Does Apple Watch Need to be Worn Above the Wrist?

[Hildy]

I've just watched the introduction to the apple watch and I noticed that everyone seems to be wearing them rather high up on their arms above their wrist. I typically like my watch to sit at my writs closer to my hand.

Does anyone know if the sensors on the apple watch make it necessary to wear it above the wrist, or is it simply a coincidence that everyone seems to wear them that way?

 

[Julien]

This actually brings up an interesting and related question.

How accurate is the optical HR monitor? I'm used to wearing HR straps when running/biking which use EKG. Reviews of the Samsung optical HR monitor usually cited it as not very accurate especially when running. Not much has been said about this but has Apple protected the optical HR reading sensor the way it did the Finger Print scanner?

 

[McCool71]

Does anyone know if the sensors on the apple watch make it necessary to wear it above the wrist, or is it simply a coincidence that everyone seems to wear them that way?

I think the issue is that the sensors need to be in contact with the skin below the watch, something it probably won't be all the time when wearing it close to the wrist or loose like a lot of people prefer.

Most other smart watches and fitness bands needs to be reasonably snug (some even suggest you turn it 180 degrees so that the sensors is on the inside of your wrist) to give a good reading - especially when running.

 

[flyinmac]

I think I'll wear it on my ankles... that way it doesn't get in the way of my shirt sleeves, and even better, I won't have people paying so much attention to the block strapped on my arm. I like my clothing and accessories to be simple and useful, not things that people look at and wonder what >#@! you have strapped onto you.

 

[SHNXX]

Yeah this is actually an interesting question for me.

I like the Apple watch and like the idea of heart rate monitors, calorie monitors etc but I still prefer to wear regular watches.
As Ariel Adams said in recent podcasts, I have also considered wearing two watches, one on each wrist but that would look seriously stupid.

I wish Apple had gone the other direction and went with a sleeker wrist bracelet type of a device but since they didn't, I would have to wear Apple Watch maybe 10% of the time I wear watches.

 

[irnchriz]

To take your heart rate you press down on the face with 2 fingers, this will push the sensor onto your arm more and provide a better contact. It doesn't look like it constantly monitors your heart rate like a dedicated heart monitor does.