Smartwatches are enjoying great popularity. They serve as an extension of the smartphone on the wrist and use sensors to measure the pulse, monitor sleep, count steps and record training. This makes them exciting instruments for keeping an eye on your health. However, smartwatches like the Samsung Galaxy Watch or Apple Watch only offer a short battery life. Hybrid smartwatches are an exciting alternative for everyone who prefers a classic, analog watch face and a long battery life.
The Withings Scanwatch Nova belongs to this category. The successor to the Scanwatch Horizon (test report) combines an elegant diving watch look in the style of James Bond with smart sensors. The watch runs for almost a month on a single battery charge and also offers an ECG measurement for early detection of cardiac arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation. Technically speaking, it is identical to the Withings Scanwatch 2 (test report) – but offers a clearly high-quality and elegant design. The test shows how well the stylish watch performs in practice.
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Who should buy the Scanwatch Nova?
If you’re looking for a particularly stylish watch for everyday wear or evening wear, but don’t want to miss out on smart sensors, the Scanwatch Nova is the right choice for you, starting at 550 euros (price comparison). It is without a doubt one of the most stylish smartwatches we have ever tested.
The watch uses an analog dial to tell the time, with a small display integrated into it to show notifications or measurements. This means the watch runs for up to 30 days on just one battery charge. The Nova also creates a 1-channel ECG to detect cardiac arrhythmias at an early stage. This makes the watch the perfect choice for anyone who wants a stylish watch with smart features to monitor heart health.
How are the workmanship and wearing comfort?
The watch comes with a metal bracelet, an additional silicone sports bracelet and a charging cradle with a USB-C port. Withings also provides tools to adjust the metal bracelet to the correct size. This is practical as it saves you a visit to the watchmaker.
The Scanwatch Nova is almost identical to its predecessor Scanwatch Horizon (test report). The appearance of the watch is reminiscent of a traditional diving watch and has an adjustable outer ring. With a water resistance of 10 ATM, it is also suitable for diving. The stainless steel case always has a diameter of 42 mm.
The dial is available in blue, green and black, it sets an attractive accent, especially in contrast to the round display, which is again located below the 12 o’clock position. Below there is another analog display that shows the status of the daily step goal.
After the bracelet has been adjusted to the appropriate length using the included tool, the watch feels comfortable on the wrist. We wore them for a long period of time and always found them comfortable – both during the day and at night. The metal bracelet is also suitable for sporting activities, but we recommend the silicone bracelet. Thanks to the quick release, the bracelets can be replaced without tools, albeit with a little skill.
The small round display is only active when you press the crown or receive a notification. Then the hands move away so as not to obscure the view of the small display. The contrast is razor-sharp, meaning content can be optimally recognized. The display is simple but easy to see and the text scrolls smoothly, making it possible to read for longer periods of time.
Withings offers a two-year guarantee on the Scanwatch Nova. Unfortunately, if there is a defect, the manufacturer does not currently repair the watch, but rather replaces it. After the warranty has expired, buyers will receive a discount code in the event of damage. It’s a shame, in our opinion a repair option would be more sustainable for such a high-quality and expensive product.
What features does the Scanwatch Nova offer?
The technology of the Nova largely corresponds to the Withings Scanwatch 2 (test report). It offers sensors for step counting, floor counting, sleep monitoring, cycle monitoring and measuring heart rate, blood oxygen, calorie consumption and skin temperature. There is also an altimeter, a stopwatch, a timer and an ECG function. New features include monitoring the menstrual cycle and detecting fluctuations in body temperature, which can indicate a change in health.
The watch enables pulse tracking during sports, automatic training detection for various activities, optimizing training and recovery based on body temperature zones. However, there is no integrated GPS, mobile phone connection, music storage or payment function. To record a running route, the watch uses the smartphone’s GPS.
Occasional problems with the pulse measurement during rapid changes in load and automatic stopping of the measurement during certain exercises initially occur, but the allocation of activities improves with regular use when selecting the appropriate training profile. There are 40 different profiles available.
The Scanwatch also monitors sleep and provides an overview of duration, depth, regularity and interruptions as well as a sleep score via the app. The data is useful, but not as precise as Garmin. The watch also detects breathing disorders and warns of them. There is also a breathing coach for relaxation exercises.
The Scanwatch Nova is certified to produce a 1-channel ECG and detects problems such as cardiac arrhythmias and atrial fibrillation. However, the function does not replace a visit to the doctor, as Withings emphasizes. To carry out the measurement, wear the watch on your left wrist and touch the metal casing with the fingers of your right hand for about 30 seconds to close the circuit. The heart rhythm data is then shown on the display and is available in the app as a diagram and PDF file.
Withings Scanwatch Nova – photo series
Withings Scanwatch Nova
How do the controls and app work?
It is operated via the crown on the housing, while the measurement results are visualized in the Withings app. Pressing the crown displays the digital time while the hands retract. If you turn the crown, you can access various functions such as pulse measurement, step counting, floor detection, ECG, SpO2 measurement, workout mode, breathing exercises, alarm settings and general settings.
The app brings together all measured data and achieved goals for activities, sleep or ECG measurements in one diagram. It is even possible to export a health report for yourself or your family doctor as a PDF. Users can take out a subscription to Withings+ for 10 euros per month. Advanced functions and exclusive content to optimize health are then available. Subscribers then have access to the Health Improvement Score for an overview of all health data as well as training courses, articles, recipes and guided programs.
Withings Scanwatch Nova – App
Withings Scanwatch Nova – App
How long does the battery last?
Withings claims a battery life of up to 30 days for the Scanwatch Nova. How long the battery lasts obviously depends on how you use the watch. If you train frequently or wear them to sleep every night, your battery life will be shortened. In the test, we got a runtime of 22 to 25 days – with two to three workouts per week, a hike, but without regular sleep monitoring.
Charging the watch takes just under an hour and a half using the included charging cradle via a USB-C cable. However, the test showed that the Withings app increases the cell phone’s energy consumption because it is constantly searching for Bluetooth devices in the background.
Technical data
Price: How much does the Withings Scanwatch Nova cost?
The Withings Scanwatch Nova looks very elegant, but is also expensive. The RRP is an impressive 600 euros – almost twice as much as the otherwise technically identical Scanwatch 2 (test report). You can now get the watch at street prices 550 Euro (Price comparison).
More alternatives
Visually, the predecessor Withings Scanwatch Horizon (test report), which is now available at prices starting at 329 euros, is almost identical. However, the model does not provide monitoring of the menstrual cycle or body temperature fluctuations.
Conclusion
The Withings Scanwatch Nova elegantly combines dive watch aesthetics with advanced sensors that capture a wide range of health metrics, including an ECG for early detection of cardiac arrhythmias. With a battery life of up to 30 days and an attractive analog dial, it offers an attractive alternative to conventional smartwatches. Their high-quality design and diverse features make them a chic and functional choice for those who value both style and health monitoring.
Despite its advantages, the Scanwatch Nova has some weaknesses, including the lack of integrated GPS and music storage functions as well as the occasional problems with heart rate measurement during rapid changes in load. The app offers a comprehensive visualization of the measured data, but the constant Bluetooth search in the background can increase the energy consumption of the connected smartphone. The limited repair options after the warranty period has expired could also be a disadvantage for some potential buyers. Overall, however, the Scanwatch Nova is an attractive option for those looking for a stylish hybrid smartwatch with comprehensive health features.