Before we go any further, let's make an important clarification. The Pebble Steel isn't replacing the original version, which will continue to be available for $150 through several different channels. Fortunately, it isn't creating fragmentation within the Pebble lineup either; aside from a few minor hardware changes (such as a new charger, Gorilla Glass, an anti-fingerprint coating and an LED notification light, which is used to indicate the watch is charging), the Steel adds very little extra functionality. Many of the other specs remain the same: the e-paper display, waterproof design, user interface and battery are identical.

Indeed, the most striking changes to the Steel are all cosmetic, all of which are welcome improvements that give the Pebble a much more mature appearance. The stainless steel body is surrounded by a small, black racing stripe near the top, which doubles as an external antenna; without it, the Bluetooth signal would be consistently obstructed by the watch's metal chassis. Each Steel will come with two wristbands -- leather (below) and metal (above) -- but this time, standard bands aren't going to be compatible. Pebble plans to release the design specs in a 3D-printable format, in case third-party manufacturers want to come up with a wider variety of options.

You can also choose between two available colors: Brushed Stainless and Black Matte. While both models feature the same build material and quality, the black unit's casing is coated with a Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) finish that helps make the body more scratch-resistant and slightly more durable.

We've always been fond of the original Pebble's look, but there is definitely something to be said about the fact that the Steel is simply more stylish, not to mention easier to use. It still feels just as comfortable to wear and even the buttons offer a more enjoyable experience; we didn't feel like we had to push as hard on the Steel's buttons to navigate around the UI, which is a huge win for the watch's industrial design.

Earlier we mentioned that the Steel unfortunately doesn't use the same charger as the original version. Since the new watch is shaped quite a bit differently than its predecessor, the team had to make some adjustments. Fortunately, the result is at least a good one: In theory, since the contacts actually have a little bit more surface area, it charges the Steel faster. Also, don't worry about having to buy a new one -- as you might expect, it'll come with one in the box.

On the firmware side, the Steel will come with Pebble OS 2.0 built-in, and you'll be able to take advantage of the company's new App Store. CEO Eric Migicovsky tells us that more than 6,000 developers have already submitted apps, so the Steel should have a pretty healthy selection of games, watchfaces and other apps when it launches. This list of apps includes ESPN, Pandora, GoPro, Yelp, Foursquare and Mercedes.

Pebble Steel. January 28th. Tell your friends.