Apple

It helped me run four miles without stopping.

How?

It shows me my heart rate. I figured out that I was running too fast and exceeding the heart rate I can maintain.

Normally I would run/walk. Like for years.

Now I know my max heart rate is 170. If I keep it around 155, I can keep going. I did 4 miles yesterday. I felt like I could keep going. I’ll try for 5 miles in a coupla days to see what happens.

So, to me, it was life changing - mentally and physically.

I use it for a lot of other things, too. Most of those convenience items I would skip without the watch, but they make my life easier: timers, Siri commands from my watch like turning on/off lights and my TV, unlocking my house door while in the dark and it’s cold and I’m still in my car, notifications, fitness activities while not having my phone, etc. I too hike in remote areas, so SOS is pretty important.

So, of course you can live without it. But, there’s a lot of value to me in having it. And, I’ve only had it for two months.

I wear an analog fancy watch for dress occasions.