Q: My apple watch doesn't respond to firm pressure? Any  suggestions?

Are you talking about the Force Touch not working, like you use for changing the watch face?

I have a suspicion that it's implemented by detecting a point touch and then a spread as the digit used flattens out and the area exposed to the touch detection broadens minutely over a short period of time.

If you have any softer fingers try those for force touch.. just a hunch.

i find when I am in the watch face, sometimes the firm press in the center does not work because the watch thinks i am trying to get glances or notification up...