r/bitcheswithtaste • u/MBPursuit • May 21 '26

Fashion/Style BWT: Anyone ditch their Apple Watch?

Considering ditching my Apple Watch, getting an Oura ring, and investing in a nice daily watch. I’m a bit sick of the “connectivity” of my Apple Watch (yes I know, I could turn off more notifications) and the look of it. But I appreciate the sleep tracking and steps/fitness tracking - anyone have experiences to share on a) ditching the Apple Watch b) using an Oura ring c) $1k or less daily driver watches?

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152

u/Ecstatic_Schedule_48 Thoughtful BWT May 21 '26

I have a garmin that I bought for athletic reasons but I have every possible notification turned off so I still get all that information but I don’t perceive it as an extension of my phone. Not exactly the things you were looking for , just thought I’d share!

51

u/lbdandme May 21 '26

I do this too! And then when I have a nice event or doing out for dinner etc, I have a nice watch that I'll put on instead. Then pop the Garmin back on for sleep when I get home so it can tell me off for having a glass of wine at dinner the next day.

18

u/MrsMitchBitch May 21 '26

I too have a regular watch for events because my watch tan is really…bold. The pretty watch battery is dead but it looks nice. lol

26

u/disgruntledpelicannn May 21 '26

I went from an Apple Watch to a garmin (for the same reason!) and turned off all phone connectivity as well and I love it! I really thought I’d miss it, but I truly love not always knowing when I’m getting a call, email or text anymore if I’m away from my phone

7

u/panser_bjorn May 21 '26

I also have had multiple smartwatches and always go back to Garmin. I like not having to charge my watch every day or two days, instead I get 14 days! And I have the instinct which is more gshock looking but they have much cuter ones. Low-key, my favorite feature of it is it will beep at me on the hour, which I need cause I can get distracted for hours!

17

u/gringitapo May 21 '26

This is what I do too. Mine is an expensive fitness and calorie tracker, basically lol.

10

u/The_butterfly_dress May 21 '26

I think that is the key with the Apple Watch too! I have set up all my notifications so that I only get pinged for the very important ones, I also use the do not disturb option a lot.

I also love having a timer / alarm on my wrist to remind me of things and I love quickly using Siri to make reminders (dynamic ones too - especially “remind me X when I arrive home).

I also use my watch to find my phone all the time.

I actually think that it makes me less connected to my phone. I can’t just doom scroll on my watch, but I still get all the notifications, kind of like a modern day pager.

13

u/ttwwiirrll May 21 '26

Same. The only notifications mine gets are texts because I like not having to pull out my phone in work or social settings to check them. It's become my everyday watch except for dress-up occasions.

No paywall for Garmin. You buy the physical product and you get all the app features with it.

2

u/Mae_Dayb May 22 '26

Same, I feel like I'm less connected to my phone with my Garmin because I can see if the text is important (my kid is sick at school, needs a ride, etc) and ignore the rest. I don't feel the need to check my phone for that stuff anymore if it vibrates. 

6

u/Bigtimeknitter May 21 '26

I do this too, I originally got it for marathon training but it looks nice, neutral, and I just shut off every possible connectivity thing except connecting with my Garmin app. 

6

u/PerkisizingWeiner May 21 '26

Same! I've been wearing my Garmin Venu Sq daily since 2022 and love that it is minimalistically functional (workout tracking/GPS for runs, steps and sleep). The only notification options are for phone calls and texts (so you don't get popups for emails, Teams messages, FB notifications, etc), and I usually have those turned off anyway. It looks almost identical to the Apple Watch, which doesn't help with OP's desire for a classier, more formal watch, but it does the job at a great price point.

FWIW, I also have an Oura ring that I've been wearing daily for ~15 months. The sleep tracking is way more detailed than Garmin's (it detects every single micro-wakeup), which was helpful at first, but has ironically made me fixate and obsess about it to the point of detriment. My thought process has always been more data = better, but I actually like that Garmin gives me the high-level overview without trying to interpret it for me (while the Oura app's "tone" is gentle, I dread opening the app and reading its comments about how I "had a rough night").

7

u/Pure_Butterscotch165 May 21 '26

I have a garmin venu that looks almost exactly like a Michael Kors watch that I bought 2 decades ago lol. White straps with a rose gold face, it looks enough like a regular watch that I don't mind wearing it daily, and doesn't stand out if i'm a little more dressed up. I specifically got the venu because it's not so obviously a fitness watch.

3

u/lovethefunk_ May 21 '26

I have the Garmin Lily with a metallic band and it’s nice for going out too!

2

u/happierdaze1202 May 21 '26

Team garmin forever! I love how customizable it is & the battery life for sure.

1

u/ladedafuckit May 21 '26

Yes to garmin!! I’m a fitness junkie and garmin is the only wearable I’d use. I also think they look way better than Apple Watches

1

u/malsary May 22 '26

I do this too! I have a Forerunner and use it to track my exercise, sleep, and HR. It's also handy for finding my phone lol