Just two days ago, Apple introduced the new top of its line of smartwatches, known from previous leaks as the Watch Pro, but which ended up being the Apple Watch Ultra, a device aimed at a very specific audience, people who take sports to a professional level, either as a hobby or because they do it as a work activity. This, of course, explains both its specifications and features, as well as its price.

When we talk about sports activities, we are talking about sports activities of all kinds, from cycling to mountain climbing, from running to diving, different kinds of activities, but as a common denominator, they combine the risk that the watch will suffer shocks, falls and other accidents this can affect first of all its appearance, but from a certain point also its functioning, either as a result of breaking external or internal elements.

Apple realizes that if you want to position yourself properly in such a difficult market, you have to offer a really durable device. A) Yes, The Apple Watch Pro case is made of titanium and finished with a flat sapphire crystal which protects the screen from impacts, scratches and other possible incidents. Apple also wanted to guarantee performance in extreme conditions, so it will be able to function normally in a temperature range from -20 to 55 degrees Celsius. Its ability to function in conditions of low pressure (altitude), high temperature, low temperature, thermal shock, fluid contamination, rain, humidity, immersion, sand and dust, freeze/thaw, ice/freezing rain, shock, vibration, etc. is worthy prestigious and demanding MIL-STD-810H certification.

Under these conditions, we can already expect more than adequate resistance, but that doesn’t mean it’s absolute. A fall from a great height and especially a strong impact and other incidents can potentially cause damage that affects the operation of the watch, in which case it would be necessary to contact a technical service. And in that case, you’d better sign up for AppleCare+. Why? Well, because otherwise the cost of repair can be even more painful than the blow the watch received.

The Apple Watch Ultra is now available for pre-order on Apple’s website, and the first units will arrive in stores and customers within two weeks, on Friday, October 23. Its price will start at 999 euros and while checking the booking page of the same we can see that the rental price of AppleCare + coverage starts at 119 eurosand that includes unlimited fixes for random damage.

And why this recommendation to take out insurance? Is this hidden commercial content? No, I personally do not usually recommend this type of insurance. Now, Apple has published the cost of Apple Watch Ultra repairs with and without AppleCare+, and I get goosebumps when I see the repair cost if the watch suffers an accident:

Yes, you read that right, if you have to repair your Apple Watch Ultra, in any other incident that does not replace the battery (in which case the price is 129 euros), the price difference between having AppleCare + or not is huge: 75 euros with insurance, which amounts to 619 euros if you do not have the specified cover. I’ll reserve my thoughts on that repair cost, though it’s possible to imagine without too much effort.