SMART WATCHES
Much has changed in this sector since
the fi rst Android Wear watches were
launched almost four years ago, followed
by the original Apple Watch in 2015. It’s
clearly an area that’s now poised on the
edge of explosive growth. While early
models had limited capability, and oft en
had a dubious level of waterproofi ng,
the latest devices off er signifi cantly
improved performance, water resistance
and a much larger range of apps.
Th e latter is particularly true
for the Apple Watch, where many
of the most popular iOS apps
aimed at racing now also have a
dedicated version for the watch.
At the same time, other companies
have jumped into this space to provide
race data on your wrist. Th e most
notable of these is Osprey Technical’s
new Watch Leader app that’s currently
in beta testing. It enables an iOS device,
including an Apple Watch, to interface
with B&G systems so that instrument
data can be displayed on the watch.
We’re also now seeing a proliferation
of models, with fashion brands stepping
into the market in a big way. For
instance, Apple has partnered with
Nike to create a sports version, and
with Hermes for a high-fashion watch.
Th is trend is even more apparent with
Android, where in addition to functional
watches in the £200-300 range from
manufacturers such as LG, Moto and
Huawei, exclusive brands such as TAG
Heuer and Louis Vuitton have models
priced at several thousand pounds.
GARMIN QUATIX 5
Garmin’s size and strength in
popular sports, and its long-running
Forerunner series of GPS watches,
give the company an advantage that
other marine manufacturers envy –
suffi cient volume to be able to produce
a smartwatch at a viable price point.
It’s a good alternative to an Apple or
Android device for anyone who’s serious
about racing. Granted you don’t have
as many third party apps, but there are
still more than 1,200 to choose from,
and the sailing features – including
race functions – are impressively easy
to access. In addition, the device will
communicate with the boat’s instrument
data via a Garmin MFD and can be
used to control a Garmin autopilot.
Th e Quatix is now in its third
generation (although the current model
is the Quatix 5, there was no Quatix 2 or
4), and is based on the company’s Fenix 5
sports watch. Th e homepage and menus
Gill’s WO12 Regatta Master,
insteel-grey, has been updatedThe Apple Watch interfaces
with yachting instrumentationOptimum Time’s OS Series
14R is geared to starts, with
a clear three-line screenOptimum Time’s OS 16318R has
19mm digits for the last 59 secondsGarmin’s Quatix is a highly
accurate marine smart watchAndroid Wear Tag Heuer
watch, for sailorsMarch 2018 Yachts & Yachting 81