Top 25 Best High-End Smartwatch Brands of 2019
A SMARTWATCH is a computerized wristwatch with functionality that goes beyond timekeeping. While early models can perform basic tasks, such as calculations, translations, and game-playing, 2010s smartwatches are effectively wearable computers. Many run mobile apps, using a mobile operating system. Some smartwatches function as portable media players, with FM radio and playback of digital audio and video files via a Bluetooth or USB headset. Some models, also called 'watch phones', feature full mobile phone capability, and can make or answer phone calls or text messages.
While internal hardware varies, most have an electronic visual display, either backlit LCD or OLED. Some use transflective or electronic paper, to consume less power. Most have a rechargeable battery and many have a touchscreen. Peripheral devices may include digital cameras, thermometers, accelerometers, altimeters, barometers, compasses, GPS receivers, tiny speakers, and SD card (that are recognized as a storage device by a computer).
Software may include digital maps, schedulers and personal organizers, calculators, and various kinds of watch faces. The watch may communicate with external devices such as sensors, wireless headsets, or a heads-up display. Like other computers, a smartwatch may collect information from internal or external sensors and it may control, or retrieve data from, other instruments or computers. It may support wireless technologies like Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and GPS. For many purposes, a "wristwatch computer" serves as a front end for a remote system such as a smartphone, communicating with the smartphone using various wireless technologies. Smartwatches are advancing, especially their design, battery capacity, and health related applications.
Smartwatch News, Reviews & Resources
- 5 Functional Smartwatches Chic Enough for Everyday Wear - "Finding a smartwatch that balances form and function can be difficult, but these five options offer the features you need to track activity, play music and more - without weighing down your wrist."
- 9 Best Smartwatches of 2018 - BestProducts.com.
- 20 Cool Things You Can Do With Your Apple Watch - Infographic - WsC.
- 50+ Apple Watch Tips & Tricks - YouTube 25:37.
- $99 buys you a useful, but plain, Android Wear watch - engadget.
- A first look at Spotify on the Apple Watch - The Verge.
- a tale of two smartwatch Kickstarters - The Verge.
- Alexa now runs on the Apple Watch, thanks to Voice in a Can app - The Verge.
- Alexa unofficially works on your Apple Watch - engadget.
- Alpine Enthusiasts Will Love This Rugged Smartwatch - Wired.
- An Inside Look at Apple's Biggest Step Yet in Health Care - "With its groundbreaking new ECG feature, the Apple Watch can keep tabs on your heart’s health. This is how they tested it."
- Android (operating system) - Wikipedia.
- Android Wear - Wikipedia.
- Android Wear now belongs to fashion brands - The Verge.
- Apple adds one more year of warranty to first-gen Watches - engadget.
- Apple is reportedly planning to update its Apple Watch with a solid-state button - "Much like the updated home button on recent iPhones."
- Apple killed off its super expensive gold Edition watches - engadget.
- Apple launches study to identify irregular heart rhythms with the Apple Watch - The Verge.
- Apple quietly kills Modern Buckle Watch band in the US - engadget.
- Apple using secret US facility to develop MicroLED screens for Apple Watch - The Verge.
- Apple Watch - Wikipedia.
- Apple Watch: A Test Run for Travelers - The New York Times.
- Apple Watch can now be used to monitor Parkinson’s symptoms - "A new ResearchKit API can monitor Watch users for tremor & dyskinesia."
- Apple Watch clone has GPS & 45 days of battery life for $99 - The Verge.
- Apple Watch code hints at future support for third-party faces - engadget.
- Apple watch is now the control center for your health - "Apple announced new health and fitness features for its wearable that make the Apple Watch uniquely powerful as a personal monitoring tool."
- Apple Watch: More Than Just a Bracelet - The New York Times.
- Apple Watch Review: Bliss, But Only After a Steep Learning Curve - The New York Times.
- Apple Watch Series 3 Excels - The New York Times.
- APPLE WATCH SERIES 3 REVIEW: Third TIME’S THE CHARM - The Verge.
- APPLE WATCH SERIES 3 WITH LTE REVIEW: MISSED CONNECTIONS - The Verge.
- Apple Watch Series 4 hands-on: Subtle improvements - "Apple's fourth-generation smartwatch brings a bigger screen and haptic feedback." - engadget.
- Apple Watch Series 4 Review: Faster, Bigger, With a Promise to Be Healthier - "The faster speeds and larger screen sound boring on paper. But an electrical heart sensor gives a glimpse of the promise to come, our reviewer writes." - The New York Times.
- Apple Watch Series 4 review: It's time to give one to Grandma - "The new Apple Watch is showing up the latest iPhones." - CNN tech.
- APPLE WATCH SERIES 4 REVIEW: THE BEST GETS BETTER - "The screen steals the show." - The Verge.
- Apple Watch Series 5 features an always-on display - "The timepiece gets a built-in compass, too."
- Apple Watch stole the show from this year’s new iPhones - "Three years in, Apple’s smartwatch is now more exciting than its smartphone."
- Apple Watch 'WOW' moment - iMore.
- Apple Watch's EKG Feature could do more harm than good - "There Are More Downs Than Ups. The heart monitor should not be considered a medical device and reflects wider problems with health screens."
- Apple Watch's secret weapon is its new price - "The most compelling update is not a feature but the price: You can now buy an Apple Watch for $199. That's a significant savings compared to the cost of previous models, as well as the newly announced Series 5 smartwatch that starts at $399, or $499 with cellular connectivity."
- Apple watchOS 4.1 delivers phone-free music streaming - engadget.
- Armani is the latest designer to take a chance on Android Wear - engadget.
- Armani's latest designer smartwatches come with strap options - "They're now available for pre-order and will set you back between $295 and $395."
- Best smartwatch 2016: Apple, Pebble, Samsung, Sony, Garmin, Tag and more - Wareable.
- Best smartwatch for 2016 - TechRadar.
- BEST SMARTWATCH TO BUY FOR IPHONE & ANDROID - The Verge.
- Best Smartwatches 2016 - Compare Reviews, Ratings.
- Best Smartwatches 2016 - tom's guide.
- Bummed Out That Apple Canceled AirPower? Here Are 5 Other Wireless Chargers to Consider - TIME Magazine.
- Casio announces a cheaper version of its Wear OS watch for hikers - The Verge.
- Casio's see-through G-Shock watches are an icy blast of nostalgia - "The Glacier Gold models could make that '90s look cool again."
- Comment: Apple Watch's future excites me more than any other Apple product - "Apple's focus on health with Apple Watch will change how the world looks at medicine and fitness in the same way iPhone changed."
- Don’t like today’s smartwatches? Just build your own - "Some (okay, lots of) assembly required."
- Elago W6, the cute Apple Watch stand that thinks it’s an iPod - "If you ever feel nostalgic for the classic iPod, you might enjoy the Elago W6, the Apple Watch stand that thinks it’s an iPod."
- Emporio Armani’s latest generation of Android smartwatches are available for preorder - The Verge.
- Everything to Know About the iPhone Xs' New Camera Features - "Apple's new flagship smartphone, the iPhone Xs, has a handful of new camera features that mobile photographers will love."
- FDA clears first EKG band for the Apple Watch - engadget.
- Fitbit has a lot to prove with Ionic, its new smartwatch - The Verge.
- Fitbit Ionic is a great smartwatch for this new dad - engadget.
- Fitbit Ionic smartwatch hands-on - "A surprisingly well-rounded debut."
- Fitbit Ionic’s first major update adds new apps & watchfaces - The Verge.
- Fitbit is reportedly still struggling to make a smartwatch - engadget.
- Fitbit shipped 1 million Versa smartwatches in six weeks - engadget.
- Fitbit's Adidas-branded smartwatch will cost you $330 - engadget.
- Fitbit’s new Versa 2 has an OLED screen and Alexa voice support - "Plus, a surprisingly affordable smart scale is coming soon."
- Fitbit's updated smartwatch OS provides more fitness info at a glance - "The 3.0 update also includes support for more powerful exercise apps."
- FITBIT’S VERSA IS ITS BEST SMARTWATCH YET - The Verge.
- Fossil ‘Gen 5’ smartwatch review: best of a Wear OS situation - "Fossil held up its end of the bargain, Qualcomm and Google didn’t."
- Fossil's latest stylish smartwatches can last for days - "They can also take calls."
- Fossil’s new smartwatches will let iPhone users take calls just like an Apple Watch - "But that feature won’t arrive until the fall."
- Garmin Forerunner 645 Music review - "Better without the music."
- Garmin gives its Vivomove smartwatch more style with four new colors - engadget.
- Google Assistant on Wear OS watches is getting much more useful - The Verge.
- Google breathes new life into Wear OS smartwatches with today’s update - "A better foundation for future watches."
- Google is revamping the Wear OS smartwatch user interface - "And adding a Google Assistant feed."
- Google's Smartwatch Program Is a Mess, and a Name Change Won't Fix That - Gizmodo.
- Have Windows 98 on your wrist with this genius smartwatch - The Telegraph.
- Health Insurance Giant Wants to Pay for Your Apple Watch - TIME Magazine.
- HOW FITBIT STARTED THE WEARABLES CRAZE THAT GOT US ALL MOVING - "10,000 steps has become the standard metric by which we measure daily activity. But it was initially chosen because it sounded neat when you said it in Japanese."
- How the Samsung Galaxy Watch stacks up against the Apple Watch Series 3 - The Verge.
- How to connect your Fitbit app to your Apple Watch - "Use the Strava app as a friendly intermediary."
- How to choose a smartwatch if you use Android - The Verge.
- How to make your fitness tracker count steps more accurately - "Step trackers aren’t perfect, but here’s what you can do to get the best readings."
- How to make the Apple Watch Raise to Speak feature work every time - "The ability to just raise your wrist and speak to your Apple Watch without the words 'Hey, Siri,' is brilliant. What was initially a convenience is now increasingly useful, too, and yet it's extraordinarily unreliable. Here's how to make it better —and why you need it to."
- How to Tap Less on Your Phone (but Get More Done) - "Most of us spend hours each day tapping the glass of our smartphones. But what if you could do just as much - maybe more - and give your fingers a break?"
- HOW TO USE SIRI TO AUTOMATE EVERY STEP OF YOUR DAILY GRIND - Wired.
- Huawei’s TalkBand B5 leak confirms the company is still trying to fit a Bluetooth headset into a watch - The Verge.
- Hublot’s first smartwatch will cost over $5,000 - engadget.
- IDC: Android smartwatches only rival Apple in China - "Apple expected to remain the top global player in smartwatches."
- I’ll Get Excited About Hublot’s New Smartwatch When Jay Z Actually Wears It - Gizmodo.
- Is It Time for an Apple Watch? - The New York Times.
- List of models in production - Wikipedia.
- Louis Vuitton's pricey smartwatch gets a big upgrade for 2019 - "It's now powered by Qualcomm's new smartwatch chip."
- Montblanc Summit 2 will be the first Snapdragon Wear 3100 watch - "It'll have Google's Wear OS on board."
- Montblanc's Summit: a smart entry into connected watches - The Telegraph.
- Montblanc’s Summit 2 is the first smartwatch with Qualcomm’s next-gen wearable chip - The Verge.
- Movado's Android Wear device looks like its regular watches - engadget.
- Music streaming on Apple Watch Series 3 is a surprisingly nice feature to have - The Verge.
- Not even $197,000 of diamonds can save this Tag Heuer smartwatch from Android Wear - The Verge.
- Qualcomm finally has a new chip for the next generation of Android smartwatches - "A low-power processor adds battery life and improves ambient displays."
- Real watch hands on a smartwatch face actually makes sense - engadget.
- Ressence made a mechanical watch that pairs with your smartphone - engadget.
- Samsung’s Galaxy Watch Active 2 brings back the bezel control - "Just six months after the first Watch Active, there’s a new model in town."
- Samsung Galaxy Watch review: iteration over innovation - "The Galaxy Watch is a great smartwatch, but are wearables worth it?"
- Samsung Galaxy Watch review: Safe but satisfying - "The company didn't break much new ground here."
- Samsung's Galaxy Watch Golf Edition puts a caddie on your wrist - "Unfortunately, it's only available in South Korea."
- Smartwatch - Wikipedia.
- Smartwatches are relying on fashion brands to survive engadget.
- Smartwatches failed to excite in 2016 - engadget.
- Smartwatches promised to make us healthier, and they finally might - "Apple and Google's next wearables will be more than glorified pedometers."
- So you bought a smartwatch. Now what? - engadget.
- Steve Wozniak: 'I worry about the Apple Watch' - The Telegraph.
- Tag Heuer made a smaller modular smartwatch - engadget.
- Tag Heuer’s latest smartwatch is smaller and features customizable looks - The Verge.
- Tambour Horizon: Louis Vuitton's first smartwatch - The Telegraph.
- The doctor on your wrist: How smartwatches are saving lives - engadget.
- THE NEW ECG APPLE WATCH COULD DO MORE HARM THAN GOOD - Wired.
- THE UNWEARABLE LIGHTNESS OF BEING: MY WEEK WITHOUT A SMARTWATCH - Wired.
- This projector smartwatch turns your arm into a terrible touchscreen - The Verge.
- This self-charging smartwatch could be great - The Verge.
- This smartwatch can project a tiny dancing man onto your hand - The Verge.
- This smartwatch for kids is adorable but probably not a great idea - The Verge.
- Tizen - Wikipedia.
- Top 10 Smartwatches of 2016 - Top Ten Reviews.
- Ubuntu Touch - Wikipedia.
- Verizon launches a new generation of its kid-tracking wearable - "The GizmoKids lineup grows up with an LTE smartwatch."
- watchOS - Wikipedia.
- watchOS 5.1.2 Will Enable ECG App on Apple Watch Series 4 - "ECG functionality will be enabled on the Apple Watch Series 4 in the publicly released version of watchOS 5.1.2, which is currently in beta testing, according to an internal Apple Store training document obtained by MacRumors."
- Wear OS review: Google puts usability first - "There’s still plenty of room for improvement."
- What the Apple Watch gets wrong about human motivation - The Verge.
- WHEN YOUR ACTIVITY TRACKER BECOMES A PERSONAL MEDICAL DEVICE - Wired.
- Why an Apple Watch with EKG matters - "The FDA has approved the EKG feature, meaning the watch can be used as a medical device."
- Wireless charging: Are we doing this or not? - "Google and Apple both now offer Qi charging compatibility."
- Worldwide mobile data pricing: The cost of 1GB of mobile data in 230 countries - "Data from 6,313 mobile data plans in 230 countries were gathered and analysed by Cable.co.uk between 23 October and 28 November 2018. The average cost of one gigabyte (1GB) was then calculated and compared to form a worldwide mobile data pricing league table."
Top 25 Best High-End Smartwatch Brands of 2019
 - Alcatel Go Watch - Android & iOS compatible; Water, Dust & Shock Resistant; Push Notifications; Emotional Pulse feature; Available in 3 colors.
 - Alpina - since 1883. "Horological Smartwatch Collection." Men's & women's. All models.
- Apple Watch - since April 24, 2015. All models & accessories.
- An Inside Look at Apple's Biggest Step Yet in Health Care - "With its groundbreaking new ECG feature, the Apple Watch can keep tabs on your heart’s health. This is how they tested it."
- Why an Apple Watch with EKG matters - "The FDA has approved the EKG feature, meaning the watch can be used as a medical device."
 - Apple Watch Series 3 - "The freedom of cellular." Take a call when you’re out on the water. Ask Siri to send a message. Stream your favorite songs on your run. And do it all while leaving your phone behind. Apple Watch Series 3 with cellular. Now you have the freedom to go with just your watch.
 - Apple Watch Series 4 - "There’s an Apple Watch for everyone." Walkie-Talkie, phone calls, and messages. Stream Apple Music and Apple Podcasts. New ways to use Siri. Built-in cellular lets you do it all on your watch - even while you’re away from your phone. All models.
 - Apple Watch Series 4 - Gold Stainless Steel Case with Gold Milanese Loop.
 - Apple Watch Series 4 HermÈs - "A shared vision, seen in a whole new light." A partnership based on parallel thinking, singular vision, and mutual regard continues with a fresh new expression. The latest Apple Watch Hermès collection showcases boldly colorful leather bands and a delightful new watch face designed by Apple. It’s the ultimate tool for modern life - now with a dash of sophisticated whimsy.
 - Apple Watch Series 4 Nike+ - "Get connected through sport." Apple Watch Nike+ is the perfect running partner with the Nike Run Club app. But for most people, that’s just one facet of their training. That’s why Nike created the Nike Training Club app to let you tap into a world of different workouts and experts. Together they’ll help you build the endurance and strength to take your fitness to the next level.
 - Apple Watch Series 5 - "You’ve never seen a watch like this. This watch has a display that never sleeps." With a new Always-On Retina display, Apple Watch Series 5 is always there for you. To monitor your health, help you stay fit, and keep you connected.
 - Asus ZenWatch - "Time-Honored Craftsmanship, Smart Customization." All models.
 - Aurum Edition Apple Watch Series 4 - "Aurum Edition is among a handful of luxe jewelry and accessory brands that transform the ubiquitous iPhone into a hand-held piece of fine art for wealthy clients who like to flaunt their economic status. Aurum Edition also applies the luxe treatment to the Apple Watch. The Series 4, the face bordered in gold plating and adorned with hand engraved skulls, runs $2,200.
 - Breitling EXOSPACE B55 YACHTING - since 1884. "In creating its first connected chronograph, Breitling places the smartphone in the service of the watch so as to enhance its functionality. The Exospace B55 houses an exclusive caliber equipped with a range of original functions tailor-made for pilots and yachtsman: an electronic tachymeter, a 'countdown/countup' system, a 'chrono flight' and 'chrono regatta' device for recording flight and regatta times, respectively, while memorizing departure and arrival times."
 - BVlgari Diagono Magnesium Concept Watch - "Thanks to an NFC chip, the Diagono Magnesium will be able to store and access your personal information like your passwords, bank accounts, and credit cards, which can be managed through the BVlgari Vault app on your smartphone."
 - Casio Outdoor Smartwatches - "Smart and Active for Nature's Biggest Adventures." All models.
 - Caviar Apple Watch Series 4 - since 2011. "Perfection raised to the absolute."
 - Emporio Armani connected watches - since 2016. Men's.
 - Emporio Armani Touchscreen Smartwatch ART5002 - "The Emporio Armani Connected touchscreen smartwatch is compatible with both iOS and Android phones, and are powered by Android Wear 2.0, Google's smartwatch platform, and the Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 2100 smartwatch platform."
 - Fitbit Versa smartwatch - "Live your best life with an intuitive, empowering & approachable health and fitness smartwatch."
 - Fossil Touchscreen smartwatches - "Connected accessories that are smart and look smart, too." All models.
 - Frederique Constant Horological smartwatch - "Frederique Constant presents its beautiful luxury Swiss watch that is now connected and smart. A quality product with longevity created from fine materials and made by hand."
 - Garmin - "No matter what your fitness level or activity preference is, Garmin has you covered." All models.
 - GOLDSTRIKER INTERNATIONAL - "Exclusivity for the fashionista." Gold plated Apple watches.
 - Guess Connect - "Stay connected in style wherever you go." Technology Powered by Android Wear. Fashion Meets Lifestyle Functionality. Beautifully designed fashion smartwatches. All models.
 - Huawei Watch - "The HUAWEI Watch is designed to be part of your look, and part of your life. It pairs with any Android phone and it's also one of the first watches powered by Android Wear to work with iPhone." All models.
- Huawei Watch 2 - "Built-In GPS Sport Smartwatch." Standalone GPS connectivity gives you the freedom to get away from your phone once in a while. Be guided and motivated by the professional running coach feature. HUAWEI WATCH 2 comes in sports and classic watch styles. All models.
 - Hublot Big Bang Smartwatch - limited edition. Powered by INTEL. Wear OS by Google. echnology developed by LVMH.
 - Hyundai Mobile Smart Watches - "Timeless style." All models.
 - Kronaby - "A smarter watch. Hybrid watch - Connected. Not distracted." Kronaby connected watches combine premium design and smart features. Beautiful Scandinavian design in different sizes and colors. All models.
 - LG Smart watches - "Set Your Watch Forward." With Android Wear 2.0, iOS compatibility and full circle P-OLED displays. All models.
- LG W150 LUXE - Urbane Luxe Smart Watch. 23-karat gold heavy plate and gorgeous leather band
 - Louis Vuitton Tambour Horizon connected watches - men's & women's. All models.
 - Martian - "The Analog Watch Made Smart." All models.
 - Michael Kors Access - "A bold, brilliant collection of smartwatches and accessories in true Michael Kors fashion." Men's women's. All models.
 - Mondaine Helvetica 1 smartwatch - "First ever Swiss-made smartwatch launched by iconic watch brand Mondaine." Continuous innovation of timeless classic Swiss horological design, united with revolutionary conceptual thinking. All models.
 - Montblanc Summit Collection - "The first smartwatch combining fine Swiss watchmaking codes with the most advanced wearable technologies."
 - MOTO 360 - "Moto 360 streamlines your mobile life." By Motorola. Smartwatch powered by Android Wear. With edge-to-edge glass that gives you the largest viewing area, Moto 360 keeps you up-to-date so you can see what matters while staying in the moment. All models.
 - PEBBLE - "Smartwatch for iPhone & Android." From trail to pool and everywhere in between, be fit and smart with one device. Track heart rate, steps, sleep, calories, and workouts with Pebble Health fitness tracking. Manage and act on all your texts, calls, and app alerts.
- Qualcomm Snapdragon - "All style and substance in Michael Kors Access smartwatch powered by Snapdragon Wear."
  - Samsung Smartwatches - "Call. Text. Pay." All models.
 - Skagen - "Get Personal With Skagen Smartwatches." Skagen smartwatches are designed with a few principles of Danish culture in mind—hospitality, family, friends, laughter and community, to name a few. All models.
 - Sony SmartWatch 3 SWR50 - "Life at a glance." The watch that makes life simpler and smarter.
 - TAG Heuer Connected Modular collection - "Design, Quality and Innovation. Designed in the purest Swiss watchmaking tradition, the TAG Heuer Connected Modular will be with you through every challenge of your day. Discover the full TAG Heuer Connected Modular collection powered by Wear OS and created in collaboration with Intel."
 - Vector - "The smartwatch with a 30-day battery life." The Vector Watch software platform and team joined the Fitbit family!
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