Withings ScanWatch Nova Brilliant Edition Review

Transitioning from an Apple Watch Ultra 2 to the Withings ScanWatch Nova Brilliant feels less like a downgrade and more like a conscious shift in lifestyle. Right out of the box, the Nova Brilliant introduces itself as something different. It is less of a digital device and more of a fashion statement. The titanium silver case reflects light with a refined polish and the crisp white dial brings a level of sophistication usually reserved for classic timepieces rather than health-focused wearables.

At 39mm, it leans into traditional watch proportions and suits those with smaller wrists or anyone who prefers subtlety over tech-forward size. Coming from the 49mm presence of the Apple Watch Ultra, it is a noticeable shift but one that quickly feels natural if elegance and restraint are your priorities.

Despite its more compact form factor, the Nova Brilliant feels premium. Much of that comes down to the five-link metal bracelet that gives it a reassuring weight. It sits securely on the wrist and has less tendency to slip around compared to silicone or fabric bands. Adjusting the bracelet with the included tool kit is straightforward for anyone who has resized a traditional watch band before.

Visually, it delivers immediate appeal. The raised numerals, the mix of brushed and polished metal surfaces, and the fluted bezel give it the kind of presence you would expect from a mechanical watch. Yet, hidden beneath the traditional analog hands lies a discreet OLED window that brings smart functionality to life only when needed. This is a watch made to complement a tailored outfit or a formal event, not compete with a workout tracker on a gym floor.

Overall, the initial impression is strong. This is not a smartwatch pretending to be a watch. It is a watch first, with cleverly integrated smarts that enhance the experience without shouting for attention.

Design and Materials: Classic Form Meets Smart Innovation

The Withings ScanWatch Nova Brilliant blends design with modern tech in a way that feels intentional and elegant. Its 39mm stainless steel case is finished in Titanium Silver, giving it a premium, dress-watch feel. Rather than chasing the futuristic look common in many smartwatches, this model leans into classic watchmaking cues:

• A fluted bezel design that adds vintage-inspired character
• Raised hour markers that catch the light subtly
• Traditional analog hands that feel familiar to mechanical watch lovers

The white dial stands out. It could have easily felt plain, but Withings elevates it with thoughtful details:

• A layered inner ring that adds visual depth
• Metallic numerals that look sculpted rather than printed
• A subtle sunburst effect that plays with light

Super-LumiNova coating ensures visibility in low light, and the face is protected by sapphire crystal, offering both scratch resistance and excellent clarity.

The embedded OLED display at the top of the face is a functional highlight, though it may split opinions. Positioned above the center axis, it offers key health metrics and notifications at a glance. Visually, it creates a strong contrast:

• It integrates well for users who value functionality over uniformity
• However, the dark circle may feel out of place on the otherwise bright and symmetrical face

Withings includes two straps in the box, giving users flexibility depending on the occasion. The five-link metal bracelet suits more formal or professional settings. It has a reassuring weight and stays in place better than softer materials. Sizing the bracelet is straightforward with the included tool, and once adjusted:

• It wears securely and avoids slipping during daily movement
• It adds to the watch’s overall feeling of quality and polish

The included fluoroelastomer sport band is ideal for active use. While functional, its chalky white tone (closer to grey than true white) might not appeal to all tastes, especially next to the bright white dial or packaging.

Overall, the Nova Brilliant’s materials and detailing reflect a watch-first mentality. It’s designed to be worn in a range of settings without broadcasting its smart features, making it ideal for users who want subtlety with substance.

Wearing Experience: Built for Style, Balanced for Comfort

Slipping the ScanWatch Nova Brilliant onto your wrist feels more like wearing a piece of jewellery than a piece of tech. That’s not just because of the polished finish and classic proportions, it’s also the way the watch carries its weight and stays in place throughout the day.

At 39mm wide and 13mm thick, the watch is compact by smartwatch standards but well-sized for a traditional timepiece. On a smaller wrist, it looks proportionate and elegant. Those used to larger wearables like the Apple Watch Ultra may find the reduced screen area a trade-off, but one that quickly fades once you appreciate the classic silhouette.

Despite weighing in at 91 grams with the metal bracelet attached, the Nova Brilliant doesn’t feel heavy or cumbersome. In fact:

• The weight is distributed evenly, so it doesn’t cause wrist fatigue
• The bracelet’s snug fit prevents the watch from sliding around, a common issue with looser silicone bands
• Once sized properly with the included tool, the bracelet holds its shape and position impressively well

The included chalk-coloured fluoroelastomer band offers a more casual and sport-friendly option. It’s comfortable enough for workouts or all-day wear, although the muted tone might not visually complement every outfit.

In daily use, the watch holds up well under a variety of conditions. The case and band don’t pick up fingerprints easily, and the sapphire crystal has proven resistant to scuffs from daily wear like typing, cooking, or brushing against a jacket zipper. There’s also reassurance from its 5ATM water resistance rating:

• You can wear it while washing hands, in the shower, or during a swim
• Just keep in mind it’s slightly less water-resistant than the standard ScanWatch Nova

Switching between the bands can take a moment to get used to. The pin system isn’t difficult, but it’s more fiddly than the magnetic or button-based designs from some modern smartwatches. Still, it feels intentional and in line with traditional watchmaking practices.

Overall, the Nova Brilliant balances form and function well. It feels solid without being bulky and stylish without compromising on comfort. It’s the kind of watch you put on in the morning and forget about, until someone compliments it or you glance down to check your health data.

Display Choices: Blending Elegance with Utility

The ScanWatch Nova Brilliant walks a fine line between classic analog charm and smart functionality, and nowhere is that balance more obvious than in its display. At a glance, you see a traditional watch face with metallic hour markers and hands, but look closer, and the digital world quietly emerges.

The watch features two displays:

• A grayscale OLED screen located at the 12 o’clock position
• A small analog activity dial at 6 o’clock that tracks your progress toward daily health goals

The OLED screen is both a standout feature and a potential point of contention. Functionally, it’s a big improvement over earlier Withings models thanks to:

• Higher contrast and brighter output, making it easy to read in both direct sunlight and dark environments
• A larger font size that’s legible at a glance, even from arm’s length
• Clear notifications and health readouts that cycle one line at a time via the rotating crown

However, aesthetically, it does divide opinion. On the white dial, the OLED appears as a bold black circle that interrupts the clean symmetry. For some, this design choice undermines the elegance of the overall look. Others may appreciate the way it fades into the background when inactive and lights up only when needed. It’s a design compromise that comes down to personal taste.

A more subtle detail is the way the OLED screen now reaches into the numeral ring on the watch face. This results in partial cutoffs around the top third of the dial:

• The visual balance is slightly skewed compared to earlier ScanWatch models
• The trade-off is that it allows for a larger display area in a smaller 39mm case

Below the main hands, the analog activity sub-dial adds a mechanical touch to daily fitness tracking. It tracks goal completion from 0 to 100 percent and moves incrementally throughout the day:

• This approach gives you a constant awareness of your activity level without opening an app
• It fits naturally within the analog layout and feels more like a complication than a smart feature

Navigating the OLED is handled entirely by the crown. A simple press scrolls through core metrics like heart rate, steps, sleep, and ECG access. The interaction is smooth and intuitive, but limited by the screen’s small size. Users coming from full-touch smartwatches may miss the flexibility of swiping and tapping.

The Nova Brilliant’s display choices succeed in delivering functionality without fully sacrificing style. It’s not a replacement for a full smartwatch screen, but it’s far more discreet and that’s precisely the appeal.

Health and Wellness: Medical-Grade Insights in a Classic Package

The Withings ScanWatch Nova Brilliant may look like a timeless dress watch, but it quietly packs some of the most comprehensive health features available in any wearable. Withings has long focused on medical-grade health tracking, and this model is no exception. Offering functionality that rivals more overtly techy devices while keeping it all behind an analog façade.

At the core of the health experience are several key sensors and functions:

• Medical-grade ECG with atrial fibrillation detection in just 30 seconds
• Continuous heart rate monitoring using a PPG sensor, including alerts for low and high heart rates
• SpO2 sensor for measuring blood oxygen saturation levels
• Skin temperature tracking with variation alerts, ideal for early signs of illness or exertion stress
• Sleep tracking with detailed insights, sleep stages, and breathing disturbance detection
• Menstrual cycle tracking, integrated into the app and accessible via the watch

Running an ECG or blood oxygen test is as simple as cycling through the menu with the crown and resting your finger on the bezel. Within 30 seconds, results are ready and can be synced with the Withings app. The sensors work well and feel accurate in everyday testing, idle heart rate tracking, in particular, proved consistent when compared with other wearables.

Temperature tracking is one of the more unique features. Instead of showing real-time skin temperature, the Nova Brilliant monitors variations over time. These shifts are categorized into three workout zones:

• Warm-up Zone: gentle physical activity or body warming
• Performance Zone: optimal exertion level for training
• Overheating Zone: a sign it may be time to rest or hydrate

This subtle but continuous feedback is especially helpful for those who train regularly or want early warning signs for illness.

Sleep tracking is another strength. Each morning, users receive a Sleep Quality Score based on duration, interruptions, breathing, and heart rate patterns. If disturbances are detected, the app offers personalised suggestions to improve rest. The Smart Wake-Up feature uses gentle vibration to wake you during the lightest part of your sleep cycle within a preset window:

• It reduces the groggy, jarring wake-up feeling
• Ideal for early starts or variable sleep routines

For those concerned with overall wellness rather than performance metrics, the Nova Brilliant offers peace of mind. Everything it monitors happens quietly in the background, with no buzzes or distractions unless you configure them. It’s a more passive, less demanding approach than high-frequency fitness watches. Perfect for users who want to stay informed without being bombarded.

In short, the Nova Brilliant’s health features punch well above its analog-first appearance. It delivers on core wellness metrics without turning your wrist into a full-blown data centre. For many, that’s exactly the kind of balance worth wearing.

Fitness and Activity: Smart Tracking Without the Fuss

While the Withings ScanWatch Nova Brilliant doesn’t scream “fitness tracker” at first glance, it’s quietly effective at monitoring your activity throughout the day. It skips the flashy animations and constant reminders that dominate mainstream fitness-focused smartwatches and instead offers a calm, minimalistic approach to staying active.

Out of the box, the watch tracks over 40 different activities without any need for manual activation. Whether you’re walking, running, cycling, or doing strength training, the Nova Brilliant uses a 3-axis accelerometer to automatically log movement and intensity. That means:

• You don’t have to scroll through workout menus or tap a screen before every session
• Spontaneous activity still gets counted, even a walk to the café or a spontaneous stair sprint

For more dedicated sessions, the crown lets you manually enter Workout Mode. This activates real-time monitoring of heart rate, movement, and duration. It’s a simple interaction:

• Twist the crown to navigate
• Select your workout type
• Press to start logging with constant updates visible on the OLED screen

The analog subdial at 6 o’clock gives a surprisingly satisfying overview of your daily step count, represented as a percentage of your daily goal. It may be small, but it’s glanceable and keeps you subtly motivated to move.

For outdoor activities like running or hiking, the Nova Brilliant uses Connected GPS via your smartphone. This lets it map routes and measure elevation without needing a built-in GPS chip. While it means you’ll need your phone nearby, it still delivers:

• Accurate distance tracking with GPS-level precision
• Post-workout mapping through the Withings app, including elevation changes and splits

In terms of performance insights, the watch provides:

• Heart rate zones to show whether you’re in fat-burn, cardio, or peak performance territory
• VO2 max estimation, which gives an idea of your cardiovascular fitness and aerobic efficiency

Temperature variation tracking also plays a role during workouts. The watch helps you understand how your body is responding by categorising intensity levels into zones. It will even alert you if you’re entering an overheating state, prompting you to slow down or hydrate.

Thanks to its 5ATM water resistance, the Nova Brilliant can handle swims and water-based workouts, although it stops short of full swim tracking like some sport-specific models.

All in all, the ScanWatch Nova Brilliant handles activity tracking with subtle confidence. It’s not trying to coach you with flashy graphics or chirping alerts. Instead, it quietly gathers reliable data and keeps it accessible when you want it. It’s perfect for those who want to move more without turning every workout into a tech event.

Charging, Battery and App Features: Set It and Forget It

One of the most refreshing things about the Withings ScanWatch Nova Brilliant is how little attention it demands once it’s on your wrist. Where most smartwatches are tethered to daily charging routines, the Nova Brilliant offers a vastly more relaxed rhythm, delivering up to 30 days of battery life on a single charge. That’s not just impressive, it’s a major lifestyle upgrade.

• The included charging clip snaps securely onto the watch
• It connects via USB-C, making it compatible with modern charging setups
• A full charge takes just under two hours

The charging clip itself is smartly designed, with an expanding grip that locks onto the body of the watch. The only small drawback is that the crown sits under the clip, meaning you can’t press it to check battery percentage while it’s charging. That said, the long battery life means you won’t need to check often.

The real heart of the experience is the Withings app, available for both iOS and Android. It’s clean, thoughtfully laid out, and easy to sync. Setup is simple, and once paired, syncing is automatic as long as your phone is nearby. Within the app, you can review everything the watch collects, including:

• Daily step count, workouts, heart rate zones, and VO2 max
• Sleep quality, including light, deep, and REM phases
• Breathing disturbances and overnight heart rate trends
• ECG results and AFib detection history
• Skin temperature variations and cycle tracking

You can also connect the app to Apple Health or Google Health Connect, making it easy to integrate your watch data with other platforms or apps you may already use.

For users with other Withings devices, such as smart scales, blood pressure monitors, or sleep mats, the app becomes a full health dashboard. Everything is viewable from one place or via the Withings web dashboard, which is especially helpful for tracking long-term health trends.

In the end, this section of the experience matches the rest of the watch’s philosophy. Minimal fuss, maximum function. You’re not constantly reminded it’s a smart device, yet when you open the app or run a scan, it delivers with clinical-grade precision.

Value Verdict: A Hybrid Timepiece for the Health-Conscious Minimalist

The Withings ScanWatch Nova Brilliant doesn’t try to compete with the likes of the Apple Watch Ultra or Samsung Galaxy Watch on flashy features or full-screen interactivity, and that’s exactly its strength. It offers a completely different value proposition, one rooted in timeless design, passive yet powerful health tracking, and remarkable battery life.

At $799 AUD, the Nova Brilliant sits in premium territory. That price may raise eyebrows when you consider it lacks a touchscreen, built-in GPS, or third-party apps. But once you factor in what it does offer, the value begins to take shape:

• Medical-grade ECG, SpO2, temperature, and sleep tracking in a discreet, watch-first form
• A premium build with sapphire crystal, fluted bezel detailing, and a metal bracelet included in the box
• 30-day battery life that crushes the recharge-every-night routine of traditional smartwatches

What you’re really paying for here is a hybrid experience. A tool that fits into both your lifestyle and your wardrobe without overwhelming you with pings and prompts. It’s for people who want to keep track of their health but don’t want a screen always staring back at them.

The Nova Brilliant particularly shines for:

• Professionals and minimalists who prefer an analog look
• Users with smaller wrists who find most smartwatches bulky or uncomfortable
• Health-focused individuals who want reliable tracking without turning their wrist into a gadget hub

However, it may not be the right fit if you’re after:

• App ecosystems or full smartwatch features like messaging and navigation
• Detailed workout metrics with standalone GPS or high-intensity sport tracking
• A bold, oversized screen experience that replaces your phone during exercise

So, is it worth it? If you’re the kind of person who wears a watch every day and values subtlety over spectacle, the Withings ScanWatch Nova Brilliant delivers. It’s a wearable that respects your style, supports your health, and asks very little in return. It won’t replace your Apple Watch if you’re deep into that ecosystem, but for many, it will offer something even better: peace, polish, and purpose.