Messages: 1273 Location: In the woods in Maine
Registered: March 2007
Apple Watch for disabled watch fanatic - impressions after 30 days.
Sat, 13 February 2016 12:48
I originally got my Apple because I have crippling arthritis and am unable to reach and hold my phone most of the time.
After about a month of 24/7 daily wear? I can't imagine going back to a standard analogue watch. I use just about every feature all day long - from quickly answering texts and emails from clients, timing dinner for my kid, news alerts from the BBC, CNN and AP, instant notification of all forms of messages (I run my business off my cell phone and get 20-50 Google Voice messages every day - all of which now pop up on my wrist) and about 8-10 short telephone calls which MUST be answered - even if it is to tell the caller that I'll call back from my phone.
For someone like me? This watch has significantly improved my "quality of life" - I used to fumble for my phone, drop it at least five times a day (even cracked the screen) and miss about 70% of my important notifications. Now I miss none.
As a tool for the disabled? Apple nailed it. Effectively this is THE "cool tool" for those of us who watch the old lady on TV who's "fallen and can't get up" and actually consider calling the toll free number.
While a smart watch is not for everyone, and in my younger days living on a sailboat this would have been dead within a day (I wore a Sea Dweller for that...). But if you are not planning to do anything more strenuous than shoveling snow? This is flawless. As Apple invariably introduces newer models (hopefully one with 100m WR) I will be first in line for every upgrade.
As a happy side benefit, I located a seller of 42mm adapters which use standard 24mm spring bars - allowing me to wear this with a bracelet as well as making my own straps. Here's my best effort to date -
(I'm starting to get the hang of this.)
Bob brand deployant clasp - loops are anchored with JB Kwik Weld for permanence and to avoid the need for stitches, and inside is lined with heavy black "briefcase" leather - all mated together with Dap "kitchen counter" contact cement...which stays flexible, but is impossible to dislodge once cured. Waxed with beeswax and deeply hand polished with brown Kiwi, and edged with black "Heel and Edge" polish.
Fits into the buckle slots VERY tightly with no "give" or wiggle anywhere.
Current watches - Rolex 14kt 1503 Date on Jubilee, Breitling B13352 Chronomat , Tudor Date
The "cut"
Former watches -Tudor 76100 Sub, Rolex 17013 OQ, Vulcain Val.7730, Hamilton Pacer, Breitling Chronomat "Vitesse", Breitling Colt Chrono, Omega GMT, Yellow dial Superocean, Navitimer A23322, Breitling Colt Chrono auto, Omega Flightmaster cal 910, Breitling Chronomat 13050.1, Omega Speedo reduced, Breitling Colt II SQ, Omega Speedmaster Mark II (racing dial),T Serial 16613 TT Black Sub, Z Serial 16610 Rolex Sub, 18KT Rolex President 18078 w/ factory Morellis finish, Rolex TT Datejust 1601, Rolex TT Datejust 16013, Rolex TT Submariner E 16613, Rolex Black Sub Z 16610, Omega Seamaster Chrono, Rolex TT GMT Master II, Breitling Steelfish, Doxa 5000T Seaconquerer, Omega SMP Bond, Omega Speedmaster Mark 40, Omega Speedmaster Triple Date, Omega Seamaster 120 TT, Omega Seamaster 120 Quartz, Heuer Carrera cal 12, Breitling TT Chronomat, Breitling Jupiter Pilot, Breitling Superocean, Breitling Colt II Auto, Omega Planet Ocean, Two Sea Dwellers, and a bunch of crap