FOSSIL, the Texas-based timepiece brand, has introduced a follow-up to its smartwatch line called the third-generation Fossil Q.

Much like the second generation, Fossil has opted to provide a full display smartwatch and a more traditional hybrid to cater to the varying needs of the small, albeit growing market of smartwatch enthusiasts.

The proportion of the smartwatch business is small — around 2% — considering the thousands of traditional watches that Fossil has always carried, noted Judith Staples, head of marketing, fashion and sports division of the Luxent Group of Companies (the official Philippine distributor of Fossil) to BusinessWorld during the launch on Feb. 21 at the Alter Ego Restaurant in Quezon City.

Despite the small percentage, she said: “we have to face the fact that the market is evolving. It’s probably the reason why watchmakers invest in smartwatches, because they have to go with what the market wants.”

And so, the third generation Fossil Q smartwatches come with a slew of new features including a full-round touchscreen display for the Q Venture (11.5-mm case) and Q Explorist (12.5-mm case) line.

The full-display line also includes a high-res AMOLED display and the digital face can be customized with “over 30 exclusive Fossil Q watch faces” and information shown on the watch. It also has a Qualcomm Snapdragon 2100 processor and 4-GB memory as well as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity.

Interchangeable straps, a wireless magnetic charger, and integration to fitness apps like Google Fit among others, and a vintage arcade game also comes with the device.

The display watches retail from P13,910 to P15,000.

Fossil Q 2
Fossil’s Hybrid Smatwatch — Q in Alyx brown leather

ANALOG-LOOK OPTION
On the other hand, Fossil also offers an option for those who want a traditional analog face with smartwatch capabilities — the hybrid series.

Though it comes without a digital display, the hybrid watches inform the user of notifications via vibrations. It also keeps up with the user’s activities via the dedicated Fossil Q app. The three buttons can also be customized to fit the wearer’s preferred use — it can be programmed to control music, among others.

“From the way we analyze our local market, the younger people are more attracted to the display — they want the colors, they want all these different applications. For the more conservative people but [who consider themselves] techie, what’s important for them are the notifications,” Ms. Staples noted before adding that one of the draws of the hybrid watches is that it requires no charging and the battery can last for three to six months. It uses a normal watch battery.

Being smartwatches, the hybrids are dust and spill resistant but not waterproof.

The hybrid smartwatches retail for P9,150 and P10,300.

With a slew of wearable options currently in the market, Ms. Staples said that what Fossil prioritizes is fashion, with tech playing second fiddle.

“Our foundation is really fashion: if you look at other brands of smartwatches, they tend to be fashionable in terms of colors of the straps and case, but not as fashionable as you’ll see here,” she said, referring to Fossil’s versions. — Zsarlene B. Chua

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