Best Sports Watches
Lillian Davies reviews several sports watches that have innovative functions.
A hybrid sports watch can endure several rough conditions. Such timepieces are excellently resistant to dust, scratches, and, of course, water. Size-wise, a hybrid watch should fit comfortably on its wearer's wrist. It must also be easy to carry or jog with on your wrist; hence, the weight of the watch is another significant factor.
While some watches have chronograph functions like a stopwatch, others have added functionality similar to smart devices. Smart functions include the capacity to receive smartphone notifications and listen to music, as well as the ability to connect via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.
Nearly all features of a hybrid sports watch include a pedometer, heart rate monitors, and activity trackers. Some smart sports timepieces can gauge barometric pressure or have a gyroscope (technology to maintain or measure rotational motion.
Why Purchase Hybrid Timepieces?
Hybrid wristwatches usually look classic but have an additional dial showing data such as battery life, hours slept, and steps taken, including notifications from our mobile device, which connects through Bluetooth.
With an onboard accelerometer, your timepiece can log all your activities, such as walking, running, swimming, and cycling. Besides, some hybrid watches come with a vibration motor to help you wake up using a silent alarm or alert you when there is a notification on your smartphone.
Furthermore, a significant bonus of such timepieces is their battery life, which you can typically measure in weeks, months, or years. Although some innovative sports timepieces accept regular watch batteries, other models need weekly recharging. Here are some of the best hybrid timepieces.
Withings Move
The Move smartwatch by Withings is the ideal activity and fitness tracking timepiece for budget-conscious people since it comes with a consumer-friendly price of below $100.
This hybrid watch provides an elegant design, a waterproof body, reliable sleep-and-fitness tracking features, and a great battery life lasting at least a year of battery replacement.
Additionally, this smart sports watch can track your daily progress and lets you view all activity and sleep-tracking information collected by the timepiece.
Withings Steel HR Sport
This multisport hybrid smartwatch by Withings is a traditional-looking stainless steel wristwatch with excellent activity and fitness-tracking capabilities.
These innovative functions include keeping logs of your sleep patterns and workouts and the ability to monitor heart rate continuously through its built-in sensor.
Wristwatch enthusiasts like this hybrid watch because it integrates its circular display into the timepiece's dial. It also shows significant smartphone notifications and fitness tracking information without too much distraction.
The Withings Steel HR Sport can last up to 25 days before recharging and can withstand an underwater pressure of approximately 50 meters, which is ideal for swimming activities.
Fitbit Ionic
The Fitbit Ionic is the most competent fitness-tracking hybrid wristwatch today. It comes with a unique set of sleep and activity tracking features, which include a GPS, an accurate cardiac rate monitor, and the capacity to deliver guided exercises.
Fitbit Ionic is also waterproof, so if you like swimming, this smart sports watch is ideal for you. This hybrid wristwatch can also store apps, receive smartphone notifications, and make payments. The company Fitbit offers several interchangeable bands for your Ionic.
Garmin F5 Sapphire
Garmin's F5 Sapphire is a multisport watch with the look of a luxurious wristwatch.
This fitness watch has a band and stainless steel case that can withstand 100 meters of underwater pressure. Its display is covered by a sapphire crystal (which is scratch-resistant).
Casio G-Shock GBA800
Although not as popular as Casio Pro Trek, this G-Shock model by Casio includes a fitness tracker that you can sync anytime with your mobile device through a Bluetooth connection. This feature helps you keep tabs on your daily fitness routine and step count in a user-friendly mobile application.
Suunto 9
This fitness timepiece by Suunto has an extensive list of functions, which include a built-in cardiac rate monitor, GPS, and a water resistance of up to 100 meters.
Plus, Suunto 9's adjustable battery mode can deliver up to 2 hours of continuous fitness tracking capability.
Suunto 9 can track and detect at least 80 activities and sports, including cycling and swimming. Moreover, it is available in many colours and can sync with your mobile device for notifications.
Mondaine Helvetica 1
Mondaine is well-known for producing timepieces resembling its traditional Swiss railway clock. However, the Helvetica series is different because it is Mondaine's first hybrid timepiece.
Compatible with Android and iOS, Helvetica 1 features sleep and activity tracking, which you can send to your smartphone through a companion app. Also, a dial on the face of this timepiece displays the number of steps you took to achieve your goal.
Garmin Vívoactive 3
This hybrid watch by Garmin is an excellent choice. Its big colour screen is undoubtedly simple to read with a glance.
Vital features of the Vivoactive 3 include an in-built GPS for precise route mapping for the wearer's running activities and the capacity to deliver mobile device notifications. The timepiece can also be used to install applications and secure mobile payments. Lastly, the Vivoactive 3 by Garmin can last a week before it needs recharging.
Misfit Command
An elegant timepiece available in a multitude of colours, Misfit Command might feature an intricate dial at first glance. Still, it will make perfect sense with continuous use.
The second will display the number of steps you took to achieve your goal, while you can configure the buttons to control a series of functions on your mobile device, such as taking a photo, playing, pausing, and playing back music.
As the Fossil Group owns the Misfit, several key features of this watch resemble those from other affiliates. Moreover, the Misfit Command is water-resistant up to 50 meters deep and has a year's battery life. This sports smartwatch by Misfit is stylish and a capable hybrid timepiece.
To Conclude
In this modern age, having a functional accessory is undoubtedly helpful for keeping up with modern trends while staying physically healthy. If you are into technology, fashion, and fitness, then a hybrid timepiece is the best accessory for your wrist.
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About the Author
Lillian Davies is a freelance writer.