The Mercedes MP3 player watch

Now, we're not sure why Mercedes feels compelled to slap their logo on anything other than automotive products MP3 players, but hey, if Harley can do it then it must be hip. So here you have it, the Mercedes MP3 watch, which will drop in the next few weeks in line with the market launch of the new B-Class. The watch features 512MB flash memory, 6-8 hours playback on a single 90 minute charge, voice recorder, and data storage mode. Lack of USB 2.0 support (USB 1.1 only) is gonna slow things down a bit, though. And hey, if it looks a little familiar (color and logo aside) that's because it's the same watch that BMW sells and both are built by Laks (which offers the same watch in a 1GB model!). No mention of price, but the BMW branded model sells for $350US. Don't know about the rest of humanity but we here at Engadget tend to use our arms. So tethering the wrist to our ear via a headphone cable is, well…not too appealing, dig. However, we don't own a Mercedes and themsfolks probably got enough money to afford Brazilian man-servants to do all their heavy lifting.

[jcharney @ Dec 19th 2005 2:05AM]

Ugly, impractical...I'd rather keep my cars, timepieces, and gadgets separate thank you very much.

[A. Davis @ Dec 19th 2005 2:05AM]

I've never really understood who would string a set of headphones from their watch to their ear. But they keep making them, so they be selling. Personally, I'm holding out for the kinetic or ecodrive version that recharges via movement or sunlight while playing my MP3s. And then, when someone finally puts bluetooth into one of these watches and comes up with some decent, noise cancelling bluetooth earbuds... then I'll finally pony up and buy one.

[hafa @ Dec 19th 2005 2:05AM]

this thing would be more acceptable to public if priced under $100

[Nathan @ Dec 19th 2005 2:05AM]

I think the wireless headphones mentioned would be a good idea. However, I'm a little hesitant about having to charge up my watch every 6-8 hours. That, and only having a display you can use to tell time is a little irritating on an MP3 player.

[Tan The Man @ Dec 19th 2005 2:05AM]

Yup yup, must have wireless headphones!!

[Daniel Schmidt @ Dec 19th 2005 2:05AM]

Price is 299 Euros (~ $365)

[JJ @ Dec 19th 2005 2:05AM]

#3:

True, but that wouldn't be acceptable to the Mercedes-driving crowd. After all, for these people, there's no fun in having something that everybody has.

It not only takes away the exclusivity but also diludes the brandname. Daimler-Chrysler could probably get away with selling these for $500, too. And it's not like they had anything to do with the watch. Which makes this, basically, nothing more than a licensing deal. Think of it as free money for Daimler-Chrysler.

[Julio Preuss @ Dec 19th 2005 2:05AM]

What do you mean by Brazilian man-servants? I didn't know there was such an stereotype... We are usually seen more as lazy than as heavy-lifters :-)

[-TB- @ Dec 19th 2005 2:05AM]

On the up side, they look like Sennheiser headphones in the background, so the thing probably wont sound TOO bad.

[moonman @ Dec 19th 2005 2:05AM]

made in china... all of them be it Mercedes or BMW... all made from the same manufacturer in china... which is so crappy... doesn't worth ur money... believe me because i imported one lot... and hell with it...nobody wants to buy one... even with price below $100

[Goldrusher @ Dec 19th 2005 2:05AM]

#7 Then explain to me why Mercedes-Benz has the A-class, B-class & C-class cars ?

Mercedes has much more than the E-class and S-class.

[Gunderstorm @ Dec 19th 2005 2:05AM]

It is IDENTICAL to the watch made by Xonix. The 265MB version was available on Woot for $75 not too long ago.

http://www.xonixwatch.com/

[8dee @ Dec 19th 2005 2:05AM]

No screen showing the songs currently playing, battery.