Month: October 2020

I stopped wearing watches a decade ago. The reason was twofold: the clasp on the watchband was scratching my brand new MacBook when I was typing, and with the arrival of cell phones, there really wasn't a need for something on my wrist when I simply had to pull my phone out to see what time it was. It wasn't exactly a subtle or elegant solution when you're wondering when that interminable could've-been-an-email meeting you were stuck in was going to end, but soon even pulling out a cell phone in those situations became socially acceptable, totally negating the need for an additional appliance.

To be honest, being somewhat of a fanboy, when the Apple Watch first came out, I was intrigued. Ultimately, however, I found the device too thick, it still had a wristband with a clasp, and I just couldn't justify the price-to-usefulness ratio, especially since my phone now did pretty much everything I needed it to do when away from my laptop.

My attention returned to the Watch when I developed the need to start seeing a cardiologist for my blood pressure a couple years ago. Even though the watch didn't monitor blood pressure (I'm holding out hope it will at some point), I nonetheless saw the always-on heart monitor as a very useful tool. For that reason alone, Ben has been urging me to pick one up (he's worn an Apple Watch since 2015), but I still couldn't justify the cost.

That changed about six weeks ago when Series 6 was released and the device now included a pulse oximeter and had an available wristband that didn't have a clasp! And that blue color? OMG. I was sold.

But still I hesitated.

After letting all this percolate in my head for a few days, one evening I went online and saw that the particular configuration I liked was available for immediate pickup at one of the local Apple Stores. I almost pulled the trigger, but—ignoring the little voice in my head—didn't.

After sleeping on it, the next day I woke, deciding to throw caution to the wind and go for it. I figured I could always return it for a full refund within Apple's 14-day window if I didn't like it. I went online to order for pickup at that store and…it no longer available. In fact, it was no longer available at any store in the entire state of Arizona. Well, damn! That's what I get for ignoring my intuition.

I went ahead and placed an order for delivery, and after a month's wait (it was shipped directly from China) the Watch arrived yesterday.

Last night Ben asked me if I was happy with my purchase.

I shrugged my shoulders and said, "Meh. It's a watch. I like that it monitors my heart…and it is gorgeous."

Will I keep it? Yes. While I'm not to the point yet that I've taken any unexpected falls (unlike his mom), I have fall detection turned on, and along with the other health-monitoring aspects, it gives us both peace of mind.

And it is pretty. Damn pretty…especially with that watch face.