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Tech Watches or not?

Sal

Veteran

Hi All

Me again!

My Apple Watch seems to have decided to get stuck in permanent Low Power Mode.

After three Apple Watches in four years I think I am done:

Watch One: Damaged after a bike accident - fair enough
Watch Two: gave up the ghost after a swim (as per recommendations)
Watch Three gave up the ghost for no reason - this one was covered under warranty

I don't like disposable tech with built in obsolescence. I do like some of the features of the apple watch, although I don't use all of them. But I am open to suggestions on a new better lasting watch. I sometimes like to track my walking/steps - and it is handy to get phone calls on the watch. But maybe I should go to a sturdy dress watch?

What do you do - Apple Watch, Garmin, other style of watch, or no watch?

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31 replies

Latest reply was from Sal

SarahD8

Veteran

I have a Garmin venusq2 and have been really happy with it for about a year now. For the first 6 months I was tracking my steps so wore it pretty much 24/7. Now I just wear it overnight (I use the vibration alarm to get up really early for swimming) and to track my time in the pool. I just take it off when I get home from my swim. (Except right now, we're on vacation and I'm curious about steps and wanted a handier timekeeper than pulling out my phone so I'm wearing it all the time.)

I do NOT use any of the phone or email notifications, I find them super annoying and distracting.

But the Garmin seems to be much sturdier than other off-brand wrist alarms I've used in the past.

pirouette

I have an Apple Watch which I love. I haven’t worn any of my other watches since I got it. I have it at least four years and it’s working perfectly. I would definitely buy another if anything happened to it.

April

Veteran

Sorry, no tech watches for me. I briefly had a FitBit but gave it away because I couldn't bear having my movements tracked.

Staysfit

Veteran

I like my Fit Bit Charge. In the past I had a Garmin but it was too bulky. Once Covid hit, I started to wear my Fit Bit in place of my more fashionable Citizen watch. It’s lighter weight and I’m less worried about getting it wet or losing it. I have to agree about the timed obsolescence…..I seem to have need to replace Fit Bits every two years, just when a new model is available. Nevertheless, I like that my Fit Bit helps track sleep, steps, and seems to pick up accurately when I am exercising without my needing to press or adjust anything.

BlueJay

Veteran

I like traditional watches with a battery and three hands (it must have a sweeping second hand). Simple, elegant, easy. Nothing fancy, I have a few and they serve me well.

I've heard good things about Garmin from others that run/walk, but I do not have personal experience with one.

Anonymous

I have 3 old fashioned analog watches that I rotate through depending on my mood and/or outfit. I don’t want tech on my wrist and feel just being tethered to my phone all day and half the night is way too much. I also dislike the obsolescence of ALL tech! But, sadly, this is where we are.

Jenny H

Veteran

For several years I used a Fitbit Charge but I upgraded to the Fitbit Luxe and I like that much better. I have super tiny wrists and big watches just don't fit. An Apple Watch is a no go for me as a result.

The Luxe has a slimmer profile than my old Charge did and it looks more in scale with my wrist. I like that it counts steps, tracks sleep, and other tracker stuff. And I also like that I can get text and phone call notifications on it. Oh, and it also has a swim function so I can wear it in the pool.

RobinF

Veteran

I have tried a few tech watches but always seem to go back to my "normal" watches. My current is solar powered which I love - no winding or charging. It is a smaller face than I have had for a while too. Simple and does the job.

Aerin Women's Analogue Solar Powered Watch with Stainless Steel Strap 14426-010

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LJP

Veteran

My Apple watch is still going strong and must be at least 3-4 years old. I wear it during the week at work (fits the gym vibe) and when cycling or walking , other random workouts etc. I appreciate the heart rate 'monitor", subtle text and phone alerts (while at work esp) and tracking workouts. I admit I wish my non-tech watches were up to date with new batteries etc as I'd prefer that look for non-work days.

Indigoprint

Veteran

I stack my mom /dads stainless steel battery analog watches. They must be at least 30 years old. Love that I think about them when I check the time throughout my day. I have my grandmothers too, but I have to wind hers.

LaPed

Veteran

I have tried various cheap analog watches over the years, but always revert to Team No Watch, especially now that I pretty much always have my phone at hand to check the time. I like the idea of a Garmin (would probably get the Instinct Solar model as that model's features are geared toward hiking/trail running), but even the slimmest ones are so bulky! Anecdotally, they do seem to hold up well.

Roberta

Veteran

I wore a cheap fitbit for a while, just to get a sense of how active I was on an average day. It became just one more thing to charge and now it languishes in a drawer somewhere. I love regular watches and have a dozen, but I rarely wear them these days, and most of them now need new batteries. At $15 a pop this can get expensive, so I keep putting it off.

A friend got an Apple watch because she lives alone and was concerned about falling and not being near her phone. Turned out she loves it and rarely carries her phone anymore. That might be me down the road - but not yet.

Star

Veteran

No watch for me since I stopped working 9 years ago. Previously I loved watches as accessories and had many in different styles and colours, no tech ones though. My job was very time-oriented when interviewing.

JAileen

Veteran

I have a solar powered watch. I’ve had it for six years and have had no issues or costs beyond initial purchase. It’s a Citizen Eco-Drive. It was under $200 at Macy’s. It charges up with light - the sun or even just lights in the house.

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Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Sorry, Sal. That’s rotten luck

LOVE my Apple Watch. That’s my preference. It’s just soooo awesome!!! Syncs with my iPhone.

The first watch is still going strong. 5 years old. Gave it to friend who is loving it too.

I got a new one last year. More features and better battery life. It helps me think and stay on top of everything.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

The Garmin watch is popular too. I’ve heard great things about it!

S_VAZ

I used for years the Xiaomi MiBand and for me it was perfect, used to be a tennis player so It with all the different straps you could make many combinations.

ChristelJ

Veteran

Garmin venusq2 here. I have had it one year and it's my first tech watch. I really like it. It's synced with my iPhone. Never thought about it being bulky, but I have big wrists and like oversized watches in general.

cat2

Veteran

Apple watch here. It’s been in the pool and lake without incident.

SarahD8

Veteran

Oh yeah. I meant to say the main thing I *don't* like about my Garmin is its bulk. The face is wider than my wrist so it never really lays flat on my wrist and tends to get hung up on cuffs of sweaters and the like. That's the main reason I don't like to wear it all the time probably. I wish there were a scaled-down children's version. But I have really ridiculously narrow wrists so ymmv.

Rock

Apple Watch fan here. I started wearing one in 2015 and just purchased my third watch in February 2024, so each watch has lasted 4+ years. After that, the battery degradation drives me crazy. Being able to see my next meeting by a flip of the wrist is wonderful (we have come a long way from the days of hauling around a Franklin Day Planner in a work tote). I also enjoy closing my rings and earning badges. The memo function satisfies my almost pathological need to make lists and check off my progress.

Lisa

Veteran

I am not a tech watch person, I prefer the more classic styles. I currently own 3 watches that I rotate between, all of them are sentimental. One is self winding and the other two run on batteries. All three have metal links for the bands. I was eyeing the pink watch during NAS but I never wear a leather watchband and wasn't sure I would like it so I ended up forgoing it for other priorities.

Invicta Women's 2960 Pro Diver Collection "Lady Abyss" Dive Watch

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Movado Bold Access Leather Strap Watch, 34mm

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Suz

(website)

Veteran

Sal, that is so frustrating about your Apple watch! I had the same problem with Fitbits, which is why, after 4 quick fails, I switched to an Apple 3 years ago -- it has not given me any problems, apart from a battery that runs low quite easily. (Before system upgrades, in particular. I have the cheaper model so I may be asking too much of it.)

For looks, I far prefer an old school analog watch. And if I could find a way to get the other features of my Apple watch without having to wear the Apple watch, I'd switch back. But I do use the timers, the workout features, count my steps, my activity, sometimes take emergency calls, etc. etc.

I have a few friends with Garmins and they like them. One only uses hers for sport. I think the Garmin is very large for a person with a smaller frame.

Sal

Veteran

Interesting - so my experience is not the norm! I will ponder the situation - and do some investigation. I am not small framed but something too bulky will annoy me.

Having the watch has the pro of me leaving my phone at the other end of the house but still getting messages, so in a way I spend less time on tech when I have one. It's a decision I plan to make carefully.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I wear a cheap Chinese watch that tracks my steps, monitors my sleep, and tracks my workouts. I love it for these functions so won't give it up. It is a slim black band that doesn't look great but is fairly unobtrusive.

Runcarla

Veteran

I have a big a** Garmin that is 15yo that I use only for fitness activities - running, biking, swimming. I used it to track my walks (distance - not steps) but stopped after I learned the distance of all the routes! I also used the heart rate monitor during cycle fit classes. These days it’s in the pool 3x week for timing and lap counting. I like that it counts laps for me so I can focus on form. The strap broke earlier this month, but there was a spare in the box with some of the other do-dads it came with - so repaired and back in action.

My husband wears a traditional watch, so I ask him what time it is - or check my phone - like the kids do!

Sal

Veteran

Yes I need to give it all some thought as to what I want from the watch.

Style Fan

Veteran

I don't have a tech watch. Mr. SF has a Tech watch, but I don't know what kind—it's not an Apple. We are Androids.

I love watches. I have one mechanical watch that was my mother's and four battery watches that still work. I am thinking about getting a solar watch.

avicennia

Veteran

Love my garmin. I’m on the smaller side, with childlike slender wrists and love the bigger look of the garmin. (I love chunky bracelets too).

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