The Black Titanium Apple Watch Ultra 2 looks extremely sharp

A year after it was rumoured to come out, Apple has given in and given those looking for a darker, more aggressive Apple Watch Ultra 2 exactly what they’ve been looking for. The Black version is striking and adding another option to the Ultra lineup is bound to bring in more people who usually wear dark watches from competitors like Garmin.

I’ve only worn my review unit a little since I spent most of my time testing the new Apple Watch Series 10 (also in a unique inky black colour), but there’s something about the darker colour that makes it feel like a fun gadget. I feel a little less Bond and a little more Batman compared to the Natural Titanium version I usually wear, but sliding it on and sneaking off into the night to do a run, I still feel just as powerful as I did when I reviewed the original Apple Watch Ultra 2. It’s a good feeling.

The new Black Ultra 2 looks pretty sharp.

I don’t have the new Black Titanium Milanese loop band, but I did try it when I was at the Apple Campus for the product reveal, and it was beautiful. It’s lighter than you expect, and the way the company has ground down the interlocking links to make it flatter gives it a really stunning vibe in motion. It reminded me of water rippling on a pond,which is not something I expected from a black watchband, but the way the light hits it really makes it pop. This band is also made from 85 percent recycled titanium, so it’s one of the few carbon-neutral watch straps Apple makes.

While I’ve seen many people online wonder if the new finish will scratch more, I did find one video from the channel Chase the Summit where he drops the watch onto stone a few times, and he seemed really impressed with the durability of the new finish. It’s not perfect, but unless you scratch it super deeply, the new diamond-like PVD coating should do a good job of making sure the raw titanium underneath doesn’t shine through.

Overall, as a reviewer, I’m pretty glad that Apple only announced a new colour this year. There’s always a lot to cover coming out of the Apple events and with the Apple Watch specifically, it’s hard to pack in enough upgrades to make the new watch stand out year-over-year. The Series 10 did a good job of it this year with its redesign and new features, but if Apple moved both watches to a bi-yearly cadence, I wouldn’t complain.

If you’re thinking about getting an Ultra 2 or a Series 10 this year, make sure to read our full reviews to help you make the best choice for your lifestyle.