A luxury handbag, sought-after make-up, high fashion and even a flashy pair of sunglasses. These are some of the most popular items from the iconic Michael Kors brand.
But a smartwatch?
Well, it’s eye-catching, beautiful, and has a ton of technological features. The Michael Kors Access Gen 5E Darci is a keeper – if you like big dials and a bit of bling. For everyone who would like to have a statement on their wrist, here is a detailed evaluation.
Fun fact – the E in Gen 5E stands for “essential”. How important is this smartwatch?
design
I’ve been walking around with the Darci on my wrist for over two weeks now and several people have asked me, “What’s that on your wrist?” When it comes to design, the name Michael Kors stands for luxury and high fashion. And the brand has put all of its design skills into the smartwatch. The design alone makes it a disruptive factor in the smartwatch sector.
While the round dial’s sparkling frame is better suited for women, the large area on the 1.19-inch AMOLED screen will appeal to many for all of your notifications and health data. The 7-link bracelet made of stainless steel ensures a first-class feeling on the wrist. For those who want design over robust features, yet still be compatible with most smartphones, this design is ideal.
Connectivity and Compatibility
Here, all iOS users are asked to sit down and not raise their hands. The Gen 5E Darci is powered by Wear OS by Google Technology and can be easily decoded by Android users or users familiar with Wear OS.
As a challenge, I decided to pair the Gen 5E Darci with my iPhone. As a common Apple Watch user, I was intrigued and concerned. To my great joy, pairing was easy and compatibility is a high priority. It comes with Bluetooth enabled calling and you can take calls, view notifications, and even be open with the Google Assistant. The built-in speaker performs well and you can hear audible warnings and even play music straight from your smartwatch.
My only criticism was that WhatsApp notifications took a while to configure. You may need to configure the settings multiple times through the Wear OS app for better customization.
Pricing
The Gen 5E Darci costs Rs 25,995. Interestingly, the pricing of smartwatches is in the “affordable luxury” segment. Comparisons with other Android smartwatches as well as the undisputed king of the smartwatch sector, the Apple Watch Series 6, will take place. But the Apple Watch Series 6 starts at more than Rs 40,000, so if you think about it, the Gen 5E Darci gives you a more attractive watch with similar features for a cheaper price. But Apple loyalists have to be convinced to make the switch. And Michael Kors will have to work harder to appease them if the brand is to enter this market.
Fitness tracking
Let’s be honest. Why do we wear a smartwatch these days? To be independent of our cell phones? No to have candy on your wrist? Probably. To track fitness, heart rate, and overall health? Definitely yes. The Darci comes with a step tracker, a calorie tracker and a new wellness app for monitoring real-time measured values. I tried wearing it during intense cardio and weight training and it went well.
However, the beautiful metal band was a bit uncomfortable and I would shudder if I damaged it with sweat! As a result, fitness enthusiasts may not be leaning towards this smartwatch to help them achieve their fitness goals. Even so, I was impressed with its cardio fitness tracking, which helped me capture my resting heart rate and other biometric data. Another notable feature – the watch is water resistant up to 30 meters. This means that it may be showerproof, but it is sure not to be swimproof.
battery
The deal clincher or deal breaker in most cases with gadgets is battery life. The watch lasted about 8 hours on a full charge and that’s because I’m addicted to a smartwatch and use it for various purposes. The brand claims that the watch comes with a multi-day battery mode and that you can switch between more efficient modes to help extend the life of your smartwatch. All in all, the battery life was predictable, satisfactory, and in line with the competition.
Should you buy it?
At nearly Rs 26,000, the Michael Kors Access Gen 5E Darci is somewhere between sophisticated and affordable for smartwatch users who like to invest in their technology.
Just like a Michael Kors handbag, this smartwatch bears the mark of sophistication and luxury – one that is synonymous with the brand. The luxurious feel of the watch on the wrist sometimes makes up for the lack of other features that may be available at a lower price. It doesn’t look ostentatious or garish despite the twinkle, and is a perfect accessory for a boardroom meeting or on display during a zoom meeting.
So, I say go for this watch if you like bling and elegance, with a dash of technology to get you through the day.
