[VIDEO] Hands-On: the Sequent Supercharger and Elektron Smartwatches

Sequent is a Swiss smartwatch brand on a mission. What’s that mission? Well, simply put, it’s to make a smartwatch that watch fans will actually like. No, it doesn’t say that on their website, but after spending some time with two of their models, the Supercharger and the Elektron, that’s the conclusion I’ve come to. You see, these aren’t your typical digital smartwatches, which, let’s face it, unless they come from one of a couple of brands, no one is wearing. Rather, these are analog smartwatches that pair with an app to add some, but not too many, smart features to an otherwise fairly traditional design. To make things even better, they’re automatic, in a manner of speaking.

The two watches I tried both feature Sequent’s “in-house” movement, which charges via motion. Through the case back, you’ll clearly see a rotor, which happens to be made of tungsten, spinning around. However, that’s where the similarities to a typical mechanical movement stop. The rotor spins, but it doesn’t wind anything, rather it generates electricity via magnetic fields and science. This energy is stored and powers the electronics. It’s a bit like a Seiko Kinetic, but ultimately a different solution to the same problem. Regardless, the Sequent smartwatches have the benefit of not needing to be charged so long as they are worn. If they happen to be left off the wrist for a while, they can stay in standby mode for over 12 months. And, they do come with a plug-in charger for good measure too.

As you’ll see in my video, the two watches have more traditional watch designs and features than your typical smartwatch, including applied lumed markers and domed sapphire crystals. But for the double-retrograde indexes at six, you might not know they were smartwatches at all. These aren’t the type of smartwatches that bug you with every email and message you receive, rather they are focused on health tracking. The indices on the dial display activity as a percentage, and with the push of a button, your heart rate. You can also check the battery/power reserve and activate “sports mode” via the watch. Other info is saved for their proprietary app, Oxygo. It all works together quite seamlessly, giving you what you need on your watch, and extras in an app. It even includes a community ranking system (if you opt-in) as a motivator for motion.

Priced just below $800 the Sequent Supercharger and Elektron watches are a solid option for the smartwatch curious. They give you additional functionality, but with looks, finishing, and specs one might expect from a traditional wristwatch. The ability to charge via a rotor is the kind of cool, if slightly unnecessary, detail that mechanical watch fans can certainly appreciate. Of course, solar power is also a great option for the plug-in-charging averse. Sequent has that covered too with some lesser expensive watches, such as the recently released and quite snarky Seconde/Seconde collaboration. Be sure to check the full video below for a much more in-depth look at the Sequent smartwatches. Sequent