The smarter the better - The top techy watches

First published: 04-05-2016

Ratchet & Clank is set for a huge cinema release this spring.

Inspired by the well-loved series of science fiction video games, Ratchet & Clank is the origin story - telling the tale of how Ratchet (a Lombax mechanic) and Clank (a sentient Zoni robot) meet and become a force to be reckoned with in the Solana Galaxy.

The science fiction setting makes this film a gadget-lover's delight, and to celebrate the wonder of all things techy, we've picked out some of the best gadget watches: smart watches, touch screens and even solar-powered.

Technology heavy

These watches are for the tech-savvy, who have high expectations from their smart watch.



Pebble Time is a playful smart watch that provides a multitude of features at your fingertips.

The timeline interface lets you look at the present, your past achievements and your future plans with ease. You'll find notifications, calendar events, breaking news, weather updates, app alerts and more - all shown on the colourful display screen.

The battery can keep going for up to seven days, letting the wearer live life unplugged. Pebble Health is built-in: an app that records your daily activity, including steps, distance and sleep. As well as ticking all the techy boxes, this watch scores highly in the style stakes - we love it in bold red with a hint of grey.



Garmin is dedicated to creating products that become an integral part of people's lives - and for those into health and fitness, the Garmin Vivoactive is exactly that: an essential gadget.

This watch is like a mini mobile phone on your wrist. You can receive texts, emails, calls and social media alerts through gentle vibrations. So, while tracking their health, wearers can also keep track of all the other aspects of their life

Whether you swim, cycle, play golf or run, the Garmin Vivowatch monitors your activity, helping you train and improve. It's ultra-thin and lightweight, making it perfect for everyday wear.



The Sony Smartwatch 3 works either as a standalone gadget, or as a companion to your Android phone or tablet.

With a stainless steel body and a hardened glass surface, it combines sleek design with resilience, and it's water resistant too. Once you buy the core unit, you can purchase different straps: either in leather or stainless steel, and ranging in colour from understated black to energetic yellow. This lets you shape your style to how you feel that day.

Gadget-wise, it's a long list: GPS, compass, accelerometer and a gyroscope (precise calculation of your movements and direction), to name but a few. There's also a ton of information available - at a touch of your finger, or through voice commands, you can search the internet, check the weather or set reminders.

For the stylish

Having a gadget watch doesn't mean compromising on style, especially if you choose one of these luxury numbers.



Huawei has gone down the glamorous smart watch route with the Huawei W1.

Classic design meets smart technology, creating a functional timepiece that doesn't compromise on style. The high resolution screen moves from the watch face design you'd expect to displaying statistics about your workout or showing notifications from a number of apps.

The fast charge capability means that within 45 minutes, the watch is recharged to 80%. That means you don't have to stop for long - ideal for people wanting to use it for fitness. The Huawei W1 also has a built-in heart rate sensor, barometer, gyroscope and accelerometer.



This GUESS Connect Smartwatch doesn't look like your average smart watch, but it's fit to burst with useful gadgets.

From your wrist, you can control your music and your camera, and receive notifications from a host of applications. Compatible with both iOS and Android, the GUESS Connect includes call and voice commands.

It's a designer smart watch: wearable technology with a fashion focus. The black smooth silicone strap and polished gold case give this timepiece a sophisticated, standout look.

For the proud geek

These watches feature an extra little something beyond your average gadget watch.



This stunning ladies' Tissot T-touch Solar watch combines Tissot T-touch technology with elegant good looks. Made from stainless steel, it is fitted with a silver metal bracelet and a mother of pearl dial.

Its unique selling point? It's the first solar-powered tactile watch.

On top of that, it boasts the touch-activated functions of the entire Tissot T-touch range, for both men and women. By tapping near the labels around the bezel, you can access a compass, a chronometer, a timer, altimeter, meteo and air pressure readings. The perfect watch for someone looking for an understated gadget timepiece.



Martian approaches smart-watch technology differently - they take classic functionality and design, and make it work harder.

The result is an aesthetically pleasing watch with surprising built-in technology. The Martian Electra receives smart notifications from your favourite phone apps, making it easy to stay on top of work and personal commitments.

The watch responds to voice commands, allowing you to control your music, make a call through the speaker phone or even take a photo with the camera remote trigger.

Potentially the most useful feature? Find your phone. With a tap of your finger, you can ring your phone and seek it out no problem.



Swatch's SISTEM51 is a piece of technology fit for real gadget junkies.

All watches in the SISTEM51 range operate without batteries - they're powered by the person who wears it. Every movement of the wrist sets the rotor in motion, winding the watch, so it's basically ‘self-winding'. Even if you don't wear it for a while, the battery will last for 90 hours: it's a smart watch in a different sense of the word!

The SISTEM51 range is very impressive: you can take your pick from a vast range of colours including blue and fuschia, plain black and multicoloured. Every watch is unisex, and our pick of the bunch is this white model with colourful detail on the dial - we love the vibrant, astronomy theme.

Watches don't just tell the time: these days they can make calls, track your fitness and even find your phone.

Whatever you want from your watch, you can find a timepiece that not only has the technology you want, but the look and feel too. So take inspiration from Ratchet & Clank and embrace the use of gadgets in your everyday life.