In September 2024, aBlogtoWatch joined Apple in Cupertino for the launch of the Apple Watch Series 10 as well as this new version of the Apple Watch Ultra 2, now available in a black-colored DLC-coated titanium case. While the Apple Watch Series 10 is a new family of Apple Watches for 2024, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 in this black color is an extension of the existing Apple Watch Ultra 2. This creates some asymmetry between two of Apple’s flagship smartwatch devices because the Apple Watch Series 10 has an updated screen and internal hardware for 2024, and the Apple Watch Ultra 2 remains the same device as the 2023 model, but with a new and attractive cosmetic option. That also includes a new and honestly incredible matching titanium mesh metal bracelet (in black or natural titanium) that is designed exclusively to go with the Apple Watch Ultra 2.

It seems that Apple is moving a bit away from an annual upgrade cycle for all its smartwatches. While each new year will have fresh products and looks, the market doesn’t necessarily want or need an entirely new device all the time. This presents an interesting dilemma because on the one hand consumers who buy a wristwatch (smart or otherwise) want it to last for at least a few years. Mechanical watch buyers often like the idea that their watches (in theory) last their entire lifetime. On the other hand, the speed at which technology software and hardware moves requires Apple to remain either ahead of the curve or highly competitive nearly all of the time. This creates a complicated strategic challenge when trying to determine how to upgrade products, and when. It can also be somewhat stressful for Apple Watch fans to know when to upgrade, as well as what to upgrade to. There are a large number of folks out there who have an Apple Watch Ultra (1 or 2) and are probably wondering if the new features of the Apple Watch Series 10 make it worth a change, or if they want to stick to the still-new Apple Watch Ultra eco-system and only upgrade when there is something substantially new for them in the Apple Watch Ultra arena.

My suspicion is that Apple Watch users remain somewhat loyal to the Apple Watch product family they become comfortable with. What I mean by this is that Apple Watch Series 10 wearers are not necessarily going to wear the Apple Watch Ultra, and Apple Watch Ultra fans like the concept and profile enough to remain with it, and will only upgrade or accessorize when there is novelty in the Apple Watch Ultra product family. Again, this is my professional guess, and that actually makes things easier for Apple since they don’t need to contend with that many users who vacillate from one Apple Watch product family to another product family. Therefore, many Apple Watch Ultra 2 fans know that whatever new tech was put into the Apple Watch Series 10 will likely make it to the Apple Watch Ultra sooner than later – and they are likely to be correct. I simply wanted to have that short discussion about the wide variety of Apple Watches you can purchase, since I can sympathize with the difficulty of choosing what to get, and when to get it.

If you can’t choose between two (or more) different Apple Watches, I recently discovered a newer feature that allows you to seamlessly swap through Apple Watches if you have more than one of them. This feature allows people to have different Apple Watches for various purposes (such as one for working out and another to take to the office), without having to pair only one Apple Watch device to an iPhone at a time. That’s the way it used to be and the way it is with most competitor smartwatch platforms, meaning that the smartphone companion software is designed to pair with only one smartwatch at a time, even if it can store multiple profiles allowing you to manually switch between them (which can be a time-consuming process). I am not entirely sure when Apple introduced the new feature, but I found that my iPhone was now able to “hand-off” between different paired Apple Watches, with priority being given to the one I was wearing on my wrist. This has allowed me to go back and forth wearing the Apple Watch Ultra 2 DLC, and the Apple Watch Series 10 seamlessly.

According to Apple, ever since they started making the iPhone in black (which isn’t always an option each year), they realized that their customers really like black-colored hardware. Many, many Apple Watches have been offered in black including anodized aluminum, anodized titanium, ceramic, and coated steel. Often these Apple Watches have highly polished finishes, and now we get to see Apple fully explore the beauty and style of a matte-finished black titanium Apple Watch Ultra 2. When you see the Apple Watch Ultra 2 in black – you really don’t need too much more convincing as it is a very pretty product. The black color and high-quality industrial finishing gives the Apple Watch Ultra 2 an even more masculine, tactical look that I think many people will enjoy. It isn’t necessarily a game changer if you have the naturally-finished titanium Apple Watch Ultra 2, but what a difference just some color makes…

I think this is a good time to mention that the Apple Watch Ultra 2 in black does not cost more than the natural titanium version. Luxury watch brands often like to charge more money for watches that have been coated or colored differently, but Apple’s large economy of scale and focus on strategic pricing means that they determined there should not be a cost difference between the two. That’s good news overall. Why might you want a DLC-coated titanium watch aside from the different surface color it produces? “DLC” stands for “diamond-like carbon” and is normally applied using a physical vapor deposition process to create a protective layer on top of the base metal. DLC coatings were long used for industrial applications prior to the watch industry embracing this coloring technology. What makes DLC better than other forms of black color coating is its durability. People don’t want the color to scratch off, or generally be damaged. As the “diamond” part of the name implies, DLC is a very tough coating and offers much more scratch resistance when compared to many other black color coating techniques. DLC application processes also vary in terms of quality and consistency. Apple’s DLC coating at this sub $1,000 price is vastly better than similar DLC coatings on many luxury timepieces I have reviewed. That is to say that Apple has seemingly invested very heavily into making sure it can offer exceptionally finished goods at market (not pure luxury) prices. To me, that is very impressive indeed.

The Apple Watch Ultra family is so popular because of the larger, more detailed case. Indeed the watch is tougher, more water resistant (100 meters), and sporty than the standard Apple Watch. With that said, there isn’t too much the Apple Watch Ultra 2 does that the standard Apple Watch doesn’t do. Apple wanted to create a more robust and “pro” version of the Apple Watch but learned that it actually succeeded in a fashion win given that the Apple Watch Ultra appears to appeal to men who might not otherwise have chosen to wear the standard Apple Watch. I agree that the Apple Watch Ultra 2 integrated much of the “utilitarian personality” that many people like in traditional sports and adventure watches. The design is also vastly more attractive and well-made than a lot of other adventure smartwatches on the market – even if they have very capable software and performance. What Apple knows better than most tech companies is that most consumers need a product to look good — prior to it performing well for them — in their process of making a purchase decision.

Recall that the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is 49mm tall (versus 46mm tall for the Apple Watch Series 10), making it the largest Apple Watch currently available. It also has some special strap options that are intended for its larger case size and that don’t fit on the smaller Apple Watches. My favorite so far is their rippled Ocean Band (new colors are available for 2024), and this year they introduced the Titanium Milanese Loop in natural or black titanium. This is a more robust version of the steel material Milanese Loop bracelet that is available for the Apple Watch Series 10. In addition to having some beefier proportions and being made from lightweight titanium, the Titanium Milanese Loop also has an aviation-style locking buckle to secure the bracelet. The steel version has a magnetic closing system which works well, but in a serious situation, the watch could be pulled off your wrist. For that reason, the Apple Watch Ultra 2’s Titanium Milanese Loop has that elaborate locking mechanism.

Milanese mesh-style metal bracelets are hardly new, and have been a fan favorite of watch lovers for years. Most of these bracelets are made from steel and the thicker ones are accordingly heavy. Titanium Milanese bracelets are very uncommon as they are traditionally hard to produce and expensive. For that reason I think it is incredible that Apple not only succeeded in making a very good one, but one that is comparatively very inexpensive costing just $199 USD for the bracelet when purchased alone. The last time I recall getting excited about a titanium Milanese bracelet was on this Omega Seamaster James Bond 007 watch that cost over $9,000 (and wasn’t available in black). While you sadly can’t easily convert Apple’s Titanium Milanese Loop bracelet for use on other watches, I have a feeling people are going to wish they could. Everything about the strap from the locking buckle, to the adjust system, to the quality of the finishing is excellent. I am really impressed. Again, let me remind you that Apple produces the Titanium Milanese Loop to match either the natural or black DLC titanium Apple Watch Ultra watches – without any price difference between them as well.

My belief is that DLC-coated titanium is not going to be a temporary interest for the Apple Watch Ultra family, as future models will likely continue to be available in natural or black tones. I hate to be so superficial about it since the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is a truly impressive product, but the black color just adds even more sex appeal to the design for those people who like the idea of a smartwatch, but feel that they lack as much personality as traditional watches. No, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is not going to replace your enthusiast watch for social or formal occasions, but it makes for a very capable and enjoyable daily wear – serving more than just sport and adventure purposes. Price for the Apple Watch Ultra 2 in black DLC-coated titanium is $799 USD. The matching Titanium Milanese Loop bracelets are $199 USD. Learn more at the Apple Watch website.