A new Hybrid HR FTW7019 and updated review
/Love them or hate them, smartwatches are here to stay. I’ve typically shied away from posting about them too much because we all love traditional watches, but these hybrid watches from Fossil really do press all the buttons as of late. I’ve enjoyed quite a few of the Q series from years past and now I’m on my second in the Hybrid HR series: moral of the story they look like traditional watches, but have smart features without looking like a tablet on your wrist!
Last year I reviewed a Hybrid HR Collider FTW008 when they first launched. My immediate attraction to the HR series was the battery life plain and simple. Features were lacking at the time as I highlighted in the very thorough review, but I was assured that improvements were coming from our friends at Fossil. Fast forward a year later and Fossil really has kept the updates coming and the few complaints I had with the earlier software has been solved. Even today as I write up this article I noticed a new iOS version has launched with a face gallery and some new updates to the watch in 4.6.0!
https://www.fossil.smartwatchstations.com/releases/4.6.0?locale=en
At the time of my initial review my biggest complaints were not being able to change the face with a custom picture (FIXED), the fitness tracking for cycling (FIXED), not all the apps I use were supported (FIXED). The one complaint I didn’t include in the review was the look of the watch, while it does look like a traditional watch it wasn’t in the style that I normally wear……I don’t have to say it, but I will anyways – I’m a fan of military/aviation style watches!
Let’s introduce Latitude, a new series from Fossil that mysteriously appeared on their website and then disappeared and then reappeared with some traditional & hybrid HR models not that long ago. I saw the FTW7019 and right away thought its time for an upgrade to my Collider. Merry Christmas to me (in November).
Right away you can see the styling differences between the 2. The Collider is 42mm and the Latitude is 50mm! Collider really looks small next to its cousin. You will notice the similarities in the interface however, that hasn’t changed with these new models as both of them were running the same firmware.
Earlier in November amidst all the sales & emails, Fossil unleashed a plethora of new models in the HR line. While the technology and interface changes with every update and it’s the same across the devices, the main point in my review is the upgrade in available styles including some for the ladies. Mrs. Fossil Underground Collectors Club is already eyeing a few of the ladies models for Christmas 2020.
I’m looking forward to exploring the updates more in the coming weeks and really looking forward to sporting the latest HR Hybrid with a design that I really enjoy. I even joined a dedicated Facebook group for HR Hybrid owners and learned a few tips and tricks and have gotten some fun background images.
For now enjoy this picture of my new favorite hybrid watch playing my favorite song of all time!
I always wondered if in Australia they sing “I Bless the Rains UP in Africa”