Apple could easily enable a restore back to 1.0.1 without a flash using the hardware port
All they would need to do either in the next release of 8.4/9 beta or full version of 4 and a subsequent beta 2 of watchOS2 is let 1.0.1 be installed over the top.
Apple would have no issue being able to enable this. I think they will have to eventually for beta versions. It's ok saying it should be installed on a developers device but are developers expected to have two watches so they can develop for both current release and the beta.
Apple is very upfront that that they expect devs to only use this on hardware dedicated for unfinished OS so they can develop.
Conversely, devs (me included) underestimated just how inconvenient a beta can be and didn't consider the risks well enough. I certainly can't afford 2 watches which I suspect is typical. I do have a phone for dev and a daily driver. My situation for dev is not typical though, my testing device must stay stock, while my daily use phone is the lab rat.
The ability to revert on a phone which carried the same warning is because Apple doesn't want to deal with support issues for the vast number of phones that need a restore. It's not reverting they are supporting, it's restoring.
Tips on how I have adjusted to lower battery life until the fixes come:
- put phone on charger while on wifi.
- turn Bluetooth off on phone while on home wifi. Watch works great this way at home.
- uninstalled 3rd party apps on watch so no unnecessary syncing or broken apps gulping battery.
- if i need the watch for a very long day, I charge it for 30 minutes late afternoon. It charges quite quickly.
- bought a mophie for my 6+
I get 6% in a normal hour. I was getting 8% and worse before. There are times when I get 7%+ when it is syncing or in heavy use.
Keep in mind that watch syncs more at certain times so battery life isn't consistent throughout a day.
Personally, I like the thrill of getting the beta and have adjusted to it. I don't blame Apple for not supporting downgrades with this being so new for them and us.
I was one of the 'lucky' ones who's phone was disabled via the OTA beta update last year. When you install a beta, anything can happen. It's all part of the thrill of early access.
Cheers.