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Smartwatch Buying Guide

Smartwatch Buying Guide

Packed full of useful features and functions, a smartwatch is a must-have accessory for the digital ages. From designer smartwatches to luxury smartwatches, this guide will take you through everything our smartwatches have to offer. We’ll help you find the perfect one for you.

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What is a smartwatch and
how do they work?

A smartwatch is basically what it says on the tin. With everything you need at the flick of a wrist including notifications, apps, media, voice control, fitness tracking or GPS (the list goes on), smartwatches are a portable device otherwise known as wearable technology.

They can be worn daily or for specific purposes, like fitness tracking. The choice is yours.

What do smartwatches do?

We’ve put together a table of features and functions for each of our watches so you can compare and find the right one for you.

TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E4 Garmin Instinct Garmin Fenix 8 Garmin epix Pro2 Garmin MAR Tissot T-Touch Connect Solar Hublot Big Bang e
TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E4 Garmin Instinct Garmin Fenix 8 Garmin epix Pro 2 Garmin MARQ 2 Tissot T-Touch Connect Solar Hublot Big Bang e
Download Apps ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✕ ✓
Music Management ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✕ ✓
Voice Command ✓ ✓ ✕ ✓ ✓ ✕ ✓
Translate ✓ ✕ ✕ ✕ ✕ ✓ ✓
Maps ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✕ ✓
Notifications ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Pay from your Wrist ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✕ ✓
Fitness Tracking ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Heart Rate Monitor ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✕ ✕
Built in GPS ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✕
Touchscreen ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Customisable Dials ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✕ ✕
Personalise with straps ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✕ ✕
Water Resistant 50m 100m 100m 100m 100m 100m 30m
Compatibility Android 6.0+ and above / iOS 10.0+ and above Android 7.0+ and above / iOS 13.0+ and above Android 7.0+ and above / iOS 12.0+ and above Android 6.0+ and above / iOS 12.0+ and above
Battery All-day battery life Up to 28 days Up to 28 days Up to 16 days Up to 10 days Up to 6 months All-day battery life
TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E4
TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E4
Download Apps ✓
Music Management ✓
Voice Command ✓
Translate ✓
Maps ✓
Notifications ✓
Pay from your Wrist ✓
Fitness Tracking ✓
Heart Rate Monitor ✓
Built in GPS ✓
Touchscreen ✓
Customisable Dials ✓
Personalise with straps ✓
Water Resistant 50m
Compatibility Android 6.0+ and above / iOS 10.0+ and above
Battery All-day battery life
Garmin Instinct
Garmin Instinct
Download Apps ✓
Music Management ✓
Voice Command ✓
Translate ✕
Maps ✓
Notifications ✓
Pay from your Wrist ✓
Fitness Tracking ✓
Heart Rate Monitor ✓
Built in GPS ✓
Touchscreen ✓
Customisable Dials ✓
Personalise with straps ✓
Water Resistant 100m
Compatibility Android 7.0+ and above / iOS 13.0+ and above
Battery Up to 28 days
Garmin Fenix 8
Garmin Fenix 8
Download Apps ✓
Music Management ✓
Voice Command ✕
Translate ✕
Maps ✓
Notifications ✓
Pay from your Wrist ✓
Fitness Tracking ✓
Heart Rate Monitor ✓
Built in GPS ✓
Touchscreen ✓
Customisable Dials ✓
Personalise with straps ✓
Water Resistant 100m
Compatibility Android 7.0+ and above / iOS 13.0+ and above
Battery Up to 18 days
Garmin epix Pro 2
Garmin epix Pro 2
Download Apps ✓
Music Management ✓
Voice Command ✓
Translate ✕
Maps ✓
Notifications ✓
Pay from your Wrist ✓
Fitness Tracking ✓
Heart Rate Monitor ✓
Built in GPS ✓
Touchscreen ✓
Customisable Dials ✓
Personalise with straps ✓
Water Resistant 100m
Compatibility Android 7.0+ and above / iOS 13.0+ and above
Battery Up to 16 days
Garmin MARQ 2
Garmin MARQ 2
Download Apps ✓
Music Management ✓
Voice Command ✓
Translate ✕
Maps ✓
Notifications ✓
Pay from your Wrist ✓
Fitness Tracking ✓
Heart Rate Monitor ✓
Built in GPS ✓
Touchscreen ✓
Customisable Dials ✓
Personalise with straps ✓
Water Resistant 100m
Compatibility Android 7.0+ and above / iOS 13.0+ and above
Battery Up to 16 days
Tissot T-Touch Connect Solar
Tissot T-Touch Connect Solar
Download Apps ✕
Music Management ✕
Voice Command ✕
Translate ✓
Maps ✕
Notifications ✓
Pay from your Wrist ✕
Fitness Tracking ✓
Heart Rate Monitor ✕
Built in GPS ✓
Touchscreen ✓
Customisable Dials ✕
Personalise with straps ✕
Water Resistant 100m
Compatibility Android 7.0+ and above / iOS 12.0+ and above
Battery Up to 6 months
Hublot Big Bang e
Hublot Big Bang e
Download Apps ✓
Music Management ✓
Voice Command ✓
Translate ✓
Maps ✓
Notifications ✓
Pay from your Wrist ✓
Fitness Tracking ✓
Heart Rate Monitor ✕
Built in GPS ✕
Touchscreen ✓
Customisable Dials ✕
Personalise with straps ✕
Water Resistant 30m
Compatibility Android 6.0+ and above / iOS 12.0+ and above
Battery All day battery life

Experts in smartwatches

“As well as functions, advanced features, and exceptional performance, you can also find a stylish smartwatch to accompany your outfits day-to-day. With designer smartwatches to on-trend black smartwatches, you can find one that speaks to your sense of style.”

- Beth, Watch Buyer

Key Features

Understanding the key features of a smartwatch and how they work can help you make a better-informed decision on which one to go for. We’ve taken some top features from each of our smartwatches and explained what they mean.

Heart rate

Smartwatches vs Fitness trackers

What’s the difference? Most smartwatches depend on your smartphone for activity tracking whereas a fitness tracker does all of that for you anyway. If you plan to use a smartwatch primarily for working out, you may want to consider a fitness tracker with smartwatch-like features, such as the Garmin Fenix. This lets you customise the watch face and read notifications alongside all the usual fitness tracking features.

Display

Types of display

Most smartwatches use a backlit LCD or an OLED display which require battery power to generate their light. LCD uses a backlight to illuminate their pixels, allowing content to be viewed in richer colours and tends to be brighter. OLED pixels produce their own light and are known for their great image quality and low power consumption. The TAG Heuer Connected boasts an OLED screen.

iOS

OS compatibility

OS stands for ‘operating system’. This means that in order for your smartwatch to fully function, it must be compatible with another device. Each smartwatch will vary in OS compatibility, this can be found in your manual. All of our smartwatches operate with Wear OS which includes smartphones running the latest version of Android or iOS – the features on your watch may vary between platforms.

Bluetooth

Bluetooth

The Bluetooth function connects your smartwatch to your phone so you can receive smart notifications. Smartwatches can work without Bluetooth connectivity using the Internet instead. However, if you have no connectivity you’ll only be able to use basic functions, and features such as voice actions will not work.

iOS

NFC contactless payment

Short for ‘near field communications’, NFC smartwatches make it convenient for you to pay at the flick of a wrist – just like your smartphone can. In order for this to work, you must be connected via Bluetooth or Internet to your phone and check that your bank is compatible with this feature. Wear OS devices such as Garmin smartwatches use Garmin Pay.

Explore luxury smartwatches

Discover our collection of luxury smartwatches. From renowned Swiss watch brands to experts in the world of smartwatch technology, find the luxury smartwatch to suit you. Whether it’s the TAG Heuer smartwatch of your dreams, or the Garmin smartwatch that’s ready for any adventure, Bruce, our Head of Watches, explains what there is to love about these luxury smartwatches below.

Designed for people who want to get the best out of their active lifestyle, you can be certain that Garmin’s compelling designs and innovative features will go the distance. Choose between the epix Pro 2, Instinct, Fenix, MARQ collections and more to find a Garmin to suit your fitness needs.

Prices for Garmin smartwatches start at £349 or as little as £21.86 per month Interest Free Credit.

“A pioneering brand in the world of luxury smartwatches, Garmin use the latest in advanced technology, high quality materials, and durable construction to make sure you have a trustworthy smartwatch for all of your adventures and fitness goals.”
– Bruce, Head of Watches

Shop Garmin

TAG Heuer smartwatches are available in two different case sizes of 42mm and 45mm, as well as an array of different bracelet options. The TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E4 echoes the distinct design, luxurious materials and refined finishes that’s iconic of all TAG Heuer chronographs.

Prices for TAG Heuer Connected start at £1,650 or £137.50 per month with Interest Free Credit.

“TAG Heuer smartwatches combine Swiss watchmaking excellence with smartwatch features to give you the best of both worlds. These stylish smartwatches will enhance your daily lifestyle with an abundance of functions at your wrist.”
– Bruce, Head of Watches

Shop TAG Heuer

Spread The Cost

Make buying a new smartwatch even easier. Pay with Klarna on smartwatches up to £500 or choose 3 years 9.9% APR finance, available on smartwatches £750 and over. Shop now, pay later with Klarna. 18+, T&Cs apply, Credit subject to status.

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Embodying the brand’s philosophy ‘innovators by tradition’, the Tissot T-Touch Connected Solar is neither a gadget nor a device, but simply a fitness watch with all the smart features you need to stay connected.

Prices for Tissot smartwatches start at £1,000 or as little as £20.84 per month Interest Free Credit.

“Tissot smartwatches are innovative, Swiss-made and come equipped with everything you might need, from your working day to your fitness activities. Tissot T-Touch smartwatches are the ultimate stylish smartwatch to see you through your day-to-day.”
– Bruce, Head of Watches

Shop Tissot T-Touch

A fusion between tradition, innovation and cutting-edge materials, the Hublot Big Bang e boasts an extremely high level of technological sophistication, whilst adopting all the aesthetic values of the Big Bang collection.

The Hublot Big Bang e starts at £4,600.

“Hublot smartwatches fuse ground-breaking materials with the signature essence of the Hublot Big Bang collection. Contemporary, sophisticated and showcasing futuristic design, experience smartwatches reimagined with Hublot.”
– Bruce, Head of Watches

Shop Hublot

Shop Smartwatches

Shop the luxury smartwatches featured in our Smartwatch Buying Guide.

Smartwatch FAQs

Find the answers to your questions about smartwatches in our smartwatch FAQs.

  • What is a smartwatch?

    A smartwatch uses advanced, wearable technology to give you a range of functions at the flick of a wrist. This allows you to receive notifications from your smartphone, track your location through GPS, monitor your health and wellbeing levels, and much more with your smartwatch.

    As well as being able to access a variety of apps via your smartwatch, you can also choose one that's tailored to your lifestyle and activities, many smartwatches come equipped for a specific sports or activity to keep you in top form, whatever you do.

  • How do smartwatches work?

    Smartwatches are wearable technology that work with intricately designed and constructed mechanisms. Some smartwatches may be powered by a quartz movement, an automatic movement, solar power, and many more. You’ll usually need to connect your smartwatch to your iPhone or Android device to get the most out of its functions.

  • How much is a smartwatch?

    The prices of smartwatches vary depending on the functions, features and brand you go for. If you’re looking for Swiss avant-garde technology, then TAG Heuer and Hublot are for you, whilst Garmin and Tissot watches will help you with specific sporting needs. Our range of smartwatches start at £349 to £4,600.

  • How accurate are smartwatches?

    Smartwatches detect the time via signals from satellites, so factors such as the weather can affect the time displayed, and the accuracy of your smartwatch. However, this variation isn’t usually much of a hindrance, and can typically only vary between 5-10 seconds. In terms of fitness tracking, your smartwatch calculates things such as calories burned from a variety of sensors. Although these calculations are an estimation, they’re accurate enough to be beneficial to the wearer overall.

  • Are smartwatches waterproof?

    Your smartwatch will have its own specified water resistance. This depends on the materials used to construct the smartwatch. We’d recommend exposing your smartwatch to as little water as possible to ensure it maintains its functionality. Usually, your smartwatch will have a water resistance of between 30m-100m, this refers to the distance up to which your smartwatch can withstand the level of water pressure.

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