Garmin Enters The Luxury Smartwatch Business with Fenix Chronos

Another name to add to the growing number of high-end, high-teach wearables, the Fenix Chronos marks Garmin’s attempt to throw yet another luxury hat into the ring.

Fenix Chronos Review

With a titanium body and band, the Garmin Fenix Chronos is a lightweight and durable multisport GPS watch with a heart-rate sensor and sapphire crystal display. Typical of recent upgrades to fitness bands and smartwatches alike, the Chronos can track a number of activities, ranging from swimming to golf, all the while monitoring steps taken, calories burned, and sleep successfully cycled. Combined with a barometer, compass, and waterproofing up to 328 feet, it’s a watch that combines the luxury and design of past analog timepieces with contemporary convenience at the tap of a wrist. Like an analog-watch, the display is always on, and is readable in sunlight.

Not without it’s quirks, the Chronos relies solely on Bluetooth, having no Wi-Fi antenna, and its smaller battery means reduced time between charges (only 13 hours when using the GPS; 25 hours is possible with the special UltraTrac mode, which disable the heart-rate sensor). Those cons can quickly be forgotten when looking at the aesthetics and packaging of the device, which comes in a premium wood box to complement its sleek metal form. It also pairs nicely with clothing in both formal and casual settings.

With a price tag of $1,500, $900 with a leather strap, this is a wearable designed for those who want to check the time, and their activity-levels, in style.