The Huawei Watch

Is a Smartwatch for me?

Digital watches has come a long way since my first Casio Databank Telememo with 100 memory "slots" for storing data. Between then and now, different incarnations of Smartwatches have come and gone. Microsoft partnered with Fossil, as well as a few other manufacturers, and were in this game way back in 2003.

But that was then, today we have two mainstream competing Smartwatch platforms from Apple and Google.

I've never been interested in Android Smartwatch offerings simply because the earlier attempts are poor rendition for me, i.e. they look like a gadget rather than a watch. More recent models from manufacturers such as Motorola and LG however, are getting better and trying to get into more traditional watch shape.

My criteria to putting a watch on my wrist include movement which provides function, material, and the form. I'm a sucker for chronograph movements from Bulova to Zodiac, and yes I don't own any Audemars Piguet notwithstanding how I love to have one of them.

For me, there is this overwhelming appeal about chronograph movements specially the flyback type and single pusher chronograph from Seiko for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. The craftsmanship of the movement and the dial is another quality of mechanical watches which makes them desirable. I can stare at the display caseback of my Zenith El Primero and mesmerize at the movement, while waiting for patina to develop on the dial of Rolex watches adds to the excitement.

For Quartz watches, I have this bias towards two specific movements- high-accuracy quartz sweep hand movement and Eco-drive, both offered by brands from Citizen Watch Co.

Titanium material also has a special appeal to me since my sweat is quite corrosive and I had two fashion watches victims in the past.

I do have some crazy reasons to acquire a certain watch as you can figure out.

Months ago, I discovered an interesting model from Huawei where the primary design goal is to make it look like a traditional watch in form, using some elements found in wristwatches such as the use of sapphire and 316L stainless steel.

Introducing the Huawei Watch W1.

The watch experience

I'll focus more on how it feel and wear as a watch.

The Huawei Watch W1 on third-party 18mm leather strap alongside the original leather strap

Huawei opted for a larger case size at 42mm which is spot on for most modern watches. The case is highly polished with a little bit of brushed finish on the sides. The bezel on this stainless steel version is thin that maximizes the watch face, err, display. The gold version features a fluted bezel similar to popular Rolex models but I'm not into it, which is a personal thing. I prefer the smooth bezel but particularly love the engine turned bezel like my previous Rolex 15010.

I have three Citizen titanium watches and the most recent one is the Super Titanium chronograph model which is the lightest of the three. The Huawei Watch W1 seems to be just as light, which is not a bad thing. I do know some people that would put a weight on the weight (sic) of the watch as a purchase factor.

The lug size is only 18mm, which to me is small for a 42mm watch case but is not a deal-breaker. I'd rather prefer a 22mm or even 20mm lug size which opens up to a better variety of third-party straps from Hadley-Roma, as an example. The supplied authentic black leather is not tapered and is about 22mm in width but cut out to 18mm to fit the lugs. It has an integrated spring bar with release pin for ease of removal without the need for a spring bar release tool. Like the crown, the buckle is not signed by Huawei.

You can use military style nylon strap but be reminded that the heart rate monitor being at the bottom of the W1 case will not read your pulse properly. If form over function is preferred, go ahead and do it.

The crown, rather push button, is not signed but offers a concentric finish. With Android Wear, it has limited functionality but nevertheless, the mechanical feel is pretty good.

Comfort and fit

The watch is comfortable and relatively light due to absence of mechanical parts. Wearing it for days did not introduce fitting discomfort or skin discomfort which is a good thing. The feel of the leather strap is really good and premium.

A couple of people that saw this watch on my wrist thought it wasn't wearing a Smartwatch. Good job Huawei.

Function

Android Wear is supported for both Android and to a limited extent, iOS. How limited is it when used with an iPhone? Simple, you only get notifications and no further actions, such as liking a post or replying via Ok Google can't be performed.

It is also important to note that changing platforms between Android and iOS, vis-a-vis require a reset and installation on the W1.

Basic functions aside from the Google Cards include Agenda, Alarm, Daily tracking, Find my phone, Fit (Google Fit), Fitness tracking, Flashlight, Ok Google, Hangouts, Heart rate, Maps (Google Maps), Play Music, Stopwatch, Timer, Together, Translate, and Settings. Installing apps such as Foursquare and Swarm is the first thing I did to extend its functionality, as I check-in and look for places most of the time.

Connectivity

The Huawei Watch W1 supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.1 LE. I don't use Wi-Fi since it will consume battery and has limited functionality which is attributed to Android Wear. How's that? Firstly, Wi-Fi configuration is set via the phone as the W1 will tell you to open your phone after selecting a Wi-Fi access point. This is to enter the passkey as it's not possible doing that from the watch. Secondly, not all Android Wear apps work without the phone. As an example, I continuously get an error from Foursquare and Swarm even with Wi-Fi on but disconnected from the phone.

Performance

I was able to consistently get around 50 hours of use and the longest was 56 hours from a full charge. My settings are set to Wi-Fi OFF, Adjust brightness to 1, and Always-on screen OFF. Putting Always-on screen to ON still lasted 50 hours or so, and I would think it is due to the watch face dual intensity mode.

The life of the battery will highly depend on how much interaction one does with the watch and for how I use it, I get by for two days before another charge. Charging is somewhat long for a small battery. Getting the watch to 100% charge takes about 1 1/2 hours through the magnetic charging plate.

Comparison chart

I compiled the features of the Smartwatches I considered wearable for me and this is how they stack up.

Conclusion

Is a Smartwatch for me? Is this the right one? Well obviously, the Huawei Watch W1 doesn't match any of my criteria on buying watches but I have to accept that this is an entirely new category. This is also something that doesn't want sitting inside a watch box.

Obviously, a Smartwatch's time-keeping function is just an afterthought. Heck, even my Huawei Talkband B2 can tell time. Buying the Huawei Watch W1 to tell time is a costly proposition.

For me, the reason is connectivity. The Huawei Watch W1 will get connected to events, people, and places at a glance without having to wear some contraption. The W1 could have been better- signed "crown" and buckle, 22mm lugs, better bezel are in my list. As it is though, it is already a good-looking Smartwatch that feels and wears like a traditional watch.