With continuous improvements in product functionality and battery life, in recent years, smartphone manufacturers have not only focused on the development of mobile phones but have also turned their attention to smart wearable devices represented by smartwatches. OnePlus is no exception, having launched its first smartwatch, the OnePlus Watch, on March 24. The limited edition OnePlus Watch made of cobalt alloy went on sale on May 17 at 10 AM on various platforms including Huantai Mall, JD.com, Tmall, and Suning.
Speaking of the OnePlus Watch limited edition cobalt alloy, I believe many of you, like Xiaogang, are very interested in it. Currently, the middle frame of most smartwatches is usually made of materials such as aluminum alloy, zinc alloy, or even plastic. So, what kind of “spark” will the OnePlus Watch create with cobalt alloy? Let’s explore this together with Xiaogang.
Not Just Cobalt Alloy, But Also Luxury-Grade Appearance and Craftsmanship
Before discussing the OnePlus Watch limited edition cobalt alloy, Xiaogang wants to keep you in suspense and introduce the cobalt alloy used in this product.
Compared to common materials like stainless steel and aluminum alloy, cobalt alloy, known as the “ocean metal,” has extremely stable chemical properties, and its hardness is twice that of stainless steel, making it resistant to scratches. Cobalt alloy not only has good corrosion resistance but is also nickel-free, which eliminates the risk of allergic reactions when in contact with skin.
Strong stability, high hardness, and no risk of allergies make cobalt alloy very suitable for use as the middle frame of smart wearable products. However, it is important to note that the processing difficulty of cobalt alloy is extremely high, which is why this expensive material is currently only used in a few high-end watches, all of which are priced above five figures.
The transparent middle frame of the OnePlus Watch limited edition cobalt alloy
The OnePlus Watch limited edition cobalt alloy is the first product from OnePlus to incorporate cobalt alloy, a material typically used by traditional luxury watch brands, into the middle frame of a smartwatch. This means that creating a OnePlus Watch limited edition cobalt alloy requires more time, cost, and technology: to achieve an extremely delicate and transparent effect, the OnePlus Watch limited edition cobalt alloy is hand-polished by artisans using special professional abrasives, followed by polishing by professional polishers. After multiple processes, the OnePlus Watch limited edition cobalt alloy has a luxurious middle frame smooth enough to reflect its own image.
Calfskin strap
It is worth noting that the OnePlus Watch limited edition cobalt alloy not only comes standard with a sports strap but also includes a top-quality calfskin strap. Like the cobalt alloy middle frame, this calfskin strap is also “something special”: it is made from the same genuine leather used by the manufacturer of Hermès, and the buckle features a high-end watch exclusive butterfly clasp design, perfectly complementing the cobalt alloy middle frame and sapphire glass lens.
Exquisite polishing and polishing of the cobalt alloy middle frame, calfskin strap made of Hermès material, and high-end watch butterfly clasp design are the ultimate pursuit of the outer shell material and appearance details, allowing the OnePlus Watch limited edition cobalt alloy to provide users with not only a luxurious visual experience but also an extremely comfortable wearing experience.
Beyond the Product: Smartwatches Are More Than Just Smartwatches
According to research firm Counterpoint, despite the impact of various factors such as the pandemic, global smartwatch shipments still saw a 1.5% increase in 2020. Additionally, Counterpoint senior analyst Sujeong Lim stated that the average selling price of smartwatches increased in the fourth quarter of 2020, with products priced above $300 accounting for an 8% increase. Coupled with the growing emphasis on personal health, multiple favorable factors have further propelled the development of smartwatches.
Currently, smartwatches have made significant progress in terms of functionality and practicality, with health monitoring features such as blood oxygen detection becoming a standard offering among high-end smartwatches. As a result, how to make smartwatches “more than just smartwatches” and endow products with more possibilities has become an important issue for manufacturers.
In this regard, the OnePlus Watch limited edition cobalt alloy achieves a luxurious watch-like appearance through its unique cobalt alloy middle frame, sapphire lens, and dual straps made of calfskin and fluororubber, combined with hand-polishing techniques. It also supports over 110 sports modes, blood oxygen detection, continuous recording, all-day heart rate monitoring, stress monitoring, sleep monitoring, and 14-day battery life, making it a high-end smartwatch product with luxury characteristics.
Furthermore, the development of smartwatches has now surpassed the previous definitions of this product category. Today’s smartwatches are not only wearable products but can also serve as decorative items that showcase the user’s taste, prompting smartwatch manufacturers to continuously invest in product aesthetic design.
Returning to the OnePlus Watch limited edition cobalt alloy, it is not only a reliable multifunctional health monitoring product but also an excellent high-end decorative item: compared to traditional high-end watches, the OnePlus Watch limited edition cobalt alloy not only has an appearance that can rival them but also offers multifunctionality that high-end watches cannot match; compared to ordinary smartwatches, the OnePlus Watch limited edition cobalt alloy boasts materials and craftsmanship that can compete with luxury goods, and its functionality is equally impressive. These features allow the OnePlus Watch limited edition cobalt alloy to showcase the user’s unique fashion taste.
Returning to the smartwatch itself, the rich features allow it to replace traditional items such as wallets. From a certain perspective, smartwatches even pose a threat to the status of mobile phones in people’s daily lives. The OnePlus Watch limited edition cobalt alloy also supports offline use of Alipay for quick payments, public transport cards in over 300 cities, and simulated access control cards. Just imagine how wonderful it would be for a high-end smartwatch made of cobalt alloy to serve as your bus card, access card, or even wallet? Moreover, this product can also act as your personal assistant and health assistant. Thus, it is evident that the significant development of smartwatches, especially high-end smartwatches, is well justified.
This is also the message OnePlus hopes to convey through the OnePlus Watch limited edition cobalt alloy: it is not just a high-end smartwatch with a refined appearance; in everyday usage scenarios, the OnePlus Watch limited edition cobalt alloy can also play multiple roles.
Final Thoughts
Overall, the OnePlus Watch limited edition cobalt alloy, with its luxurious appearance composed of a luxury-grade cobalt alloy middle frame and matching calfskin strap, along with hand-polishing and polishing craftsmanship, has a promising start in the high-end smartwatch market, and its future market performance is also worth looking forward to. The OnePlus Watch also serves as a good example for other brands looking to enter the smartwatch market.
