If you were to stop wearing an Apple Watch, for a traditional mechanical watch, what watch would it be, and why?

[The Cockney Rebel]

For me, it would be the Santos De Cartier.

To me, it’s beautiful (the SS & gold version) which stands out a mile, is classic, and was the first wrist watch ever made.

How about you?

 

[Shan S.]

Already do it today.. I sometimes swap out my apple watch or garmin watch for my Omega Speedmaster Racing. A fully mechanical watch that keeps excellent time is still in my eyes a true timepiece.

 

[MisterSavage]

I would never do this but it would be a crappy digital watch if I had to.

 

[xxFoxtail]

Native | Black Dial - Black Leather - Nordgreen Global

Design Our Native watches are about balance. Balance has been a central figure in many civilizations for thousands of years,...

nordgreen.com

I have a watch very similar to this one that I bought probably 15 years ago. Minus a few scruffs on it, it still looks and functions perfectly. I wear my AW Ultra probably 99% of the time, but I always bring this watch out for those special occasions.

Sometimes my AWU is just a little too large for me.

 

[DaveOZ]

Already do it today..

I have exactly the same watch. I love wearing it but whenever I do I miss the notifications and functionality of the Apple Watch. Anyway, beautiful Speedster, enjoy wear it.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

I much prefer the better G-Shocks from Casio. The Solar charged ones never need charging and an iOS app quickly sets them for whatever time zone I visit. Current favorite...

These are tough, take care of themselves, quartz accurate, etc. If I want apps & notifications, I have iDevices and Macs for that- both with much bigger screens. This one scratches all watch itches for me.

And frankly, I don't even wear that favorite every day, as I get time & date, etc. on the screen that is always with me every time I look at it.

 

[Bigwaff]

A Casio Databank

CASIO Watches - Databank | CASIO

www.casio.com

 

[Phazer]

I almost never wear my Apple Watch, never fell in love with it. My daily watch is the tissot prx automatic.

 

[stanza.richi]

The one that I have since February 2022 on my left wrist. AW on the right wrist

@The Cockney Rebel the Cartier Santos is a wonderful timepiece, good choice

 

[JohnRckr]

None. I don’t have any time anyway..

 

[jdavid_rp]

None I’d say. I got the watch mainly for the health features, Apple Pay and Apple Maps. For a traditional watch that just shows the time, I would prefer to just check it on my iPhone

 

[Surfsalot]

 

[testcard]

I alternate my Ultra 2 with my Submariner Date. Some days I wear both if out hiking.

 

[CooperBox]

For me, it would be the Santos De Cartier.

To me, it’s beautiful (the SS & gold version) which stands out a mile, is classic, and was the first wrist watch ever made.

How about you?

View attachment 2333156

You've raised a good question. An excellent topic!
Firstly I can't "stop wearing an Apple watch", simply due to the fact that I've never had one!
But as a long-time watch collector and big fan of Apple products since the purchase of my first Ti PowerBook G4 back in 2001, I anticipated the release of the Gen1 AppleWatch some 8 or so years ago with great enthusiasm. And I was fairly sure I would purchase one to add to my collection of watches and other Apple collectables.
However on reading the first official reviews on MacWorld and elsewhere I was in for a disappoinment - although no doubt tens of thousands of buyers were highly delighted - and still are.
Although I found the design and build quality pleasing, it was news of the battery 'life' - or rather lack of it - which was an immediate turn-off. Some slight improvements to battery autonomy appeared with subsequent models but there was no way I could live with a watch which required recharging several times a week or perhaps every day depending on use, given that my other electro-mechanical watches (60's Bulova Accutron, '74 Omega Speedsonic f300 etc) would function for 12months+ and even up to 2 years respectively - with a watch almost 50 years old!. Plus when required I can change the button cell battery in 4 minutes. I've never tried that on an Apple watch and don't plan to.
So related to your original query, instead of purchasing and wearing an early Apple watch, around 2015 after a fair amount of research I bought a Seiko SKX007 auto mechanical 200m diver watch, and very pleased I did as it's still in impeccable condition with original box and papers - plus it's value has soared X3 from what I paid originally. Had I bought an early AW I'd probably be lucky to recoup even the original price (unlike an original iPhone1,1) which I recently sold.
You mention the Cartier Santos, a model I know quite well, especially the auto versions, and although a very pleasant dress watch, not quite my style. Actually I bought one for my wife over 25 years ago, and she"s worn it only twice since.... 😢 Info in the second part of my blog HERE.

 

[Jackbequickly]

Would not consider giving up my AW. Rolex lives in the drawer now.

 

[leifp]

I keep flirting with Withings watches. They’re always just less than I desire. Were I to go fancy, probably a Rolex. The only reason I’d choose them over their competition is that they’re a registered charitable foundation.

 

[GlenK]

When I retired in 2008 I put my watches in a drawer which is where they stayed until 2021. The day I got the AW. If I stopped wearing the AW for some reason I would go back to nothing. (but that won't happen unless they stop making AWs)

 

[Thomas Davie]

Timex Ironman: reason is that it had to be extremely rugged, and chemical resistant as I worked in a lab. Having the easy-use timer was a boon for repeatedly making small 30 second repetitive measurements when doing enzyme assays. On medical retirement now so I’d probably not bother wearing a watch other than the AW. I had a Galaxy Watch 3 but got so pissed at it afyer a month that I just gave it to my sister to frustrate pver.

Tom

 

[jarcob]

Ole Mathiesen OM8.33.Q

Ole Mathiesen Herren Armbanduhr Ø 33 mm, 845,00 €

Ø 33 mm

argentum.de

It's a clean and minimal design, and it's one of the thinnest watches I've seen. The AW looks like a brick next to it.

Curious how similar the design of the Native watch is. They are both Danish design

 

[BillGates1969]

I have a Santos and Rolex Datejust. Not worn either for about 5 years now. Apple Watch 100% of the time. Don’t think I could very go back to a mechanical. I love the look of them, but they only tell the time lol!

 

[philstubbington]

Tissot on the left, Apple Watch on the right. Unless I’m running or cycling in which case it’s a Garmin on the left.

I’ve worked internationally for most of my career, so always found the day of the week and day number useful.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Already do it today.. I sometimes swap out my apple watch or garmin watch for my Omega Speedmaster Racing. A fully mechanical watch that keeps excellent time is still in my eyes a true timepiece.

Gorgeous timepiece.

Well wear.

I almost never wear my Apple Watch, never fell in love with it. My daily watch is the tissot prx automatic.

Enjoy your Tissot (I used to have a Tissot, but gave it to my brother when I treated myself to an Omega Deville).

You've raised a good question. An excellent topic!
Firstly I can't "stop wearing an Apple watch", simply due to the fact that I've never had one!
.....

Agree completely with this post.

I don't have an Apple Watch - and have never had one, nor wanted one.

Instead, I have a beautiful Omega Deville, the classic style that one used to see in the 1950s and 1960s, have had it for 14 years, (and had eyed it for at least two years prior to that), and I wear it daily.

To those (@Jackbequickly and @GlenK) who have beautiful timepieces secreted away in a drawer (sacrificed to the AW), why not wear them? They are exquisite, and are also an expression of craftsmanship and horological (and time-keeping) genius.

Or, why not give them - gift them - to someone who will appreciate them and treasure them?

 

[uller6]

I still love my trusty timex Ironman! Great for timers, running, and backpacking.

 

[Octavius8]

I wear 2 watches!. On my right hand, my Series 6, on my left I use anything from my collection, from Tudor Ranger, Omega Aquaterra blue dial, Seamastrr black and gold, some Montblancs, Oris or Longness. Depending on my mood basically.
My Apple Watch is more a gadget than a watch for me.

 

[Howard2k]

G-Shock, Citizen solar, or perhaps my Tag, although I’ve pulled the battery from the Tag right now.