a Triathalon next year, and the fitness element of the watch appeals.

    I think the days of new mechanical Sports watches are numbered when more people choose smart watches for daily wear and a smart Swiss watch for 'best'.

  19. #19
    Master OliverCD's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
    Location
    South West London
    Posts
    1,913
    Always on display... A big feature that was missing. Until now!

  20. #20
    Craftsman
    Join Date
    Apr 2019
    Location
    London
    Posts
    341
    It’s beautifully made and is convenient in some cases mentioned above.

    That being said it still misses some “data” functions to make it proactive rather than reactive.

    A lot of backwards looking functions though excited about the future for this tech.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  21. #21
    Master
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Birmingham,uk
    Posts
    2,229

    Apple Watch.

    Great bit of kit , I wear mine as my work watch
    I’m in manufacturing so don’t like to wear my other watches in work they come out at weekends



    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  22. #22
    Master
    Join Date
    Oct 2013
    Location
    London
    Posts
    1,745
    I've been tempted by the latest watches announced today, especially the titanium one.

    The big problem for me is that I'd want to wear it all the time, including at night time. It tracks sleep, heart rate etc and there's not much point in monitoring those *some* of the time.

    As for charging, if I charge it at night, how will it monitor my sleep?

    If I wear my "normal" watches at the weekend, I lose the health tracking facilities.

    So the only practical approach is to wear two watches, which I still can't come to terms with. I just about manage to wear a thin fitbit on my other wrist and still feel odd about that.

    So, while I'm hugely tempted by the tech and the device itself, I'm still out.

  23. #23
    Master OliverCD's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
    Location
    South West London
    Posts
    1,913
    ^^^ This post is EXACTLY my thought process over the last four years. A Catch-22!!

    Well described! 🤪

  24. #24
    Craftsman
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Sheffield
    Posts
    350
    Quote Originally Posted by MadeOfCheese View Post
    I've been tempted by the latest watches announced today, especially the titanium one.

    The big problem for me is that I'd want to wear it all the time, including at night time. It tracks sleep, heart rate etc and there's not much point in monitoring those *some* of the time.

    As for charging, if I charge it at night, how will it monitor my sleep?

    If I wear my "normal" watches at the weekend, I lose the health tracking facilities.

    So the only practical approach is to wear two watches, which I still can't come to terms with. I just about manage to wear a thin fitbit on my other wrist and still feel odd about that.

    So, while I'm hugely tempted by the tech and the device itself, I'm still out.
    Oooh

    Which thin Fitbit? Does it do HR?

    Sent from my CLT-L09 using Tapatalk

  25. #25
    Quote Originally Posted by MadeOfCheese View Post
    I've been tempted by the latest watches announced today, especially the titanium one.

    The big problem for me is that I'd want to wear it all the time, including at night time. It tracks sleep, heart rate etc and there's not much point in monitoring those *some* of the time.

    As for charging, if I charge it at night, how will it monitor my sleep?

    If I wear my "normal" watches at the weekend, I lose the health tracking facilities.

    So the only practical approach is to wear two watches, which I still can't come to terms with. I just about manage to wear a thin fitbit on my other wrist and still feel odd about that.

    So, while I'm hugely tempted by the tech and the device itself, I'm still out.
    100% agree!!!

  26. #26
    Master
    Join Date
    Sep 2003
    Location
    liverpool, uk
    Posts
    3,186
    I charge my Apple Watch when I shower and dress etc so call it 30-40 minutes a day seems to keep it running along nicely, sadly it means my other watches are relegated to weekends and special occasions however the convenience in work of not having to get my phone out when i get a notification and the fitness aspects make it worth it to me.
    I bought one out of curiosity not really expecting to like it, within a week I was converted I won’t be upgrading my series 4 this year because the new one offers me very little in comparison. For those on the fence about them I’d say give one a try plenty of used ones will be getting sold now as people upgrade etc so the costs should be reasonable things like Apple pay, notifications, health motivation and sleep tracking are superb, speech to text is very accurate for quick reply to messages I find I use my phone much less these days. As I said the sad thing is I use my real watches much less but I still enjoy them and I’ve found that when I do wear a real watch I enjoy it much more because it’s more of an occasion if that makes sense I imagine a bit like wearing a holiday watch for those that do and then coming home to a special one.

  27. #27
    Master
    Join Date
    Oct 2013
    Location
    London
    Posts
    1,745
    Alta HR. It’s been superseded by the Inspire HR now.

    Pretty thin, as you can see:


    And as you can probably guess form the name, they both do HR (although there are/were non-HR versions of each)

  28. #28
    Craftsman
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Sheffield
    Posts
    350
    Ah thanks.

    That's not too bad actually.

    I'm hoping for an updated flex to be released but that doesn't seem likely.

    Sent from my CLT-L09 using Tapatalk

  29. #29
    Master
    Join Date
    Oct 2013
    Location
    London
    Posts
    1,745
    We’re going off on a bit of a tangent now, but it might be of interest.

    I have a Motiv ring, which reads HR, steps, sleep time (not patterns). It’s a lot less obtrusive than a Fitbit and I’ve been very pleased with it.
    Unfortunately it stopped working recently but, to my delight, their customer services have been great and they’re sending me a brand new one.

    I’d recommend giving it a try.

  30. #30
    Craftsman
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Sheffield
    Posts
    350
    Yeah apologies OP - massively off topic now.

    However an Alta HR popped up finishing on ebay for £30 so i've taken a stab at it.

    Soon to be seen on sales corner :D

  31. #31
    Master
    Join Date
    Sep 2016
    Location
    UK
    Posts
    1,723

    Apple Watch.

    I’ve got an Apple Watch 3 GPS+

    As others have pointed out it’s useful for when you don’t want to take a phone, for me this is running where it tacks my run on Strava, can act as an emergency services call / beacon and also streams music to my headphones.

    The notifications when paired with iPhone are useful if you’ve got phone in bag / raining on the few occasions I’ve used it for normal stuff.

    That said I am staying with rocking a mechanical watch on left wrist, with a Fitbit Charge 3 HR on right.

  32. #32
    Master
    Join Date
    Oct 2013
    Location
    London
    Posts
    1,745
    Good point, there doesn’t seem to be much different about the s5, might pick up a cheap rejected s4 from eBay.

    That said, I did get a s1 second hand a few years ago, wore it solid for a month and haven’t work it since, so I have a feeling how it might go...

  33. #33
    Master
    Join Date
    Oct 2013
    Location
    London
    Posts
    1,745
    For those interested in the Motiv ring, here’s what it looks like:



    That black strip hides a tiny led that lights up when it’s synching. Most of the time it’s black.

    It measures steps, HR, sleep time, calories used. Basic stuff, but for me it’s enough, and the discretion of the ring is worth the trade off in functionality.

  34. #34
    Journeyman
    Join Date
    Jul 2016
    Location
    London
    Posts
    56
    Can the ring be used to track activity such as running? If so, consider me tempted!


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  35. #35
    Master
    Join Date
    Oct 2013
    Location
    London
    Posts
    1,745
    It will make an attempt to identify the kind of activity you’re doing (running, swimming, rowing, cycling etc) and you can correct it if it gets it wrong.
    No gps or location based stuff, it’s pretty basic.
    It is waterproof though, so swimming’s ok.

    It’s definitely not as accomplished as a Fitbit. The hardware’s less capable, as is the software, but what it does it does pretty well, and it’s certainly enough for my needs.

    Interestingly it’s very impressed when I go on my motorbike - it thinks the vibrations are me running, so I clock up a fair few miles

  36. #36
    Craftsman
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Sheffield
    Posts
    350
    I got the Alta HR though the post.

    It's pretty slim but not that discrete.

    Some of the strap options / leather / magnetic steel one look a bit better.

    Will see how much of a dolt I feel with a watch on at the same time to work.

    Sent from my CLT-L09 using Tapatalk

  37. #37
    Craftsman
    Join Date
    Jan 2017
    Location
    Lincoln
    Posts
    947
    Blog Entries
    2
    Pre order the Apple 5 for the misses, to get rid of her Fitbit! She doesn’t really ever wear normal watches anymore, so thought I’d upgrade her

  38. #38
    Quote Originally Posted by strell View Post
    Pre order the Apple 5 for the misses, to get rid of her Fitbit! She doesn’t really ever wear normal watches anymore, so thought I’d upgrade her
    You going for a younger model then?

  39. #39
    A 42mm series 3 is now £229 which seems decent value.

  40. #40
    Master ozzyb123's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2019
    Location
    London
    Posts
    1,027
    Quote Originally Posted by kungfupanda View Post
    A 42mm series 3 is now £229 which seems decent value.
    Have they discontinued the 38mm series 3?

  41. #41
    Master
    Join Date
    Oct 2013
    Location
    London
    Posts
    1,745
    I’ve done the same tbh, but my missus isn’t the picky nerd that I am, so she won’t have the eternal internal conflict that afflicts me.

  42. #42
    Master
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
    Location
    Bath, UK
    Posts
    1,287
    I have a Garmin Fenix 5 which I wear for workouts/as a beater. It is great, I think the Apple Watch is probably better but the battery is the thing that I couldn’t live with. I don’t want another device to charge daily. The Garmin lasts a week or two the way I use it.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  43. #43
    Master
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    Reading, Berks
    Posts
    3,542
    Hodinkee Review - https://youtu.be/TLLNInES-lQ

  44. #44
    Quote Originally Posted by RobDad View Post
    I’ve had one for about 18 months and after an initial burst of enthusiasm I never wear it. It doesn’t do anything my phone doesn’t do, and that’s always with me -
    Your phone has a heart rate monitor on it?


    Quote Originally Posted by Dan1981 View Post
    I want a very thin slim health / fitness tracker that also does HR but doesn't look like a watch
    If you don't get on with the Alta HR, I went for the Garmin Vivosmart HR, which I found to be slimmer and less intrusive. I can easily wear it with a smart shirt under the cuff. Over a year using it now, and it's always on my "other" wrist if I'm wearing a proper watch.

  45. #45
    Quote Originally Posted by HenPecked View Post
    Your phone has a heart rate monitor on it?




    If you don't get on with the Alta HR, I went for the Garmin Vivosmart HR, which I found to be slimmer and less intrusive. I can easily wear it with a smart shirt under the cuff. Over a year using it now, and it's always on my "other" wrist if I'm wearing a proper watch.
    I don’t want or need a heart rate monitor on my wrist 24/7. I’m afraid imho the Apple Watch falls into the ‘really cool stuff I really have absolutely no need for’ zone. I tried it, didn’t like it, moved on. I have to admit there’s an awful lot of imho cool but pretty pointless tech out there - I’m happy for other people to buy it though- but it’s not for me


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  46. #46
    Fair enough. I find it hugely useful - I've got a Cellular one - beacuse it means I don't have to take my phone with me everywhere. Phones these days are so big (I've got an iPhone X) and too valuable to take in your pocket when you're going out for a run or to the gym. I tried those arm band things, bum bags etc, but having the watch just means I'm free of all of that.

    Typically I'll jog to the gym from home as a warm up, so I get in from work, get changed, and put the watch on and listen to motivational music via EarPods while I'm running there. Once there I'll switch to a podcast, and I can reply to texts or even play a game to while away the time on the bike or treadmill. The whole time it's keeping track of my activity and heart rate - which is important as I have a high active heart rate. If I hit 190bpm I know to slow it down a bit.

    Upon leaving the gym I might need to pick something up for dinner, so I call the wife. Pop into M&S or Tesco to grab whatever, and I pay for it on the watch. On the way home I might want to take a new, longer route to get the step count up, so I can use the maps with audio cues to find the path.

    Of course, it's possible to do all of that with other gadgets. If they made such a thing as an iPhone Nano I'd probably have that instead, but for now, the watch is the easiest solution.

  47. #47
    Craftsman
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Sheffield
    Posts
    350
    Quote Originally Posted by HenPecked View Post
    Your phone has a heart rate monitor on it?




    If you don't get on with the Alta HR, I went for the Garmin Vivosmart HR, which I found to be slimmer and less intrusive. I can easily wear it with a smart shirt under the cuff. Over a year using it now, and it's always on my "other" wrist if I'm wearing a proper watch.
    Have to say a week or so with the Alta HR it's not too bad at all

    Doesn't look like I'm wearing two watches which is a plus. Might try it on a different strap tho

    Sent from my CLT-L09 using Tapatalk

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

Do Not Sell My Personal Information