This video is brought to you by BandWerk Throughout my latest videos, a few questions
stood out to me the most……and since it’s been almost a year since I showed you my favorite
Apple Watch tech, I think it’s time to revisit what I go through on a daily basis when it
comes to Apple Watch Accessories.
Let’s start with the watch in question - the Ultra.
Long gone is my stainless steel gold Series 7, which I kind of miss a little, to be honest,
but I’ve been using the Ultra ever since it came out and I really really like it.
I am not a diver, hiker or climber, but so are plenty of other people who enjoy the largest
of Apple Watches because of the presence and the amazing battery life.
I have a dedicated review on the Ultra BTW and I’ll be sure to link it at the end of
this video.
So with the Ultra, the bands have changed since it uses 49mm ones and even though it
can use smaller models like 45 or 44mm, the sheer size of the watch begs to be paired
with something more substantial.
In terms of charging, the market hasn’t evolved much, and to my knowledge, only the
packed USB-C puck from the latest Ultra, 7, and 8 supports fast charging…meaning I can
leave the Watch on the stand and grab it in about 30 to 45 minutes.
So when I am in a rush, just like last time I resort to the fast-charging puck, which
stays tucked in a very inexpensive stand which I’ll link below alongside all the other
items I will show you.
The rest of the time, I go between two very capable chargers.
One stays at home, and the other here in the studio.
The one that we use in the studio is called Pitaka Air Omni, and calling it an Apple Watch
charger is a bit of an understatement, to be honest since it’s a 6-in-1 charging station
that we use for pretty much all our devices.
It’s one of the few decently looking chargers out there that can simultaneously charge six
tech items at the same time, and the built-in Watch module can be used flat for standard
straps or raised up for when keeping the watch with a metal band that can’t lie down.
VLOG: toggle between lighting and USB-C Another cool thing about the Air Omni is the
built-in drawer which comes in handy for little loose items like removed link from a bracelet
and hardware you might want to keep for future strap adjustments.
A little hack that I sort of came up with is when grabbing another favorite accessory
of mine, the Pitaka Power Dongle.
This little Dongle is basically a single Apple Watch puck that ends with a USB-C port hidden
behind the magnetic cap, which I always keep in my backpack.
It can actually be bundled with Pitaka MagEZ slider, which I talk about in the video from
last year…anyways - I can plug this little thing into any power brick and even my laptop
if I want to juice up the watch when on the go.
The charger that I use at home is the Belkin BoostCharge Pro, which Apple has featured
more than once in their marketing materials.
It is a 3 in 1 wireless charger that supports up to 15W wireless charging where the phone
can float in both vertical and horizontal orientation and the Apple Watch puck can be
used regardless of which band or strap is installed.
On the bottom, there’s an additional place to top up earbuds.
It’s not as versatile as the UGREEN charger that I featured last time, which has an articulating
MagSafe puck as well as a retractable Apple Watch module, but it’s a solid charger that
has aged gracefully.
OK…let’s talk bands.
I’ll start with the one that I’ve been wearing like crazy for the last 6 months.
It’s a stainless steel one, model G1-S by BandWerk.
Each of the 112 components of the metal bracelet is milled in a process lasting several hours
with extreme accuracy and then satin-finished and polished by hand.
To me, this is the ultimate Apple Watch band since it fits any occasion, from working out
to wearing it casually to dressing it up.
I’ve been swimming with it, I workout with it almost daily, and I don’t worry about
being gentle around it.
In fact, you can see some of the little imperfections that have accumulated after accidental hits
and impacts.
It’s perfect for the hot summer days as you can easily wipe it out without worrying
about leaving sweat spots like with traditional bands.
The G1-S also comes in a darker color called Anthracite, which, when paired with the right
watch face, makes it stand out even more.
The band that has attracted the most questions by far, however, is this one.
It is BandWerk’s Artline, which I have in two versions of.
The white version is called Beat Bop, and it’s based on the 1983 artwork "Beat Bop"
by the artist Jean-Michel Basquiat.
You can consider it a piece of modern art history on the wrist.
Similar to it is the second version I have, which is again based on Basquiat‘s artwork
from 1982 called "A Panel of Experts".
Both of the Artline bands are super soft and comfortable to use even when working on my
laptop without worrying about scathing the aluminum unibody.
BandWerk products are made in Germany and Italy from high-quality materials combined
with elaborate craftsmanship, and the company is always working on new products, such as
a new collection that is based on silicon, including bands iPhone and AirPods Cases.
From more subtle choices like an Italian Saffiano leather like this Paris strap in white to
a recycled polyester yarn band in Slate Grey like the Seaqual that you see here BandWerk
offers products that you can be sure you won’t see elsewhere.
To prove a point, the most special band for me is the piece of Bavarian motorsport history
Special Edition one called Sharknose.
This band is made from the interior of a legendary car - the BMW M635CSi.
It’s a limited edition - 1 of 499.
As a fan of BandWerk we teamed together, and we will do a special giveaway.
To take advantage of it check out the details and links in the description below.
Next up is the Sport Band by Nomad, which I have in three colors.
This band
is very durable, and what I like about it is how lightweight it is.
The rubber material, which nomad calls FKM has anti-microbial properties, and in terms
of wear and tear, you can see how the Apple’s Ocean band has discolored over time, whereas
the Sport Band remains pretty much intact.
While on the topic of Nomad, another Band which I enjoy is the Modern Band in tan which
is a great start for any Apple Watch accessories collection.
I consider it the default since boats a classic look, yet it’s very durable, allowing for
breathability where sweat and water would otherwise build up, which means its waterproof
as well.
You can workout with it, and they throw in a shirt and go to work.
When you opt for the Silver hardware color, it becomes an instant great match for
the Ultra.
So, again, like with Pitaka’s Pixel Game Case we have something more than just a band
- an experience.
I have two of Pitaka's latest bands which I quote are inspired by the intricate structure
and boundless imagination of architectural art
The first band Mosaic is inspired by the legendary architect Gaudi and his representative work
Casa Batllo and the second Stairscase is by Bofill and his representative work Red Wall
Apartment.
The bands are part of Pitaka’s Weaving+ series, which you can consider accessories
with artistic expression through pixel art form.
What you can expect from them is extreme durability and to show you what I mean, allow me to show
you this band which is the Carbon Fiber model that my associate has been wearing for over
a year now - every single day - absolutely no wear and tear and just like the latest
two models Moseic and Stairscase one of the lightest, if not the lightest band that you
can try on your watch regardless of
the model.
BTW, I have another device I carry with me, which carries a similar name like the Air
Omni that I mentioned earlier, and it’s called Omni 20c+, which is a 100W Power Bank
that I talk about in my recent Favorite Tech Accessories episode which I’ll link here.
Like & Subscribe to the channel, as well as my newsletter, and as always, it’s been
an absolute pleasure, This is E
Over & out