Citizen readies VIRT Bluetooth watch for release

Ever since we saw Seiko's CPC TR-006 prototype watch with built-in Bluetooth, we've been anxiously waiting for a piece of stylish wristwear that also makes a fuss when we get a phone call, and displays Caller ID info so our smartphone never has to leave its belt holster. Well our long wait will finally be over on July 7th, but in a cruel twist of fate, instead of that not-unfashionable Seiko, the first Bluetooth watch to market will be a rather hideous looking model from Citizen with a tiny screen and gaudy blue buttons marring the face. Besides sporting that disaster of a design, though, the W700 VIRT Bluetooth watch doesn't sound like it's all that uncomfortable to wear, with its sub-two-ounce weight paling in comparison to the those G-Shock shackles some people weigh down their arms with. Plus, you get a pretty decent five-day battery life, SPOT-like charging dock, and best of all-- at least for cellphone addicts -- an optional alert for notifying you if your phone ever travels a potentially-traumatizing distance from your person. Only 5,000 of these pieces will be sold during the initial rollout, but even if they're offered at a very reasonable price (which we highly doubt), sales will probably be limited to only the geekiest most hardcore early-adopters.

[Via Wrist Dreams]

[Sean @ Jun 8th 2006 4:15PM]

Who in their right mind would want that on their wrist? Yuck! So much for 'stylish'.

[adk @ Jun 8th 2006 5:39PM]

The blue buttons, while ugly, are certainly better than the tiny buttons that adorn the sides of my old Timex(es). How do you prevent accidental input tho?

[Andrei @ Jun 8th 2006 5:45PM]

Yeah, it looks quite ugly. I guess it's function over aesthetics on this one.

[TC @ Jun 8th 2006 5:51PM]

I'll take the black/red button one and one of those talking cars.

[Matt @ Jun 8th 2006 5:52PM]

I'm holding out for the Dick Tracy model in gold plate with the two dials and the picture of the caller

[Michael @ Jun 8th 2006 7:04PM]

Who wears a watch anymore? I thought they went out with the 90s.

[Ward @ Jun 8th 2006 10:22PM]

OMG. That has got to be the most hideous beast I have seen in quite a long while. Please remember this item, I nominate it for the 2006 Engadget "worst of the year" award.

[Paul @ Jun 8th 2006 11:59PM]

I second the nomination for worst item of the year award, its hideous, its massive and has a tiny screen. Bleh, give me a simple watch that tells me the time and i wil lbe happy.

[polster @ Jun 9th 2006 1:08AM]

why does the watch look like its from 1965? Cant they come up with some modern non bulky design?

[E4 @ Jun 9th 2006 9:36AM]

Hideous is too kind of a word.

[poody @ Jun 10th 2006 1:50AM]

My god. I'm so torn. On one hand, the bluetooth watch I've been wanting since the idea struck me a few years ago, on the other, a crappy mashing of components and styles. Also, at 15mm think that's as thick as my phone (a Samsung T809) and thicker than a RAZR.

Damn I want one. One with a color screen that can show caller ID pictures.