Tech review: Eye-catching Garmin vivomove Luxe not worth its hefty price

The all-silver vivomove Luxe model with the Milanese metallic silver strap which is comfortable and surprisingly does not feel heavy. PHOTOS: GARMIN

The Luxe is the flagship model of Garmin's vivomove hybrid smartwatch series.

The three new vivomove models all feature a round analogue watch design with moving hour and minute hands, as well as a hidden touchscreen to display notifications.

The entry-level vivomove 3 and 3s ($389) come with a 44mm and 39mm plastic casing respectively, with both having a silicone strap. The mid-range vivomove Style (from $469) features a 42mm aluminium bezel and casing with either a woven nylon or silicone strap.

The premium vivomove Luxe (from $769) has a 42mm stainless steel bezel and casing and the option of either an Italian leather strap or Milanese metal strap. It has sapphire glass to protect its watch face.

We tested an all-silver Luxe model with the Milanese metallic silver strap ($849).

Whether from far or near, the Luxe looks like an exquisite classic wristwatch with its black watch face, shiny bezel and curvy lugs. It does not have any buttons to interfere with its minimalist design, making it one of the sleekest smartwatch you can find in the market.

The Milanese metal strap is comfortable and surprisingly does not feel heavy. Only problem is that it is not ideal for workouts. However, you can easily replace it with an off-the-shelf 20mm strap.

You control the watch by swiping and tapping on its Amoled colour touchscreen display.

The display is supposed to turn on when you raise your wrist or double-tap on the display. However, I found myself having to tap a few times on the watch face before I could get the display to wake up.

  • FOR

    - Exquisite watch design

    - Accurate steps and runs tracking

  • AGAINST

    - No built-in GPS

    - Unreliable sleep tracking

    - Expensive

  • TECH SPECS

    PRICE: From $769

    WATER RESISTANCE: 50m

    CONNECTIVITY: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth

    WEIGHT: 118g (with Milanese metallic strap)

  • RATING

    FEATURES: 3.5/5

    DESIGN: 4.5/5

    PERFORMANCE: 3/5

    BATTERY LIFE: 3.5/5

    VALUE FOR MONEY: 3/5

    OVERALL: 3.5/5

Once the display is awake, you can swipe left or right to browse the different information panels, which range from battery level to the weather. The hour and minute hands will get out of the way by moving to the nine o'clock and three o'clock position respectively, so you can have a better look at the panel.

Like most smartwatches, the Luxe tracks daily physical activities such as steps taken, stairs climbed and sleep. It also measures your heart rate.

On the downside, it does not have built-in GPS to track your outdoor runs. Instead, it uses connected GPS, or your smartphone's GPS. So you have to bring along your smartphone for your runs.

Its distance readings on my usual 5km route was spot-on. Ditto its heart rate readings compared to my calibrated Apple Watch Series 4.

Its step-tracking readings are around 5 per cent more than those of my Apple Watch Series 4.

It is in sleep monitoring that the Luxe disappoints. When I place it on a table, it assumes that I am sleeping and even shows my light and deep sleep periods.

And when I was really sleeping, it failed to pinpoint the time I slept and woke up. And when I got up for a toilet break in the middle of the night, it would assume I was awake from that point on.

Plus, with its metallic strap making it feel like a dress watch, it feels odd to wear it to sleep at night, comfortable as the watch may be.

The Luxe is supposed to last five days on smartwatch mode. I found the battery level dropping from full charge to 54 per cent at the end of a two day period that included a 5km run.

Undoubtedly a smartwatch that will turn heads, the vivomove Luxe does not quite justify its hefty price tag.

This article contains affiliate links. If you buy through these links, we may earn a small commission.

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.