Michael Bastian Chronowing

Sorry, Apple - We'd Much Rather Strap On This Smartwatch Than The Ugly Apple Watch

Menswear designer Michael Bastian has a created a new smartwatch in partnership with Hewlett-Packard engineering that combines the elegance of a classic watch with modern technology. To be exclusively sold on Gilt, the MB Chronowing allows the wearers to be connected to their digital life of emails, texts, music, sports updates and more. The design process started with Bastian wanting to create a "wearable device that looked like a cool watch, first and foremost," adding that it had to have important details such as a round face, an inset dial that looked like an analog watch with hands and interchangeable bands. These all carried through to the final product.



An exclusive party was thrown last night at The Ludlow Hotel in the Lower East Side, where industry attendees got a first look at the watch in both its standard and limited edition styles. The MB Chronowing features a 44mm stainless steel case with a multi-layered finish and software that can sync with an Android or iOS smartphone. Once synced, the watch then can notify you of incoming texts, emails and social media notifications (sharing the first few words of each for you to determine how important it is to check on your phone), and then lets you control your music player, sends you stock market, sports score and weather updates, and keeps you up-to-date with calendar and appointment reminders — all of which can be customized to your needs. The watch also has a seven-day power reserve and is water-resistant.



The standard style ($349) comes with three interchangeable watch bands (a durable black rubber, perforated brown leather and olive green nylon) to give the wearer styling options and have the watch's seamless digital process carry over to a seamless style process. The limited edition version ($649) features a sleek all-black look with an alligator strap.

Shoppers can reserve their watch now or buy one this Friday, November 7th, at noon on Gilt.