Gone are the days where a watch was simply a smaller clock on your wrist. As time passed, the simple wrist watch grew to have alarms, then lights and to eventually become the companion to your smartphone. Smart watches are now the new trend in wearable technology, however the debate still goes on whether these watches should simply look good, or be practical.

So here is a list of the top 5 smart watches that got that balance perfectly right.

LG Watch R

One of the main issues people have with a smart watch is that it does not look like a normal watch. Not everybody likes to have a square shaped mini screen on their wrist. Sometimes, it would feel nice to have a decent looking watch that would go well with every clothing. This is why the LG Watch R is on the list.The LG Watch R is a round-faced smart watch that comes with leather straps and a black steel based dial. The LG Watch R is designed to look exactly like a modern watch, while housing the latest Android OS, thus making it a fusion of style and technology.

LG has focused so much into making the watch look like an actual watch, that they have included a crown on the side, which doubles as a power switch as well.The LG Watch R comes with a 410 mAh battery and is certified as water and dust resistant. It has an OLED display which has a sleep mode, which can be woken up by simply tapping the display or by twisting your wrist to look at the watch.

ASUS Zenwatch

Following along the lines of design once again, the ASUS Zenwatch mixes both looks and wearing comfort. A pure leather strap that not only looks handsome, but also feels good makes the watch a must have. Another perk of the Zenwatch is that it looks and works just as well as its competitors, but a much cheaper price point.

The Zenwatch comes with a 369 mAh battery that can keep you ticking for about 13 to 14 hours, however this can vary upon use. ASUS provides a 1.63-inch AMOLED screen which is made of Corning’s Gorilla Glass 3, which will keep it from scratches or cracks. This screen is also given a steel trim ring which acts as a bezel and improves the overall looks of the watch. The ASUS Zenwatch makes up in looks and price, for the points it loses in battery life and a faulty heart monitor, making it a more economic option.

Moto 360 by Motorola

A favorite among Android Wear users, the Moto 360 not only looks good but works well and is worth the money. You can choose from 10 different bands and 3 different cases, and it comes with a 1.56 inch display that is cased in a 46mm diameter dial. The Moto 360 has a 320 mAh battery that can give you a day’s worth of performance. It also comes with a pedometer and a heart monitor, which now pretty much the standard on any smart watch.

The Moto 360 is simply the best looking smart watch you can buy. It has a large round dial and leather straps which doubles its role as an accessory and an extension of your smart device. However, the large size can be an issue for someone with small wrists. It also comes with ambient light sensors, which just adds to its overall good looks and also saves battery. The Moto 360 comes with a Wireless charging dock and is one of the best options when it comes to Android Wear, however, there are people questioning its premium price.

Apple Watch

With the number of smart watches coming out, almost all of the running on Android, Apple clearly did not want to be left behind. The Apple Watch is Apple’s answer to Android Wear.

If there is one thing Apple does best, it’s making its products look good. The Apple watch is a combination of simple, yet stylistic design. This is paired with a clever interface that makes usage simple while looking classy at the same time. However, like all of Apple’s products, the Apple watch comes at a premium price. It also has a battery life of one day, and needs an iPhone with it constantly as it depends on the phones microphone for voice commands and other voiced based features. The Apple watch is your best choice if you are a person who loves to use Apple products, as it works amazingly well with iPhones.

Montblanc TimeWalker Urban Speed e-Strap

This is a surprising addition to the list. A perfect choice for those who want a smart watch but at the same time want a classic watch, the Montblanc TimeWalker Urban Speed e-Strap will help to change any classic watch into a smart one. The e-Strap comes with a small monochrome OLED screen built into the strap and connects to your phone through Bluetooth.

This acts as a notification bar, which also vibrates to notify any incoming communications. These include calls, messages, and emails among others. It also works as a remote for the smartphone, which controls the phone’s camera and music player. The Find-me function also allows the user to find the phone or the watch if misplaced. It’s fire resistant, waterproof and even has a five-day battery life.

By Tony Luke