Analog watchmakers go ‘smart’
28 Oct 2016
Watch brands Emporio Armani, Kate Spade, Michael Kors and Skagen have launched traditional-looking analog watches that come with activity tracking, notification vibrations and automatic time setting.
The launch comes after Fossil, which makes watches for these brands, pledged in March to sell over 100 types of smartwatches ready for the 2016 holidays.
The majority of these devices, including the Misfit Phase and Skagen Hagen Connected, feature analog dials that connect to users' smartphone, and offer offer activity tracking and notifications.
In the case of Skagen, the watch could also be used as a physical button to control functions on users' phone such as triggering their camera or playing back music.
According to commentators, the styling of the watches was on the lines of the design popularised by Withings, which had been producing hybrid-analog watches since 2014.
They add that the current crop the devices have a refreshingly fresh feel to them very different from the smartwatches by the likes of Samsung, Huawei, and Motorola, which feel like a smartphone strapped to one's wrist.
Emporio Armani's smartwatches carry price tags that match that of the smartwatches in the market today, which ranged from $250 to $400, depending on the model.
People who may find this reasonable, can order the devices from the luxury brand's website.
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