Review of the New Fossil Wrist Net MSN Direct Watch

Both are simply daily alarms. The Paparazzi allows you to specify a pattern like every day, every Tuesday, or a custom date any time in the future.The Swatch Paparazzi also has a slightly nicer screen. Although they appear tobe about the same size, the contrast on the Paparazzi's screen is higher ***it easier to read. The Paparazzi's backlight is more effective, aswell. Although the Fossil's backlight is certainly adequate, it illuminates thescreen unevenly (check out the FossilWrist Net photo gallery to see what I mean). Comparison Chart -- The Fossil Wrist Net and the Swatch Paparazzi FeatureFossil Wrist Net Swatch Paparazzi Overall appearancexBandxScreenxSpeakerxButtonsxBacklightxSignal Strength 1xxCharger 2xWatch facesxDurability 3xSizexPrice$199 $149$1501 I really couldn't tell which watch seemed to do better at pickingup a signal. One minute the Paparazzi's signal strength indicator was higher, thenext minute, it was the Fossil's. All I can definitively say is that both watches'ability to pick up the MSN Direct signal was perfectly adequate.2 Although I definitely like the Fossil's charger better, and feelthat the cord on the Paparazzi's charger is too short, I should note that the Paparazzi'scharger is better for traveling in that it's significantly smaller and lighter.3 I did not explicitly test the durability of either watch,however I'm giving this one to the Paparazzi because the Wrist Net is not waterresistant. From the Reference Guide: "Your watch is not meant to besubmerged in water. However it will withstand a little rain while being worn."What I Like About the Fossil Wrist NetThe look.I guessthey were just trying to be ironic since a few of their watch faces are vintageanalog designs, however I think the button is unnecessarily prominent. WhenI first saw a picture of the new Wrist Net, I was hoping the button representedsome Fossil-specific innovation. Maybe a "jog dial" (a quick and easyway to scroll through options), or a volume control, but apparently it's just abig button, no better constructed than the other four on the watch. (Did I mentionhow much I love the buttons on the Paparazzi?) Speaking of volume, that's another area in which the Fossil Wrist Net is lacking.The speaker is a little on the weak side, and the tonesare muted and muffled. The countdown timer alert sounds four quick, soft tones,then falls silent. The alarm tones are slightly better and do last longer,but are still not as loud as I would like. Sound quality was one of the improvementsSuunto made to the n3i, and Fossil might have considered doing the same. They might also consider adding an hourly chime option in the future. Currently, the sound on the Wrist Net is either all on, all off, or alerts only. The Paparazzi, on the other hand, in addition to those three options, also allows you to toggle an hourly chime.And speaking of alarms, I was disappointed to discover that the alarms on the Fossil Wrist Net are not programmable, meaning you cannot specify a date or a schedule.