Sony Ericsson and Fossil team up for Bluetooth watch

We're just not sure what there isn't to love about Sony Ericsson and Fossil joining forces to bust out sexy Bluetooth watches. The duo's new MBW-100 effortlessly pulls off that "I'm probably a secret agent, but I don't need to parade it around" look that we've been trying to pull off ever since we can remember, and the watch packs in some useful Bluetooth 2.0 stuff as well. First off, there's a straight-up analog watch face, which keeps this thing classy, while a small OLED display below helps you manage the Bluetooth functions, shows incoming caller and notifies you of new SMS messages. If receiving a call, you can tap a button to silence the phone ringer, twice to reject the call, while another button handles play/pause and track skipping on your music player. The stainless steel watches will come in the silver color pictured, along with a limited-edition black version, and Sony Ericsson hopes to be shipping these globally Q4 2006 for around 300 Euros ($382 US). Keep reading for a few hugemongous pics and a pre-release user guide snippet we got our hands on.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

[Jrdpa @ Sep 28th 2006 11:37AM]

uhm...read the description again..."If receiving a call, you can tap a button to silence the phone ringer, twice to reject the call, while another button handles play/pause and track skipping on your music player."

[Bryan Whiting @ Sep 28th 2006 10:04AM]

why does the bmw logo on the steering wheel look all pixely? it almost looks like they drew that in, like over a mazda logo or something... i dunno. Just the first thing i noticed.

[Morgan @ Sep 28th 2006 10:12AM]

Bryan, the bimmer logo is just out of focus, along with all the instrument gauges and the dashboard. They shot it that way to draw attention to the phone.

[Darryl @ Sep 28th 2006 10:20AM]

I think that's a macro shot :P

[Nick @ Sep 28th 2006 10:37AM]

Macro shot? Pixel logo?
oh god noobs everywhere... its called Depth of Field - and useful when you only want your subject in focus.

[Regula Oblique @ Sep 28th 2006 10:04AM]

Kinda nice too bad the whole screen wasnt oled, that display is too small atleast for me

[Paul @ Sep 28th 2006 10:10AM]

Bryan, I think thats the effect they were trying to pull off. Although, I think we can all see the BMW logo pretty clearly.

Also, they picked a Z4!! Use an M6 at least?

[rafa @ Sep 28th 2006 10:12AM]

the only worrisome thing is that fossil watches tend to die after about a year.

[Jrdpa @ Sep 28th 2006 11:29AM]

Uhm I don't know what you do to your Fossil watches, but I've had mine since 1998 and still wear it every day. It works just as well as it always has!

[Jacob @ Sep 29th 2006 3:34PM]

Yeah, that's not normal. I have about 11 watches - 5-6 Fossil, the rest licensed brands Fossil makes, and they all run strong. Batteries do die, especially if there are a lot of features. But, replacings batteries is a snap.

[Dennis @ Feb 7th 2007 4:16PM]

Ihave a fossil watch and about a year later it does not work even when batteries were replaced Guess I will have to use their 11 year warranty huh? wonder how well this will work and how lkong it will take ? They say they will fix, replace/with same or one of equal or higher value. Anyone out there used this warranty if so what happened?

[Rick @ Sep 28th 2006 10:13AM]

sweet! all this needs is a kill-o-watt laser to melt locks and incinerate my captors. i'd be outta this damn office and on my way to Qeynos in no time flat... (Everquest 2 refrence, for those scratching your heads)

[sblocca @ Sep 28th 2006 10:19AM]

The BMW logo isn't pixelated. The picture is just too big for your screen, and the pixellation happened when it was resized to fit your screen.
Cool watch though.

[sblocca @ Sep 28th 2006 10:19AM]

Also an advocate for whole screen being OLED.

[RJ @ Sep 28th 2006 10:21AM]

Been waiting for this ever since my last secret agent watch broke.

[kevin @ Sep 28th 2006 10:34AM]

Those pictures above are the reason they still make Medium format cameras, http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/26/hasselblad-to-release-h3d-at-photokina/ Most people made a big fuss about who needs 39MP, This is why you need that kind of resolution. Those above can be printed a massive posters.

As for bluetooth, why not make it bluetooth storage as well. Jump drive wireless always with you

[Jrdpa @ Sep 28th 2006 11:31AM]

Thank you! I'm glad someone else also knows what the deal with the logo really is!!

[TrueDis @ Sep 28th 2006 10:46AM]

Now what would be sweet is if the analog time auto-synced with your phone via bluetooth (since most of the time your phone is getting an accurate time signal). Can't tell from the press release whether it does this, but I'd say that's an essential feature.

[Jarno Peschier @ Sep 28th 2006 10:59AM]

I say! I have Casio WaveCeptor watch now that is always on time (and switches daylight saving time automatically, even though it has an analog watch face). Would be enough if it would sync with my phone and I only need to keep that in sync. Which I could easily do over the 'net instead of having the watch listen to radio transmitted atomic clock ticks.

[Jarno Peschier @ Sep 28th 2006 10:59AM]

I say! I have a Casio WaveCeptor watch now that is always on time (and switches daylight saving time automatically, even though it has an analog watch face). Would be enough for me if the watch would sync with my phone over bluetooth and I only need to keep that in sync with actual time. Which I could easily do over the 'net instead of having the watch listen to radio transmitted atomic clock ticks.

[TrueDis @ Sep 28th 2006 10:46AM]

Test

[james @ Sep 28th 2006 10:54AM]

Its blurred on purpuse. No clearance from BMW as for z4 vs m6 who do you think this watch is marketed to? M6 owner? or m4 owner. I dont see an m6 owner buying a fossil.

[kayjaydanmark @ Sep 28th 2006 11:10AM]

I think the pixelation of the whole picture is becourse its a 860x780pix picture, put into a 776x704pix frame. (MS Explore 6 @ 1360x768 (LCDTV))

KayJay

[Brandy @ Sep 28th 2006 1:06PM]

Christ, the photo isn't "pixelated." When you take photos with anything other than a point-and-shoot camera, things in the background become out of focus. The shorter the depth of field, the more things will be out of focus.

I like the idea of the watch, but I don't see much use for the features the article mentions. I have a bluetooth headset for my phone, which allows me to silence or answer my phone. Why would I also need a watch that does the same thing? If it had a built-in mic/speaker that eliminated the need for my headset, I might use it.

[Wonderboy @ Sep 28th 2006 11:11AM]

They should have had a guy named Richard model this watch while wearing a bright yellow hat and trenchcoat.

[Wonderboy @ Sep 28th 2006 11:13AM]

And what's up with all the comments on the BMW logo? You get a post about a Sony Ericsson/Fossil Bluetooth watch and all people are talking about is the "pixelated" BMW logo.

Guys, the answer to your question and the answer to your problem is both "focus".

[soundboy64 @ Sep 28th 2006 11:14AM]

Too bad it doesn't double as a speaker phone or better yet have a camera and display for video calls...

[Wolfticket @ Sep 28th 2006 11:18AM]

Give me:

- Subtle vibrate function on new call or text.
- Ability to view scrolling text messages on the screen.
- The same size as a normal watch.
- Decent battery life.

[n8diggity @ Sep 28th 2006 11:20AM]

Hey engadget- Hows about a Fossil-Bluetooth watch giveaway? ... Let's see, for the TV you wanted us to give the name of a favorite TV show... for the watch- a favorite time? Okay?

Midnight Rocks!

[Michael @ Sep 28th 2006 11:23AM]

I'm assuming this neat little gadget is GSM... ???

[Jarno Peschier @ Oct 10th 2006 3:39AM]

Eh... no. It's bluetooth. GSM has "nothing" to do with. ;-)

[Paul @ Sep 28th 2006 11:26AM]

Um James,
Do you really think just by adding a BMW in a poster for a watch is going to attract customers who have BMW's?
I think its trying to give the 'luxury/expensive' look, and that isn't really done by using a Z4 (You said M4).

M6 - BMW's Flagship M Model would look better

[james @ Sep 28th 2006 11:33AM]

Paul, i agree w/ you regarding the LOOK they are going for. but again re: the blurr they didnt have clearence. I work for bmw adv. and check. You can shot any type of car but must blur out the logo if you dont have clearence. and yes z4 not m4

[Rick Lyon @ Sep 28th 2006 12:03PM]

Cool! Another over priced niche product from Sony!

[Rob @ Sep 28th 2006 12:24PM]

I'm sorry, but does anyone under 30 still wear watches?

[zex_suik @ Sep 28th 2006 12:27PM]

Guys stop 'focusing' on offf subject crap.

Back to the watch. It fills a missing void in our whole 'connected' lives. If you are walking along and you are expecting an important call (and perhaps there is someone you don't need to talk to calls you) all you need to do is look at the watch, instead of dragging the phone out of our pocket (or purse) to see who is calling you. If it is someone you do not want to speak with just ignore the call, otherwise push the answer button ON your earpiece!

About the pause/play; again you are walking along and someone wants to talk to you, instead of pushing buttons ON THE SIDE OF YOUR HEAD, you can just push a button on your watch and no one is the wiser.

TY TY

[am @ Sep 28th 2006 1:31PM]

I think this is cool and want to run out and buy this as a x-mas present for my tech loving boyfriend but am wondering why you would need it if you have the blue tooth in your ear too? Is it just easier to see the display on the watch? And are all three - the watch, earpiece & phone synched?

[nVidiot @ Sep 28th 2006 1:33PM]

Only works with Sony Erickson phones?

No thanks.. great idea though.

[am @ Sep 28th 2006 1:41PM]

oh , Zex I just read your posting! Now I am seeing the benefits...Thanks! I totally get it and will totally be buying one of these for the man. He is going to scream with excitement! ~a

[nVidiot @ Sep 28th 2006 1:44PM]

Does your boyfriend have a Sony Erickson phone?

Just an FYI.. the press release claims compatability with a select list of SE phones and that's it.

[dan @ Sep 28th 2006 3:42PM]

Compatibility (full functionality): Sony Ericsson K610, K610i, K618, K790, K800, V630, W710, W850, Z610, Z710.

Straight from the SE website... why the hell not support all 2.0 phones?

[nVidiot @ Sep 28th 2006 4:34PM]

There's probably no standard for sending caller ID info over bluetooth. I know "answer" is there since headsets support that.. but the other functionality of the device probably has no standards.

Hence why it only works with SE phones that probably have the same underlying API.

[cian @ Sep 28th 2006 5:00PM]

Wear one on each wrist and do bicep curls on the hour every hour.

http://www.cianw.co.uk

[alex @ Sep 28th 2006 6:13PM]

anyone who owns a bmw m6 either has somone in the car handling all calls for them or wouldnt take the time to answer a call while driving the ultimate driving machine

[Chris Wray @ Sep 29th 2006 1:34AM]

Love the watch, wish I had the dude's suit as well.
alas,
/broke

[deals @ Sep 29th 2006 2:51AM]

What is the best looking digital watch out there? Price is not an issue.

[Jens @ Sep 29th 2006 3:53AM]

I have the Nixon El Dorado watch, the SE is a total copy, or judge for yourself:
http://www.nixonnow.com/watches/mens/the-el-dorado-A180.html#

[tsik @ Sep 29th 2006 9:50AM]

mbw-100 or bmw-100 :) add the picture and the thing gets surreal

[Z @ Sep 29th 2006 9:24PM]

Rob said: "...does anyone under 30 still wear watches?"


Certainly they do, but your question really contains a clue to the answer... "anyone under 30"... It's called responsibility. Those of us who are thirty and older who have responsibilities and have to manage our time, wear watches. Certainly there are people under thirty who have to as well.

***************

On another note, I don't think the watch is too big at all. Just the right size. Masculine, not dainty.

[leeeevy @ Oct 1st 2006 4:04AM]

rafa if it dies after a yr i suggest you take it back to fossil as ALL fossil watches have an 11 year warranty
unless it stopped working cuz you dropped it off a cliff or something idiotic like that - you cant expect them to cover everything
theres a fossil store right by my house - they never require proof of purchase or anything -- its a fossil watch or it isnt and they can tell based on the serial how old it is (or at least when it was manufactured) generally 4-6 weeks turnaround time for it to be fixed