How strong is the Apple Watch Ultra? I stress-tested it for 9 months

apple watch ultra In Apple’s own words, it is “the ultimate sports watch” built to “withstand extreme environments, altitudes and temperatures”.

But talk is cheap — and there’s only one way to find out how tough the Apple Watch Ultra really is, and that’s to test it.

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So, how about a trial lasting nine months? This is exactly what I’ve done with my Apple Watch Ultra, which has been on my wrist constantly since unboxing.

In that time, seen snow and rain, seen in caves and down quarries, seen on my wrist as I stuck my hand into engine grooves and mud holes. It’s comfortable swimming in salt water with me, and it’s cozy in the hot tub with me. In short, the watch has seen and done a lot. And I’ve made sure it’s been quite the test, as I have a track record of being harsh on Apple watches.

In those nine months, I know I’ve personally picked up some wounds, but what about the Apple Watch Ultra?

Many of you have asked me to report on the sturdiness of this smartwatch. And as you can see from the photo at the top of this story, it’s not in bad shape. In fact, ignoring the epoxy resin stain on the band, I think it looks almost new.

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But I decided to take a closer look at the clock using my Andonstar AD407 Pro Digital Microscope — on a very close look.

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apple watch ultra

The Apple Watch Ultra has withstood many of my outdoor adventures, including caves, salt water, and mud pits.

Let’s start by looking at the titanium case, which Apple says strikes “the right balance between weight, stiffness, and corrosion resistance.”

The microscope highlights some superficial scratches around the bezel, some of which are noticeable when looking at the watch (I’ve marked these with an arrow).

Rest of the case is in perfect condition.

And yes, there is a lot of dirt and grime in the various holes.

The hook that’s on the bottom of the band—the piece that gets knocked and scratched on surfaces all the time—is in excellent condition.

However, the rest of the band looks a little scared.

OK, but what about the piece you’ve all been curious to know about – the sapphire crystal? How has the display fared with several months of rough use?

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I carefully examined the surface of the crystal and I saw a slight damage: a very small scratch.

And when the screen is on it gets scratched here. I can’t see this flaw with my naked eye, and I can’t even feel it with my fingernail. I’m tempted to think that this is less a scratch in the sapphire and more damage to the coating.

So, in conclusion, how is the performance of the Apple Watch Ultra? I believe the answer is incredibly good. I am impressed that not much damage has been done in the case. Titanium does an exceptional job of resisting scratches, and the fact that it doesn’t have a single dent is a testament to its strength.

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As far as the sapphire crystal, before I’ve had watches with a sapphire crystal I expected this material to outlast all attempts to damage it, so it’s good to see it lives up to the expectation.

If you are planning to take one apple watch ultraRest assured that this is as rough as a watch can be. And if you’re planning on waiting for a new release, I expect that tool to be just as robust.