Has anyone gone from a smart watch back to analog?
Discussion
Has anyone gone back to a standard analog watch after wearing a smart watch for an extended period?
Up until12 months ago, my only experience of smart wearables was a Garmin vivofit, which I wore along side my analogs, nothing special but a couple are interesting. Then 6 months or so I got a Garmin gps watch and have worn it ever since, day and night.
Recently I’ve been thinking that all the smart tech has become overly intrusive in life (mainly thanks to the bombardment about the election etc) and how much data I’m recording about myself and that I never do anything with it. The thought occurred that life was simpler when a watch told you the time and date, not the latest headlines, when you’ve got a text, call etc, and stopping using the Garmin as an everyday watch.
The thought of something nice but single use now appeals, I must be getting old!
Up until12 months ago, my only experience of smart wearables was a Garmin vivofit, which I wore along side my analogs, nothing special but a couple are interesting. Then 6 months or so I got a Garmin gps watch and have worn it ever since, day and night.
Recently I’ve been thinking that all the smart tech has become overly intrusive in life (mainly thanks to the bombardment about the election etc) and how much data I’m recording about myself and that I never do anything with it. The thought occurred that life was simpler when a watch told you the time and date, not the latest headlines, when you’ve got a text, call etc, and stopping using the Garmin as an everyday watch.
The thought of something nice but single use now appeals, I must be getting old!
I’ve just got myself a new smart watch. I’ve also got an analogue watch. To be fair, the analogue watch is more just jewellery now, I look at my phone if I want to see what time it is more often than not. My smart watch keeps an eye on my heart rhythm and various other useful stuff. Life / the times have moved on, and although I appreciate the engineering involved in a proper time piece, they really are too hairy arsed now, to be of much practical use, in the modern world.
I bought a Garmin Fenix 5 for running and a Garmin Vivosmart for wearing on my other wrist when I was wearing a normal watch. I then got an Apple Watch and I tend to wear that rather than my more expensive watches. For me, the 'killer app' is Apple Pay. No need to fish out my wallet or phone. I particularly find it useful on the tube for contactless entry/exit. Also, I have my alarm on it, so I don't need to remember to switch it off when I'm travelling (my wife would get annoyed if I left it on back at home).
However, I was travelling a lot recently and wore my Omega Seamaster (with the flying hour hand - which is great for time zone changes). I liked having that on my wrist. Today, I'm wearing my Breitling. Neither had had an outing for a few months.
I might need a Garmin fitness tracker that has contactless payments for my right wrist - then, I think I'd park the Apple Watch for a while.
However, I was travelling a lot recently and wore my Omega Seamaster (with the flying hour hand - which is great for time zone changes). I liked having that on my wrist. Today, I'm wearing my Breitling. Neither had had an outing for a few months.
I might need a Garmin fitness tracker that has contactless payments for my right wrist - then, I think I'd park the Apple Watch for a while.
Celtic Dragon said:
In that case I might be able to help you spend money! Quite a few of the newer ones do have Apple Pay embedded in them as we teamed up with Garmin when we launched it in Belgium.
Just repaying the favour as the under £200 has just cost me
Is Garmin Pay the same as Apple Pay? I have been looking at the list of UK Banks that support Garmin Pay and mine isn't on it (though I have a card from a start-up credit card operator that is supported).Just repaying the favour as the under £200 has just cost me
GOATever said:
I’ve just got myself a new smart watch. I’ve also got an analogue watch. To be fair, the analogue watch is more just jewellery now, I look at my phone if I want to see what time it is more often than not. My smart watch keeps an eye on my heart rhythm and various other useful stuff. Life / the times have moved on, and although I appreciate the engineering involved in a proper time piece, they really are too hairy arsed now, to be of much practical use, in the modern world.
But unless you’re running/cycling/training why do you need to monitor your heart rhythm, etc? I have a Garmin I use when running, etc but wouldn’t wear it otherwise because, frankly, it looks a bit naff (especially when worn with a suit).An analogue watch is quite a practical thing in that it tells the time ...
85Carrera said:
GOATever said:
I’ve just got myself a new smart watch. I’ve also got an analogue watch. To be fair, the analogue watch is more just jewellery now, I look at my phone if I want to see what time it is more often than not. My smart watch keeps an eye on my heart rhythm and various other useful stuff. Life / the times have moved on, and although I appreciate the engineering involved in a proper time piece, they really are too hairy arsed now, to be of much practical use, in the modern world.
But unless you’re running/cycling/training why do you need to monitor your heart rhythm, etc? I have a Garmin I use when running, etc but wouldn’t wear it otherwise because, frankly, it looks a bit naff (especially when worn with a suit).An analogue watch is quite a practical thing in that it tells the time ...
Some are at home. Some at work. Some are in between. Some are happening in different countries.
If I didn't have an activity monitor on me at all time, I wouldn't be able to track my progress and log what I am doing. I like the data, even though I haven't the first idea what I am going to do with it all!
clockworks said:
I had a Samsung smart watch for about 6 months. Wore it every day. Eventually the novelty wore off, so I sold it.
Having to charge the battery every other day was a pain.
Same here. They're very clever, but I felt it was a bit too close to having a phone on my wrist. I therefore switched to a Garmin Fenix. Good notifications, but not that good. But great fitness features....Having to charge the battery every other day was a pain.
I now wear my automatics during the week, and at weekends if I'm out somewhere nice.
The Garmin comes off its quick release strap and goes in my pocket for step counting.
If Garmin's software could count step from phones there would be no need - but I'm quite happy with the current arrangement.
Each watch feels pretty special and suited to the situation.
I'm in a slightly different boat in that I wear an automatic Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean all day every day, even in the shower. It's so accurate that I only adjust the time when I need to change the date for months that only have 28 or 30 days. There is no battery to charge and I never have to think about it. It's always there, always ready and always reliable. The only way in which it's not ideal is that it's sporty for an analogue and on occasion I want something dressier. I've looked into getting a smartwatch but so far not gone for it. For me the benefit of a smartwatch would be to go for a run and track my route, steps and distance while playing music to bluetooth headphones so that I don't need to take my phone. But then I'd worry about what would happen if I got into trouble like a sprained/broken ankle and didn't have my phone to call for help. I guess being a woman makes you feel a little more vulnerable. So if I have to have my phone anyway, then there's no point getting a smartwatch. I don't have the kind of life where I would need a smartwatch every day. The sports watches look a bit naff to me and the regular ones need charging more often than never, which puts me off. And it still doesn't cover the need for a dress watch for going out. Am I missing something?
AstonZagato said:
85Carrera said:
GOATever said:
I’ve just got myself a new smart watch. I’ve also got an analogue watch. To be fair, the analogue watch is more just jewellery now, I look at my phone if I want to see what time it is more often than not. My smart watch keeps an eye on my heart rhythm and various other useful stuff. Life / the times have moved on, and although I appreciate the engineering involved in a proper time piece, they really are too hairy arsed now, to be of much practical use, in the modern world.
But unless you’re running/cycling/training why do you need to monitor your heart rhythm, etc? I have a Garmin I use when running, etc but wouldn’t wear it otherwise because, frankly, it looks a bit naff (especially when worn with a suit).An analogue watch is quite a practical thing in that it tells the time ...
Some are at home. Some at work. Some are in between. Some are happening in different countries.
If I didn't have an activity monitor on me at all time, I wouldn't be able to track my progress and log what I am doing. I like the data, even though I haven't the first idea what I am going to do with it all!
I did have a meeting over the summer with a chap who wore both a big f
k off Breitling and a smart watch (on the same wrist) but it just looked a bit ridiculous TBH.Recently bought a Garmin instinct and find it totally addictive.
Wear it 24/7 . Except for shower.
tracks HR for gym / run / hike. And can plot my hikes and routes onto maps. Tracks my sleep.
and auto adjusts the time.
also does barometer, temperature, compass. Altitude, GPS, waypoints; calories, steps. And as non colour screen only needs charging weekly.
all for under 200 GBP.
can’t see myself going back to my G shock or mechanical dive watch
Wear it 24/7 . Except for shower.
tracks HR for gym / run / hike. And can plot my hikes and routes onto maps. Tracks my sleep.
and auto adjusts the time.
also does barometer, temperature, compass. Altitude, GPS, waypoints; calories, steps. And as non colour screen only needs charging weekly.
all for under 200 GBP.
can’t see myself going back to my G shock or mechanical dive watch
Bought a Smart Watch and went back to Analog. Tried the SW again and went back to Analog again.
I don't need notifications on my wrist. I don't need to pay for stuff with my wrist. I don't need to track my activity or any fitness data (I have no intention or interest in running marathons, being some kind of gym bunny or planning my route using a watch.
A watch is a fantastic tool for telling the time quickly. It doesn't need charging every night, it's accurate enough for almost anything I want to do and I don't need to log into it to see the time. With a watch I can take it in deep water if I want it within a few seconds swap to a dressier one and best of all the tech doesn't become obsolete in 2 years.
I don't need notifications on my wrist. I don't need to pay for stuff with my wrist. I don't need to track my activity or any fitness data (I have no intention or interest in running marathons, being some kind of gym bunny or planning my route using a watch.
A watch is a fantastic tool for telling the time quickly. It doesn't need charging every night, it's accurate enough for almost anything I want to do and I don't need to log into it to see the time. With a watch I can take it in deep water if I want it within a few seconds swap to a dressier one and best of all the tech doesn't become obsolete in 2 years.
Had a launch day Apple Watch S0 ... Used it for 18mths while wearing a regular watch as well.
Ditched it.
Got a great deal on a Apple Watch S3 a couple of months after launch and wore that for about 12mths again with a regular watch simultaneously but sold that a few months ago and am back on just a traditional watch again.
Ditched it.
Got a great deal on a Apple Watch S3 a couple of months after launch and wore that for about 12mths again with a regular watch simultaneously but sold that a few months ago and am back on just a traditional watch again.
I’ve got the Apple Watch series 5. I really didn’t have a clue about it when I went into apple store and bought it. I didn’t even check the pricing structure. I just pointed to the one in the display box I liked the look of, and basically said “I want that one” 
It transpires the one I bought is a series 5, 44mm Titanium case cellular and GPS with a titanium bracelet. I’m just thankful I didn’t point to the one above it, because that was a Ceramic one with a ceramic strap. I needed the heart monitor after I saw what I’d just paid for the Titanium one, I’d have needed an AED, if I’d gone for the ceramic one. However, the Apple Pay thing, and the electronic QR code on e-tickets are proving very handy, as is the sound monitor, the heart rhythm / ECG thing, and the face setting, which shows where the sun is, in relation to sun rise and sun set. I like the fact I can swim with it on as well. I can’t see me going back to anything else, anytime soon, it’s becoming very useful.
It transpires the one I bought is a series 5, 44mm Titanium case cellular and GPS with a titanium bracelet. I’m just thankful I didn’t point to the one above it, because that was a Ceramic one with a ceramic strap. I needed the heart monitor after I saw what I’d just paid for the Titanium one, I’d have needed an AED, if I’d gone for the ceramic one. However, the Apple Pay thing, and the electronic QR code on e-tickets are proving very handy, as is the sound monitor, the heart rhythm / ECG thing, and the face setting, which shows where the sun is, in relation to sun rise and sun set. I like the fact I can swim with it on as well. I can’t see me going back to anything else, anytime soon, it’s becoming very useful.
Edited by GOATever on Wednesday 18th December 12:44
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