Another word of warning: Google has announced a big update to Wear OS launching at the end of this year, but there's no guarantee this watch will get that update. It runs on Google’s Wear OS operating system, which means you’ll need to download Google’s Wear OS app onto your phone to get it up and running – as well as Google Fit for fitness features. But again, if you're studying the tech specs list, the Darci 5E will come up short against rivals. There is a 4100 processor out now, and we'll likely see this on Fossil Gen 6 devices at the end of 2021 or early 2022 – so that's something to bear in mind.

Performance was good and felt improved on previous versions of Michael Kors smartwatches. On the inside of the Gen 5E Darci, you’ll find the same smarts as the Fossil Gen 5E smartwatch, including a Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 3100 processor and 512MB of RAM. Michael Kors Darci Gen 5E: Wear OS and Michael Kors extras

But don’t take it diving or expose it to water for longer than a swim session. The watch is water-resistant to 5ATM, and the Michael Kors website says it has “swimproof technology”, so feel free to wear it in the pool or shower. We had to have five links removed, so that’s worth bearing in mind if you have smaller wrists. The watch comes in rose gold, gold, silver and two-tone rose gold and silver. The casing is made of stainless steel and has a stainless steel 7-link bracelet. Although this does stick up off your wrist, it didn’t catch on things throughout the day – and standing out is the whole point of the Gen 5E Darci. The watch case is 20mm thick, which is much chunkier than nearly any of its rivals.

Push it to open up an app menu or long-press to activate Google Assistant. There’s a pavé-studded bezel and a crown on the side with the MK logo etched into it. Size-wise, the watch is 43mm with a 1.19-inch AMOLED screen. If you’re attracted to the smarts but usually opt for something light and minimal, the Gen 5E Darci is unlikely to suit you. We got used to it, but one thing is clear: this is for those who want the premium look and feel of a designer watch.

It weighs a whopping 112g, which felt very heavy during the first day of wear. Michael Kors Darci Gen 5E: Design and screen We tested the Gen 5E Darci to find out whether it performs as a smartwatch and a statement watch. None of the MK smartwatches we’ve reviewed can compete with the likes of the best smartwatches out right now in terms of features and fitness tracking, including the Apple Watch Series 6 or the Garmin Venu 2 – but they’re aimed at different audiences. Michael Kors Gen 5E Darci is packing the same internal smarts as the Fossil Gen 5E smartwatches, which means there have been updates to size and performance over previous models.

Darci mk watch