Does the thinness of the Apple Watch Series 10 make a difference?

Apple has done it again with the Series 10, making it 1mm thinner than the previous Series 4-9 generation of watches.

Does that 1 millimeter really make a difference?

Yes it does.

That 1mm might not seem like much, but after wearing the watch for a few months and going back and forth between the Series 9, I have noticed a few things.

The Series 10 nestles right into your wrist instead of sitting on top of it like the Series 9. That extra space is enough to notice your watch not getting snagged on a full-sleeve shirt as often, and smoothly concealing itself under the cuff.

Depending on the weather, humidity, and when I workout, I fasten my Sport Band at different holes. Here is what I do with the Series 9 compared to the Series 10:

• Series 9 - Sport Band at 3rd hole in the Winter, 3 or 4 in the Summer, and 2 when working out (really tight fit).

• Series 10 - Sport Band at 2nd or 3rd hole in the Winter, 3 in the “Summer,” and 2 when working out.

Summer hasn’t arrived yet here in the Northern Hemisphere, but I visited Saudi Arabia back in October and it was definitely Summer over there!

If you are coming from a Series 3, first of all, congrats for making it last that long! But seriously, you are in for a treat.

The Series 10 is a whopping 1.7mm thinner than the Series 3, and the thinner and sleeker fit will feel, dare I say, magical.

Anker MagGo Apple Watch Power Bank Review - a lone champion.

Following the recent recall of Belkin’s BoostCharge Pro Fast Wireless Charger for Apple Watch + Power Bank 10K, (that’s one heck of a name), there are now only a handful of official fast charging power banks for the Apple Watch.

Two to be exact.

You have Otterbox’s 2-in-1 Power Bank with Apple Watch Charger, and the other one is the Anker MagGo Power Bank for Apple Watch.

The Otterbox one is cheaper at $35, but it has several limitations that make the Anker MagGo at $55 a much better deal. The only thing the Otterbox version has going for it is its smaller size and price. But for just $20, you can get so much more for your money. Not to mention your watch might not be as secure as you would like on the charging stand. Throw a steel Apple watch with a link bracelet, and I bet it falls off.

Here’s a quick chart comparison:

In terms of design and aesthetics, the Anker MagGo Power Bank looks and feels like a high quality product. Say goodbye to battery packs with rubbery coatings that inevitably get sticky and attract more lint than wool pants. The top is a curved matte-plastic with a glossy sheen, while the bottom is a matte plastic with 4 little feet that  probably are screw covers.

The sides are matte but ridged so you get a grippy surface. The MagSafe puck can be flush with the device or can be positioned at 90 degrees if you have a special band that won’t lie flat like the link bracelet . The puck is a bit stiff to bring up and down, but I would rather have it be a bit stiff vs being loose.

The built-in USB-C cable is supposedly very durable since it acts as a lanyard, and only time will tell how well it holds up. It’s not meant to be lassoed around, but if you just use it to pick it up and put away, that should be fine. The cord material is nice and might be made of the same material as an Apple Watch sport band. It feels like the Apple coined, “fluoroelastomer” material. The cord easily glides out of the slot to be used to charge any other USB-C device and nestles back into its space magnetically, which is satisfying.

You can charge the battery bank two ways: with the built-in cord, or with the built-in port. You also get infinite battery life if you plug in the cord to the port (you don’t actually get infinite battery life by doing that).

The button next to the cord allows you to turn on the display to check battery status, and pressing it again changes the orientation of the read-out. If you take the puck charger out at its 90 degree angle, the display automatically orients itself in the right direction. The display turns blue when charging other devices, and green when being charged up. You also get wattage readouts for each device being charged. Up to 3 devices at the same time.

So does it actually live up to its claim of fast charging the Apple Watch Series 10 from 0-80 in 30 minutes? 

Yes it does.

I drained my 42mm Jet Black Series 10, and I got 82% after 30 minutes. With the larger sized watches I am sure they will meet the 80% claim. I even tested the 41mm Series 9, and I got 88% in 45 minutes which exceeds Apple’s 80% in 45 minutes claim.

The Anker MagGo Power Bank for the Apple Watch is the lone champion right now if you want an external power bank that can fast charge the latest Apple Watches. Even though it is the only option with faster charging, it does not skimp on features and functionality, making it a great buy. Normally priced at $80, it is currently on sale for $65, and if you keep track of the price, you can get it for even cheaper (I got mine for $55).

Apple Watch Ultra 3 - what to expect in 2025.

Apple has a predictable pattern for Apple Watch upgrades each year.

Every 3 years, they come out with a new and improved hardware design, adding small but meaningful new features in the 2 years leading up to the new design.

Here is the general pattern:

• Apple Watch - Original design. Apple Watch debut.

• Series 2 - same design, faster processor, better water resistance.

• Series 3 - same design, faster processor, cellular-enabled, W2 wireless chip for faster Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

• Series 4 - all new design with bigger screen and slimmer bezels, faster S4 chip, W3 wireless chip, ECG sensor, fall detection.

• Series 5 - same design, always-on display, doubled the storage to 32GB.

• Series 6 - same design, faster processor, blood oxygen sensor.

• Series 7 - all new design with more rounded body, inset screen for more durability, and a bigger display with thinner bezels, fast charging.

• Series 8 - same design, minimal upgrades.

• Series 9 - same design, 1st significant processor boost since the Series 6, double-tap gesture support.

• Series 10 - all new design with thinner chassis, bigger wide-angle OLED display, depth gauge to 6m, water temperature sensor.

As you can see, every 3 years.

It’s like clockwork.

The Ultra 2 had a two year cycle this time, with just the slate color being added on for 2024. The 3-year cycle will end in September 2025, where we should see a new design. The Ultra 3 will be an evolution of the current design, borrowing a lot of the technology from the Series 10 along with some other benefits:

1. Same basic shape, but a thinner design and bigger screen making it the biggest display on an Apple Watch.

2. Same 3rd gen LTPO3 OLED display like the Series 10 giving it better off-axis viewing angles and allowing for an always-on ticking seconds hand like the Series 10.

3. New processor to give it some Apple Intelligence features.

These 3 features are almost a guarantee, since they would need to at least meet the Series 10 in terms of features. It will not be as thin as a Series 10 (nor should it be), but I expect it to meet the 1mm decrease in thickness, maybe even 2mm.

What would be a real treat? A smaller version of the Ultra, similar to the size of the current 46mm Series 10.

They can advertise it as 24-hour battery life, and 48 hours in Low Power Mode, fitting right in between the regular watch and the standard Ultra.

I would jump on that in a heartbeat.

Why Apple will never let you have your own watch faces.

Apple considers itself a watchmaker.

This might be a cringe statement to watch enthusiasts, but you cannot deny the impact Apple has had over the last 10 years. The Apple Watch got regular people to start wearing something on their wrists again.

Including myself.

Just like any watch brand, they have fully immersed themselves into horology, consulting with the experts in the field during the development process.

Something Apple never does.

When Jony Ive spoke with Benjamin Clymer at Hodinkee, this is what Ive had to say regarding the Apple Watch project:

BC: How was this project different from others?

JI: We knew there was so much to appreciate in this space that in order to ground ourselves, we had a series of people that helped. Just to begin to understand the historical space, having tremendous respect and deference for watchmaking. This was highly unusual for us, speaking to anyone outside of our team early on in a product development stage. But, normally there are no parallel products from which to learn.

You know, we call this (pointing at my MacBook Pro), a MacBook, but you won’t learn more about this by understanding the nature of a physical book – so we didn’t talk to librarians. With the watch, we did. We spoke to an incredible list of experts in watchmaking throughout our development process.

Apple didn’t want to take any chances if they were going to go full-in with the Apple Watch project.

Even though they came out successful on the other end, it was the understanding of watch culture that really sets them apart from others like Google and Samsung.

When it comes to any watch, the watch face represents the brand. The watch company wants you to see their watch, and instantly know what it is.

Look at any watch company’s lineup of watches, and you will see consistency in design and branding.

Everything from the design of the hour, minute, and second hands, to the font, to the hour-markers are all part of what makes a brand instantly recognizable.

And that is why Apple will never let you have your own watch faces.

Even when Apple partners with Hermès, Apple uses its signature hour, minute, and second hands and blends the Hermès font with it, to make both brands recognizable.

If you throw on a cheap Rolex watch face on the Apple Watch, it will only cheapen Apple’s brand, which they do not want.

It is neither a Rolex, nor an Apple Watch.

It is confusion.

Other brands like Google and Samsung also make watches that have immense customizability which is fine, but you won’t find instant recognition with their watches. The brand recognition is not there.

They have a different approach, and that is their choice.

Google and Samsung chose to make watches, while Apple chose to be a watchmaker.

I got the Jet Black Apple Watch again.

I’ve been through my fair share of Jet Black Apple watches (two to be exact), and this one doesn’t have any issues with unpainted bezels.

Plus it was a good deal at $70 off.

Looks like 3rd time is the charm.

If there is a defect in the Jet Black finish, it will most likely be at the junction between the screen and the flat part of the body the screen is joined to. The flat part is not smooth and painted to the same extent as the shiny outer finish of the watch, and that could be why it is more prone to showing bare aluminum.

Belkin recalls their famous fast charging Apple Watch battery bank.

Rajesh Pandey from Cult of Mac:

Belkin is issuing a voluntary product recall for model no. BDP005, citing a manufacturing defect. It says this defect can lead to the “portable wireless battery charger’s lithium cell component to overheat,” leading to a fire hazard. Fortunately, the company has not received any reports of injuries so far.

The BoostCharge Pro Fast Wireless Charger stood out for its 10,400mAh cell and its ability to fast charge Apple Watch Series 7 and newer models. The USB-C port also supports 20W power output, enabling it to quickly top up your iPhone or iPad.

To get a refund, you must file a recall form. This includes providing your contact information, product serial number, photos of the power bank, and the purchase receipt. If you don’t have the latter, Belkin will reject your refund request.

I remember this being the only battery bank with a fast charging Apple Watch puck built-in when it came out, and how The Verge was really excited about its prospects:

I do not know whether this Belkin BoostCharge Pro will live up to its promise. I’ve been burned so many times that I’m trying to temper my expectations. But the idea that this little divot in the picture, the one where it looks like I can securely strap my Apple Watch to it and plug in my phone? And potentially eliminate two or three extra cables from my bag? And give me confidence that if I grab this one thing, I’ll be 100 percent confident it will fast-charge my device? And maybe let me toss my smartwatch cables in exchange for an assortment of 3-5 power banks? For once, enough hope burns in my shriveled heart that I preordered the damn thing to test it myself.

Bless Belkin for even trying to conjure this into existence. Bless the army of copycats that will likely get on board and do it for a cheaper price. Bless the inevitable copycats of copycats that will do this for Samsung, Google, Fossil, and other smartwatches.

Kudos to Belkin for initiating the recall and offering refunds for it.

In terms of another battery bank with fast Apple Watch charging built-in, this is the only one I found that seems legit.

Apple Watch Ultra 2 with all 4 Milanese Loops - Ultimate Comparison

The Black Apple Watch Ultra 2 this year was not the only hardware change the Ultra lineup saw this year.

The Ultra watches also got new Titanium Milanese loops, which is good news for mesh band lovers, but also begs the question:

Which Milanese loop is right for you?

Now you have two different Milanese bands to choose from:

1. Stainless Steel Milanese loop

2. Titanium Milanese loop

It might seem obvious to get the titanium band with the titanium watch, but you would be surprised. There might even be some deal breakers.

Stainless Steel Milanese Loop

This has been around since the launch of the Apple Watch, and is a tried and true band. The rounded and polished mesh of the band gives it an elegant look, without being too flashy.

Pros:

1. Magnetic clasp which makes for easy adjustments throughout the day.

2. Looks surprisingly good on the Ultra 2.

3. $100 cheaper than the titanium milanese loop.

4. Satisfying magnetic “click” each time you “fling-snap” it in place.

5. Complete control of the watch’s movement when taking it off since the loosening point is in your hand.

6. Tighter and smaller mesh pattern makes the loop stick out less on smaller wrists.

Cons:

1. Not as seamless of a look on the Ultra 2 compared to the titanium band.

2. It does get loose during the course of a day, and also during workouts which makes it…

3. Not ideal for swimming and scuba diving.

Even though the stainless steel bands are polished and the Ultra 2 is matte, the only part that really clashes is the part no one will really see, which is the side attachment point. The front attachment point is brushed and fits nicely with the watch’s matte titanium body.

Titanium Milanese Loop

Newly introduced this year for the Apple Watch Ultra 2, this band is made up of a flat and matted mesh that has a thicker pattern, giving it an industrial yet elegant look.

Before we get into the pros and cons of this band, make sure you learn the anatomy of the clasp. 

Got it?

OK, let’s talk.

Pros:

1. Seamless and perfect look with the Ultra 2.

2. Buckle and clasp mechanism means it will not get loose.

3. Satisfying click when buckling the watch.

4. Great for extreme activities like swimming and scuba diving.

Cons:

1. $100 more expensive than the stainless steel band.

2. Clasp’s chin is very rigid, making it harder to adjust.

3. Looks worse on smaller wrists than the stainless steel band.

4. Less control over the watch when removing it from your wrist.

5. Thicker mesh pattern makes the loop twice as thick as the stainless steel band.

The titanium band does have a more seamless look and fits perfectly with the titanium watch, but you lose a bit of flexibility. When you initially put on the band, you have to adjust the clasp at the right spot where you will then snap it in place. You pull up the chin, and shift the clasp around as you see fit. Once you have found your comfort spot, you snap the chin back in place. From that point forward, you just have to click the buckle in place. Now your watch will always have the same tension throughout the day. 

You could adjust the clasp throughout the day if you wanted to, but it is very stiff and adds an extra step. It becomes especially hard if you have really short to no fingernails. It isn’t meant to be adjusted too often, just like your car seat. Once you're dialed in, you don’t touch it again. Just find that sweet spot and you’ll be fine.

The one downside with this band is the clasp mechanism gives you less control when you want to take off the watch. If you depress the ears of the clasp, the band immediately starts to loosen and the buckle will hit the glass on your watch face.

Ouch.

I did this multiple times initially when first receiving the watch, but thankfully nothing happened to the screen. This slapping of the watch face with the buckle is worse if you prefer the loop end of the band at the bottom of the watch. You just have to train yourself to unbuckle the band with the watch facing you and pulling the ears ever so slightly to unclasp the watch. Not a deal breaker, but be wary when unclasping your watch.

Which combination of watch and watch band should I get?

There is no right or wrong answer here, and that is why I have provided you with galleries of photos showing every Slate and Natural Ultra 2 watch combination with every Slate and Natural Milanese Loop band so you can make your own decision. Black and white always works together, and none of these mix and match combinations look bad.

After trying out all these band combinations with my 160mm wrist, here are some considerations to keep in mind:

1. You cannot buy an Ultra 2 with a mismatching Titanium Milanese loop color (at least online). You would have to buy the mismatching band separately. I will try and see if it’s possible to buy a mismatching set when I get a chance to go to a store.

2. Pick the band size that has your measurement as close to the middle as possible. For example, for my 160mm wrist, I picked the medium titanium Milanese loop which fits 155-185mm wrists vs the small band which fits 130-160mm wrists.

   I could have technically gotten the small band, but there is no leeway for me with that small size if I like a looser fit. For the stainless steel bands, the small-medium band fits 130-180mm, while the medium-large band fits 150-200mm. I purchased one of each for the slate and natural bands, and the smaller size was better. The larger band, as you can see in some of the photos, had the magnetic clasp almost looping around to the front of the watch.

natural watch - titanium natural band - loop on bottom

natural watch - titanium natural band - loop on top

natural watch - steel natural band - loop on top

natural watch - steel natural band - loop on bottom

natural watch - slate titanium band - loop on bottom

natural watch - slate titanium band - loop on top

natural watch - steel slate band - loop on top

natural watch - steel slate band - loop on bottom

slate watch - slate titanium band - loop on bottom

slate watch - slate titanium band - loop on top

slate watch - Steel natural band - loop on bottom

slate watch - Steel natural band - loop on top

slate watch - titanium natural band - loop on bottom

slate watch - titanium natural band - loop on top

slate watch - steel slate band - loop on top

slate watch - steel slate band - loop on bottom

natural watch - natural titanium band - loop on bottom

natural watch - natural titanium band - loop on top

natural watch - natural steel band - loop on top

natural watch - natural steel band - loop on bottom

natural watch - slate titanium band - loop on bottom

natural watch - slate titanium band - loop on top

natural watch - slate steel band - loop on top

natural watch - slate steel band - loop on bottom

slate watch - slate titanium band - loop on bottom

slate watch - slate titanium band - loop on top

slate watch - natural steel band - loop on bottom

slate watch - natural steel band - loop on top

slate watch - natural titanium band - loop on bottom

slate watch - natural titanium band - loop on top

slate watch - slate steel band - loop on bottom

slate watch - slate steel band - loop on top

natural watch - natural titanium band - loop on bottom

natural watch - natural titanium band - loop on top

natural watch - natural steel band - loop on top

natural watch - natural steel band - loop on bottom

natural watch - slate titanium band - loop on bottom

natural watch - slate titanium band - loop on top

natural watch - slate steel band - loop on top

natural watch - slate steel band - loop on bottom

slate watch - slate titanium band - loop on bottom

slate watch - slate titanium band - loop on top

slate watch - steel natural band - loop on bottom

slate watch - steel natural band - loop on top

slate watch - titanium natural band - loop on bottom

slate watch - titanium natural band - loop on top

slate watch - steel slate band - loop on top

slate watch - steel slate band - loop on bottom

natural watch with natural steel band.

natural watch with slate steel band

natural watch with natural titanium band

natural watch with slate titanium band

slate watch with slate steel band

slate watch with natural steel band

slate watch with natural titanium band

slate watch with slate titanium band

What watch faces are included with the Apple Watch?

Note: This information is based on watchOS 11.

This is a loaded question, and it really comes down to what Apple Watch you have.

Here are all the Apple Watch faces included with watchOS 11.

Not all of these are available on all watches, so let’s mention the exceptions and highlights:

If you have an Apple Watch Ultra or Apple Watch Ultra 2, congratulations because you have all of Apple’s watch faces, including the Wayfinder and the Modular Ultra watch faces which are exclusive to the Ultra lineup.

If you have a Series 7, 8, 9, or 10, you have all the watch faces, excluding the Wayfinder and Modular Ultra watch faces from the Apple Watch Ultra.

Lastly, if you have the Apple Watch SE 2nd generation or Series 6, you get all the watch faces from the Series 7 thru 10, excluding the Contour and the Modular Duo watch faces. These 2 watch faces were introduced with the release of the Series 7 that had bigger displays. The SE and Series 6 have the smaller 40mm and 44mm displays instead of the bigger 42mm, 46mm, and 49mm displays.

Now if these watches were not enough to satisfy your deep pockets, you can distinguish yourselves from your fellow plebeian and get the Apple Watch Hermès Series 10. You get all the watch faces from the Series 10, plus 5 additional Hermès exclusive watch faces: Radial, Circulaire, Hermès, Horse, and Circuit H.

If you opt for the Apple Watch Hermes Ultra 2, you get all the watch faces from the regular Ultra 2, plus 3 bonus Hermès watch faces: Hermès, Radial, and the new Maritime watch face. You do not get the Horse and Circuit H watch faces. I can’t seem to find any information if the Circulaire watch face is included.

Aluminum Jet Black vs Titanium Slate Apple Watch Series 10 vs Black Ultra 2- which finish is more durable?

Hodinkee’s review of the Apple Watch Series 10 and the Black Ultra 2 by Tantan Wang led me down a rabbit hole about watch durability. Here is what he said about the Jet Black Apple Watch production process:

Apple achieves this finish by fully polishing the case, anodizing the aluminum, then using a black dye that gets fully absorbed into the case (not a traditional coating like PVD). The case is sealed and you get a deep black like I've never seen before on an Apple Watch, even the older DLC steel versions, and is way smoother to the touch than any watch with a black coating on it.

The titanium Series 10 watches are coated with a Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) coating, and the Black Ultra 2 is coated with a Diamond-like Carbon (DLC) coating.

Which is the most durable? Wang describes this in another article:

To frame our reference, 316L steel has a hardness of around 150HV on the Vickers scale. When looking at many PVD supplier websites, it looks like many common PVD treatments will yield 2500-2800HV….In my personal experience, many of the black PVD-coated watches that I've owned have started seeing wear in less than a year. It's part of the charm, but for those who are obsessed with the condition of their watches, PVD may not be the way to go…

With DLC, you get something that is extremely hard to scratch and can range from matte anthracite to deep gloss black, based on the proportion of the carbon mix. Looking at some supplier websites, DLC coatings can commonly range from 5000-9000HV for hardness. For reference, a diamond is rated at 10000HV on the Vickers scale.

To summarize simply:

1. Jet Black Series 10 - black dye coating - hardness level unknown - retail price $399

2. Titanium Slate Series 10 - PVD coating - hardness level 2500-2800HV - retail price $699

3. Black Ultra 2 - DLC coating - hardness level 5000-9000HV - retail price $799

The Jet Black is on paper the least durable of the bunch. I am sure the ink coating is much cheaper and allows Apple to keep the same price for the Jet Black vs the other aluminum finishes. DLC coatings are the most expensive and naturally more durable, but all of these watches will still show bare metal when hit hard.

For day to day bumps, each of these watches should do just fine.

Check out Wang’s piece if you really want to nerd out about black watch case coatings.

Apple Watch Magnetic Link Band Impressions

I tried this band on with the Slate Titanium Series 10 watch. It was very comfortable on the wrist and the magnetic attachment was strong enough to make me confident that it won’t accidentally fall off with even the harshest of movements. 

I noticed that all the color options for the link band are dark colors, probably because it would stain easily from sweat and just daily normal use. I could also tell it was made from microtwill and not leather, which is a shame. It won’t age as well as leather would, and leather gives off a more premium feel.

That being said, this is not a band you would use when working out. It is more suited for professional use or special occasions.

At $99, I would rather get the Milanese loop which is more durable and just as classy.

Jet Black Apple Watch vs Slate Titanium - can you tell the difference?

I went to an Apple Store yesterday and got to try on the Slate Titanium Apple Watch with the magnetic link band.

The slate is a shade or two lighter than the Jet Black, but I feel more confident with the slate watch since it is more durable and the screen is made of sapphire. I honestly thought I was holding the jet black watch at first, but I had to turn it around and read the back to confirm that it was in fact the titanium slate watch.

That alone is reassuring for those who want the Jet Black but are leaning towards the Slate Titanium. You can’t really tell the difference in color unless they are side by side, and even then it’s very miniscule.

If you’re low on funds, get the Jet Black, but make sure you inspect its quality. 

If you don’t mind spending the extra $250-$300 on the Slate Titanium, you won’t regret it.

Either way, don’t buy from Apple since you can get good discounts on Amazon right now.

Here are two shots of the Jet Black (outdoor photos) vs the Slate Titanium (in Apple store).

Do you see any significant difference?

Jet Black Apple Watch Replacement was worse - part 4

I was excited to get my replacement Jet Black Series 10 Apple Watch, and after unboxing it in a dimly lit room, all looked good. I didn’t have a chance to set it up, but I carefully tucked it in my drawer since I had to get ready for work.

The next day, I actually looked at it under some light, and there it was, a huge scratch that was on the body of the watch:

It’s clearly visible even from a distance.

Remember, this is a brand new watch with new watch packaging.

You can clearly see the much longer scratch straight out of the box. It is located in the same general area, which is the flat-panel border between the screen and the body, but this time on the lower-left side instead of the bottom.

This was worse than the previous defect.

I called Apple again, and after 3 confusing phone calls where I was told one thing and got something else, they agreed to process a full refund for me. I told them I don’t want to keep going through replacements and hoping for the best and I would rather get the titanium watch instead since it won’t have this problem.

Not only will I get my refund, but they were kind enough to offer me a $50 voucher towards any of their products. It’s not a regular gift card, and I have to call them back to claim that $50 over the phone.

From what I have been through over the past few weeks, Apple support over the phone is the way to go. Store personnel are nice but they are limited as to what they can do. They are just as nice over the phone, but they can bend some of the rules the stores cannot.

Although my Jet Black experience was not what I hoped for, I am still satisfied with the service I received.

Calling Apple to resolve my Jet Black Apple Watch defect - part 3

I finally got a chance to call Apple about the defect in my Jet Black Apple Watch. I told them about how there is a piece of bare unpainted silver aluminum that is exposed and how it takes away from the Jet Black experience. It seems like a manufacturing defect since the spot where the coating has come off is right where the screen meets the body.

If I was the one who scraped the watch, the screen would also have taken damage, but the screen is perfect.

The Apple representatives were able to validate my claim with photos that I sent them through their internal portal, and they said since I just got the watch a little bit over a month ago, we can just take this back as a return and we will send you a new watch!

I was quite surprised by that, but I was happy that they were addressing the issue. 

What they basically did was process my watch as a returned item like it was still within 14 days, and then they sent a replacement unit out free of charge. I’m still waiting on the new watch, but I will give it a close inspection when it arrives. 

I told them on the phone that I did go to a store a week ago to address this issue, and they confirmed verbally with me that when you call Apple instead of going in-store, they have more leeway to accommodate for certain issues. 

I can confirm this is true because when I had the Vision Pro, they told me over the phone that we are offering people a one-month return window since there are many challenges with people finding the right size and fitment for their face. I did have to swap out a face shield at least once, but I was still not able to get a good fit, and ended up returning the Vision Pro about a month later. 

If you need to get assistance from Apple and they can’t meet your expectations when you go in store, it might be worth your while to give them a call. Be courteous, friendly, and thorough with your explanation, and odds are they will try to accommodate you as best as they can.

Jet Black Apple Watch Genius Bar Appointment - part 2

I made it to the Apple Store, and told them what was wrong with the Jet Black watch. Gave them the full spiel.

The Genius was very sympathetic to my (minor) frustration, but he said that since it looks like cosmetic damage, Apple won’t cover that minor flaw. Since it has been out of the 14 day return period, I can’t just do a return and get out of the situation.

I was not happy with that answer, and explained to the Genius that if I had smacked the watch at that spot where the “rugged” Jet Black coating rubbed off, the screen would have cracked or scratched since it is right at the junction between glass and metal. I told them that it is a manufacturing defect.

It was out of the Genius’ hands, and even his manager had the same thing to say once again (roughly quoting):

“If it is out of the 14 day period, we can’t return it and you would have to file a claim. From what I’ve seen in the past, the repair depot will just look at it and consider it cosmetic damage and you will get the same watch returned back to you. Since we don’t know for a fact what happened to the watch, we have to assume customer error.”

My next step is to try and call Apple directly and try to explain it to them on the phone. The Genius said it is more likely they will replace the watch as a manufacturer defect when you call them since in-person store interactions are more cut and dry, and there is less leeway to make exceptions.

Stay tuned.

Jet Black Apple Watch durability 28 days later - part 1

It’s been 28 days since I have been wearing the Jet Black Series 10 Apple Watch, and I am impressed with its durability, except for one minor flaw that I would call a manufacturing defect. 

We’ll get to that part at the end.

Part of this past month involved me taking the watch on an international 10-day trip and purposefully leaving my Stainless Steel Series 9 at home so I would have no choice but to always wear the Jet Black. 

There were some moments where I did smack the watch in the shower, or on a wall just maneuvering through the hotel room, but thankfully the Jet Black finish is still flawless. 

I tried to find scratches today under the harshest light that I have, but I could not find any. 

The fact that I needed harsh light to even look for scratches tells you something.

It looks like Apple has improved their manufacturing technique for the Jet Black finish when compared to the iPhone 7. Even if there were scratches, the rounded nature of the watch hides them well since every curve of the watch reflects light and masks any scratches that might be there. 

The only flat surface with a jet black finish on this watch is the digital crown capacitive sensor, and even that was scratch free. 

I even looked at the grooves where the bands are inserted, and those edges and corners were still flawless. 

Now don’t take this the wrong way. This material is aluminum after all.

If you were to put your watch through more extreme situations such as an auto mechanic who is constantly rubbing and bumping against metal parts and concrete floors, or if you are just doing some basic hiking and trip and fall and the watch smacks the ground hard, you will probably scratch the jet black finish. Normal day to day bumps won’t harm your watch, but extreme cases will.

I know when my Jet Black iPhone 7 Plus hit the floor on the corner (many years ago), the corner got scuffed and you could see regular aluminum through it. I don’t think most people need to worry about the watch taking such a tumble since most people hopefully aren’t falling down that hard.

Near the end of my watch examination, I did notice a tiny pin prick of bare metal shining where the jet black finish either flaked off, or was never finished properly to begin with. It is right at the border where the display meets the body of the watch, and once you spot it, you can’t unsee it.

It is hard to see most of the time, but if you’re looking for it, you will find it. I can’t unsee it now, and it is a bit disappointing. I will take it into an Apple Store today, and hopefully they can replace it since it does look like a manufacturing defect. If I had hit the watch that hard in that spot scraping away the jet black finish, the screen would definitely have scratched or cracked. 

Stay tuned for updates after I visit the Apple Store to see what they can do.

Jet Black Apple Watch with link bracelet hands on: Luxury at a discount.

I really was not planning on buying a Series 10, as I already own a Series 9 in stainless steel. The color was a surprise announcement at the Apple event, and I couldn’t help myself and just had to get one. A bonus at work hit at the right time as well, so I took the plunge.

If you remember the original Apple Watch that came in Space Black, this has the same looks, without the heft. It looks more luxurious than it is, which is good considering it is $300 cheaper than its titanium counterpart. Almost the price of another watch itself.

It also pairs really well with the link bracelet, both the regular and the black color. I have the older regular stainless steel and space black link bracelets, but I’m sure they will look very similar to the new natural and slate colors. The slate color though is a lighter shade than the old space black. The watch does smudge as any glossy material would, but it smudges a lot less than the old space black 1st gen watch that I had.

I didn’t think I would notice the thinness of the new watch, but it definitely does sit flatter on my wrist and it nestles in there quite well, versus sitting on top of my wrist like the Series 9. The thinness does make a difference and I think people will notice it immediately.

As you can see from the photo gallery below, this cheaper aluminum watch does exude luxury with the right band, and it is an actual black, unlike the Series 2 Ultra, which is more of a slate. The stealth look it provides reminds me of the Matrix, and something fit for Agent Smith as he tries to keep humans subdued in their ignorance.

Note: 42mm Jet Black on a 160mm wrist.

How to swipe between watch faces on Apple Watch.

I can’t believe Apple doesn’t make this ON by default, but there is a simple way to swipe left and right between Apple Watch faces. On your watch:

Go to Settings, Clock, and Toggle “Swipe to Switch Watch Face,” ON.

I restored my Apple Watch from a backup that already had that feature enabled, but it didn’t transfer onto my Series 10.

Apple Watch Series 10’s greatest feature is extremely limited.

One of the highlights in Apple’s keynote regarding the Series 10 was its ability to show you the seconds on the watch, even when the display was in its dormant, yet “always on” mode.

After watching Dave2D’s review of the watch, it is sad to see that feature being limited to the two new watch faces, which don’t really have much value since they don’t offer any complications. The reflections watch face also is annoying since you can’t accurately tell the time without the markings.

To make things a bit more sour, the wide angle OLED display doesn’t make a huge difference when compared to the Series 9.

Now these features aren’t deal breakers especially if you are upgrading from an older Apple Watch, but for the nerds out there like myself who upgrade almost every year, these were two of the biggest features, and they don’t seem so big anymore.

I’m confident Apple will update the old watch faces for the Series 10 to update every second, but I can’t recommend anyone buying this watch expecting that to be a guarantee.

Great points made by Dave, but someone should tell him that you can deactivate the always on display simply by slapping your palm on the face of the watch.

Jet Black Apple Watch - will it scratch like the iPhone 7 Jet Black?

Apple’s disclaimer when the Jet Black iPhone 7 came out:

The high-gloss finish of the jet black iPhone 7 is achieved through a precision nine-step anodization and polishing process. Its surface is equally as hard as other anodized Apple products; however, its high shine may show fine micro-abrasions with use. If you are concerned about this, we suggest you use one of the many cases available to protect your iPhone.

I tried looking through Apple’s website, but I did not see any disclaimers regarding the Series 10 Jet Black. 

Having owned 2 different Jet Black iPhone 7s, I am fully expecting “micro-abrasions” to be there on the Series 10 Jet Black watch. This shouldn’t be a deal breaker though.

The micro-abrasions will be similar to the scratches on the stainless steel Apple Watch, which I think will give it a nice patina. You won’t notice them until you look under harsh light under the right angle, but what you will notice, in any light or angle, is the nice glossy shine.

The Best Apple Watch Band You Need

The Apple link bracelet is still the best premium Apple Watch band you can buy today.

There really is no comparison.

If you want the most premium Apple Watch band that money can buy, there is no other place to look.

There just so many reasons why this band always puts a smile on my face:

1. Timeless design

The unique look of the bracelet has held up very well over the last 10 years.

That's right, it has been almost 10 years since the Apple Watch came out, and this bracelet still looks better than ever!

The brushed links complement the finely-polished Stainless steel Apple Watches, and have a great patina over time with its micro scratches.

2. Easily adjustable

Due to the rigidity of the band, you can't just slide it off of each end of the Apple Watch while it is intact.

Apple solved that problem by making the links easily adjustable with no tools but your fingernails.

A simple click on the button on the link disconnects the bracelet, and allows you to remove each part of the band in seconds.

Simply clicking the disconnected links back together puts the band back together into one seamless piece, as if it could never be separated.

Seamless and smooth on the outside, while still being functional and easily user adjustable.

3. Gentle, yet elegant on the wrist

Even with my hairy arms, it never catches or pulls on hair, which is a great feature!

Sometimes I even forget that I'm wearing the link bracelet because of how smooth and light it feels on the wrist.

This is very important because the more you notice something and the more you feel something, odds are it will be cumbersome and annoying to you.

Think of a shirt tag that just drives you insane.

Remember, the less you notice something, the more it actually works for you.