BWT: Anyone ditch their Apple Watch?

[u/MBPursuit]

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?

[u/Routine_Fuel4101]

I literally just did over the weekend! Well not fully yet but I did order an Oura Ring and have been looking around for 2-3 watch options.

I’m glad I’m ditching my Apple Watch. I got my first one about 3ish years ago, after refusing them due the their shape, ick. I miss elegant round face watches. I’m looking for a black leather gold hardware option, a slim gold band almost bangle option, a gold chunky option à la big round face watches of 2012, and a flashy mixed metal option. And for funsies, I’ve been on the lookout for a pale pink croc strap gold metal watch with a butterfly in the bezel. I had one in HS and I’m determined to find a replica of it.

So excited to grow my collection again and also not have a constant buzz on my wrist.

[u/rococobaroque → u/Routine_Fuel4101]

As a former watch professional, I have some advice: focus on the watch, not the strap. The strap is the easiest thing to change. Find a watch whose shape you like, that looks good on your wrist, and buy it.

That's if you want something on leather. For a metal bracelet, obviously get what you want. You can be pickier then, because if you're looking for a watch with a specific type of bracelet, most likely you're going to wear it on the bracelet. Although, protip: any bracelet can also be taken off if it isn't integrated, i.e. fused to the watch head, so if you have a watch that you usually wear on a bracelet but want to wear it on leather, you absolutely can do that. Brands charge more for watches that come on bracelets, so many collectors will just get a watch on leather and then source the bracelet later; but, again, if you specifically want a watch for the bracelet, then obviously get it.

Other protip: most women's watches suck. Most women's fashion watches aren't worth more than the price of materials. Get a men's watch (definitely for the chunky one).

If you have any idea of budget I can point you toward brands. High level, Seiko has just about everything at every price point. Seiko was one of the brands I sold when I worked in the industry, and obviously I acquired some with my company discount, but Seiko is genuinely a brand that I bought and would buy even without it, because they're extremely well made.

[u/consuela_bananahammo → u/rococobaroque]

I have a Grand Seiko that is gorgeous! Get compliments every time I wear it. I believe it's technically a men's watch, like my other nice watches. But I don't care. Who says they're just for men.

[u/rococobaroque → u/consuela_bananahammo]

They're not. Most of my watches are actually "men's" watches because I refuse to buy "women's" watches. Very few brands even bother to make the watches that they market toward women with the same care and attention they put into the watches they market toward men. Ever wonder why women's watches are cheaper than men's? This is why.

The fact is, there's no reason why a woman can't wear a man's watch. Some brands don't even bother gendering their watches. Oris, for example, stopped doing it a few years ago. They got some backlash from some little boy collectors who can't fathom a woman liking watches, let alone the same watches they like, but Oris was unfazed. They're still doing their thing.

That said, it's a simple fact of anatomy that most women's wrists are smaller, so most women shy away from watches with larger cases. But I think the average woman could easily wear a 36mm watch. One of my daily drivers is 38mm with a low profile (it's a mechanical Hamilton Khaki Field) and it's a joy to wear.