Six months with the Titanium Apple Watch Series 10

The Apple Watch has had an interesting ten years since it launched under the stewardship of Johnny Ive. It started life with an intense focus on its craftsmanship and even fashion, but over the decade, it has slowly become more of a health and fitness device at the whims of the market.

Apple has even shifted its marketing to highlight the more popular Aluminum Apple watches. This isn’t a bad thing. It’s interesting to see a product grow over time and the marketing shift to accommodate that.

However, I think more people should pay attention to the Titanium models because they offer two key upgrades over the standard watch, and they fall more in line with Apple’s original vision for the product: a beautiful Braun-inspired timepiece that can do so much more.

The glossy metal version might cost more, but it’s much more scratch-resistant and looks nicer, two significant details for something you wear every day.

Added durability is a nice touch

While I might be more into the Titanium watch for its style, the number one reason people should get one over the Aluminum models is that titanium is more durable. The screen uses Sapphire Crystal instead of Ion-X glass, which can make a considerable difference in the longevity of your device.

I’m not saying that the Ion-X glass will shatter. I’ve only seen that happen once, but I often see scratches on the screen of Aluminum watches. They’re still functional, but looking down at a beat-up watch every time you get a notification or check the time can be annoying. Especially over the five or more years people usually own their Apple Watches for.

You can get a screen protector, which would alleviate your problem, but you’ll need to swap those out when they break or get scratched. Plus, in some regards, they look as ugly as a scratched watch face since they can peel or bubble. I would even rather a small scratch since that adds no bulk to the watch, but that’s probably only me.

The stylish reason to upgrade

Say what you will about the design of the Apple Watch, but it’s become iconic over the last decade, and the Titanium versions are currently the nicest-looking options.  You can’t completely get away from it being a large black square on your wrist, but due to its glossy metallic nature, it’s easier to pair with metallic bands, and the polished metal has a more eye-catching sparkle.

It’s shocking how nicely a glossy metal band like the Milanese loop complements the Titanium watch. Sure, you can add this band to any Apple Watch with various degrees of success, but at the end of the day, a watch is a fashion item, and if you want it to look its best, you need to make sure the lugs match the watch at the very least.

I’ve been wearing Apple Watches with a huge array of unique and interesting bands for years, and the only compliments I’ve ever received were on the Apple Watch Ultra or the Titanium Series 10 when paired with the Milanese Loop band.

Traditionally, to get this look, you would have to sacrifice a little bit since the Stainless Steel Apple Watches were heavier than the Aluminum model. Now that they have been moved to titanium, both models weigh about the same. Realistically, most of the weight of the unit I wear comes from the stainless steel band.

Other random notes

The Milanese Loop is a lot more comfortable than you’d expect. At first, I thought it would be hard to sleep in, but I’ve slept with it on for months now, and I’m extremely used to it.

Unlike other bands, this one can be clasped anywhere on the metal band, making it infinitely adjustable throughout the day to be more comfortable.

The Series 10 has a larger watch face and a better screen that can be seen from extreme angles, making it a little more watch-like. However, the new Reflections face is the only watch face that takes this to heart. At launch, I expected Apple to update the older faces to allow the second hand to persist in the Always-on display, but six months later, it hasn’t happened, which is disheartening.

One perk of the Titanium Apple Watches is that they have a cellular modem built into them. This means that if you want to pay your carrier for a smartwatch plan, you can use data on your watch when you leave your phone at home. To me, this isn’t a huge selling feature, and I don’t pay for cellular service since I always have my phone with me, but for some, it can help soften the large upfront cost of the Titanium watches.

What it comes down to

When you step back, the $1,069 price for a Titanium Apple Watch with a Milanese Loop is a hard pill to swallow compared to the $549 base model cost. It would be easier to recommend the titanium if it came with a free battery replacement or some reassurance to help people know they could wear it for more than five years without issue.

The screen should hold up and be more scratch-resistant, but there is no guarantee that the Ion-X screen on an Aluminum model will get scratched. I wore a Series 6 for years, and it held up really well. On the flip side, my partner’s Series 7 is really badly scratched. Things happen, and it all comes down to how many chances you want to take.

For me, it comes down to the look. Are you willing to pay an extra $500 to have your smart watch be something a little more fashionable? It’s a tough choice and not one that can be easily made. However, after wearing a Blue Series 6 for years, which I didn’t love and found hard to match with clothes, switching to the glossy natural earth-toned Titanum watch has been a breath of fresh air. When I catch it out of the corner of my eye, it looks more like a watch than a fitness tracker, and I love it for that.