- To start your ECG recording, you need to cover the screen with your other hand for about 30 seconds, then the watch will vibrate and send a notification on the companion app on your smartphone to check the readings.
- The screen is not shocking, and the main focus is always on the time and the dial when someone looks at it.
- You will encounter moments in your life where you have to dress up for a client meeting, dinner party or a simple date, and that’s what you realize that the usual smartwatch just happens to feel out of place.
You will encounter moments in your life where you have to dress up for a client meeting, dinner party or a simple date, and that’s what you realize that the usual smartwatch just happens to feel out of place. Sports bands, bright screens and chunky frames tend to clash with anything out of reach. This is where Withings Scanwatch Nova finds its strengths.
At first glance, it looks like a classic analog watch built from high-end materials. However, underneath the polished look is a complete set of health features including ECG, SPO2 monitoring, sleep tracking, and more. It’s a hybrid smartwatch that combines the best of both worlds without skipping the essentials.
After four weeks of wearing it every day, Withings Scanwatch Nova fits into a world of wearables and is dominated by gadgets with screens. Spoiler alert, we love it!
Build and design
Scanwatch Nova effortlessly attracted the simulated observation crowd. Its 42mm stainless steel case fits comfortably on the wrist, and the curved sapphire glass adds a premium touch that you won’t get on a smartwatch. The rotating dial has a chamfered surface that gives a royal feel, similar to a Rolex. It also feels a bit heavy on the wrist compared to the smartwatch, but in hindsight, it’s more like jewellery.
The small grayscale OLED display on the top is small but functional. It displays health metrics, notifications and time-based data. You need to use the rotary dial to navigate between menus and experience it super smoothly. The screen is not shocking, and the main focus is always on the time and the dial when someone looks at it.
The back of the watch features four fitness and activity tracking sensors, surrounded by steel sleeves. The overall design language of Scanwatch Nova makes it feel like something straightforward to Switzerland.
Health tracking
Withings is known for its clinical approach to health tracking, and the legacy is conducted by Nova. Instead of packing 1000 sports modes, the watch is perfectly basics.
The one that starts with the most unique function is the electrocardiogram, namely ECG. It is FDA approved and it highlights its reliability and accuracy. To start your ECG recording, you need to cover the screen with your other hand for about 30 seconds, then the watch will vibrate and send a notification on the companion app on your smartphone to check the readings. This is very helpful for detecting irregular heartbeats, AFIB, or other signs of cardiovascular problems.
To monitor SPO2 or blood oxygen levels, you need to cover the screen with your hands again. This is a small drawback because you can’t do 24/7 tracking. However, when we compared the results of the watch with the actual oxygen meter, we found that the results were 99% accurate. The accuracy is much better than the standard fitness bands most people use.
The watch supports continuous tracking of background center rate and body temperature. You can view these metrics in the HealthMate app. We compared the watch’s data to the Apple Watch Ultra, and the numbers are nearly the same. First, it’s not surprising given Withings’ reputation. But for those who like classic watches but need accurate metrics for health tracking, scanning Nova is exactly what people ask for.
When you fall asleep, the sleep tracking function will automatically start. It tracks your cycle and measures light, depth and duration of REM sleep. The app also displays sleep quality scores based on recorded data. Other basic features include step tracking, walking detection, exercise monitoring, average heart rate metrics and other small details.
The watch does not have a GP, but it can use the location of the phone to draw your running and walking activities. However, this requires your watch to be paired with your smartphone. If you are someone who does not bring your phone to run in the morning, you will not be able to track your route on the map. But again, this is not a watch you would wear to the gym or the ground. It is combined with formal clothing and is more suitable for office and professional purposes while retaining fitness features.
This data can only be accessed from smartphone apps and you cannot view it directly on your watch. This can be annoying for some, while others may like it. On the one hand, this setup makes things simple and classic, avoiding unnecessary screen interactions on the analog watch. On the other hand, it adds friction to check everything on your phone compared to a quick browsing wrist.
To sum up, the accuracy of scanning to observe the data recorded by Nova is impressive and comparable to other high-end smartwatches and fitness bands. It’s perfect for those who want to have a healthy body without having to use a watch with a gorgeous touch screen.
HealthMate Companion Application
The HealthMate app is available on iOS and Android platforms. It has a beautiful and easy to boot interface where all tracking data is displayed on the dashboard. It shows your step count, average heart rate, SPO2 tracking, average walking distance, sleep data, and more.
You can get a graph view for each metric. The app offers many options to compare your daily numbers with previous records. The watch can also sync with Apple Health, Google Health Connect and Google Fit apps if you like.
Withings also offers a paid subscription where you can analyze your data and provide personalized fitness training advice. These include options based on your actions, AI-driven insights, and even the choice to talk to a certified doctor. Paid plans start at $9.95 per month. These are not mandatory and you can continue to access recorded data for free.
Battery life
Scan to observe that the battery on the Nova lasted 20 days on a single charge. Since the watch doesn’t have a large screen, the numbers are no surprise. It supports proprietary magnetic charging.
If you drain the battery of the watch, the analog time will also stop running. But please rest assured, because this is an extreme step. When the watch is low, it will enter reserve mode, which disables all smart features and only keeps the time function active. However, if you push it to zero, the watch will become a bracelet.
On-screen, the Scanwatch Nova is also disappointing, considering that many fitness bands, Amazfit and Garmin watches offer up to 30 days of battery life. It is better to charge every two weeks than to charge every day, but it may be better.
Withings Scanwatch Nova: Verdict
Withings Scanwatch Nova is a unique product. India is 49,999 rupees and $549 in the US, it does not compete with high-end smartwatches like the Apple Watch Ultra, Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra or Garmin Forerunner Series. Its role is to bring the precise fitness tracking capabilities of these watches in classic simulation designs.
You cannot reply to notifications, use voice commands, or use your watch as an extension to your smartphone. This is not its design. The Scanwatch Nova is made for people whose lifestyle or personal preferences and screens are not suitable for smartwatches. Fitness tracking metrics, ECG, continuous heart rate monitoring, and recording the quality of your daily walks make the watch an excellent fitness companion. This is a hybrid watch that is perfect for its purpose and worth every penny.
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