Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Samsung’s Gear S2 smartwatch now comes plated with fancy 18K rose gold and platinum for folks who think a gadget would capture their love interest’s heart.
The two new versions of the well-received wearable gadget will each cost S$698 in Singapore. They are out in stores tomorrow.
If you feel like splurging – or are pretty rich – there’s also a separate S$368 “handcrafted” alligator strap that could complete the look of an expensive, elegant automatic watch. Except, of course, this isn’t an automatic watch.
Alternatively, you could also swap out the regular leather strap with a stainless steel strap, available in rose gold or silver colour. This costs you an additional S$88.
Either way, you could bump up the cost significantly for a watch that sells for S$448 for a basic version with a Swatch-like silicone strap.
To be sure, Samsung isn’t the first to make luxury versions of its smartwatches. Apple has a version with 18K gold as well. Huawei too has rolled out similar options for its smartwatch line, mimicking the watch faces and materials used in traditional Swiss timepieces.
Samsung’s two new Gear S2 smartwatches certainly look the part when it comes to sporting luxury materials. However, like how fleeting love can be, these smartwatches are often the fashion of the times, rather than the keepsakes that mechanical watches have become.
Or will the heftier price tag convince users otherwise? They certainly will hope a Valentine’s Day gift will stay around someone’s wrist longer than a few months, as the fancy for gadgets tends to fade.
Of course, the smartwatches can do what traditional watches can’t, like change their faces all the time. Plus, they help track your fitness and even play music, besides tell time (read our Gear S2 review).
What do you think of a smartwatch as a Valentine’s Day gift?
The gear s2 has faulty straps that break and Samsung’s customer service is as usual poor. They would neither acknowledge nor replace it. There are other problems with the Tizen Os powered Gear S2 too. Better buy an Android OS watch.