Apple Watch Customization

Apple Watch is the most configurable product Apple makes. The watch face and band combination system turns a single piece of technology into hundreds of different objects depending on your mood, outfit, or activity. The band attachment mechanism uses a slot-and-release design that lets you swap bands in about 5 seconds without tools. Options span from braided nylon and silicone sport loops to stainless steel links and leather straps. I have 3 bands for mine, a black sport band for the gym, a canvas strap for daily use. A leather 1 that I wear when I want the watch to look less like a fitness tracker. Watch faces are where Apple's design philosophy shows most clearly. Each face is a different interpretation of what information deserves to be on your wrist. From the minimalist California dial with just the time and date to the Infograph face that packs 8 complications into a single screen. Watch faces are opinionated in the sense that each one makes a different argument about how much information is appropriate. Switching between them changes the watch's personality more dramatically than any band swap. Health features have quietly become the product's strongest argument. An ECG sensor can detect atrial fibrillation, the blood oxygen monitor tracks SpO2 during sleep. Fall detection has generated enough emergency calls to save lives documented in news reports. Fitness tracking uses rings that fill as you move, exercise. Stand throughout the day, and the social feature that lets you share rings with friends creates a gentle accountability loop that is less aggressive than dedicated fitness apps. At $400 for the base model the price is higher than any traditional watch I would consider buying. For people who take preventive care seriously, the health monitoring alone justifies the cost.