Which Apple Watch is most durable for a job with dogs?

If your watch has suffered significant wear and tear in one year I'm not sure that either of the high end options would be the ideal choice. The Ultra is a Titanium body which will show abrasion, and the AW12-Ceramic looks like the body should be harder and more resistant, but the display is still relatively vulnerable to knocks and abrasion. These are both the high-end devices with a cost (USA or European currencies) close to 1000 Government Beer Vouchers so I would be reluctant to expose them to a known hostile work environment.

It is entirely your choice, but I suggest also consider the AW12 with Aluminum body and add a third party protective case for use while working. Based on personal experience of their products I would certainly take a look at what manufacturers like Otterbox and Spigen can offer. These might offer a cost effective solution which you could still un-case for use in your leisure time.

Alenka_S wrote:

What watch to choose for someone who works with dogs every day (groomer, walker, cynologist) my watch with aluminum coating turned into terrible in a year, a lot of chips and deep scratches. And I can't decide which ceramic ones are better to take that came out in 2026 or ultra? Which of them will be resistant to damage.

It might not make sense to wear an expensive watch for a job environment like that. The Apple watches are all quite robust and scratch resistant, some a bit more than others, but if the "job with dogs" was responsible for the chips and scratches in just a year, history will likely repeat itself.

Is there some reason you need to wear the Apple watch when you are on that job? I would wear an inexpensive traditional digital watch (not smart watch) such as an Ironman, these watches are designed for sports and rough treatment. Tellingly, Apple does not sell or recommend watch cases for its products. Cases also make the watch not streamlined, and access to the buttons and ease of use can be degraded.

I have a Series 11, about a year old, it is in pristine condition. For rough environments, and also for swimming, I use the traditional digital cheap watch (Ironman, but I have also used others like Casio models). I don't expose my Apple watch to harsh environments nor swimming, showers etc. If the watch is exposed to lots of water (do you give dogs baths) and/or soaps, chemicals, etc. that can accelerate wear and tear and shorten the lifetime of the water resistant seals. I would imagine a job with dogs is not a very good environment for an Apple Watch. If you must wear one while on that job, I would get the least expensive one, probably an SE 3.

Alenka_S wrote:

Smart watches help to see when the client writes. Since it can be difficult to hear a phone call in the noise, especially the message. It also helps not to be distracted by the phone and check the important message there or not.

Understood, and certainly makes sense. And I understand the convenience of the smart watch, you can do emails and texts and phone calls almost In that case, I would go with the least expensive Apple Watch, I think that would be an SE3. And maybe be prepared for it not to last as long as it would in a less active job (hence the lower cost model suggestion).

(By the way, if you use the watch as much as you indicate for work related communications, you may be able to take a tax deduction as it could be considered a work expense. This may soften the blow a bit of having to replace it more frequently than most watch users.)

Smart watches help to see when the client writes. Since it can be difficult to hear a phone call in the noise, especially the message. It also helps not to be distracted by the phone and check the important message there or not.

I think I'll do that. Thank you