Dig this fossil

So a decent smartwatch purchase is on hold for now? Enter the Fossil Hybrid HR with the biggest win of our times - iPhone compatibility

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■ Here’s a sleek, traditional-looking timepiece that skips on Google’s Wear OS and goes with Fossil’s own proprietary OS. One look and you’d probably think it’s a traditional steel timepiece – with a chunky bezel, metal body, the three pusher buttons on the right – that is, till you pay attention to the subtle detail. Behind the watch hands lie widgets for notifications, fitness data, weather, date, etc. that you can customise as per your liking once you start using it.

■ The ‘Hybrid’ tag limits the functionality on the very onset, but there are more than a few things that make it a VFM buy and a good option for a daily wear watch. It’s got your main bases covered – smartphone notifications, music playback, customisable watch faces, fitness tracking, and the newest addition, a heart rate (HR) monitor.

■ The independent Fossil app lets you break away from the limitations synonymous with Wear OS and the break opens up a new territory for Fossil. The app allows notifications from over 30 apps, but that’s up to you if you’d like your wrist to be buzzing at all times. Screen customisations, fitness record, battery life display, and managing your Fossil account is well displayed and problem-free.