Kors Access Review, A Fashion First Approach to Android Wear

Suppose the Kors Access has taught me anything. In that case, Android Wear watches from fashion-first brands like Kors. Can’t spin Android’s smartwatch story in an entirely different direction. I’ve tested the Dylan version of the Access for the last two weeks. While it’s a perfect-looking watch. I can’t say it offers dramatically better materials or design than the best Android Wear watches. From tech-first manufacturers like Huawei and Motorola.The Dylan version of the Access bears the familiar MK logo on the top of its crown. Still, that almost invisible flourish will always be a little secret between you and your watch. Beyond that, we can admire Dylan’s chunky lugs, chiseled bezel, and stark, monochrome palette. The design is effectively butch for anyone who needs that vibe from a watch. Still, unless you’re already familiar with Kors timepieces. No one will spot the Access on your wrist and ask Yo, bro, are you wearing Kors?

Chunky architectural, the Dylan protrudes just about 12mm off of your wrist. And those aren’t screw heads on the lugs. They’re buttons, you press them to pop out the strap pins.

Aesthetics

Nonetheless, the Access version of Dylan looks very similar to the analog Dylan, more or less the same case silicone strap, but with two fewer buttons, of course, a digital display for Android Wear. The Access also comes pre-loaded with various watch faces that preach the Kors aesthetic a bit more loudly. So, you can’t lower yourself to buy a smartwatch from a tech-first manufacturer. In that case, you can jump aboard the Kors train. Confident that one of the designer’s watch faces will telegraph your brother’s affinities. And the Access costs only $350 for the Dylan model, which I reviewed. That’s a notable, but not egregious, pricing premium compared to Wear watches from tech companies.

Big, Bulky Br-correct

The Dylan version of Kors Access has a bulky 46mm case. It’s big. There’s also a 44.5mm shaw version that’s more gender-neutral. Both watches have stainless steel cases, but you can choose from various finishes and straps. My review specimen came with a black case and silicone strap. But the Dylan is also sold with silver and rose gold colored cases and a leather strap.

michael kors access falling glitz face — This still photo of the Falling Glitz watch face can’t even begin to illustrate. The showy animation that plays in real life. This one definitely belongs on the rose gold shaw version of the watch.

The shaw has a much wider variety of case colors and comes with either metal bracelets or leather straps. Prices vary across the line-up. The most expensive version is a $395 shaw model with a gold-tone case matching pavé bracelet. Do you want more than one strap? Kors says the only supported options are Kors silicone bands at $40 a pop and leather bands at $50. For what it’s worth, the lug width of the Dylan model is 28mm, but its strap pins measure 12.5mm.

michael kors access bradshaw trio — The shaw version of the Kors Access is slightly smaller at 44.5mm, comes in many more looks. At the far right we see the gold-tone look with pavé bracelet, the most expensive model at $395.

It’s Heavy

But let’s go back to that enormous case. Because the Dylan is so thick, about 12mm. I found it difficult to fit inside the cuffs of some long-sleeved shirts. That’s a first for me; I’ve worn scads of analog watches, smartwatches activity trackers. The Kors Access is also the heaviest wearable I’ve ever put on my wrist. Android Wear supports a few gestures that let you navigate its user interface with a flick of your wrist. None of them are comfortable with a watch this heavy. Maybe if I had the wrists of a wrestler, I wouldn’t mind. But with my tech journo anatomy, I see repetitive stress disorder in my future.

michael kors access digital face — The Dylan’s silicone strap is comfortable grippy.

If you can get past the size and weight. You’re left with a design that aligns with Dylan’s $350 price tag. The black steel case looked almost glossy. But held up very well when I whapped it repeatedly with the sharp edge of a metal ruler. I also like the silicon strap. Its grooved texturing helps give the watch a bit more visual ID. I love all silicone straps for their form-fitting grip. Just be prepared to keep it clean, as those grooves are magnets for dirt debris. For my own watches, I pick much more traditional, classic designs. But if I styled my hair with a razor-fade pompadour or maybe listened to Pitbull, I could see myself wearing the Dylan Access.

Strong Battery life a Sun Friendly Display

OK, let’s get into the guts. I won’t rehash Android Wear software specifics. Still, I will share that the Kors Access was running Android Wear 1.5. So it’s definitely not a launch platform for the imminent Android Wear 2.0, which you can read about later. But there’s still a surprise hiding inside the watch: Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Wear 2100 processor.

michael kors access extra shot — The Notes complication has a very subtle star scene animation, reveals steps progress, the current weather, time zone differentials.

As the name suggests, this chip was designed expressly for next-generation Android Wear watches. In theory, it’s 30 percent smaller than Qualcomm’s previous-generation chip, allowing thinner case designs. However, clearly, Kors still needs to get the message. The Wear 2100 also has built-in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi support and consumes 25 percent less power than Qualcomm’s previous silicon. I never hammered the watch excessively. I was happy with the battery life and finished all my days of testing. With at least 30 percent of the battery capacity remaining.
Like all other Android Wear watches, the Access comes with 4GB of storage for apps and music files. The watch is water resistant to only 1 ATM, so it’s definitely not as rugged. Say, the Nixon Mission, which is suitable for 10 ATMs.

michael kors access engine face — Note the flat tire of missing pixels at the bottom of the display.

The Star of the Show

In terms of raw components, the watch’s 1.4-inch TFT LED display may be the show’s star. With a resolution of 320×290, it has a flat tire of missing pixels at the bottom of the display. The touch display is also a tad slow to respond to swipe gestures. These are negatives, for sure, but damn, this watch is legible in sunlight. For this, we can thank the transflective display tech. Colors are washed out under a bright sun. Still, you can easily read the screen, which fixes a significant pain point of first and second-generation Wear watches.

michael kors access bright sunlight — This image accurately illustrates how that transflective display appears on a bright, sunny day.

Customizable Watch Faces, Heavy on Glitz

You can only add many design elements to a watch case before the hardware gets too loud and flashy. The watch face carries at least half of the visual ID; this puts all digital display smartwatches at a disadvantage. Lacking moving hands and dials, they can look like sci-fi movie props instead of sophisticated accessories.

michael kors access heart face ambient — Here we see the demure ambient mode of the Heart watch face. The full color mode is gold, animated splendor.

Kors tries to shore up the deficit with a collection of bred watch faces. That communicate the designer’s somewhat cheesy Real Housewives aesthetic. The faces aimed at men look techy and mechanical. The ones aimed at women are heavy on costume glitz, with many gold accents rendered pavé insets, even brief animations. They’re unapologetically trashy, but like NeNe cakes, Kors appears to be in on the joke.

michael kors access close up face — Here’s a custom-designed color scheme for the Digital watch face, the stock black version appears in an image above. The outer ring shows step progress. The thick yellow ring shows the hour, then we see rings for minutes even seconds in finer increments.

What You Can Do

You can customize the watch faces for different colored backgrounds and hand accents in the Access settings panel. You can even define auto timing modes that set one watch face for daytime, 6am to 6pm. And another look that runs at night. It’s a great idea that should be built directly into Android Wear itself. Unfortunately, Kors’ customization interface is confusing; the app has no help notes for customization. I was also irked by the Access’ feeble charging system. It’s just a flimsy, floppy little puck that attaches to the back of the watch with a weak magnet. It doesn’t sit comfortably on a nightstand until you plop on the watch. I always had to check twice to ensure the watch was actually seated on the puck, charging.

michael kors access charging — The charging puck forms a weak magnetic bond to the watch, slips off easily.

What’s in a Name? For Some, Everything

The available models were painfully frumpy when Android Wear was announced in 2014. Even the original Moto 360, the most stylish of the bunch, looked more like a tech toy. Thanks to its bizarre lug-less design. But that was more than two years ago. Tech brands like Motorola have improved their looks dramatically. Android Wear watches like the TAG Heuer Connected $1,500 Fossil Q Marshal $295-$315 provided options for consumers with a lifestyle brand on their wrists. This is the competitive environment that Kors finds itself in. Despite a fair number of drawbacks, Access accounts for itself reasonably well.

michael kors access crown closeup — Push the crown to access settings, apps contacts. The crown may bear the only visible Kors logo on the physical design. But, hey, it’s there for those who care.

The Access is big and bulky, and its charging adapter feels like an afterthought. But I give props to Kors for imbuing the Access Dylan with the same design as the analog Dylan. Releasing a wide range of woman-friendly Wear watches via the Access shaw. The Dylan is also made of hardy, durable materials, boasts solid battery life and is easy to read outside.
Are there better values in Android Wear? Most definitely. Do other models offer more features? Sure. But those watches can’t claim a fashion-first pedigree; for some consumers. However dubious their logic may be, that could be a deal-breaker.