FOSSIL Q NATE (BLACK STAINLESS STEEL)

I grew very fond of the Fossil Q Nate (Black Stainless Steel edition) in the time I was testing it, mostly because it looks like a proper watch. While the Vivomove, Phase and Steel HR hybrids look like tech companies guring out watches, the Q Nate looks like a watch company guring out tech — and I’m surprised at how well it turned out.

First of all, that look. The Black Stainless Steel is handsome, manly and big. I like it, but I’ll concede that big may not be your thing. Fossil’s Q series of hybrids come in various sizes and looks, but the smallest one (for women) is still 40mm. The straps can be easily swapped around with compatible straps, which is nice.

But then again, the Black Stainless Steel doesn’t make it easy to tell the time, with its black hands on black watch face colors. And the way it tells you the date is next to useless; press the top button and the hands move to a minuscule number on the watch face. Unless you can see recognize ant faces with your bare eyes, you won’t be able to tell the date with this watch.

Pairing the watch was seamless, and I liked how the Nate Q automatically synced time to my iPhone when I tested switching time zones. The Fossil Q app is also pretty and detailed; it even comes with instructions for the watch.

Besides its good looks, what makes the Fossil Q Nate stand out is its outstanding notications support. Now, you only get six notication slots, which is less than the Mist Phase’s nine. But while the Phase gives you seven apps to choose from, the Q Nate supports notications from 54 apps, the most among these four hybrids.

True, you don’t get the Steel HR’s digital screen or the Phase’s colored dot to see which app is buzzing you, but you don’t have to worry about missing a notication from your favorite app.

When it comes to activity tracking, the Nate Q only tracks steps (with calories) and sleep. Step tracking is on par with the rest of the hybrids, getting results in the general, if not specic, range.

The best way to think about the Fossil Nate Q is a nice, if big, watch that comes with very good notications support and barebones step tracking. You won’t be able to tell the date at all, but at least you’ll look fashionable not doing it.

• Looks most like a nice watch • Lots of support for noti cations • Seamless pairing and syncing • Big style isn’t for everyone • Can’t tell the date at all • Basic activity tracking

The Q Nate has tiny numbers around the watch face to tell the date, but you won’t be able to make them out.

The app is cleanly designed and comes with detailed instructions for the watch.