Which second Garmin watch?

There's always a used Forerunner for sale somewhere. Just make sure that it is working, can sync, and has the minimum set of functionality you need. The more scratches it has, the cheaper it will be. I can really recommend it, having an old pre-used pre-scratched watch around has saved my day many times.

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My main tracker and device is the 935, (going on its 2nd year of service) and I use it like everyone else for everything, but there are times that it needs to get charged. My wife had a vivosmart HR (non + edition) and didn't like Garmin as a company, so she went back to her Fitbit, so I inherited it from her. When I have to charge my 935, which I usually do via Garmin Express, I sync it and then connect the Vivosmart HR and sync that as well. That usually auto sync's the data for the day that I had from the 935 but not always, True-up will catch it in the cases once the vivosmart connects to the app.

And I use the Vivosmart HR for that, the device I use while my 935 is charging. And that's about how much I use it for; just activity tracking and HR data to keep the recording going for the day. I don't know if that's the cheapest option out there, but it works. Should I see a steep discount on the HR + version of the watch, I might grab it, and with the new line of devices coming around in a few months, I may end up buying new and using my 935 as the alternative watch when my new watch is charging.

having an old pre-used pre-scratched watch around has saved my day many times.

Saved you many times because you forgot to charge one, or many times because the first one broke as the OP has concerns about? There are many reasons why people own an additional watch, but I have never heard of "resting" one being the reason. Seriously, has anyone had a watch breakdown and then said, "If I had only rested my watch this wouldn't have happened."? Things breakdown. Your watch may or may not tank the morning of a big race. Sh*t happens! To what end do you back things up for that "just in case" moment?

This is why I keep a charged up 310xt ready to roll. The few times I've needed it was when heading out and realizing my 920xt was down to almost no juice.

There are many reasons why people own an additional watch

I agree seilogramp, forgetting to charge your watch would be one of several good reasons to have a backup. Having a backup to rest your primary watch because you feel that watch will one day breakdown because of reported problems on the forum seems a little silly. Of course your watch will breakdown at some point. It's impossible to know when. What exactly would using a second watch to rest another accomplish? There's no guarantee if my watch were to breakdown tomorrow that I could have prolonged that date to December 24th had I rested it for a month during the summer. I'm not arguing if having a second watch is a good idea. I'm arguing the why the OP feels they need a second watch. It's a great idea to have a backup if you forget to charge your primary. I've done this several times with my 235 as a backup. You may want to wear a different watch because of the way you are dressed or what you'll be doing. Again, both great reasons. But how many have taken their fully charged, perfectly working 935 and set it aside for a rest and use a backup because they don't want to get fissures on the oHRM or their barometer go out because others have posted these can be problems with the watch?

TMK17 yes the term "rest" doesn't make a lot of sense in this case. My legs need a rest, but my electronics, not so much, if at all. You're not going to get more hours of use out of your device by resting or alternating devices.

Saved you many times because you forgot to charge one, or many times because the first one broke as the OP has concerns about? .. To what end do you back things up for that "just in case" moment?

Speaking not for the OP but myself: When doing anything that has a very high risk of damaging a watch that still looks good, I leave it at home, and wear another watch that already has damage. Reason is, I want to be able to sell watches later, and the presence of visible marks/scratches/scuffs reduces their value.

A spare watch has saved my day whenever a primary one broke (either spontaneously or due to an accident) and was sent away for repair or replacement. It just happens, it is completely unpredictable, and replacements take at least a week. Once I have had to wait 3 months to receive a repaired watch. Some watches never break, others break three times. BTW I am not talking about Garmin-brand devices only.

Of course you can also quickly buy something cheap and old but functional, _after_ your watch died.

Anyway, I can understand that people inquire here about what suitable 'secondary' watches could be, so I thought I'd add my 2 cents. I don't have the illusion that not running with my FR935 will prolong its functional lifespan. I just won't go offroad footbiking with it. Screen protectors only go so far.

I for myself am using a VA3 as an everyday watch now. For activities (mostly running), I use the fenix 3HR (except strenght workouts, I like the more advanced options on the VA3). For work and everyday, I bought a screen protector and a silicon/rubber sleeve (Looks funny, but after banging my VA3 too many times it became necessary). For a more "classy" look I remove the sleeve, replace the band and Change the watchface. Great for everyday, really. But I will not give away my f3HR just yet. I need the Navigation Features when running in a foreign country and I like the advanced running metrics. It's also a great hiking watch and the battery is better anyway. It was just too big for everyday and I wanted something lighter and smaller for my small wrists, so VA3 it was (I could have gone for the FR645, but it was too expensive and I like the touchscreen for everyday use better. I also got the VA3 very cheap from a friend).

I don't know if my f3HR will last longer this way, but just maybe it will. Who knows. But this wasn't the real reason for getting a second watch anyway.