A few years ago, I stopped using my Apple Watch and decided to go without a watch altogether. The idea was to simplify my life. Everything I used my watch for, I could already do with my smartphone. My phone tells the time, has Suica for trains, and acts as a pedometer to track my steps.

Going watchless freed me from constant wrist notifications. It also meant one less device to charge every day, which felt like a small victory in an increasingly gadget-filled world. Overall, it was the perfect decision to streamline my daily routine.

A few months ago, I started wearing my old Casio digital watch and appreciated the convenience of being able to check the time without reaching for my phone. However, it bothered me that the time wasn’t as precise as I wanted. Since it’s not connected to the internet, it would always be at least a few seconds off.

Then came 2024, and Apple released the Apple Watch 10. It was thinner than previous versions and had a bigger screen. It charges faster, and it can measure my vitals as I sleep. Was this the cue I was waiting for to finally return to owning a watch that’s precise? Was it time to go back to the Apple Watch?

On September 20, my new Apple Watch arrived, and I immediately noticed the differences compared to the one I had 7 years ago. It’s thinner, and the screen is larger, which is a welcome improvement. Software-wise, it’s not that different, to be honest. There are some tweaks and improvements here and there, but overall, the user interface feels familiar.

My plan is to use it primarily to tell time, but also to monitor my health and fitness. I’m going to track my sleep and keep an eye on my vitals as well. Let’s see how long I stick with it before I decide, once again, to simplify my life and let it go.

Until then.