Michael Kors

Top 5 Luxury Smartwatches for Men in 2020

These days, a watch is much more than just a timepiece. Smartwatches offer a host of features. Don’t know which to pick? Have a look at some of the latest luxury smartwatches for men in 2019.

Preview

Samsung Galaxy Watch smartwatch (46mm, GPS, Bluetooth) – Silver/Black (US Version...

Garmin D2 Delta, GPS Pilot Watch, Includes Smartwatch Features, Heart Rate and Music,...

Garmin Fenix 6X Sapphire, Premium Multisport GPS Watch, features Mapping, Music,...

Montblanc Summit 2 Smartwatch 119438 Black Steel Black Calfskin Strap

Title

Samsung Galaxy Watch smartwatch (46mm, GPS, Bluetooth) – Silver/Black (US Version...

Garmin D2 Delta, GPS Pilot Watch, Includes Smartwatch Features, Heart Rate and Music,...

Garmin Fenix 6X Sapphire, Premium Multisport GPS Watch, features Mapping, Music,...

Montblanc Summit 2 Smartwatch 119438 Black Steel Black Calfskin Strap

Comfortable

Price

$179.95

$949.00

$732.00

$988.90

Details

Buy on Amazon

Preview

Title

Samsung Galaxy Watch smartwatch (46mm, GPS, Bluetooth) – Silver/Black (US Version...

Comfortable

Price

$179.95

Details

Buy on Amazon

Preview

Title

Garmin D2 Delta, GPS Pilot Watch, Includes Smartwatch Features, Heart Rate and Music,...

Comfortable

Price

$949.00

Details

Buy on Amazon

Preview

Title

Garmin Fenix 6X Sapphire, Premium Multisport GPS Watch, features Mapping, Music,...

Comfortable

Price

$732.00

Details

Buy on Amazon

Preview

Title

Montblanc Summit 2 Smartwatch 119438 Black Steel Black Calfskin Strap

Comfortable

Price

$988.90

Details

Buy on Amazon

1. Samsung Galaxy Watch

Samsung is a heavyweight in the high-end smartwatch industry. Its newest offering is the Samsung Galaxy Smartwatch. Marking a change of name from the previous Samsung Gear, the change ties the watch closer to their smartphones and tablets.

Featuring sleek lines and an elegant appearance, it comes in two styles a thickset 46mm silver version and a discreet 42mm black variant. Charging is wireless. It features 3G/LTE connectivity and an intuitive screen that combines the classic timepiece dial with smart functionality.

It offers fitness tracking and heart rate monitoring. A daily assistant and compatibility with third-party apps like Strava, Uber, and Spotify. The new Galaxy Watch is undoubtedly one of the best luxury smartwatches for men on the market.

Key Features:

AMOLED touch display
Gorilla DX+ glass
Tizen OS 4.0
Dual-core 1.15 GHz processor
4GB of storage

Sale

6,168 Reviews

Samsung Galaxy Watch smartwatch (46mm, GPS, Bluetooth) – Silver/Black (US Version...

Live a stronger, smarter life with Galaxy Watch at your wrist. Rest well and stay active with built-in health tracking...
Go nonstop for days on a single charge. The wireless charger lets you power up without slowing down. (Average expected...
Available in two sizes and three colors, the Galaxy Watch offers stylish watch faces so realistic they hardly look...

2. Garmin Delta D2 Aviator

You don’t have to be a pilot to appreciate the Garmin Delta D2 Aviator. Available in three sizes and styles. It has a classic aesthetic that is reminiscent of a traditional aviator’s watch but under the skin is unrivalled functionality.

Aviation enthusiasts will love the array of mapping, waypoint reference, and flight logging features. Fitness fanatics will appreciate the training meters, fitness monitoring, and daily activity trackers. This smartwatch is built for extra-rugged durability. It can come with you wherever you’re going, on land, sea or air.

A wealth of customisable functions include Garmin Pay, so you can pay for purchases even if you’ve left your wallet at home. A soft and flexible silicone band offers utmost comfort and it’s easy to replace with a stylish leather one. Whilst it doesn’t have Samsung’s connectivity, the Delta D2 aviator knows how to satisfy its users.

Key Features

AMOLED display
Domed sapphire crystal
Up to 12 days of battery life
16GB memory
Music storage

28 Reviews

Garmin D2 Delta PX, GPS Pilot Watch with Pulse Ox Sensor, Includes Smartwatch...

Premium GPS aviator watch with wrist-based Pulse Ox sensor tracks blood oxygen saturation (this is not a medical device...
Aviation functions include dynamic color mapping, NEXRAD weather (when paired with a compatible smartphone), airport...
Smart notifications (when paired with a compatible smartphone) help you keep in touch on the go, while sport watch...

3. Garmin Fenix 6

If you like a rugged, utilitarian watch, the Garmin Fenix 6 will not fail to excite you.

Built for the outdoors and an active lifestyle, the Fenix 6 offers heart rate and bloody oxygen monitoring. You also get advanced sleep-tracking and altitude acclimation features. There’s also training load balance, training status and running and cycling dynamics. Essentially, everything about the 6 has been enhanced from the 5.

The navigation capabilities for creating and following hiking routes are second to none. The always-on display is not 18% bigger than the 5. You still get on-board music storage and Garmin Pay.

Compatible with iPhone and Android devices, this luxury watch is a great choice for outdoor fitness enthusiasts.

Key Features

Readable in sunlight
Power manager for ultimate battery performance
Bigger always-on display
Garmin Connect Mobile compatibility
Music storage
Connect IQ
Advanced heart rate estimate and sleep tracking

Sale

80 Reviews

Garmin Fenix 6 Pro, Premium Multisport GPS Watch, features Mapping, Music,...

Fit for performance with rugged, sophisticated design that features an always-on 1.3” (18% larger than previous Fenix...
Enhanced estimated wrist heart rate and Pulse Ox to support advanced sleep monitoring and altitude acclimation at high...
Advanced training features include PacePro for grade-adjusted pace guidance throughout your activity plus...

4. Montblanc Summit 2

Montblanc Summit 2 is a true classic, a luxury men’s smartwatch that shouts refined style.

Premium materials and attention to detail blend in this sleek timepiece so might be mistaken for a traditional watch. Curving perfectly around your wrist, it leaves no awkward gaps. It won’t look out of place when matched with a formal outfit.

A quality leather strap makes it comfortable to wear. Despite its minimalist look, Summit 2 resists shocks and scratches. Whilst it may not come with lots of apps, it’s fully customisable from the Play Store. A generous AMOLED screen is easy to view. The face remains fully animated when the watch goes into ambient mode.

The fitness features and activity tracking won’t satisfy performance athletes in the way Fenix 6 does, granted. It will please those who want to track regular gym workouts. And several apps, including World Timer, Timeshifter, and Travel Info and it’s useful for travellers, too.

Montblanc Summit 2 is a classic luxury men’s smartwatch that exudes refined taste.

Key Features

AMOLED display
Wear OS by Google
8GB storage
Several designs and material combinations

5. Michael Kors Access

Michael Kors is a fashion icon. Its Access Runway won’t disappoint men looking for a sleek, luxurious smartwatch. It combines an iconic silhouette with next-generation technology brilliantly.

Classic lines and a black-tone stainless steel case look amazing on the wrist; slightly smaller and lighter than the other watches on this list. It impresses with a 41mm diameter face that looks good anywhere.

Powered by Wear OS by Google, Access Runway smartwatch offers various payment methods. It syncs with your devices and incorporates multiple fitness features.

Pool-ready with its swim-proof technology, the Runway has a reliable daily assistant and fitness tracker. Its battery drains faster than other watches mentioned here but given the price that’s an acceptable downside.

There’s no doubt, the Access Runway is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a luxury smartwatch on the less-expensive end of the scale.

Key Features

AMOLED display
4GB memory
Stainless steel and silicone strap
Wear OS by Google

Sale

187 Reviews

Michael Kors Access Men's Bradshaw 2 Touchscreen Stainless Steel Smartwatch,...

Gen 5 smartwatches powered with Wear OS by Google work with iPhone and Android Phones
Heart Rate & Activity Tracking using Google Fit to track your at-home workouts; Built-in GPS for distance tracking;...
This is one smart watch - Make the most of your down time with a smartwatch that helps with every activity. Stay...

6. Breitling Exospace B55 Connected

Breitling has done wonderful things by adopting technology into the luxury watch market. This black titanium case beauty comes with all the features divers and aviation specialists alike will love.

Water-resistant to 100m with all the timer markings for peace of mind during a dive or flight. There’s a perpetual calendar, countdown and up timers, up to 7 alarms and two timezones.

The ‘connected’ term refers to Bluetooth, which, when paired with an iOS or Android smartphone, opens this watch up to a world of additional features. Notifications are delivered seamlessly. Customisation is available.

For a more in-depth review, head here. To learn more about the brand, try here.

Key Features

Water-resistant to 100m
Scratch-proof
Highly customisable
App compatible

1 Reviews

Breitling Exospace B55 VB5510H2/BE45-235S

Brand New, Below Retail Price & Guaranteed Authentic
Volcano Black Dial with Blue Hands
Chronograph Feature with Lap & Flight Times

Overview of Luxury Smartwatches for men

Samsung’s Galaxy Watch is an all-arounder. Two sizes, customisable specs, and the company’s high-tech features address most users. It’s sleek and good-looking.

Both Delta D2 Aviator and Fenix 6 from Garmin are excellent choices for flight enthusiasts, athletes and sports addicts. They might not have Samsung’s Gorilla Glass, but the sapphire crystal is equally resistant to scratches. These watches are water-resistant to 10 ATM; ideal for watersports enthusiasts and swimmers.

Montblanc Summit 2 and Michael Kors Access are stylish but don’t have as many functions as the others. They’re a great choice for the sophisticated man who wants to receive notifications on his wrist but cares most about style.

Summary

Whether you want a minimalist smartwatch with basic functions or something packed with features and compatible apps, there are luxury smartwatches for men capable of satisfying all needs.

It’s advisable to find the smartwatches you like in a shop and physically try them on. Play with the features and you’ll be in an educated place to pick the model that suits you the best. Happy shopping!

Michael Kors Women’s Watches Reviewed

By Maygen Leave a Comment

Michael Kors is undeniably one of the biggest fashion brands in the world. The brand itself are known for luxury. Their watches, in particular, stand out. They offer superior quality and excellent attention to detail in the finish.

To understand exactly what it is you’re going to get with a Micheal Kors watch, it’s best to understand the design and features you’re getting for your money.

It’s good to get an idea of what materials the watch is made from, as well as how durable it’ll be. This article will be assessing Michael Kors watches for women and we’ll consider only the best, which tend to be made from stainless steel.

This means you get a timepiece that’ll resist a lot of impact and day-to-day bumps.

It’s worth considering the strap material at the same time. A lot of women prefer a leather strap as they’re soft and waterproof, but also look bold.

Michael Kors watches for women make it easy to have something that’s both fashionable and sturdy.

Let’s look into the details better.

You’ll find quartz movement in the best Michael Kors women’s watches

The kind of movement in a watch is a big sign of its accuracy. A quartz movement differs from a mechanical watch as it doesn’t rely solely on the movement of your wrist to charge the watch.

Automatic watches are sophisticated, granted, but quartz watches are much-loved the world over.

This is because quartz watches offer incredible accuracy. At most, they will lose 2 seconds over the space of a month.

An automatic watch will probably lose more than this and definitely so if left unworn.

Power depletes and the watch eventually stops altogether.

A quartz movement will ask very little of the battery and so they tend to last for a long time.

The Michael Kors Darci ($125.00) is one of the best models available. You get quartz movement as well as an analogue display.

Most women’s watches from Michael Kors are analogue, however, you will also find some impressive smartwatches on offer too.

The addition of smartwatch technology really improves the quality of the watch.

The Access Gen 4 MKGO Smartwatch ($149.00) will deliver your smartphone notifications as well as encompassing activity tracking and a touchscreen display.

Smartphone compatibility

Every one of the Michael Kors watches for women with smart features are compatible with both Android and iPhone.

This will give you access to a few handy features and apps, on your wrist.

You can stay connected to friends and family wihtout having to dish your phone out of your pocket.

You’ll be able to see your text and emails as well as app notifications.

The Bradshaw Touchscreen Smartwatch ($365.00) is a great example of this.

Fitness tracking and capabilities

You can buy a Michael Kors watch with built-in fitness tracking capabilities. This means it’ll monitor your steps, calories burned and heart rate. Some even offer a level of water-resistance that’ll let you go for a swim.

Some also have a GPS function that’ll help keep track of where you are and how far you’ve gone.

Michael Kors have done a good job keeping up with trends in technology and their smartwatches for women really do offer improvements to your daily life. Some also have the ability to use contactless payment by tapping your display on the card machine.

You’ll like the Women’s 42mm Access Slim Runway if you’re particularly into swimming.

Interchangeable wristbands

Leather straps aren’t as durable as a stainless steel one. If you have leather, eventually, you’ll have to replace it. Luckily, a woman’s Michael Kors watch will let you replace an old strap easily. Even if it’s not worn out, there are so many options to pick from you can easily just change it to suit your outfit.

Michael Kors are good value for money so you’ll be able to pick up a few options if you wanted for a reasonable cost.

Michael Kors watches are fashionable

The collection of women’s watches can be found in a plethora of colours. The leather straps, in particular, are excellent. You can get alligator or even python leather with interesting patterns.

If you want something formal, you can get more toned-down leather or stainless steel bracelets.

If you need something sporty, you can get a clasp that will keep your look casual, but also offer a level of security for high-movement.

Michael Kors watches have a signature buckle, crown and etching on the back of the case that indicates exactly what you have in your possession. You’ll also see the MK logo appear once or twice as a stamp of the brand.

Check out the Portia ($99.00) for one of the best-looking budget watches.

The Two-Tone Parker Watch ($154.85) is another great example of a well-priced model considering the price of alternatives.

Michael Kors watches are price-accessible

You won’t find a Michael Kors watch for over $500. Some are even less than $100.

You’ll easily be able to find watches costing more but offering less.

For example, there are smartwatches will far less app-compatibility but costing twice that of an MK.

You have to consider that you also get design expertise with an MK watch.

The better Michael Kors watches are water-resistant

The water-resistance of a watch is really important. If you want to be able to shower in your watch, or even feel safe in the rain, you need to pay attention to this feature.

Michael Kors doesn’t offer anything exceptional when it comes to the ATM ratings of their women’s watches. They all offer 5ATM, which is just enough for light water. You can safely bathe with it on.

Downsides of s Michael Kors Women’s Watch

Water-Resistance could be better

If you have a watch, the chances are you’d like it to be water-resistant enough to not worry about it or have to bother taking it off sometimes.

MK women’s watches are probably best cared for by taking them off when you’re around any water.

The common 5ATM rating is quite limiting. You probably can’t snorkel without killing the watch.

They could use better crystal

An MK women’s watch will typically have Swarovski crystal. This is more style over substance. It’s not known for being overtly-durable.

The more the price goes up, the better the glass used. Sapphire crystal is the best you can get as it’s almost entirely scratch-proof.

So, when you buy a women’s Michael Kors watch, just know it could be a little better in durable.

Summary

If you like a simple design with bold faces offering great readability, you’ll enjoy an MK watch.

They’re fairly simplistic, but this is where the beauty lies.

It’s one of the greatest brands for fashion watches and something women around the world have loved for many years.

Best Looking Smartwatches In 2020

By Maygen Leave a Comment

Best looking smartwatches of 2019 - Michael Kors — Michael Kors Smartwatch

Let’s take a look at some of the best looking smartwatches in 2019 that became available in both the US and the UK.

Skagen Falster 2

$275.00 (US), £249.00 (UK)

This watch is minimalistic and oozes sophistication. Danish-based Skagen has always produced items with design in mind, be it sunglasses, jewellery or handbags and the Skagen Falster 2 is no different.

The display is only 40mm wide (including a 1.19-inch screen with 320 x 320 resolution) which is less than its predecessor and 1mm has been shaved from its thickness. It comes with a silicone strap, but it’s replaceable with anything you like.

Three buttons to the side control the opening of apps and act as scrolling functions. There are two buttons that can be used for shortcuts.

Smart features include the ability to use Google Pay, GPS and a heart rate monitor that pairs nicely with Google Fit. You can keep it on for showers and swimming (down to 30m). Overall it’s really handy for more general health and fitness tracking rather than in-depth analysis.

It’s compatible with Android and iOS, but works better with the former. You can’t reply to iMessages.

The only thing that lets this stunning smartwatch down is the battery life, which is around 36 hours per charge in normal use.

This is certainly one of the best looking smartwatches in 2019.

Advantages

Incredible design
Lightweight and slim design
Convenient smartwatch features

Disadvantages

Short battery life
Chipset is now quite dated
GPS isn’t perfect

Michael Kors Access Runway

$260 (US), £249 (UK)

In the Wear OS smartwatch market, Michael Kors’ offerings are very popular. The Access Runway has a stainless steel case of 41mm which suits a slight wrist. The 18mm-wide bands are replaceable with any suitable strap – gold is a particularly pretty choice. If there are times you need function over style, you can pop on a silicone band.

It has three buttons along the side and the cool thing is you can rotate the crown to scroll. Two of the buttons you can assign shortcuts to.

The price is quite hefty if your needs lean toward smartwatch features more than aesthetics. But it does look sensational.

The Access Runway offers fitness features like step counting, distance and calories burned. It’ll monitor your heart rate and it’s waterproof to 5m. On the whole, it’s built for style whilst offering a decent day-to-day fitness and health tracking.

Advantages

High-quality display
Sophisticated design
Changeable straps for customisation
Accurate GPS

Disadvantages

Favours Android over iOS
Dated processor
Disappointing battery life

Emporio Armani Connected Smartwatch ART5007

$265 (US), £389.00 (UK)

This is a seriously good looking smartwatch. Italian flair meets Google Wear.

The Connected’s case is 43mm by 49mm (it has quite chunky lugs) and is 12mm in thickness. Both case and strap come in a number of colours so you can make this your own, and that’s been a huge selling factor.

It has a 1.19 inch touchscreen display that is impeccably clear even in sunshine. It has an always-on watch face (which is customisable) that constantly tells the time and at first glance, you’d be forgiven for thinking it was just a regular watch.

The Connected has GPS and a heart rate monitor. The introduction of fitness tracking means you can take this sexy bit of kit to the gym with you and you don’t have to take it off or swap it for something else. It’s just about OK to take swimming, being waterproof to 3m. Using Google Fit really brings this watch to life.

Two other bonus features are NFP for Google Pay and a subtle microphone that enables the use of Google Assistant.

Advantages

Hugely popular look
Watch face can be customised
Accurate GPS and HRM

Disadvantages

Sluggish thanks to a dated chipset
Better alternatives for a little more money
Disappointing 2 day battery life

Kate Spade Scallop Smartwatch 2

$275 (US), £329 (UK)

This smartwatch is the epitome of cuteness – the perfect balance of fashion and function and is more than deserving of a place in the best looking smartwatches in 2019.

The Scallop has a deceptive 41mm case, but the straps are where the dainty look comes from, being only 16mm wide. There’s still plenty of room for the 1.19-inch touchscreen.

The Scallop comes in gold, two-tone, rose gold, blush leather, green silicone, black silicone and vachetta leather so you’re not likely to bump into someone else wearing the same watch! The feature that makes it so cute is the petals around the bezel.

The Scallop will show you notifications for things like calls, text and app alerts. The features that make the Scallop a smartwatch are the ability to track health and fitness like heart rate, steps, distance and calories burned. You can use it to listen to music whilst you’re working out. Or, if you’re shopping, you can use it to make contactless payments.

Unlike any other watch on this list, it has wireless charging. You can even activate it using your voice thanks to a tiny microphone and Google Assist, which is compatible with both Android and iOS users alike.

Advantages

Lots of colours and materials to choose from
Compatible with Android and iOS
Features for everyday convenience

Disadvantages

Short battery life
The processor could be updated

Summary

Modern smartwatches are, on the whole, a lot prettier compared to their horrible, bulky ancestors and their primitive tech. The introduction of designer brands making smartwatches means we no longer have to have multiple watches for different occasion. Happily, we can now have everything; fashion, function and technology, all in once device.

Michael Kors MKGO Unveiled – A Sporty Chic Wearable

By Roxana Bikfalvi Leave a Comment

The Michael Kors Access MKGO smartwatch is one of the newest and most surprising wearables from the brand. Known for its commitment to inject some fashion sense into Google’s Wear OS devices, Michael Kors now impresses with its first sports-centric device.

Designed to integrate seamlessly into the active lifestyle, the MKGO comes in six bold looks and packs pretty much all the features we’ve come to expect from the latest Wear OS smartwatches.

But is its tracking power up to scratch? Let’s see.

Background

Michael Kors recently upgraded its smartwatch lineup with three new wearables running Wear OS platform, the Access Lexington 2, Access Bradshaw 2, and Access MKGO.

While the former two are upgrades of previous Michael Kors models, the latter sets itself apart as the brand’s first fitness-centred wearable.

This smartwatch is similar to other recently-announced Wear OS devices, such as the Puma Smartwatch. It sports the same Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 3100 chipset present on the Fossil Gen 5 and packs 512MB of RAM.

The brand’s decision to design such a sporty wearable is puzzling, to say the least, but the MKGO is undeniably an excellent choice for the fitness-addict looking for a smart yet stylish timepiece.

Features

Michael Kors MKGO’s exterior may stand out from its pack, but it still gets the same software treatment as other smartwatches from the brand.

It delivers on-wrist notifications and other functionalities you could expect from a last-generation Wear OS. Customisable side dials offer the ability to create shortcuts to your favourite features, and you’ll also get customisable watch faces.

Fossil already accustomed us to Spotify integration in addition to fast payments via Google Pay and integration of Google Assistant, and the MKGO features all three.

The internal storage capacity of only 4GB is a bit disappointing, especially since the other two devices in Michael Kors’ Fall 2019 Collection boast 8GB each.

Access MKGO is cheaper, though, so it could be an excellent option for those who like to live on the fast lane but don’t want to spend their weight in gold on a smartwatch.

Design

The Access MKGO is billed as Michael Kors’ first sportswatch; it combines nylon, aluminium, and silicone materials and strikes the perfect balance between comfort and style.

Critics claim the silicone strap is not as stylish as the metal counterpart offered by other Michael Kors wearables. But this smartwatch isn’t supposed to be elegant, and its sporty allure is flawless.

You can pick from six styles – three single-colour models available in red, black, and pink, and three more sophisticated designs including white and gold, silver with crystal-embellished silicone strap, and black/gold with crystal-embellished strap.

The latter two are undeniably the most sophisticated choices in the range, addressing mostly women, but we can safely say the watch has an overall unisex allure.

Fitness Tracking

Access MKGO is a capable but not exceptional fitness tracker. There aren’t any surprising features in its app drawer, only the usual you’d expect from a device built for fitness-oriented individuals.

The smartwatch relies on Google Fit and other third-party apps to deliver heart rate monitoring and step tracking. Sports profiles come as additions of the various apps rather than built-in features.

It does have built-in GPS, though, so you won’t have to carry your phone while you’re running, and you can also wear it while swimming or showering.

Main Advantages

Lightweight and comfortable to wear
Voice-activated Google Assistant
Water resistant up to 30 ATM
Built-in GPS
Google Pay feature
Compatible with Android and iOS mobile devices

Main Disadvantages

Limited fitness tracking functionality
On the expensive side considering its features and overall performance

Competition

	Michael Kors MKGO	Puma Smartwatch	Fossil Gen 5	Samsung Galaxy Watch
Display	AMOLED	AMOLED	AMOLED	AMOLED
Resolution	390 x 390 pixels	328 x 328 pixels	–	360 x 360 pixels
Size	43 x 43 x 17 mm	44 x 44 x 11 mm	44 x 44 x 12 mm	46 x 49 x 13 mm
Weight	–	28 g	–	46 g
Band material	Silicone	Silicone	Silicone / Stainless steel	Silicone
Water resistance	3 ATM	3 ATM	3 ATM	5 ATM
Connectivity	Bluetooth	Bluetooth, Wi-Fi	Bluetooth	3G/LTE, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
GPS	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Heart rate monitoring	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Smart notifications	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Sleep tracking	No	No	No	Yes
NFC Payments	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Calorie count	No	No	No	Yes
Multi-sport profiles	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Battery life (Smart mode)	Up to 36 hours	Up to 24 hours	Up to 24 hours	Up to 7 days

Summary

Michael Kors Access MKGO could seem out of place in a collection designed to entice more people to wear Google-powered smartwatches. But this wearable has a lot of potential.

It looks good and offers top-line Wear OS software and hardware features for fitness enthusiasts. With its style, it could even motivate the more sophisticated couch potato to put on some matching MKGO outfit and hit the gym or at least get out for a stroll.

It might be a tad expensive for what it offers, but it is more appealing than similarly priced watches, including the Fossil Sport and Puma Sports Connected. Undoubtedly, a great choice for those who want to blend urban looks with smart functionality and sports comfort.

Announcing the New Puma Smartwatch – A Wearable Designed for Athletes

By Roxana Bikfalvi Leave a Comment

Puma Smartwatch - A wearable for athletes

The Puma Sports Connected smartwatch comes as a breath of fresh air in a fitness world dominated by Garmin and Fitbit. It runs Google’s Wear OS and is perfect for athletes.

The brand launched its wearable at IFA 2019; a perfect fitness tracker designed in collaboration with Fossil and that sports the same core as Fossil Gen 5. It’s dedicated to fitness enthusiasts, but does it live up to an athlete’s expectations? Let’s see.

Background

Puma entered the tech sector in 2016 when it launched the first wirelessly connected self-lacing sneaker and wowed its fans with its newest Fi (Fit Intelligence) self-lacing shoes earlier this year, only a few months after the release of the classic RS-Computer running shoes in 2018.

While most smartwatch brands focus on creating more fashion-forward designs that look good outside the gym, with sporty lines and minimalist looks Puma has aimed its watches at those who don’t want to wear rose gold or stainless steel bands when lifting weights or during a sprint.

Puma’s new smartwatch will be available from November 2019 in black, white and neon colour for £269/$275/€279.

Features

Built in collaboration with Fossil, Puma Smartwatch resembles Fossil’s Sport smartwatch and comes with similar features.

It sports the acclaimed Google Wear OS and Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 3100 chipset. However, with only 512MB of RAM and 4GB of storage space it’s a tad behind Fossil in terms of performance.

The Puma will connect with your smartphone regardless of whether it runs on Android or iOS, and comes with all features you’d expect from a last-generation wearable, including Google Pay and Google Assistant.

A selection of faces lets you customise the always-on display and monitor metrics such as fitness or heart rate alongside the time. The Puma Sports Connected also comes with a weather app and is compatible with Spotify for seamless music streaming.

Design

Puma’s smartwatch design is simple and minimalist with a retro 1980s look. A sleek nylon case with sandblasted top ring express the fitness-oriented personality of this smart wearable.

It comes in three styles, and if you’d really fancy the rose gold, you can still enjoy it with one of the trims. Alternatively, you can pick from an all-black or black and neon model.

Despite the metal accents, this unisex smartwatch is surprisingly lightweight. The case is a good size for most wrists. The always-on screen offers the punchy colours and deep blacks expected from an OLED panel. Screen responsiveness is superb.

The silicone band has channels underneath to maintain airflow and prevent excessive sweating.

Fitness Tracking

In terms of fitness tracking, the Puma Smartwatch lacks the functionality of some Garmin or Fitbit models, but still has much to commend it, including classic fitness modes like step and workout tracking via Google Fit. It also packs a heart rate monitor and built-in GPS, so you won’t have to carry your phone while running if you want to map your route.

Various training apps and water resistance to up to 3 ATM complete this wearable’s fitness tracking abilities.

Main Advantages

Ultra-lightweight and comfortable to wear
Wear OS operating platform
Compatible with Android and iOS devices
Built-in GPS
Built-in functions including Google Assistant and Google Pay
Swimproof

Main Disadvantages

Retro design might not appeal to everyone
Less capable but more expensive than Fossil Gen 5
No speaker

Competitors

	Puma Smartwatch	Fossil Gen 5	Michael Kors Access	Samsung Galaxy Watch
Display	AMOLED	AMOLED	AMOLED	AMOLED
Resolution	328x328px	–	390x390px	360x360px
Size	44×44 x 11mm	44x44x12mm	41x 41mm	46×49 x13mm
Weight	28 g	–	–	46 g
Band material	Silicone	Silicone/Stainless steel	Stainless steel	Silicone
Water resistance	3 ATM	3 ATM	Swimproof	5 ATM
Connectivity	Bluetooth, Wi-Fi	Bluetooth	Bluetooth	3G/LTE, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
GPS	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Heart rate monitoring	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Smart notifications	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Sleep tracking	No	No	No	Yes
NFC Payments	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Calorie count	No	No	No	Yes
Multi-sport profiles	Yes	Yes	No	Yes
Battery life (Smart mode)	Up to 24 hours	Up to 24 hours	Up to 24 hours	Up to 7 days

Summary

Puma’s first smartwatch might not be as exceptional as many of the smartwatches offered by the industry’s established names, but it promises a lot. We can’t judge a book by its cover, so we’ll have to wait until November to actually test it.

At first glance, Puma Smartwatch could be an excellent choice for runners, athletes, and fitness junkies in general. Time will tell whether it’s worth the hype but for now, we can only congratulate Puma for entering the game with such a fine-looking wearable.

Best Swimming Watches Available Now – 2020

By Rachael Ban 1 Comment

Lots of fitness watches claim to be suitable for swimmers, but very few actually are. This is because some ‘swimming watches’ are vulnerable to water damage. Also, whilst most swimming watches can record open water swims, few can record lane swims.

Having said that, there are some great swimming watches out there. And, if you want to improve your performance, it’s worth investing in one of these swimming watches. For more in-depth information of what makes a swimming watch different, read our guide.

Preview

Garmin Swim 2, GPS Swimming Smartwatch for Pool and Open Water, Underwater Heart...

Garmin Forerunner 945, Premium GPS Running/Triathlon Smartwatch with Music, Black

Fitbit Charge 4 Fitness and Activity Tracker with Built-in GPS, Heart Rate, Sleep &...

Samsung Gear Fit2 Smartwatch Large, Black

Title

Garmin Swim 2, GPS Swimming Smartwatch for Pool and Open Water, Underwater Heart...

Garmin Forerunner 945, Premium GPS Running/Triathlon Smartwatch with Music, Black

Fitbit Charge 4 Fitness and Activity Tracker with Built-in GPS, Heart Rate, Sleep &...

Samsung Gear Fit2 Smartwatch Large, Black

Comfortable

Price

$249.99

$477.00

$149.00

$279.99

Details

Buy on Amazon

Preview

Title

Garmin Swim 2, GPS Swimming Smartwatch for Pool and Open Water, Underwater Heart...

Comfortable

Price

$249.99

Details

Buy on Amazon

Preview

Title

Garmin Forerunner 945, Premium GPS Running/Triathlon Smartwatch with Music, Black

Comfortable

Price

$477.00

Details

Buy on Amazon

Preview

Title

Fitbit Charge 4 Fitness and Activity Tracker with Built-in GPS, Heart Rate, Sleep &...

Comfortable

Price

$149.00

Details

Buy on Amazon

Preview

Title

Samsung Gear Fit2 Smartwatch Large, Black

Comfortable

Price

$279.99

Details

Buy on Amazon

What are the benefits of swimming watches?

If you’re new to fitness tracking, you might be wondering, “what’s the point of a swimming watch?” Well, a good swimming watch can do the following:

Track lengths – When swimming in a pool, it’s easy to lose count of how many lengths you’ve swum, so length tracking is a handy feature.
Length-by-length data – For example, swimming watches can tell you which lap you swam the fastest.
Technique monitoring – Some of the fancier watches will analyse your swimming technique. The watch will tell you if your stroke rate is too fast, too slow, or optimum.
Share your data – You can share and compare your fitness data with other swimmers. Swimming is a lone sport, so sharing your data can be motivational. It can also help you to build a supportive community.

So, whether you’re a doggy paddler or the next Michael Phelps, here are 4 swimming watches that will help you reach your goals.

1. Garmin Swim 2

Specifically designed for swimming and open water activities, the Garmin swim is an excellent choice for this purpose. You can track your swimming with GPS and measure your heart rate, even underwater. It comes with all the usual activity tracking features of a Garmin watch and is fit for many other sports activities as well.

51 Reviews

Garmin Swim 2, GPS Swimming Smartwatch for Pool and Open Water, Underwater Heart...

GPS swimming smartwatch for the pool and open water
Monitors underwater estimated wrist-based heart rate during swim activities
Pool swim mode: records distance, pace, stroke count, stroke type and SWOLF (gauges swimming efficiency)

For the pool, it can can record your distance, pace and stroke efficiency. It can also help with your swimming drills. The Garmin Swim 2 is designed for swimming and is lightweight, luminous and easy to work in the water. It could give you real time pacing alerts while swimming. You can read our full review of the Garmin Swim 2 here.

GPS mode allows up to 13 hours combined with heart rate measuring. Otherwise, it could last for up to 72 hours in pool mode and 72 hours with standard mode.

Pros:

Designed for swimming
Lightweight – Only 36g
5 ATM
Sunlight visible

Cons:

Slightly more expensive than other models at $249
Not necessarily a diving watch
No touch functions

2. Samsung Gear Fit 2 (Pro)

This is a versatile fitness tracker that is great for measuring swims. It is reliably water-resistant so there’s no chance of water damage (as long as you stick to surface swimming). Also, this watch can track lane swims as well as open water swims. This watch is compatible with the Speedo Swim App; an App that offers training plans, community support, and swimming tips! One of the best things about this watch is that you can see your data in real-time (i.e. laps swam), which can be really motivating.

Pros:

Water-resistant up to 50 meters (though it is marketed for surface swimming and light snorkelling only)
Smartphone notifications
Built-in GPS – so great for Triathlons
Slim and discreet design
4gb storage for music

Cons:

Battery life is 1-2 days – some comparable devices last up to 5 days.
It struggles to detect stair climbing (may not be an issue if you are only using it for swimming)

3. Garmin Forerunner 935/945

The Garmin Forerunner 935 (or the newer 945) is an activity tracker that does it all. Though not specifically a swimming watch, many people prefer it to the Garmin Swim watch because it can do so much more. For example, it can track running, walking, hiking, and swimming, to name but a few sports. If you enjoy open swimming, you’ll really appreciate this watch because the in-built GPS and compass are useful for navigation.

Like many other swimming watches, it struggles to capture your heart rate whilst swimming. However, you can purchase a Garmin accessory which will accurately measure your heart rate whilst swimming.

Pros

It’s a multisport activity tracker
Water-resistant up to 165 feet – but it cannot be used for scuba diving or snorkelling
It provides advanced output data for swimming, running, and cycling – great for triathletes!

Cons

There may be some accuracy issues when measuring pool lengths – though these issues seem to have been resolved since the last update
A masculine design so probably not the best fitness tracker for women
This watch is pricey compared to the Gear Fit 2 Pro

Sale

743 Reviews

Garmin Forerunner 935 Running GPS Unit (Black)

Premium GPS running/triathlon watch with wrist based heart rate;Strap material : silicone ; Smartphone compatibility :...
Offers advanced running and multisport Features in a comfortable watch you can wear all day, and it only weighs 49 grams
Provides elevation changes with a built in barometer; altimeter and electronic compass help you keep your bearings

4. Fitbit Charge 3/4

If you’re looking for a swimming watch from the Fitbit range, the Fitbit Charge 3 or the new Fitbit Charge 4 could be the one. This is a great little watch that can track all sorts of swimming data. It is slim and discreet so would be particularly suited to slender wrists. The only downside to the Charge 3 watch is that, unlike the Gear Fit Pro 2, it doesn’t show your swim data in real-time. So, you’ll have to dry off before you can see how many lengths you’ve swum. I actually prefer this because it helps me focus on my workout, but I can see how some people would prefer to see how many lengths they’ve swum in real-time. If you can live without this feature, I’d say the both the 4 and 3 are a great value for money. The Charge 4 has GPS tracking. Also check out the Fitbit Versa or Gear Fit Pro 2 for alternative options.

Pros

It’s very affordable, especially compared to other swimming watches
It’s a multisport activity tracker (though not as sophisticated as the Garmin Forerunner 945)
Offers detailed swim technique insights via the Fitbit App
7+ days battery life

Cons

It’s not an open water swimming watch
It doesn’t offer real-time updates, which is disappointing to some

Read our comprehensive guide for a range of waterproof watch options from Fitbit

1,180 Reviews

Fitbit Charge 4 Fitness and Activity Tracker with Built-in GPS, Heart Rate, Sleep &...

Use built-in GPS to see your pace and distance on screen during outdoor runs, rides, hikes and more and see a workout...
With Active Zone Minutes, feel a buzz when you reach your target heart rate zones during exercise, and celebrate when...
Get a 90-day free trial of Fitbit Premium to help you stay active, sleep well and manage stress. Unlock it all in the...

5. Suunto Spartan Trainer Wrist HR

$28 9 on Amazon.com
If you are a serious swimmer, then look no further than the Suunto Spartan Trainer. Suunto devices are extremely accurate fitness trackers targeted towards athletes (or amateur athletes!). This device is excellent for tracking swims, cycles, runs, hikes, etc. The best thing about it is that it is extremely lightweight, so it won’t slow you down. Although the design is fairly masculine, it’s a favourite amongst women because it is so lightweight. It is also resistant to 100 meters, which is quite unique for a swimming watch! You can read our full review of the Suunto Spartan here.

Pros

Precision is second to none
Inbuilt GPS so it can track a variety of activities
Good for pool and open water swimming
Extremely lightweight so it won’t get in the way of your front crawl

Cons

10 hours of battery life when in training mode. If battery life is your priority, choose the Fitbit Charge 3 instead.

Choosing a swimming watch

So, there you have four of the best swimming watches for 2020. On balance, the Fitbit Charge 4 is probably my favourite device. Not only does it offer great value for money, but it also encourages me to switch off and focus on my workout. Having said that, I also really appreciate the Suunto Spartan Trainer because it’s so precise and of course the Garmin Swim 2 is an excellent choice for the pros.

As always, know what features you are looking for before you make a purchase. To help you decide, you could also read our guide on read our guide on how to find a great watch for swimming and few more swimming watch alternatives as well.

Although the swimming watches mentioned in this article are water-resistant, they are not waterproof. So, none of these watches would be suitable for diving. If you want a watch that’s suitable for swimming and diving, look for a dedicated scuba diving watch instead.

Michael Kors

1. Samsung Galaxy Watch

2. Garmin Delta D2 Aviator

3. Garmin Fenix 6

4. Montblanc Summit 2

5. Michael Kors Access

6. Breitling Exospace B55 Connected

Overview of Luxury Smartwatches for men

Summary

You’ll find quartz movement in the best Michael Kors women’s watches

Smartphone compatibility

Fitness tracking and capabilities

Interchangeable wristbands

Michael Kors watches are fashionable

Michael Kors watches are price-accessible

The better Michael Kors watches are water-resistant

Downsides of s Michael Kors Women’s Watch

Water-Resistance could be better

They could use better crystal

Summary

Follow Us

Skagen Falster 2

Advantages

Disadvantages

Michael Kors Access Runway

Advantages

Disadvantages

Emporio Armani Connected Smartwatch ART5007

Advantages

Disadvantages

Kate Spade Scallop Smartwatch 2

Advantages

Disadvantages

Summary

Follow us

Background

Features

Design

Fitness Tracking

Main Advantages

Main Disadvantages

Competition

Summary

Background

Features

Design

Fitness Tracking

Main Advantages

Main Disadvantages

Competitors

Summary

What are the benefits of swimming watches?

1. Garmin Swim 2

2. Samsung Gear Fit 2 (Pro)

3. Garmin Forerunner 935/945

4. Fitbit Charge 3/4

5. Suunto Spartan Trainer Wrist HR

Choosing a swimming watch