In a saturated market of smartwatches, how does one create a splash with their inaugural product? Nothing has taken an innovative approach by launching a sub-brand that aligns with most of its parent company’s principles, with one notable exception being transparency. However, differentiation doesn’t solely rely on transparency, as demonstrated by CMF through its Watch Pro. This device, which abides by the brand’s CMF acronym, representing color, material, and finish, stands out as a unique addition to the sub-Rs 5K smartwatch category this year. Here are the key reasons behind this distinction.
The CMF Watch Pro boasts an eye-catching appearance, far from understated yet somehow maintaining a minimalist quality. It features a vibrant orange strap that commands attention and a reflective aluminum alloy casing that gleams in the sunlight. If you lean toward a more discreet look, you also have the option of white and black strap alternatives that may better complement your attire. The case remains unadorned, except for a speaker grille and a solitary button facilitating app navigation and returning to the home screen.
In summary, the watch presents a clean and elegant design, with CMF ensuring its logo is present on one of the straps, eliminating any ambiguity about its origin. Speaking of straps, they are of high-quality silicone, although my only quibble lies in the method of fastening, which requires tucking in the strap rather than a conventional pull-through mechanism, somewhat less straightforward to put on.
The display is a striking 1.96-inch AMOLED beauty, boasting a crisp 410 x 502 resolution and an impressive peak brightness of 600 nits. Thankfully, the bezels are symmetrical, and the screen’s surface is smooth to the touch, responsive, and offers outstanding visibility in outdoor settings.
To pair the Watch Pro with your smartphone, you simply need to download the CMF Watch app from either the App Store or the Play Store, grant the necessary permissions, and you’ll be connected in no time. The app grants access to fundamental watch features, including health monitoring (covering sleep, heart rate, blood oxygen, and stress levels), activity tracking, notifications, and an ever-present display. In my experience, I must commend the effectiveness of these features.
The watch also offers numerous watch faces that complement the Nothing aesthetic, providing a choice of 37 different options. Regrettably, customization and interaction with these faces are not supported, though this is consistent with the standard features available in smartwatches within this price range. Thus, there’s no cause for complaint; the watch fulfills all expected functions and even incorporates GPS for real-time location and pace tracking.
