Ask a regular Joe in the 1980s what watches would look like in the 2020s, and he might have imagined the smartwatch: a gizmo with a touch screen that could read your heart rate and send messages to friends across the country at the same time.
We live in that tech-enabled future today. And yet, we still yearn for the old stuff, as humans sometimes do. This is why the “hybrid smartwatch” — a still-being-defined type of timepiece that combines smart tech with old-school wristwatch looks — might be a sweet spot. And the options available today prove that this type of watch likely isn’t going anywhere in the near future.
CourtesySkagen Jorn
Skagen’s made its mark on the affordable quartz watches segment by keeping things simple. The Jorn has a steel case that’s a little thicker than the brand’s usual — but Skagen keeps the dial relatively minimalist, with a trio of subdials that mimic the layout of, say, a traditional chronograph, but each fulfilling different functions including sleep and fitness tracking.
Diameter: 42mm
Functions: Activity tracking, music control, GPS, heart rate tracking, notifications, sleep tracking
Battery Life: 2+ weeks based on use
FossilFossil Hybrid Smartwatch Machine Smoke
The Fossil Hybrid Smartwatch tracks your activity, sleep and buzzes notifications from your phone, and the customizable pushers let you control your music or check the date. The battery lasts for up to six months, and best of all, it’s a damn sharp-looking watch for under $200.
