Fossil Hybrid Smartwatch HR

The world of smartwatches has exploded in recent years, with dozens of brands offering a variety of features and styles to suit different users' needs. Among these, the Fossil Hybrid Smartwatch HR is a favourite of mine that fit my needs. It's a reliable, versatile, and stylish timepiece.

It combines the best of both worlds: traditional watch design with modern smartwatch functionality. They offer the timeless look and feel of a classic watch with the convenience and connectivity of a smartwatch. You can receive notifications, track your fitness, control your music, and more, all without sacrificing style.

One of the most significant advantages of Hybrid Smartwatches HR is their battery life. They can last for weeks or even months on a single charge. This is because they use low-power display technology and do not require constant internet connectivity. As a result, they are an excellent choice for travellers, hikers, or anyone who wants a watch that won't die halfway through the day.

Another key feature is their fitness tracking capabilities. Most models come equipped with sensors that can monitor your heart rate, steps taken, and other activities. These watches also typically offer a range of customizable fitness goals, so you can set targets that are tailored to your fitness level and preferences.

It is great for people who want to stay connected without being constantly distracted. Unlike full-blown smartwatches, which can bombard you with notifications and alerts, the Hybrid Smartwatches HR allows you to filter which notifications you receive. You can also use it to control your music or track your workout progress, without needing to take out your phone every time.

As someone who wants a watch that combines classic design with modern functionality, I highly recommend the Fossil Hybrid Smartwatch HR. With their long battery life, fitness tracking capabilities, and customizable notification settings, these watches are perfect for busy, active people who want to stay connected without being distracted.

Pros:

• Classic, traditional, and timeless look

• Custom watch face design - it's as easy as uploading your photos to the Fossil App

• Fitness track

• Not limited to only displaying English, shows Chinese characters and emojis as well

• Affordable straps to choose from

• Long battery life - took about 1 hour and 45 min to charge from 1% to 100% and lasts about 2 - 3 weeks till the next charge depending on how much you use the watch

Cons:

• Black-and-white only watch face

• Weather function is only reliable if location service is on at all times

• The watch is connected to the phone via Bluetooth so there is a range limitation

• Clearing the notifications on the watch doesn’t mean clearing the notifications on the phone (I wasn't bothered by that but some people may find it annoying)

Other thoughts:

• The manual does not explain clearly how to set up notifications which was super frustrating at first (you don’t turn them on in the Fossil app for the very first time, they show up as you receive them on your phone, only then can you turn the notifications off)

• This one is a personal preference - as a 5ft 1 with a tiny wrist, the 18mm strap one felt heavy for me so I ended up switching it to the 12mm one which was perfect.

Photos on this page by Eric Beliveau

This watch is currently sold out on the Fossil website but here are the Amazon links: 12mm strap and 18mm strap. And here is a similar one on the Fossil website.