When I turned 40, I wanted a gift that felt meaningful, something timeless, practical, and beautifully made. The Withings ScanWatch Nova Brilliant in silver and gold was exactly that.
It blends traditional watch design with advanced health technology, offering a refined alternative to fully digital smartwatches.
First Impressions: A Hybrid That Looks Like a Luxury Watch
Unlike many smartwatches that shout “tech”, the ScanWatch Nova Brilliant looks like a classic analogue timepiece.
- 39mm stainless steel case
- Anti-reflective sapphire glass
- Fluted bezel (Titanium on the Silver model)
- Super-LumiNova hands and indexes
- 12.99mm case thickness
- Deep grey high-resolution OLED display (0.63”, 282 PPI)
The silver and gold combination feels elegant without being flashy. It works just as well for everyday wear as for a dressier outfit.
At 42g (without wristband), it feels solid but not heavy. It also comes with two swappable 18mm wristbands, a metal bracelet, the gold and silver one that I chose as part of the design, and an FKM fluoroelastomer strap, making it easy to switch between sporty and polished looks.
Health Tracking Features: What It Actually Does
The ScanWatch Nova Brilliant is powered by HealthSense™ Software Gen 4 and includes multiple advanced sensors:
- TempTech 24/7 Module
- Multi-wavelength PPG (16 channels)
- High Dynamic Range Accelerometer
- Altimeter
Heart Health & ECG
One of its strongest selling points is cardiovascular monitoring:
- Electrocardiogram (ECG)
- AFib detection (via Scan Monitor)
- 24/7 heart rate tracking
- Overnight heart rate
- High & low heart rate notifications
- Irregular rhythm notifications
The ECG feature provides reassurance, particularly as you move into your 40s and become more conscious of heart health. It’s important to note that Scan Monitor is not suitable for people with pacemakers or implanted electronic devices.
24/7 Temperature Tracking
This is something that sets it apart from many competitors.
- Baseline variation day & night
- Temperature zones during workouts
- Awake temperature zones (feature expected in 2025)
- Temperature variation notifications
The watch tracks subtle changes rather than showing a simple body temperature reading. It’s useful for spotting trends linked to illness, recovery, or cycle phases.
Sleep Tracking & Respiratory Insights
Sleep tracking is comprehensive and includes:
- Sleep Quality Score
- Sleep stages (light, deep, REM)
- Sleep duration
- Interruptions
- Regularity
- Overnight HRV
- Breathing Quality Index
- Blood oxygen levels (on-demand & nighttime average)
The sleep data is presented clearly in the app and feels actionable rather than overwhelming.
Activity & Fitness Tracking
The ScanWatch Nova Brilliant includes:
- Step tracking
- Calories burned
- Active minutes
- Automatic activity detection
- Workout mode
- Heart rate zones during workouts
- Connected GPS (distance, pace, elevation)
- Elevation (meters & floors)
- VO2 max estimation (Fitness Level)
- Swimproof (5ATM / 50m water resistant)
It is ideal for moderate-fitness users who want insight without a fully digital sports-watch aesthetic.
Cycle Tracking
For women’s health, the watch supports:
- Cycle phases
- Period log
- Cycle length
- Symptoms & flow log
- Mood tracking
- Trend analysis
You can log symptoms both on the watch and in the app, making it practical for everyday use.
Battery Life: A Major Advantage
One of the biggest advantages of the Withings ScanWatch Nova Brilliant is its 35-day battery life.
- Up to 35 days per charge
- Fast charging in 2 hours
- USB-C docking station
- Stores up to 7 days of data offline
This is significantly longer than most smartwatches, which often require charging every 1–3 days.
Withings App & Withings+
The watch connects via Bluetooth Low Energy and works with:
- iOS 16+
- Android 9.0+
- Apple Health
- Google Health Connect
- Google Fit
You cannot set it up from a computer; setup must be done via smartphone.
I downloaded the Withings app, but have not subscribed to Withings+. The free version already provides:
- Unlimited online storage
- Detailed health insights
- Clean dashboard via app or web
Withings+ offers more guided programs and deeper coaching, but for everyday use, I don’t currently feel it’s essential.
Materials & Build Quality
- Stainless steel case
- Sapphire glass (scratch-resistant)
- Stainless steel crown
- FKM sport strap
- Metal bracelet included
The sapphire glass gives it a luxury feel and provides durability. The watch is swimproof (5ATM), making it suitable for pool swimming and showers.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Classic luxury watch design
- 35-day battery life
- Comprehensive heart and temperature tracking
- ECG and AFib detection
- Cycle tracking built in
- Compatible with iOS and Android
- No mandatory subscription
- Small OLED screen (minimalist by design). This is a pro for me, but may be a con for others.
- You can set the clock hands to 10 and 2 by clicking the side to view the digital screen.
Cons
- ECG requires Scan Monitor activation
- Not ideal for high-performance athletes needing detailed live metrics
- The activity detection detects cycling even when I haven’t cycled. However, I have turned automatic detection off for this, so that solved the tracking incorrectly.
Who Is the Withings ScanWatch Nova Brilliant For?
This hybrid smartwatch is ideal for:
- People who want health tracking without a tech-heavy look
- Those entering their 40s and focusing more on heart health
- Women wanting integrated cycle tracking
- Users who prefer long battery life
- Anyone who values French-designed innovation
Final Verdict: Is It Worth It?
As a 40th birthday present, the Withings ScanWatch Nova Brilliant in silver and gold feels symbolic, a balance of timeless style and modern health awareness.
It delivers advanced health tracking, strong battery performance, elegant design, and practical everyday usability.
If you are looking for a hybrid smartwatch that prioritises heart health, temperature tracking, sleep monitoring, and refined design, this is one of the most compelling options currently available.
If you are looking for a French watch, check out my other post on watches made in France.
