Q&Q SmileSolar Brings Citizen’s Eco-Drive Tech In A Youthful, Affordable Timepiece

  Take the technology behind Citizen's Eco-Drive watches, cram it inside a hip and colorful case reminiscent of Swatch watches from way back, and slap it with an affordable pricetag.  What you get is the Q&Q SmileSolar, a maintenance-free timepiece that never needs winding or a fresh change of batteries.

  Sure, it brings none of the sophistication of full-fledged Eco-Drive timepieces with their satellite signal reception and premium construction.  It does get the same solar-charging abilty, though, able to replenish its power stores from both natural and ambient lighting sources.

  The Q&Q SmileSolar uses ABS resin for the case and polyurethane resin for the strap (all partly-recycled), so this is no classy timepiece for pairing with your dapper threads.  They do have models that eschew the extra-bright color scheme (like an all-black one), however, so it might still work if you needed a watch and couldn't find the Omega JFK Watch that you wear to make you feel stately and dignified.  Watch details include a 40 x 12.5 mm case, water resistance up to 50 meters, and Miyota Cal.2085 movement.

  Do note, you'll have to give the watch an initial charging during first use (just leaving it by the window while the sun is up should be enough).  After that, it will pretty much just keep ticking unless you end up trapped in a cave with zero light for 120 days (it can run up to 3.5 months on a full charge with no light exposure), at which point, a non-functional watch is probably the least of your problems.

  Available now, the Q&Q SmileSolar retails for $40.

May 29, 2014 Read More +

Art Edition Makes The Split Screen Binary Watch Look Cool

    Split Screen watches from 01 THEONE (formerly Binary Watch) have never appealed that much to me (or anyone I know, for that matter).  There's just something lame about these edge-paneled models that don't afford them the same wearability as the rest of their line (regardless of how geeky you consider yourself).  The new Art Edition Split Screen fashion watches, however, turns the appeal of these timepieces a full 180 degrees.

    While the Split Screen isn't necessarily a bad-looking watch, the odd slab of empty metal in the middle is just plain unsightly.   In the Art Edition, that blank stainless steel center panel is wisely put to good use, employed as the main canvas for the catchy Romero Britto-inspired designs that set the watches apart.

    Like the rest of the company's creations, this special run uses a binary time-telling system using colored LED lights. Each piece sports one color scheme (blue, red or yellow), with an iconic face drawn onto the middle plate.  The interplay of colors, coupled with the LEDs and the strap, oddly enough, just works, turning each timepiece into an eye-catching accessory.  Other than the art, the rest of the frame remains relatively the same, splitting the time with the hour on the left and the minutes on the right (with an option to display the date at the touch of a button).

    There are three models in the Art Edition (pictured above), with each one limited to a run of 600 pieces.  I wish they had geekier pop designs since Binaries are, well, geeky watches. Maybe next time.  They're available right now for $279 a piece.

May 22, 2013 Read More +

Cookoo Watches

     Stay connected with your social life without even touching your phone with the Cookoo Watches. These stylish analogue Watches connect via either Bluetooth smart or Bluetooth 4.0 to your iPhone or iPad keeping you updated with your phone.

     The Cookoo Watch will alert you whenever you get an incoming call, missed call, email, SMS, calendar reminders, alarms, low battery and even alerts you when you leave your phone behind! And if all that wasn’t enough, this watch will also sync with Facebook to receive notifications and other features such as checking in.

     Still want more? Ok, how about the ability to take pictures and control your music? Plus this is only the beginning as the API will soon be released to the public allowing anyone with developer skills to utilise the watch anyway they want. Impressive.  

       With most smart watches, poor battery life can be an issue but not with the Cookoo Watch. Powered by a CR2032 button cell battery it will still be on your wrist while its competitors will be on charge; plus, when the battery finally dies, it is easily replaced without visiting the watch makers.

       Stay connected anytime, anywhere with the Cookoo Watch (£109.95) – the wearable extension of your smartphone that helps manage your social networks, apps and phone. Amazing...!!!

Product Features:

• Smart Watch syncs with your phone
• Keeps you updated with Facebook, calls and email
• Alerts you when you leave your phone behind
• Tells you when an alarm/calendar event is set
• One button camera trigger
• One button Facebook check in
• Outlives other Smart Watches battery life, last for about a year - no charging needed!
• API soon to be opened to the public – utilise watch however you like
• Can locate the Watch using the app on your device
• Japanese analogue movement
• Digital for connected display

May 15, 2013 Read More +