Some thoughts on the Apple Watch Ultra 2 in black titanium

Note: This feature was first published on 17 September 2024. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 in black titanium is available in stores now.

There’s no Apple Watch Ultra 3 for 2024. Instead, Apple is updating its Apple Watch Ultra 2 with an all-black model. This is the first time the Apple Watch Ultra is offered in a colour other than natural titanium.

Apart from the colour, the new all-black titanium Apple Watch Ultra 2 is identical to last year’s model. They have the same display, the same processor, and the same suite of sensors and features. 

According to Apple, the black satin finish was achieved using a combination of a “custom blasting processor” and diamond-like carbon physical vapour deposition (DLC PVD) coating. To match the black case, the back crystal is now made of dark zirconia.

The finish is very dark, which should please fans of black watches or those who like to dress in black. The black case accentuates the orange accents of the Digital Crown and Action button. Because the finish is satin, the watch has a slight sheen to it. It also appears to be quite prone to smudges. 

My biggest concern with DLC-coated watches is how they’ll hold up against scratches. Titanium isn’t naturally black, and as I mentioned earlier, the finish was achieved using a coating. Deep scratches could damage the coating and reveal the titanium material underneath, which could mean conspicuous scratch marks. I’ve only been wearing it for the past few days, and it’s holding up well. I’ll have to put it through more wrist time to see how it’ll hold up to the rigours of daily wear.

Apple also has new watch bands with matching black hardware. There are new versions of the Trail Loop, Alpine Loop, and Ocean Band, as well as a new Titanium Milanese Loop that was inspired by the mesh loops found on vintage dive watches. I managed to try on the Milanese loop at the event (see TikTok above) and thought it was a fine match for the watch. It certainly is a lot lighter than you expect. However, I’ve always been partial to metal mesh straps. 

The unit I have with me now for this story came with the black Trail Loop and it goes well with the watch too – especially if you are going for that all-black aesthetic. Crucially, the Trail Loop is light and soft to the touch, which makes it comfortable to wear for long periods.

Here's yet another look at the all-black Titanium Apple Watch Ultra and its straps:-

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't slightly disappointed that we didn’t get a new Apple Watch Ultra this year. Casual Apple Watch wearers who have been holding out on a new Apple Watch Ultra will probably feel the most conflicted because they are now faced with the dilemma of choosing between an Apple Watch Ultra 2 and the newer Apple Watch Series 10, which has a new case, display, and more. Besides, the Series 10 also gets everything new that watchOS 11 offers, including new features like sleep apnea detection.

I'll need to spend more time with the Apple Watch Series 10 to give readers an answer, but my gut feeling is that unless you absolutely need the durability, battery life, and/or features of the Apple Watch Ultra 2, it might actually be better to get the Series 10. It's a newer product and the slimmer case has a profound impact on how the watch looks and wears.

Stay tuned for the review of the Apple Watch Series 10 (but meanwhile, here's our experience feature).

Prices of the black Apple Watch Ultra start at S$1,199 – the same as the natural titanium version.

Prices of the Apple Watch Series 10 start at S$599 for the aluminium models and S$1,049 for the titanium models. They are available to pre-order now, and the watches will be available in retail from 20 September.

You can find the new black Apple Watch Ultra on Lazada, Shopee, and the Apple Online Store.

You can find the Apple Watch Series 10 on Lazada, Shopee, and the Apple Online Store.

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