I booked a try-on appointment at my favorite Apple Store (the one in Sherway Gardens) and went for the experience on a Saturday afternoon. I haven’t worn a watch in more than 20 years but the “cool” factor just couldn’t be resisted. I really just wanted to get a better look at what wearing one would be like, better than what the Apple Watch app offered … there’s only so much holding your iPhone on your wrist can really accomplish.
I picked out three “favorites” that I wanted to try … all the 42mm face (the app really did help there) and prepared for … well, um, not a whole lot … what can you accomplish in 15 minutes?
It turns out quite a bit. “Alex”, the associate who helped us, made the experience quite enjoyable and definitely no rush. Did I mention this was my favorite Apple Store? We go out of our way to shop there when in-person product review / purchase is necessary.
I went to try on the Apple Watch. I selected the 42mm Stainless Steel Case with Milanese Loop; and, the 42mm Stainless Steel Case with Link Bracelet; then, for comparison the 42mm Space Grey Aluminium Case with Black Sport Band (from the Apple Watch Sport line).
Although I liked all three models I was most impressed with the Milanese Loop as the Link Bracelet (although not fitted well) tended to unclasp very easily (perhaps too easily?) and the Sport Band just didn’t have the “look” I wanted. I’m not sure a rubber-like band would ever have the look I wanted but it did feel good. I was actually really surprised the Apple Watch 38mm Stainless Steel Case with Milanese Loop was quite snug getting over my hand (as in almost not getting over my hand at all), but the face itself was just a bit too small and the thinner band also did not quite look as good either.
Terri was with me during all of this and Alex was very kind to offer her the experience of trying on some of the different models … all told, between the two of us, I think we tried on seven or eight different models.
We played with the demonstration models in the store as well and were easily impressed with the functionality being displayed there. Terri was very impressed with the ability to use touch gestures with the watch given how much trouble they present her on her iPhone 6+ and new iPad Touch … and the display was very easy to read, too.
My thoughts on the Apple Watch: waiting until June is going to be a challenge; but, I am definitely looking forward to wearing a watch again.
