Tag Archive for ‘Watches’

When I was working in retail, the Apple Watch was an excellent device for me. I could keep tabs on text messages or other notifications without having to get my iPhone out. It was also a great way for me to keep track of breaks and check the time to make sure that cashiers and stockers I was working with were ready to clock out of their shifts on time.

Now that I’m working at Automattic, though, I’m sitting in front of a computer for my entire work day. I still wear my Apple Watch, but not for the same reasons. Now, I literally only use it as a pomodoro timer — using it’s built-in timer app to take short, five minute breaks periodically throughout the day.

I could use my iPhone or another device for this, but I don’t want the timer to make a noise when it goes off. Just a simple vibrating nudge on my wrist is what I want — it’s silent and less jarring.

If there was a watch that offered this functionality without all of the smartwatch functionality and it was reasonably priced, I would buy it without hesitation.

➝ Source: kevquirk.com

Marco Arment:

When I first started wearing my steel Apple Watch with the black leather strap, I kept looking at my wrist and thinking, “Damn, that looks nice.”

This was the beginning of the end.

Nobody ever wears one watch, thinks “Damn, that looks nice”, and never wants another watch again.

I was starting to understand fashion. This was going to be bad.

I haven’t gone down the mechanical watch rabbit hole like Marco has, but I’m starting to understand the appeal. During the run-up to my eventual purchase of the Apple Watch, I started seeing ho-hum opinions from owners sharing their mediocre experience with the device.

But despite everyone’s lack of enthusiasm, I still bought one. What I realized was that the Apple Watch is a fashion accessory first and a functional tool second. It matters more to me that the wearable looks good rather than it offering features that improve my life from a practical standpoint.

Here’s what I wrote about this idea back in May of last year:

I’ve realized that, as foolish as this sounds, I don’t care as much about what features it has or what it does beyond the obvious. I don’t really know if it needs a “killer app.” Simply displaying the time and a few other bits of information and, more importantly, being an attractive fashion accessory might just be enough.

I don’t own a mechanical watch and never have. But now that I’ve spent a few months with the Apple Watch, I could certainly see myself buying one in the future.

Ariel Adams evaluates the entire Apple Watch band lineup and offers recommendations and opinions on each.

(Via Nick Heer.)

Shawn Blanc:

My analog watches are my reminder that utility exists apart from an internet connection and usefulness doesn’t require the latest software.

I don’t wear watches, but I can appreciate them in this context. I never understood why anyone would want a watch when they have a “pocket watch” on them at all times. This is the reason.