Moto 360 1st gen Noob questions

[Cool Jeff]

So I always considered smartwatches like gym trackbands as useless gimmicks , but since I saw a friend with a Moto 360 on his hand I found it sexy.
My background: I am a brand watches lover like IWC and Panerai.
Now this Moto 360 is very sexy, and as I am an Android lover here are my questions:
-How the music controls work? If I have a plugged 3.5mm earphones on my HTC, can I control tracks and volume from the Moto 360? If yes, will it be only Google Music app or also HTC Music app?
-How good is the screen under sunlight? Can you at least read the time?
-I am thinking of 1st gen for both price and Amoled screen having better blacks, am I wrong?
-How real the ''faces'' look if taken from real watches models?
-How durable is this watch? I mean can you replace the battery later or you will have to throw the whole watch in the garbage?

 

[jojoe42]

So I always considered smartwatches like gym trackbands as useless gimmicks , but since I saw a friend with a Moto 360 on his hand I found it sexy.
My background: I am a brand watches lover like IWC and Panerai.
Now this Moto 360 is very sexy, and as I am an Android lover here are my questions:
-How the music controls work? If I have a plugged 3.5mm earphones on my HTC, can I control tracks and volume from the Moto 360? If yes, will it be only Google Music app or also HTC Music app?
-How good is the screen under sunlight? Can you at least read the time?
-I am thinking of 1st gen for both price and Amoled screen having better blacks, am I wrong?
-How real the ''faces'' look if taken from real watches models?
-How durable is this watch? I mean can you replace the battery later or you will have to throw the whole watch in the garbage?

Hi Jeff, welcome to the Moto 360 forums!

- Yes, you can control tracks, volume and play/pause from the watch. I've tested it as fully working with Groove Music, Spotify, Pandora and Play Music but not HTC Music - if not, there is an app in the store (I think it's called Wear Music Controller) that will let you have access to those controls anyways
- Ambient mode in sunlight is awful. When the screen is fully powered on though, I've had no trouble reading it in direct sunlight. Would recommend leaving auto-brightness on though!
- 1st and 2nd gen use memory LCD and not AMOLED. IMO, for the price the only other option are the Pebbles - and they have less features but are more practical in terms of watch stuff (waterproofing, always-on screen). They don't look as nice though.
- I installed a Rolex watchface and I can say it did look pretty convincing. You'll just have to fiddle with different faces as some look better than others. I actually prefer the stock Moto 360 world clock face for realism
- You can't replace the battery - so I can't attest for the battery durability, however the watch itself is built VERY well. I have a glass screen protector on the watch, and even though I'm pretty rough with the watch (I've knocked into table corners and doors many times) the frame is reasonably scratch-free and still looks in pretty good nick.

One last thing is that if you're going to be using the watch at the gym I would highly recommend a silicon band, as the leather one doesn't hold up well against sweat.

 

[Cool Jeff]

Hi Jeff, welcome to the Moto 360 forums!

- Yes, you can control tracks, volume and play/pause from the watch. I've tested it as fully working with Groove Music, Spotify, Pandora and Play Music but not HTC Music - if not, there is an app in the store (I think it's called Wear Music Controller) that will let you have access to those controls anyways
- Ambient mode in sunlight is awful. When the screen is fully powered on though, I've had no trouble reading it in direct sunlight. Would recommend leaving auto-brightness on though!
- 1st and 2nd gen use memory LCD and not AMOLED. IMO, for the price the only other option are the Pebbles - and they have less features but are more practical in terms of watch stuff (waterproofing, always-on screen). They don't look as nice though.
- I installed a Rolex watchface and I can say it did look pretty convincing. You'll just have to fiddle with different faces as some look better than others. I actually prefer the stock Moto 360 world clock face for realism
- You can't replace the battery - so I can't attest for the battery durability, however the watch itself is built VERY well. I have a glass screen protector on the watch, and even though I'm pretty rough with the watch (I've knocked into table corners and doors many times) the frame is reasonably scratch-free and still looks in pretty good nick.

One last thing is that if you're going to be using the watch at the gym I would highly recommend a silicon band, as the leather one doesn't hold up well against sweat.

Thanks!
About the straps, is any 22mm strap compatible? I mean there is a guy selling his Moto 360 but with a leather band, and call me picky but I would hate to use a leather strap that has been used by someone else, I can buy very cheap silicone or slim stainless straps from aliexpress, but there is 2 watches shops I know near my house where they change watches straps for 6 to 15$, if they have a 22mm size it should work?

 

[jojoe42]

You just have to be careful about what fits under the slots on the back - also if the fit is too snug then you can end up cracking the plastic back of the watch

 

[Cool Jeff]

Damn!
So buying a used 1st gen is not recommended as I have to get an additional strap, either wait 2 months to get one from Aliexpress or the original one at 40-60$