Huawei launches Watch Ultimate Design with sapphire and gold casing, priced higher than Mate X6 foldable

Huawei unveiled a range of new gadgets today, with the top billing going to the Mate 70 series smartphones (including the Pro and Pro+) and the foldable Mate X6. 

Alongside them, the company also slipped in a luxurious update to its smartwatch lineup —  the Huawei Watch Ultimate Design Sapphire Edition.

The name might be a bit of a mouthful, but it gets the point across – this smartwatch is all about premium materials. 

While it’s not a completely new device (the original Watch Ultimate launched in March 2023), it’s the third iteration Huawei’s released, and this time they’ve focused on upping the luxury factor. They already offered a special Green Edition back in September, but the Sapphire Edition takes things a step further.

Designed to Impress

The core of the Sapphire Edition’s appeal is in its materials. The watch body is crafted from an ultra-strong amorphous zirconium alloy created using cutting-edge cooling and solidification technology. This results in a case that’s not only lightweight but also remarkably resistant to wear and tear, corrosion, and harsh environments.

Huawei claims the amorphous zirconium alloy is 4.5 times stronger and 2.5 times harder than traditional stainless steel.

The crown jewel (pun intended) is the namesake sapphire bezel. This isn’t just any sapphire – Huawei says it’s meticulously crafted using advanced equipment, undergoing hand-polishing, laser engraving, and coloring processes for a final product that’s not just incredibly strong but also boasts exceptional clarity.

The company didn’t just stop at the sapphire bezel, though. The watch also features six sections of 18K gold meticulously hand-inlaid by a master watchmaker using traditional techniques.

Complementing this is the gold characters on the bezels which uses a combo of hand-painting and modern vacuum ion coating technology. The crown itself is engraved with a diamond knife, adding a final touch of luxury and precision.  

The watch strap is another testament to Huawei’s commitment to premium materials. It’s constructed from aerospace-grade titanium and then plated in gold to match the watch body. 

Beyond Aesthetics

The Watch Ultimate Design Sapphire Edition isn’t just about looks; it offers the same functionalities as the original Watch Ultimate. It sports a 1.5-inch LTPO AMOLED display with a 466 x 466 resolution, protected by sapphire glass. 

The smartwatch is water-resistant up to 10ATM, allowing it to be submerged at depths of up to 100 meters. It also carries ISO 22810 waterproof and EN 13319 diving standards certification, making it ideal for divers. 

There’s also Huawei’s first Global Advanced Golf Course Mode that gives users access to over 15,000 golf courses worldwide. This feature uses precision dual-frequency GNSS for high-accuracy positioning, “plays-like” distance calculations, and intelligent AI Caddie recommendations.

Outdoor enthusiasts will appreciate the Expedition Mode in the watch which supports all-color contour maps for offline use and includes an Expedition Route Import feature for route planning.

The Huawei Watch Ultimate also features a comprehensive health management suite, including advanced ECG analysis, heart rate monitoring, arteriosclerosis risk assessment, SpO2 monitoring, stress monitoring, and sleep tracking. 

Equipped with a 530mAh battery, it offers up to 14 days of typical use or 8 days with heavy usage. It also supports fast Qi wireless charging, allowing a full recharge in just 60 minutes.

Price and Availability

The level of craftsmanship comes at a cost. The Watch Ultimate Design Sapphire Edition carries a price tag of 23,999 yuan, translating to roughly $3306 USD.

That price even surpasses the cost of Huawei’s latest foldable phones, the Mate X6 and the tri-fold Mate XT. 

Clearly, this isn’t a smartwatch for everyone. But for those seeking an ultra-premium smartwatch experience, Huawei has an option for them. The Huawei Watch Ultimate Design Sapphire Edition is available for purchase on the company’s official website.