Matrix Powerwatch review

SHIPPING, ORDERS, RETURNS WARRANTY

How can I order a PowerWatch?

Please visit our product page here.

When will I receive my watch?

The PowerWatch and PowerWatch Black Ops ship in 3-5 business days.

Is custom engraving still available?

Custom engraving was briefly available to Indiegogo backers as an exclusive thank you when the PowerWatch first launched. This is no longer available.

How much is shipping? Is VAT included?

Shipping is calculated at checkout and depends on your location. Tax will be collected if you reside in California, USA. VAT, import duties, taxes and other charges are not included in PowerWatch’s price or shipping cost.

What are the details of your satisfaction guarantee / warranty?

There is a one-year warranty for factory defects. For more on our return policy and limited product warranty, please visit Shipping & Returns.

Are refunds allowed after the Indiegogo campaign ends?

No, unfortunately, refunds will not be permitted after the campaign ends.

What’s considered “normal use”?

The MATRIX PowerWatch will charge under normal use as follows

• Adjusting the watch to stay in direct contact with the user’s wrist
• Limiting backlight and Bluetooth activity while wearing the watch
• Not activating the watch unnecessarily or repeatedly when not being worn

What is your return policy?

Our return policy is 14 days and subject to a $35 restocking fee. The customer is responsible for shipping costs to send the watch and packaging back to MATRIX. All returns must be in the original packaging with all original content included. There is a one-year warranty within the United States, and a two-year warranty within the EU. For more, please visit our Conditions of use.

Where’s the PowerWatch designed and manufactured?

The PowerWatch was designed in California. It is manufactured in China.

BASIC QUESTIONS

What are thermoelectrics?

A thermoelectric is a device that converts heat to electricity. They have been used for decades in niche applications to power NASA satellites. MATRIX has developed a thermoelectric technology that is highly efficient and can convert low grade heat from a person’s body to power a smartwatch. MATRIX not only has the most advanced thermoelectrics but the world’s most efficient boost converter that is required to run the watch electronics. You can learn more here: www.matrixindustries.com.

What technology does PowerWatch use?

The PowerWatch uses a thermoelectric generator (TEG) that senses body heat and converts it into energy. TEGs need to have a hot side and a cold side to operate. The hot side is the circular black aluminum plate on the back of the watch. The cold side is the entire metal bezel and body of the watch. The hot and cold sides are separated from each other by a layer of insulating thermoplastic. The TEGs harvest the heat flowing from the hot side to the cold side and turn it into electricity.

How does the PowerWatch use electricity generated?

The PowerWatch has a small battery inside that’s constantly charged whenever you wear the watch. This battery maintains the time and fitness data when you are not wearing the PowerWatch for up to one year.

What is the Real Time Display?

The Real Time Display is the arc of display bars around the outside of the watch face. The Real Time Display indicates how much power is being harvested from your body heat. The bars around the display rise and fall depending on how much heat you provide.

When PowerWatch is turned on and worn on your wrist, the bars activate. They’ll appear from the 12 o’clock position and move clockwise around the watch face. For most people, the Real Time Display will stabilize at around 6 and 9 bars. Exercise and other body heat-inducing activities increase this value – all the way to 11!

How much power can the PowerWatch generate?

The PowerWatch requires a temperature differential with the ambient air to charge its internal battery. It generates more power when the air is cooler. Also when your skin is warmer from being active. The chart below shows how fast the PowerWatch charges its internal battery at different air temperatures.

The PowerWatch charges its battery the fastest when you are active (walking or running), and when the ambient temperature is below 80°F (26°C). Above 90°F (32°C), the PowerWatch cannot charge its internal battery.

In conditions where PowerWatch is unable to charge, it will work for up to one year. Boost the rate of energy production by wearing the watch snugly on the wrist, allowing your arm to swing naturally during physical activity, and ensuring your clothing doesn’t obstruct or cover the PowerWatch.

What’s the best way to show the PowerWatch to my friends?

Here’s our favourite way to do it…

• Remove the PowerWatch and wait for the Real Time Display to show zero bars. This could take a minute or two. Shorten the time by setting the PowerWatch down on a cool surface
• Ask your good buddy to hold out their wrist
• Set the PowerWatch against their wrist and show them the Real Time Display bars suddenly increasing
• Say the magic words: “Thank you, your body heat just charged my battery!”
• Repeat this with several friends. Why not start a battle royale to see whose warm-hearted soul generates the most power?

USING POWERWATCH

How do I pair the watch with my smartphone?

You need to download and launch the MATRIX iOS or Android app directly from your mobile device. From the welcome screen on your PowerWatch, press SET.

(When you turn on your PowerWatch for the first time, you must pair it with your Android or iOS device. You only need to do this once for setup. Once it’s paired, you don’t need to use the app again if you so wish.)

How do I set the date and time?

To set the time and date manually, go to the Watch Settings screen, then press SET. Use the SCROLL and SET buttons to set the time and date.

You can set the date and time automatically using the MATRIX companion app.

How do I track my activity?

Press MODE until the Daily Activity screen appears. Turn the SCROLL to read Steps, Calories and Sleep.

How do I reset the sleep counter, step counter and calorie counter?

The step, calorie and sleep counters all reset every night at midnight, local time. Each day’s totals are synchronized with your Android or iOS device so you can track your progress over time.

How do I turn on the backlight?

Just hold the MODE button for two seconds.

How do I use the stopwatch?

Press MODE until the stopwatch screen appears. Press SET to cycle through Start, Stop, and Reset. In some cases the display may update slowly, but the result is accurate.

Be aware that running the stopwatch for long periods of time may lead to increased power consumption.

Does the watch have an alarm?

Only the PowerWatch X offers an alarm at this time. It can be set from within the MATRIX companion app.

How do I use the Running Mode?

The PowerWatch can track the data for every run you take. Simply press MODE until the Running Mode screen appears, then press SET to cycle through Start, Stop and Reset.

How do I use Sleep Tracking mode?

The PowerWatch automatically senses when you sleep and wake up.

Press MODE until the Daily Activity screen appears. Turn SCROLL to read today’s sleep data.

What is Power Save mode?

Power Save keeps PowerWatch in a state of low power hibernation. After about 45 minutes of inactivity, the PowerWatch will automatically turn on a screensaver. Moving the watch or pressing any button will clear the screensaver.

After one week of inactivity, the PowerWatch will enter Power Save mode and its screen turns off. If it’s fully charged, your settings should be saved for one year or more. When you’re ready to use your PowerWatch again, turn it on by pressing MODE and SET simultaneously.        

How do I keep my PowerWatch charged?

Your PowerWatch charges whenever you wear it. It charges even faster on the inside of your wrist.

What notifications are available on the PowerWatch X?

The notifications available for PowerWatch X are…

• Incoming call
• Message received
• Activity goal met
• Alarm

How do I download the smartphone app?

Click the badges below for either the iOS or Android app from your mobile device.

Is the PowerWatch waterproof?

Every single PowerWatch is tested for water resistance at the factory before shipping.

The PowerWatch is tested to 50 meters, while the PowerWatch X is tested to 200 meters.

How do I adjust the watch so it stays in direct contact with my wrist?

The back of the PowerWatch needs to be in tight contact with the inside or outside of your wrist. It will not work if it is loose enough to slip around. As long as the back stays touching the flat part of your wrist (inside or outside), the PowerWatch will charge.

Which languages are supported?

We currently support English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Japanese, Chinese and Korean.

USING POWERWATCH 2

How does the PowerWatch 2 differ from PowerWatch?

The PowerWatch 2 has a heart rate sensor, GPS positioning, and full-color LCD display. It also uses advanced solar-cell technology. Please see the comparisons graphic located on our product page for a full list of technical specifications.

How do the three PowerWatch 2 models differ?

The PowerWatch 2, Premium Edition features a sleek silver case with a 22mm stainless steel metal strap and quick release butterfly buckle. It’s housed in a beautiful package featuring premium materials.

The PowerWatch 2 Luxe Edition features sapphire glass, a smooth titanium finish, and a quick release 22mm shark mesh Milanese strap in black. The PW2 Luxe ships in limited edition packaging handcrafted using premium materials. It also ships with a spring bar tool and plated warranty card.

When will I receive my PowerWatch 2?

The PowerWatch 2 will start shipping in June.

How does PowerWatch 2 accurately measure calories burned?

A calorie is defined as the amount of heat energy required to raise 1 gram of water by 1 degree Celsius. Scientists measure calories burned by measuring the amount of heat the body produces. This is the most accurate way of measuring calorie loss. The PowerWatch’s thermoelectric technology measures calories burned in a similar fashion by measuring the amount of heat you produce.

What happens when I take off PowerWatch 2?

PowerWatch 2 goes to sleep and runs off battery power where it draws a tiny amount of current. Put it back on and it turns on with the correct time.

With new power-hungry features, are you sure the watch won’t eventually die?

Battery life of the PowerWatch is in most cases infinite. There are a couple of exceptions. With all user initiated activity-tracking features (beyond the always-on functions) and GPS turned on persistently, the battery will last approximately three months. When the watch is not worn, it will go into standby mode and last up to one year.

How does the PowerWatch 2 backlight compare to PowerWatch?

PowerWatch 2 will have a much brighter and more uniformly illuminated backlight compared to PowerWatch.

Does the PowerWatch 2 work with external heart rate monitors?

Not at this time.

Can PowerWatch 2 control music on your phone?

Not at this time.

Is the PowerWatch 2 water resistant?

Yes, up to 200m.

Matrix Powerwatch price and release date

• It costs $199 / £145 / AU$250 but you’ll have to pay shipping on top
• You can buy it now around the world

If you live in either the UK or Australia you’ll find the watch for around £145 / AU$250, but that’s subject to change as it’s calculated according to the exchange rate for the country you’re living in.

You’ll also need to spend more on shipping, with it costing upwards of $30 (around £21/AU$38) to get it shipped outside of the US. 

It’s worth noting the company has also launched an updated device called the Matrix Powerwatch X, which will set you back $279 (around £210/AU$380), but that’s not what we’re reviewing here.

Design and display

• Thick — yet light — design that won’t be to everyone’s taste
• Strap is a little uncomfortable when working out
• No touchscreen — instead you use a crown and two buttons

Here’s where the Matrix Powerwatch begins to fall down, and that’s probably as there needs to be lots of space in the watch to house this innovative charging technology.

The watch is thick, and is going to look gargantuan on your wrist if you have small arms and, at best, large if you’ve got bigger limbs. Multiple times people commented on the size of this watch, and it’s not a particularly attractive device either.

The Powerwatch isn’t particularly heavy, but we found the design larger than pretty much any other smartwatch we’ve tried, which meant we were hitting it on objects accidentally when we passed by them.

You may get used to this after some usage, but it’s difficult to get excited about the design of this watch. There’s a metal bezel around the outside of the watch, but that doesn’t look particularly attractive as you can see the screws, giving it an industrial look.

It does benefit from water resistance up to depths of 50 meters though, which is a big deal if you’re planning to wear this while out in open water or even just into the shower.

To interact with the watch you’ll find two buttons at the two and five positions with a rotatable crown in the middle for moving through the menus.

It doesn’t have a touchscreen display like a lot of other smartwatches though. Instead you’ll be using that crown to go through the menus and pressing the buttons, which works in a similar way to how it would on a hybrid watch that doesn’t have a display.

Matrix has opted for a black and white display here too, so don’t expect your stats to look gorgeous and jump out of the screen at you. There’s no backlight here either, so we struggled to see our stats when we were out at night, which is especially problematic if you’re prone to go running when it’s dark.

This feels like a major downside to the display on the Powerwatch, and though it’s done to save on the battery it’s a feature many will miss immediately after putting on the watch.

The screen is a decent size though, so when the light is good you can comfortably see the stats you want to on your wrist, and rotating the crown will show all of these in an easy to view way.

Another downside to this watch is the strap. The Matrix website refers to it as a ‘tough nylon’ material, which describes it perfectly – it’s too tough to wear on a watch that’s meant to allow you to get sweaty when working out.

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In day-to-day use it didn’t feel particularly uncomfortable, but once you start sweating you won’t be impressed by this tough material, as it feels more uncomfortable than other nylon choices from the likes of Apple and other wearable brands.

All in all, it’s difficult to get excited about the display or design of the Matrix Powerwatch. It may have a look that some will love, but it’s not a comfortable device to wear and that’s a big part of owning a smartwatch.