Chris Froome began the Tour de France with a watch on his wrist that became available in the U.S. just a few weeks ago.
To track his health vitals and get feedback on his training and preparation, Froome will use the Withings ScanWatch Horizon. The diver-style, hybrid smartwatch offers a plethora of features for professional athletes of all kinds.
The watch includes FDA-approved technology for monitoring heart rate, ECG, breathing disturbances, blood oxygen levels, sleep, and physical activity. Like the diver watches that inspired it, the ScanWatch Horizon is also fully functional underwater.
Withings said the watch has 10 ATM water resistance, meaning it can withstand water pressure at a depth of 300 feet. This makes it a functional watch for snorkeling and other water sports.
The ScanWatch Horizon comes in the classic diver watch style, with a stainless steel band, but also includes an elastic wristband for athletes wearing it on the go. The battery lasts up to 30 days, and the watch comes with the Health Mate app, which offers various features for athletes.
Froome has been vocal about his belief that data-driven training plans can improve cyclists’ ability to compete, especially for events like the Tour de France.
He has frequently championed Withings watches, and uses the watch’s health monitoring features to track his weight and sleep regimens. The increased access to data offered by the watches has already benefited young cyclists, he said in a 2021 interview with Withings.
“The more tech I’ve found over the years, the more information that I can share with the team and with my coach from a very personal perspective in terms of activities, sleep monitoring, etc.,” Froome said. “Since using the ScanWatch, I’ve seen that heart rate looks a lot more constant and seems to be tracking in the right direction.”
For its part, Withings designed the ScanWatch Horizon to balance form and function.
“Sophisticated health devices that monitor advanced vitals do not have to look like hospital equipment,” Withings CEO Mathieu Letombe asserted. “With the original ScanWatch, the elegant Rose Gold version, and now ScanWatch Horizon, we have a style option to meet every fashion preference, social occasion, and budget.”
The watch comes in two color options, and is now available at Best Buy, Withings.com, and Amazon. It’s priced at $500 MSRP.
