Apple Watches are everywhere now; what watch to stand out?

[Mysteriousgirl2]

Is it just me or are Apple Watches just seen on everyone now? I’ve had one since the very first one came out and worn it most day for years.

I’ve got one and I do enjoy some of the added features although mainly just the exercise bit and also pinging my phone when it’s lost (the best feature of it tbh 😏)

But what watch should I get now if I’ve got £250 to spend and I’m not interested in wearing my Apple Watch anymore? I can always just pop it on for exercising or dog walks.

I just want something a bit more elegant and grown up. I don’t like the Daniel Wellington ones as I’m a teacher and I don’t like the way the letters are back to front, crazy I know.

I'm practically surgically attached to my Apple watch but I do also have a selection of watches from Mr Jones for when I want to be more grown-up / individual.

https://mrjoneswatches.com/

I don’t have an Apple Watch (and don’t want one). I don’t like tech monitoring me. Plus they are everywhere! How about a swatch? Lots of funky designs and not too expensive.

Those watches are so unusual @HundredMilesAnHour Thank you for sharing. I’m actually quite tempted by those as they are so original.

Are they hard to tell the time, though?

I think I’m maybe looking for something a bit more elegant, too. I’m not sure I fit that aesthetic, which looks very creative/alternative.

If you did want to stick with an apple for the features, you could always get a link chain strap or similar?

@aperolspritzbasicbitch yes I did think that and have played around with a few straps in the past.

I think I’m ready for a bigger change, though, having worn an Apple Watch for about 8 years (have upgraded to a new version, but you get what I mean)

This Michael Kors smartwatches and fossil smartwatches might be a good compromise! I have a lovely fossil one and people always comment on it

@Mysteriousgirl2 Some of them are harder than others to tell the time as they can be a little unconventional. I have Fantastic Exploits and that's easy, but I have a version of The Last Laugh (mine is a Mexican Day of the Dead skull though) and my eyesight isn't always good enough (I'm getting old!) to read the numbers on the teeth at a glance. I get lots of comments on them when I wear them. People love them. The only downside I've found is that I can't take a sneaky glance at the time when I'm in a meeting at work and trying to look like I'm paying attention😂

@Mysteriousgirl2 it's so difficult though, isn't it? Once you get used to the features. Apple are bastards for sucking you in 🤣
I couldn't change my phone (other than upgrade) now if I wanted to - I need it to sync my watch, my airpods would be useless without it.

How many features do you want? Assuming you want a smart phone? I have a Garmin Vivomove Style (well, an older model) and I really like it. Doesn't look much like a smart watch but does the basics - tracking exercise, monthly cycle, music controls, notifications etc.

@mynameiscalypso I don’t want another smart watch.

I’d like something elegant, classy and smart. I think some of the tech watches are a bit ubiquitous.

I can’t help with what to wear, but I’ve recently stopped wearing my Apple Watch after years and I feel liberated!

I’m very lucky and have a lovely Cartier that I am now wearing every day after years of it being my ‘special occasion’ watch

Good for you @SleepingZebra ! I’m hoping that I’ll feel the same to be honest.

I’ve got a Longines Doce Vita lurking for special occasions. Maybe it’s time to promote her to the everyday.

Dolce

@Mysteriousgirl2 I think you should absolutely promote her to everyday.

I had a bit of a ‘why on earth am I keeping something so nice hidden in a drawer to bring out a few times a year?’ moment and I feel a little bit happy every time I look at my watch now.

That’s really lovely- we all need a bit of happiness in our daily lives.

I’m quite drawn to this watch now. https://www.oliviaburton.com/uk/shop-watches/34mm-white%2C-carnation-gold-and-burgundy-leather-strap-watch-24000009.html

Fossil smartwatches look like a regular watch and you can control how smart it is.

Swiss watches are gorgeous! Longines, Baume et Mercier, Tissot, Blancpain, Rolex, etc. Tissot are probably the least expensive but still stylish and elegant.

I have a rose gold Olivia Burton with a navy strap and it's really beautiful. I should wear it more; I'm another Apple Watch person but it's not very elegant!

@HundredMilesAnHour > Now I've just bought one of their watches (I blame you for this 😁) and I've already got about 20 watches (not one is a smart watch) and most of them are Swatches. I use my watches as jewellery/accessories and I never wear a watch at home (I've got clocks for that).

Ha @itsnotmeitsu I'm sorry not sorry. 😂Which one have you bought?

I'm the same. I tend to wear them only as accessories and use my phone or actual clocks to tell me the time. Although I can't break the habit of glancing at my wrist like I want to know the time but not actually paying attention to what time it actually is (I blame my ADHD for that 😜)

@HundredMilesAnHour > I've ordered the 'sun and moon' one. Not sure I'll be able to tell the time from it, but that's the case with some of my Swatches. I'm already planning what to wear with my Mr Jones watch (who'd I'd never heard of before) when it arrives 😀.

Ah sun and moon is easy, you'll be fine. 😊

I love Mr Jones. I found them when I was looking for a kinetic watch handmade in England. I used to visit their studio on the South Bank pre Covid (I live within walking distance) but saw recently that they've moved to Neal's Yard in Covent Garden so business must be booming! I'm pleased for them.

The Mr Jones watch I really wanted was 'Berry Late Again!' but unfortunately it's sold out.

I was so tempted to buy that one when it was released but knew I'd never be able to get away with it at work so decided against it. And regret it now. At the time, I was already pushing my luck with some loafers that had an embroidered screw on the front of one shoe and a big U on the front of the other. Combined with the watch. I think it might have been P45 time. 😂

Also just read that the Mr Jones watches are made in the UK - a real bonus for me as I like to buy as locally as possible.