A cyclist has shared how his Apple Watch Ultra protected his arm during a serious hit-and-run accident, even though the smartwatch suffered irreparable damage after taking the full impact.
The incident happened while he was riding near the Golden Gate Bridge, where a passing car reportedly sideswiped him and drove away. He believes the Apple Watch Ultra prevented much more serious injuries by absorbing the force of the fall.
According to a Reddit post, the rider landed directly on his wrist, and the Apple Watch Ultra took the impact instead of his arm hitting the pavement. While the smartwatch was completely destroyed, he escaped with only a few cuts and bruises. Most of those injuries actually came from the titanium Milanese strap, which snapped during the crash and left marks on his wrist.
The cyclist explained that without the Apple Watch Ultra, he would likely have suffered painful road burns or even a dislocated elbow. Those injuries would have required a much longer recovery and expensive medical treatment. Instead, the rugged smartwatch served as a protective layer during the accident, reducing the overall damage to his arm.
Although the Apple Watch Ultra can no longer be used, the owner says the experience has convinced him to buy another one. He is also considering adding AppleCare+ with his next purchase to make it easier to replace the device if something similar happens again.
The story also highlights the durable titanium design of the Apple Watch Ultra, which proved valuable in a real-world accident, even though it could not survive the impact itself.
