When it comes to wearables and health tracking, Withings isn’t necessarily the first name you would think of. However, the company is no stranger to health technology; in fact, they were once known as Nokia Health. They aren’t actually a brand new company and have a legacy in making clinically approved health technologies having launched their first smartwatch, the Withings Activite in 2014. This time around, Withings is flexing their prowess in making good looking, accurate and functional health technologies with their latest smartwatch the Withings ScanWatch Horizon.
Sophisticated Design with More than Meets the Eye
You wouldn’t know the watch was a smart watch if you saw it out in the wild. It’s a chic, well crafted piece of jewellery that looks nothing like a typical smartwatch. In fact, the watch looks like your regular luxury timepiece. At a glance, it could be mistaken for a diver watch from one of the larger luxury watch brands. It comes with a stainless steel rotating bezel with laser engraved markings; the analogue face design comes emblazoned with Luminova watch hands while the sapphire-glass casing adds the last touches for a luxurious feel.
However, when you take a closer look, you will see the technology that Withings has baked into the watch. The Withings ScanWatch Horizon is equipped with some of the latest health monitoring technology available in the market. It comes with with a multi-wavelength photoplethysmogram (PPG). This sensor allows it to detect heart rate and blood oxygenation (SpO2) using specific wavelengths of light. The ScanWatch Horizon is also equipped with three electrodes which allow it to take on demand electrocardiograms (ECGs/EKGs). Of course, it is also able to detect sleep and exercise activities as well.
Pushing the Horizon of Health Tracking
The Horizon does have an edge when it comes to monitoring though. The smartwatch is able to detect anomalies in heart rhythm – known as AFib or Atrial Fibrillation. This anomaly can be a sign of other more severe conditions and is often left undiagnosed. This is accomplished through proactive heart rate monitoring. The ScanWatch Horizon is able to monitor the heart rate of the user via its embedded PPG. If it detects an anomalous reading, it will prompt the user to do an ECG.
In addition to heart monitoring, the ScanWatch Horizon is also able to detect sleep disturbances – a common warning sign of sleep apnoea. Using an exclusive algorithm, the ScanWatch is able to use data from its embedded accelerometer and optical sensors to determine sleep disturbances. It will use blood oxygen levels, heart rate, movement and breathing frequency data as parameters in determining sleep disturbances. It can also monitor and analyse sleep patterns as well as wake its user up during the best time of their sleep cycle.
The ScanWatch also does what all smartwatches do. It is able to recognise 30 exercises automatically and also track steps, calories, elevation and workout routes. Workout routes and elevation are detected through the GPS on the user’s phone. However, it does take things a step further by estimating VO2 Max. This reading is an indication of the efficiency in which the body is able to utilize oxygen during exercise.
Like many other smartwatches, the ScanWatch Horizon doesn’t work alone. It pairs with the Withings Health Mate app where users are able to get insights and analyses of the data that is being collected. It also allows users to schedule activity reminders, set goals and manage achievements. The Health Mate app also plays nice with other health apps in the market. It is compatible with over 100 third-party applications including Apple Health, Google Fit, Strava and MyFitnessPal.
Pricing & Availability
The Withings ScanWatch Horizon is available starting from September 29, 2021. It is priced at €499.95 (MYR2,426.78) or £499.95 (MYR2,816.39).
It is available in Blue or Green with 43mm watch face. The ScanWatch comes with a 5 year guarantee. Users will have a stainless steel wristband and an FKM Strap in the box when purchasing a Withings ScanWatch Horizon.