I’ve worn an Apple Watch Ultra on my wrist nearly nonstop for two years, and the state it’s in borders on unbelievable. Not babied. Not wrapped in cotton. It’s been scraped on granite, dunked in saltwater, rattled around in backpacks, and used for everything from trail runs to red-eye flights. Yet the watch looks and works almost exactly like day one.
Built for abuse, and it shows
The case has the faintest patina—micro scuffs on the raised lip around the screen—but that’s it. The sapphire front crystal is still scratch-free, which tracks with real-world tests that put sapphire among the most scratch-resistant materials used in wearables. The Grade 5 titanium body shrugs off daily knocks in a way aluminum watches simply don’t.
Water and dust haven’t posed a problem. The Ultra line carries WR100 water resistance and is tested to EN13319 for recreational diving, plus IP6X dust resistance. I’ve swum in the ocean, run in blowing sand, and rinsed the watch under a tap afterward, as Apple Support recommends for saltwater. The crown, Action button, and microphone ports have never clogged, and the buttons still click with that firm, new-hardware feel.
Screen and controls remain stellar
The Ultra 2’s display can blaze up to 3,000 nits, and that brightness has been invaluable in snow glare and desert light. Colors haven’t shifted, there’s no ghosting, and touch input is responsive even with damp fingers. The oversized crown and Action button are more than aesthetic; they make starts, laps, and waypoints doable with gloves on—something smaller watches struggle with.
Battery health after nonstop use
After two years, Battery Health reads just over 90%—better than I expected given sleep tracking and daily workouts. Apple’s guidance for lithium‑ion cells is that they’re designed to retain up to about 80% of original capacity under normal conditions, and I’m comfortably above that. In practical terms, I still finish a full day with 40–50% left, and Low Power Mode easily stretches things into multi-day trips.
For the technically curious, iFixit’s teardown lists the Ultra’s battery around 564 mAh—significantly larger than what’s inside standard models. Combined with watchOS power optimizations, the result is endurance that feels closer to an adventure watch than a typical smartwatch. If the cell does fade further, Apple’s battery service runs roughly around the price of a nice band, making replacement a rational way to extend life.
Straps and real-world wear points
If anything will show age, it’s bands. My first high‑use fabric strap eventually frayed at the stitching. I swapped to a lightweight titanium Milanese-style band for daily wear and keep a rugged loop for workouts and swims. The Ultra’s lug mechanism remains rock solid—no play, no squeaks. For longevity, a quick freshwater rinse after saltwater sessions and avoiding soaps or solvents (per Apple Support) keeps seals and textiles happier.
Why it’s still part of my everyday carry
Beyond durability, it’s the utility that keeps this watch glued to my wrist. Dual‑frequency GPS (L1+L5) has been uncannily accurate in urban canyons and dense forest. Backtrack takes the anxiety out of solo hikes. The 86 dB safety siren is a comfort on late runs. Fall Detection and Crash Detection provide baseline insurance. Wallet, transit passes, boarding passes—less fumbling, more moving. I pay for a cellular plan but barely use it; it’s there for the rare phone‑free emergency.
How long can an Ultra realistically last?
Hardware-wise, the Ultra feels engineered for a long haul. Software support matters just as much, and Apple’s track record shows multi‑year watchOS updates; even older models like Series 6 remain supported. Research firms such as Counterpoint note that smartwatch replacement cycles are stretching toward the 2–3 year range, and I’d argue the Ultra pushes that further thanks to materials and battery capacity.
Two years in, I see at least another one to two years of comfortable daily use before I’d consider a battery swap. If I upgrade sooner, it’ll be for new features, not because this unit faltered. As gear goes, that’s rare: a premium device that took real punishment and still looks, and performs, like a flagship.
If you’re debating whether the Ultra’s price buys longevity, my experience says yes. The case will scuff a bit, straps will come and go, but the core—screen, battery, buttons, sensors—has held up far better than any smartwatch I’ve owned. It’s become the one piece of tech I forget I’m wearing, until it’s the only tool I need.