A smartwatch is an excellent utility tool for tracking your health and fitness while staying connected. However, many smartwatches have a “techy” design that looks and feels out of place with dressier looks.
A few designer brands have caught on, creating fashionable yet functional smartwatches that blend utility with style. That means you can wear a smartwatch that looks sophisticated enough for formal attire while doing a lot under the hood, including phone connectivity and health tracking.
Top 5 Key Considerations
Build Quality
Designer smartwatches are not cheap — they cost significantly more than standard smartwatches. The primary reason is their build quality, as most designer smartwatches are made with high-grade materials that deliver a premium look and feel. They’re essentially just the same as standard designer wristwatches, but with smart functionality.
Designer smartwatches use a variety of materials to achieve that graceful, fashionable look. Although all of them are durable, certain materials are more expensive than others, so it’s up to you to choose a smartwatch that you find visually appealing.
Generally, there are five materials that designer brands use for smartwatches:
- Stainless Steel: Highly durable yet affordable.
- Aluminum: Lightweight yet durable and scratch-resistant.
- Titanium: More durable and lightweight than steel, but more expensive.
- Ceramic: Premium look and highly scratch-resistant, commonly found in many women’s models.
- Gold/Platinum: The most expensive designer smartwatches use precious metals as their foundation. However, these are rare because of their weight and cost.
Although the case material is the most significant determinant of build quality for a designer smartwatch, you’ll also want to consider the display and strap materials.
Most high-end designer smartwatches use sapphire crystal or strengthened glass for the screen, both of which are highly scratch-resistant. Many come with steel mesh or link bands, but other common strap materials include leather and silicone.
Display Quality
Although LCDs are common with entry-level smartwatches, most designer brands use high-end AMOLED or OLED displays that deliver deep blacks and superior color punch.
Screen resolution, measured in pixels per inch (ppi), is also essential as the higher it is, the easier it’ll be to read data. Also, you’ll want to ensure the screen has high brightness so that you can see clearly even under super-bright conditions.
Battery Life
While you may not use your designer smartwatch the same way you use a regular smartwatch, it’s still crucial to consider battery life and performance. Generally, most designer smartwatches offer battery life in the 1-2-day range.
If you plan to use your smartwatch a lot, it’s a good idea to look for a model with fast charging. Many smartwatches take 1-2 hours to charge fully, but some support quick charging, which can provide up to 80% of battery life in just 10-15 minutes.
Water Resistance
Although designer smartwatches aren’t really meant for use around water, many models are water-resistant enough to resist light splashing and exposure to rain or sweat. Some premium models are suitable for swimming and can withstand full submersion for several meters for a short period.
There are many water-resistant indicators, but here’s a brief breakdown of the four most common ratings you’ll find with designer smartwatches.
- 3 ATM / 30m: Splash/rain resistant, but not suitable for swimming.
- 5 ATM / 50m: Safe for showers and light pool/ocean exposure.
- 10 ATM / 100m: Suitable for swimming and pool/ocean exposure.
- 20 ATM / 200m+: Suitable for diving and professional water sports.
Health & Fitness
You’re buying a designer smartwatch because you want something to complement your best formal outfits. However, don’t overlook the utility aspects of a smartwatch either. Whether you’re trying to achieve a personal fitness goal or just want an idea of your overall health profile, designer smartwatches have sensors that can track a wide range of data.
At the bare minimum, a smartwatch can track calories burned, distance, pace, and heart rate during activities. Many designer models can track blood oxygen, skin temperature, and stress levels, and can detect irregular heart rhythms with an ECG.
If you’re really into fitness and don’t mind wearing a designer smartwatch while exercising, you’ll want a model that offers preset modes for swimming, resistance training, jogging, yoga or whatever else you’re into.
User Preferences
Design & Style
Designer smartwatches look a lot like regular luxury wristwatches, meaning they have a clean, refined look. They typically have round, thick cases with a bezel and crown, but some designer watches have a more sporty or classic look, making them more versatile and suitable for exercise. Generally, designer smartwatches have smooth curvature and balanced proportions, giving them a premium look and feel.
You’ll also want to consider the color palette, as some colors tend to stand out more. Some of the most popular case colors include silver, black, rose gold, gold and ceramic white. Additionally, a polished finish will give your smartwatch a sophisticated look that’s sure to catch the eyes of those around you.
Compatibility
Are you an iPhone or Android user? That’s an important question to ask yourself before buying a designer watch, as you’ll need to ensure it works with your smartphone. Most designed smartwatches are compatible with both iOS and Android, but it’s worth noting that some models may be optimized for one operating system over the other.
Brand & Status
If you’re going to spend big on a designer watch, then you’ll want to wear a brand that reflects your unique personality. The most popular designer smartwatch brands include Montblanc, TAG Heuer, and Louis Vuitton, each offering a handful of high-end models that are both fashionable and functional.
Top Designer Smartwatches
TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E5
The TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E5 combines Swiss craftsmanship with digital innovation to deliver a smartwatch that’s as functional as it is stylish. Every detail is optimized for comfort, elegance and performance, making this the ultimate smartwatch for fashion enthusiasts.
It features faceted lugs, integrated metal straps, and sensors for readings on heart rate, temperature, and more. You can customize the display screen with personalized smart widgets for weather, activity tracking, and sports, and simplified navigation allows you to answer and manage calls or access voice assistants directly from the smartwatch.
With wellness, heart rate, and sleep tracking, the TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E5 is the top option for those who want health insights while staying fahsionable. The battery lasts up to 3 days, and you can choose from 40mm and 45mm case sizes. Plus, you can customize your fit with rubber, leather, and self-fastening textile straps.
Montblanc Summit 3 Smartwatch
The Montblanc Summit 3 boasts a classic luxury watch design but offers full smartwatch functionality. It draws on the brand’s Swiss craftsmanship and uses premium materials to create an elegant look that complements all your formal attire.
The titanium case features steel accents for a refined look, and the 1.28-inch full-circle AMOLED display is protected by sapphire crystal for superior scratch resistance. The rotating crown and two customizable pushers make the interface easy to navigate, and the sensors help you stay on top of your health and fitness goals. You’ll get access to heart-rate monitoring, barometer, accelerometer, gyroscope, and ambient light detection.
Montblanc offers both leather and rubber strap options, making it versatile enough for formal, casual or office wear. With a luxurious look and high-grade craftsmanship, the Montblanc 3 is a no-brainer for those who want a stylish yet practical smartwatch offering the best of both worlds.
Louis Vuitton Tambour Horizon Light Up Connected Watch
The Louis Vuitton Tambour Horizon Light Up Connected Watch is the ultimate designer smartwatch for those who want to show off a brand that exudes elegance. It features an ultra-sleek silhouette with a convex case profile, delivering a stunning look that pairs well with various business or formal attire.
This smartwatch features multiple built-in watch faces and an LED ring that can be customized with 11 gradients for a dazzling look. The proprietary operating system is intuitive, thanks to its swipe-and-push buttons that make it easy to navigate menus and access your favorite apps.
Although it’s a highly fashionable smartwatch, it doesn’t lag when it comes to high-end features to help you stay connected and track health. Customers appreciate its ultra-high-quality design and versatility, which make it suitable for a wide range of occasions




















