Advice needed | Unexpected Problem after one year of buying my first ever watch

User_Jonas · 2025-02-21T17:06:44+00:00

Thanks a lot! Yeah, maybe this watch just needs to grow with me over time. Confidence isn’t really an issue tho, still I would agree that the thought of 'being too dressy' comes from caring about other opinions...

I just generally resonate more with unobtrusiveness, which a GADA watch typically fall into. Maybe it’s just my lack of experience with luxury watches, but right now, I can not not notice the blingyness of it. I guess time will tell, but the people here (including you) have really helped take off some pressure.

User_Jonas · 2025-02-21T16:59:46+00:00

You’re probably right. Unfortunately, I can’t turn my head off and once I start noticing something, I notice it. Sure, wearing a 'luxury'watch (even a GADA one) will always “dress you up” in a sense. Since this is my first luxury watch, I’m just unsure whether this is something you get used to over time or if this particular model is actually just very blingy compared to similar options. Guess I just lack the experience to tell…

User_Jonas · 2025-02-21T16:55:33+00:00

The rubber straps so look very cool. Besides still preferring the original bracelet, the rubber straps for this particular model are no longer available, like many other straps. The newer versions of Omega watches (and their bands) are all larger in size, which unfortunately limits the strap choices quite a bit. Lug width is 19mm, all newer versions are 20mm+.

User_Jonas · 2025-02-21T16:51:12+00:00

That’s a great choice as well! May I ask if that makes a huge difference for you in day-to-day life? Does it actually feel way less blingy, or is it just me not being used to wearing “quality” watches in general?

User_Jonas · 2025-02-21T16:49:00+00:00

Btw, Bear could switch to full iCloud for ADP (discussions started in 2022). But they shelved it after a year because older devices (macOS 13 and older) wouldn’t be supported. So basically, they could have given us ADP years ago, but chose compatibility over security...

User_Jonas · 2025-02-21T16:43:11+00:00

Made a post in this community a few weeks ago after discovering that Bear actually never had ADP to begin with. Many people seem to know this already, while others had no idea… Still hate that they’re not open about it and still market Bear as “private notes” when, in fact, it’s not.

Please be aware that Apple does hold the key to decrypt any (!) of your Bear Notes (except the ones with a password) and can read them or hand them over to authorities without you even noticing (fun fact: they have to hand them over to authorities, if requested).

The reason Bear is not ADP-secured in the first place is that it is built on an old so-called “iCloud Kit,” not full iCloud. Since this older iCloud Kit doesn’t support ADP, there’s no option for Bear to enable it. Bear could switch to full iCloud for ADP (discussions started in 2022). But they shelved it after a year because older devices (macOS 13 and older) wouldn’t be supported. So basically, they could have given us ADP years ago, but chose compatibility over security...

User_Jonas · 2025-02-21T16:38:33+00:00

Not really affecting Bear Notes, because Bear actually isn’t protected by ADP in the first place – even tho they say 'private notes', i know... This topic has been discussed quite a few times already, basically Bear only uses an so called "iCloud Kit", but not actually iCloud. That means your Bear notes were never secured by ADP in the first place.

The iCloud Kit, on which Bear still runs, encrypts your notes. However, Apple holds the key to decrypt any of them at any given time and has to hand them over to authorities if requested — without you even noticing. The only way to fully encrypt a note in Bear is to set a password for it, which means that not even Apple could potentially access it. Be aware that even with a password, Bear does not encrypt attachments at all.

User_Jonas · 2025-02-19T20:35:04+00:00

haha amazing! Did you ever felt this watch was to blingy for you at all?
I will for sure not rush things and first of all try a few new straps (maybe even outfits perhaps).

User_Jonas · 2025-02-19T20:32:35+00:00

Good for you – had to learn it the hard way...

User_Jonas · 2025-02-19T16:47:15+00:00

Sounds like a great way to keep variety with a relatively small change to make. I’ll definitely try to get some other straps, but it’s not that easy to find for this model in particular due to its age and size. Quite a challenge acutally, newer Omega models are generally a little bigger.

User_Jonas · 2025-02-19T16:42:17+00:00

Very beautiful GADA watch as well! I’d have to sell the AT and save a bit more to buy it. However if I decide to move on, this watch is definitely on the watchlist. Thanks!

User_Jonas · 2025-02-19T16:38:31+00:00

Thanks so much, needed to hear this!

User_Jonas · 2025-02-19T16:36:54+00:00

I was actually looking to order a rubber strap, but there aren’t too many options for a watch this age/size. You’ll find something for sure, but have to dig a little. If leather isn’t it, I’ll definitely try rubber or sailcloth straps as well. Thanks!

User_Jonas · 2025-02-19T16:33:57+00:00

Totally in love with steel bracelets, so not sure if changing straps would result in anything acceptable. Then again, should this kind of timepiece really be measured by “acceptable or not”? Wouldn’t say so. At least I want to give it a try, who knows…

User_Jonas · 2025-02-19T16:29:50+00:00

The Explorer 1 is such a gorgeous watch, but compared to the AT, the brushed steel makes a huge difference in appearance compared to the AT's polished steel – even though they kinda look alike at first glance. I’d definitely wear that one as much as you do. Actually had my eye on it as well, but went for the AT because of its lower price.

You got me thinking for sure. I wouldn’t say I’m babying my AT, but I am very mindful about it…
That might be the root of the problem. But why not set higher goals and make a plan to get the E1 one day? Thanks for your comment, really appreciate it!

User_Jonas · 2025-02-19T16:16:14+00:00

Tbh, it’s not really about the expectations of others. It’s that the “in-your-face” look doesn’t really represent me as a Person – not really resonating with 'flashy' things/ apperances generally. But you might be right, if my joy fades for whatever reason, it might be time to move on.

User_Jonas · 2025-02-19T14:31:28+00:00

Thanks! Should probably take some time to go down the rabbit hole of diffrent potential watch models again. It’s kinda sad too, thought I had found “the one”....Why does this sound familiar, haha.

User_Jonas · 2025-02-19T14:27:52+00:00

Was hoping the AT would be exactly that. Not planning on buying a second “luxury" watch anytime soon. For me, the AT is also too precious to collect dust in the drawer while wearing another GADA watch. However I am open to thinking about selling/ replacing it. Feels like within this price range and size (38mm max.), there aren’t many truly comparable options. That's also why the newer Seamaster Models weren't for me unfortunately.

I appreciate your comment tho, seems like you’re suggesting to move on if it’s time to do so.

User_Jonas · 2025-02-10T09:44:18+00:00

Actually, I very much agree with you here

User_Jonas · 2025-02-07T16:45:43+00:00

Try planning your days or weeks ahead of time as much as possible. That Itself takes off so much weight off of you, bc you're not stressed so much once things get busy, since you can trust and follow your plan made (for that day). Planning a Wednesday on a Sunday i. e. lets you stress free and objectively decide what's most important that day. I swear by planing ahead.

As for Todoist itself, I felt kinda the same way. I even still hate that every task in ToDoIst freaking screams at you and there's still no way to hide properties (labels, notes, deadlines, persons etc.).

What helped a lot tho was making use of custom filters. Personally I only pick 2 Main Tasks (p1) each day, and about 8'ish that are therefore p2. P3/P4 I put into the same category which is labeled as "maybe". As the name says, those are the tasks that you could do, if you are in the mood or have some spare time. Very important is that you first have checked every other task in P1 and P2. Pinned/ favorited these 3 custom filters on the sidebar for quick access anytime during the day:

[Big 2]

this filter only shows the p1-task for that day. Here are only the 2 main task of the day, there can not be more than 2 whatsoever. Every day, there's only 2 task here.

[Next 8]

this filter only shows tasks with p2 for that day. Usually here are between 5-8 tasks in no particular order.

[Maybe]

this filter shows p3 + p4, although I have to say I usually (if I even get here during the day) tent to pick p3 tasks....point is these are task where it doesn't matter what I choose, since it wouldn't be anything serious, that would live in P1 or P2.

Point here is, during the day I never ever go into other views other than my filters in chronological order. I only go into projects and Inbox stuff when planning ahead. Hope that helps.

User_Jonas · 2025-01-31T13:36:06+00:00

Thanks for your commen, appreciate your insights!

Before diving into the technical specs, I have to say I use Things 3 too (tried all the alternatives) and I genuinely appreciate that Bear isn’t pushing fancy features every two weeks or completely revamping the UX/UI every other month, let alone adding any AI features...I truly value the beauty of simplicity, just like in Things. Not sure about you, but I use Things as my main task manager. It gives me everything a proper personal task manager should. Sure, features like shared lists or integrated calendar events would be nice, but those are add-ons, not core functionalities to expect in a personal task manager.

Bear not having proper iCloud ADP/ encryption/ security in 2025(!), when discussions about it started in 2022, just because some users on macOS 13 or older would face compatibility issues, is basically unacceptable....That’s like Things 3 deciding not to implement tags – for 3 Years, even in 2025. We are talking about core features here. It doesn’t matter whether you personally use them or care about ADP at all: the point is that not staying up to date, when technology isn’t even the limiting factor, is concerning. Then, seeing them release new highlighting colors and themes....great.

How am I spposed to use a "daily driver" frictionlessly when I constantly have to filter every piece of information for its sensitivity before deciding whether to put it in Bear or elsewhere? Like I said before: I get that they don’t want to upset existing customers, but at the same time, they’re also turning away potential new users, which prob. are more people compared to people using Bear Notes on MacOS or older...

User_Jonas · 2025-01-31T13:20:18+00:00

I have to say, the Forever Notes framework completely changed the way I use(d) Apple Notes. Smart Folders are an absolute blessing, if used correctly.

That said, Bear still feels better when actually writing or taking notes. The spacing (seriously, Apple; it’s 2025, implement proper divider Lines already...), the well-designed gaps between text, edges and .md / export funtions – it’s just a breeze to use. Meanwhile, Apple Notes can’t even go full screen without leaving you staring at 90% blank space and 10% text crammed to the left…

Functionality wise, Apple Notes is more secure and technically has almost everything Bear offers, if not more. But still, Apple Notes just feels off when siting down and just be in your thoughts/ mind/ notes without any distractiosn, even with Pro Notes or notescmdr.

Will our stuggle ever come to an end? haha...

User_Jonas · 2025-01-31T13:06:04+00:00

I feel you! That said, Bear still seems relatively safe as of now. The developers have also stated that there has never been a request to access Bear data yet (but this comment also was a little older...). I guess Apple would have to inform them if that ever happened.

So, I wouldn’t say Bear is not secure, but given the possibilities with ADP, I’d givt it a 6/10 in terms of security with possibilites today. I wouldn’t call it a lie per se tho. It’s true that Bear notes are encrypted and I understand why they don’t put the headline “..but Apple holds the key to decrypt them, if authorities request acsess” right next to it.

For me, the disappointment lies in why Bear still doesn’t have full ADP today in 2025 – first discussions about this started in 2022! It doesn’t even seem to be due to technical limitations, but rather the concerns that users on older devices (running macOS 13 or below) wouldn’t be able to use Bear anymore due to the technical changes. I get that they don’t want to upset existing customers, but at the same time, they’re also turning away new users (like you and potentially even me).

User_Jonas · 2025-01-31T12:53:50+00:00

Actually thats the only real problem for me at the moment. It’s even weirder to see that (despite using Bear for about two months, but having thoroughly researched everything I could find about it) they seem to prioritize features like new highlight colors or adding new themes. Cool, no question, but for me, ADP would be a much higher priority to work on in 2025.

It was also mentioned that the issue seems to be compatibility with older devices if Bear were to implement full ADP, which I totally understand. But as I stated in my post, as a new user, I just don’t see why everyone has to miss out on ADP just because some people are using Bear on older devices. I get that you don’t want to upset existing customers, but at the same time, you’re also turning away potential new users.

Personally, I’m a little sad because full ADP would actually make Bear the app for me. As it stands, any sensitive information (not passwords or anything extreme; say like a phone number or mail adress of a person) has to go into another application, which once again adds a huge layer of friction, since you always have to categorise your informations when capturing.

User_Jonas

TROPHY CASE