Choosing my Apple Watch

30 April 2015

Yes, I’m an Apple fangirl. I love my iPhone. I’m on my second one. I love my iPad, too; I’m also on my second one. And I’m on my third MacBook. And back in the day I had at least two different iPods.

But I’m not an early adopter. My first iPod was the first version, but I didn’t buy it for six months after they came out. (And I loved it.) My first iPhone was the 4S. And I didn’t get my first MacBook until 2008.

But once I saw the initial announcement about the Apple Watch, I really wanted one. Sure, I know the first gen won’t be as great as future generations. But I still want one. I managed to wait twenty days after orders first were taken before I ordered my own. It will arrive in June and I’m very excited.

One thing I’ve always loved about Apple products is that the choices tend to be limited. Not so much with the Apple Watch.

First I had to choose the size of the watch face, but for me that’s a no-brainer because I have small wrists. I went with the smaller one. Then I had to choose from three different models, the Apple Watch, Apple Watch Sport and Apple Watch Edition. (It was easy to rule out the Apple Watch Edition, which starts at $10,000.) At first, I settled on the Apple Watch, which has a stainless steel body, and from there I had to choose among four watch-band styles. And virtually every band style has a color choice. So many choices!

Perusing the website, I fairly quickly narrowed it down to the 38 mm Apple Watch with Milanese Loop band. (That’s a mesh band and it’s innovative and beautiful.) It costs $649 but I was willing to pay it. But I thought it would be prudent for me to see one first, so I made a try on appointment. Gotta love Apple.

I’m so glad I did, because once I tried on my watch of choice I found that it was quite heavy. I tried on a lighter Modern Buckle leather band and liked it. And for the heck of it I tried the Apple Watch Sport version, whose case is aluminum, rather than stainless steel. The watch case is much lighter. Its band, which is a neoprene-like material they call Fluoroelastomer, felt lighter too. (I read the weight specs after I placed the order, and the sports band is actually heavier than the Modern Buckle leather, but I think the lighter case makes a huge difference.)

The nice, patient Apple Store worker took a picture of me in both the bands, which really helped me with the decision over the last few days.

Here they are:

The Apple Watch Sport on my wrist

The Apple Watch with light pink Modern Buckle band

I left the store torn. But the more I thought about it, the more I decided that I would benefit more from the Apple Watch Sport. It would be easier for me to wear while exercising and I wouldn’t have to worry about the band getting sweaty. (All the bands are removable and interchangeable, but the sports band is washable.) And I dress quite casually for work, most of the time. (Exercise clothes when I’m leading teams of organizers, which is what I do primarily.) I talked it over with my friend and colleague, Sheila DeHart and felt really good about the decision.

Once I narrowed it down the Apple Watch Sport, all I had to do was pick a color—I chose a nice neutral white. My decision made, I went to place the order this afternoon and was delighted that my choice also resulted in savings! My Apple Watch Sport will be $349, as opposed to $749 for the Apple Watch with the Modern Buckle. Less than half the price for the watch I chose independent of price. Woo hoo! (The nice thing is that all the choices have to do with the outside of the watch. The functionality of each model is identical.)

So I have from now until June to figure out all the ways I’ll use it. (They’re popping into my head constantly.) I look forward to reporting about it here!

Tagged with: apple, decisions, technology