Secret Deals
Close
Sign up for email alerts.

Want first access to
our secret deals?

By signing up, you agree to receive emails from Ethos Watches. Read our privacy policy for more details.

7e96187443

SpotlightNew Arrival: Fossil Q – A Smartwatch For The Watch Lover

Big on style and unashamedly hefty, the Q from Fossil is one of, if not the best looking wearables out there right now

May We Recommend

Almost every tech company today has a wearable, either as a smartwatch or a fitness band, mostly because traditional watch companies have been reluctant to accept this alternative style of timekeeping. But it was a matter of time before watch makers accepted this technology. Take our very own TAG Heuer as an example; the first Swiss giant who accepted that the smartwatch was the way forward and delivered an exceptional Swiss made wearable this year. Sure it was expensive but they showed the world that wearables too, can be beautifully made only if they were made by ‘genuine watchmakers’.

So why would the most popular fashion watch brand in the world want to be left out?

Let’s face it, even though smartwatches are interesting, and something we’ve always wanted to own, most of us haven’t indulged in them yet because we’ve been deprived of a good looking smartwatch that’s both: a) easy on the pocket and b) feels and looks just like a watch. The Fossil Q collection was designed to be that smartwatch we’ve always wanted to own. Launched earlier this year, Fossil Q also happens to be the first to have the wearable-focused Snapdragon 2100 processor, but is that enough to make the watch a good purchase? Let’s find out:

Fossil Q Post (4)
The Fossil Q is big on style and is easily the best-looking smartwatch in the market right now.

The USP – Design:

Fossil has a smartwatch for the watch lover. And because this is a Fossil timepiece, the USP of the watch was also going to be clear and simple from the beginning: a great looking watch.

The Q is a bit of a beast having a 45 mm case. It’s chunky, no doubt, but unlike some smartwatches, the thickness is intentional here because it makes the wearer feel like they’re wearing a classic watch and not a piece of technology. The unique “teeth” style bezel adds to the rugged feel of the watch, as does the crown, which isn’t really a crown, but a button in disguise.

Fossil Q Post (1)
The Q comes in a variety of strap and case options for men and women. The watch can also be paired with any 22mm strap of your choice.

The Q comes in a variety of strap and bracelet options but the best thing about this watch is that you can pair it with any 22mm strap you like. It doesn’t have to look the same way all your life. An IP68 rating means the Q can take accidental spills and even survive a shower, but don’t take it for a swim unless you want to end up with dead weight on your wrist.

Fossil Q has an IP67 water resistance certification that will protect the wearer from accidental spills and rain.
Fossil Q has an IP68 water resistance certification that will protect the wearer from accidental spills and rain.

The Features:

The Q is an out and out Android Wear show with the first wearable-specific Snapdragon 2100 processor made for future smartwatches, which is why the user experience is automatically enhanced. You won’t experience any lags even when the watch bombards you with notifications.

Fossil Q Post (2)
The watch is powered by the world’s first wearable focused Snapdragon 2100 processor for a smooth and seamless user experience.

The Crown button is at 3 o’clock – remember it’s a button, not a working crown. A single press will perform the sleep/wake function, while a second-long press will take you to the main Android Wear menu. On the opposite side of the case is a speaker grille, which performs well enough considering it’s a speaker in a watch, so don’t go in expecting it to be outstanding. The watch also has a microphone for the “Ok Google” voice commands.

In terms of battery life, we’re seeing little over 24 hours promised by Fossil, which is good considering the Q has an always-on display. The watch also comes with a “Qi Coil” – a small magnetic disk that connects to the bottom of the watch. Something like the Apple watch charger. You can also use a standard wireless charger to juice up the watch.

Fossil Q Post (3)
Battery life is where the Q excels, with over 24 hours of power with an “Always On” display.

The experience of using the Q will obviously depend on how you find Android Wear as an operating system. The Fossil Q will be getting the latest Android Wear 2.0 software update when Google releases it, which will add new features to it. However, the watch excels in native functions the OS comes with, namely: Notifications, Activity tracking and multiple watch face customizations.

The Android Wear experience, enhanced:

There is a Fossil Q app (for Android and iOS), which acts as a hub for your watch faces and activity tracking. You’ll find tons of official Fossil watch faces and a few custom watch faces, along with details on how many steps you took and if you reached your goal. The watch also syncs with your native health app (Apple Health or Google Fit).

Fossil Q Post (5)
The Fossil Q, though Android-based, can be paired with an iPhone as well. All the user needs to do is download the Q app from the App Store.

The big noticeable omission from Fossil is the heart rate monitor, which is something we would naturally expect there to be in today’s smartwatches. Of course, there are benefits of checking your heart rate, but if you picture it this way, the Q is definitely not a watch for running or fitness activities. It would be uncomfortable, for starters!

A Smartwatch for everyone:

The Fossil Q comes in three verities for both men and women. The Men’s watches are called the ‘Marshall’ and the Women’s watches are called ‘Wander’.

For Men:

The Marshall comes in three strap options: Leather (our favourite), Steel bracelet and Rubber. You can choose either depending on your daily activities and how you intend to use it. And as I’ve mentioned before, you can rock almost any 22mm strap on these watches.

Fossil Q Post (2)
The Q for Men or ‘Q Marshall’ comes in two strap and metal bracelet options.
The Q intentionally has a 45 mm case with a 14mm thickness so that it feels more like a watch than a wearable.

For Women:

The Wander, though meant for ladies, is also sized at a whopping 45mm (13.5mm thickness) with a clean, feminine design, polished bezel and a variety of strap and bracelet options.

Fossil Q Post (1)
The Q for Ladies or ‘Q Wander’ is also sized at 45mm but with a 13.5 mm thickness and a feminine design.
Fossil Q Post (6)
The Q Wander was launched in two cases and three strap options: Rose gold PVD and Stainless Steel finish with bracelet and leather strap options.

Final Verdict:

For the classic watch it imitates, Fossil Q is the smartwatch which most of us were waiting for. A “real” watch with smart features that looks good, feels great and is fairly priced. To add to that, Fossil’s openness to customization is also welcome and the official watch faces are better than what most smartwatches out there offer. The battery and overall experience are also enhanced with the wearable Snapdragon processor. We admire what Fossil has done to the smartwatch, it’s a step in the right direction which is why the Q is the best looking, if not the best performing, Android Wear watch out there right now.

Fossil Q Post (11)
For the classic watch it imitates, Fossil Q is the smartwatch which most of us were waiting for. A “real” watch with smart features that looks good, feels great and is fairly priced.

The Fossil Q Collection is available in India at Ethos Watch Boutiques.

Do you like the Q? Let us know in the comments section below!

Leave a comment:

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *