Apple watch functionality with ipad?

I'm seriously looking to buy an apple watch, probably a series 12, but I'm on Android, and I'm gonna be on Android for my phones until google absolutely ruins android, but i have an ipad, because it's simply the best. Now I don't want to spend a god awful amount of money and be left with what is essentially a really expensive digital watch with no other features, especially because I know it doesn't pair with Android, and most of the features are limited.

Hence the question, can I get the entire experience and functionality of the apple watch with my ipad? Or do i ABSOLUTELY NEED an iPhone to get everything to work? In which case I'll probably just stay away