I’m spending a little time with the Pixel Watch, and I will be getting a proper review out soon. One of the things slowing me down, I’m terrified to use this watch out and about. The design is pretty, but the curved glass along all sides isn’t inspiring a lot of confidence.

It’s a rule I have for reviewing phones. I can’t really get a handle on USING the phone unless I have a case for it. The Pixel Watch feels similar, so when Ringke opened up pre-orders, I jumped quick to snag a case for the watch.

I did not receive any review units and this article is not sponsored. I put $15 on my credit card, and now I’ve been wearing the case for about three days.

The design is super simple. I opted for clear plastic, but there are color options: black, chrome, and rose gold. I did not understand on the ordering page that you get two cases in the box, and that there is a clear option and a color option.

I assumed it was a “clear and black” case. You would get a case clear on top and black underneath, or a “clear and clear” case was a cute way to describe a totally clear case. I ordered “clear and clear” and got two clear cases, so I won’t be showing a color option in this article. Like I said, I jumped on the earliest pre-order pretty fast, and wasn’t reading as closely as I probably should have.

If you order a color case, you can’t order TWO of that color option. You will get a clear case and a color case.

A plastic ring snaps around the sides of the Pixel Watch, with great cut outs for mics, speakers, the crown, and the assistant button.

It’s not a perfect snug fit, as it has to flex a little to get around the watch sides. There’s no adhesive. I wholly expect that over time some dust and gunk will collect around the edges and inbetween the case and the watch.

The edges of the case curve just past the bottom metal trim of the watch, but thankfully the sensor dome pushes a little farther past the Ringke case. I have psoriasis, and I’m really sensitive to different materials touching my skin. The plastic rarely makes contact with my wrist.

The sides are perfectly sculpted to easily switch wrist bands. This is a well considered detail as Ringke also sells a metal band option for the Pixel Watch, which is a fair bit less expensive than Google’s.

[As a brief aside, I’m lukewarm on Pixel bands. I hope we see some high-quality adapters to convert this clip system into traditional lugs. I have PLENTY of old school watch straps I’d rather wear than buying proprietary straps.]

The top of the case gives just a slight edge around the Pixel Watch bezel. A little peace of mind clearance if the watch is ever laid screen down. The charger magnets on the Pixel Watch are so loose, the straps get in the way and separate the charger easily. I feel a little better charging it face down now, as the screen won’t be in direct contact with a table.

The operation of the watch is one step better and one step worse with the case on.

The cut out around the Assistant button is now MUCH easier to find. I hunt for the plastic edge, and I can click that flush button faster.

The crown however loses a little surface area. The case extends to the textured lines on the crown, and turning the crown becomes a more deliberate action for only having the edge of the crown accessible. It’s early days with the case, so I’m not sure if that’s something I’ll “get a feel for” or if that’s going to be an irritant that I notice every time I use the watch.

The Ringke case succeeds in delivering a little peace of mind.

Two cases for $15 is a respectable deal. The watch feels better protected, and I’m less concerned about trying to find a top screen protector thanks to the slight clearance the case delivers.

It changes the look of the watch, and some might be bothered by the more obvious plastic shine surrounding the watch case. I feel the practicality of the Ringke case helps offset the aesthetic compromise.

I’m reviewing the Pixel Watch courtesy of Team Pixel, but I purchased the Ringke case on my own.

You can find more info on Ringke products at ringkestore.com. I do not have an affiliate status with Ringke. If you would like to order a Ringke case AND contribute to this blog, please consider shopping through Amazon. At the time of this article publishing, the Clear and Black Pixel Watch cases were on sale through Amazon for $13.