I’ve enjoyed wearing the Citizen smartwatch. It looks cool, it doesn’t get annoying on my wrist, and the tech side is competent enough to be worthwhile. However, the CZ Smart falls down when you consider buying one. The trouble is the software is the same as the system used on the Skagen Jorn Hybrid HR, so it’s safe to assume Fossil also produced the CZ Smart Hybrid for Citizen. Not a bad thing at all because Fossil knows what it’s doing, but unfortunately Citizen has made an error when it comes to the price. Too much money The Citizen CZ Smart looks good and it’s very comfortable, but it doesn’t quite say “I’m wearing a Citizen smartwatch,” like it should, and it feels like a missed opportunity. Screen and performance

Frustratingly, the Citizen CZ Smart Hybrid is still the one I’d buy if the price wasn’t important to me, and the fact it has been pleasurable to live with on the tech side gives me hope for the future of hybrids from watchmakers. There’s still absolutely a place for hybrid smartwatches, and Citizen’s watch very nearly gets the formula right, but the price tag threatens to put the people most interested off right from the start.You control the software using the buttons on the side of the case. The menus take a little while to learn and you do have to compensate for the slowness of the E Ink screen by not rushing, but once you’re used to it it’s all quite simple. The buttons can be customized to perform different actions, and this makes life easier when starting a workout for example. Notifications have appeared with decent reliability since I’ve been using the watch, but the screen is too small to read long messages on. I just use it as a convenient way to establish if a message needs my attention or not. The Citizen app you need to pair and set up the watch is attractive and straightforward. CZ Smart YouQ offers a custom-built, gamified Alert Monitor, which is a version of NASA’s (PVT+) Psychomotor Vigilance Task Test, originally designed to understand astronauts’ cognitive acuity.‌

I couldn’t face wearing it overnight as at 90 grams it’s a little too heavy, while the shape with its sharp lines and edges just meant it annoyingly got caught on the sheets. The 44mm case size doesn’t sound outrageously large as smartwatches go, but the integrated, flat-sided lugs make it bulkier than the number suggests, and it’s undeniably large on my 6.5-inch wrist. That said, it hasn’t been uncomfortable during the day at all, and I’ve worn it without a problem. Just be aware of the size and its limitations before buying. Familiar hybrid technology The other watch to consider is the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3. The software is easier to use and more attractive than Google’s Wear OS, and the rotating bezel makes navigation simple. Citizen’s high price for the CZ Smart sees it compete directly with all these smartwatches, with several coming in at much lower prices. How long will it last? Designed to keep up with your busy lifestyle and make the most of your time, the Citizen CZ Smart Hybrid Watch lets you manage your notifications and see your fitness stats from the Citizen Connected app.For doing what I want each day, the Citizen CZ Smart is a very good smartwatch. It’s fast and the battery lasts for longer than I’d expected, plus it’s very well made and comfortable to wear. However, it’s coming into a crowded market, with dozens of similar smartwatches available about which you can say the same thing, so it’s unfortunate Citizen hasn’t really capitalized on its brand name and watchmaking expertise to make it stand out. Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test. The two-week-long battery life alleviates any charging anxiety. While the 3 ATM (30 meters) water resistance means that it can accompany you when you dip in the pool, soak in the tub, or even go for your next scuba session. Case size: 44 mm Inside the watch is Citizen’s YF30 quartz Bluetooth smartwatch movement, which was developed by the company. Citizen claims about 18 days of battery life for the CZ Smart Hybrid, but I actually think some people might get more than that. Without a lot of connectivity, I can see this watch lasting for over a month between charges. Still, even 18 days between charges is a much more palatable concept to people with device charging fatigue. What I found interesting is that, to protect battery life apparently, the CZ Smart Hybrid will not start to charge unless the battery is under 80% full. Once your Chronotype is determined, you’ll receive a Power Gauge graph showing personalised anticipated peaks and drops in alertness for the next 24-hours, an Hourly Power Score, and Power Fixes.‌

It’s great to see the CZ Smart has the latest Google Wear OS H-MR2 software update already installed, which no doubt adds to the slightly better battery life and zippy performance, plus it introduces new features like an adjustable screen timeout, and a new weather tile. Andy Boxall/Digital Trends It’s exactly what I wanted because wearing the CZ Smart Hybrid is more special than wearing the touchscreen CZ Smart. If I specifically avoid a touchscreen model it’s because, for a start, I don’t think I need all the technology, but also because I value a more watch-like design. Choosing one from a specific brand means I also want its heritage or design language to shine through, and the CZ Smart Hybrid does a far better job at this than the CZ Smart did.Through personal data points captured with the CZ Smart watch, including Alert Scores, chronotype, sleep patterns, activity, and heart rate monitoring, CZ Smart YouQ quantitatively analyses and learns about the your unique characterisation, rhythms, and habits to enhance personalisation. ‌ The only question that really needs answering here is, does the CZ Smart look and feel like a Citizen watch? Yes, it does, but not as much as some of the brand’s more famous models, and you probably have to be very familiar with Citizen’s range of dive watches to see the family connection. The bezel’s shape and design are reminiscent of the Promaster Diver range, as are the guards around the crown, for example. However, to most casual observers, it looks like any other smartwatch, and may even be mistaken for the Fossil Garrett HR. Andy Boxall/Digital Trends