An Old Name in Watchmaking Has Some Interesting New Smartwatches

Who says old dogs can't learn new tricks? Armitron is nearly 50 years old as a brand, but it's moving into the modern world with the release of several new smartwatches.

In a press announcement sent to Lifewire, Armitron revealed the Armitron Connect collection of five new smartwatches priced between $55 -$75. The collection includes Quantum, Matrix, Sync, Apex, and Eclipse smartwatches designed to appeal to various wearers. There's also a new Armitron Connect Mobile app compatible with iOS or Android, so you're not locked into one platform or the other.

While most of the smartwatches appear to have a different form factor, they all seem to have a good set of features, including the ability to receive calls and messages, touch screens, notifications, heart rate monitoring, IP68 water resistance, fitness and sleep tracking, GPS capabilities, and more. The Quantum and Matrix models also have blood oxygen monitors, AMOLED displays, and a rotating grown. However, it appears that only the Eclipse and Matrix versions have swappable band options.

Armitron pushes hard on user privacy with these devices, saying in the announcement, "no personal data, such as name, credit card, email address, or phone number, is ever collected or transmitted. This deliberate decision ensures that users' privacy is always protected while enjoying the full range of smartwatch functionalities, providing a sense of security and confidence." Unfortunately, this probably means you can't use tap to pay on an Armitron Connect device.

Armitron says the new watches will be available for order on September 13. The Quantum and Matrix models are $75, the Sync and Apex models are $60, and the Eclipse model is $55.