What's the time? — Ryan Amor

The very first time I put on the Apple Watch when it first came out, I was hooked (though I had to take it off every night to charge it because the battery of that 1st generation model didn’t last long).

But this was because I literally had Apple everything and if you were in that ecosystem, the watch was another extension of that. You quickly viewed text messages on it (which prompted people to ask if you needed to go); answered calls (which got you strange looks); or even paid your groceries or purchases via NFC (which had people gaping which was actually pleasing).

But three watches later, I feel that I’m done with it. I’m currently using a stainless steel model and if it broke, or got old and irrelevant (the fate of every Apple device), I don’t think I’ll pay out another $NZ 1400+ for a new one.

I’m also done with having to be ‘connected’ all the time- it’s exhausting and pointless. If it meant doing and actually acquiring/achieving something tangible like money, or saving a life or benefitting someone, then I’m all for it.

But all it ever does I feel is gaslight me 😅. So there, I’m really done it!! (though full disclosure- if the Watch Ultra was smaller, I would have bought it).

But I feel that I’m ready to go back to analogue and these are my picks:

Shinola Sea Creatures Skeleton Dial Watch

The material looks familiar because some of my Nike sneakers have the same thing- recycled ocean-bound plastic. This one retails $US 450

Seiko Prospex SSC911 Speedtimer Solar Chronograph

Chronographs look great because they look hyper-masculine, but a lot of them are inevitably too big for my small wrist. This one by Seiko is a dainty 41.4 mm. Retails $US700

Cartier Tank Must

Around 2018, I mulled buying a simple Rolex Oyster Perpetual which was then, a reasonable $NZ 7K. Now, the price has doubled, so… And then I saw this and I must say, this is my top pick.