At $349 dollars in the Google Store, it is the most expensive Android Wear device, dethroning its predecessor (or almost twin sibling), the LG G Watch R, which was also the most expensive product, at $299 (and so was the G Watch before that).

The LG Watch Urbane is the South Korean company's third attempt at a smartwatch, following in the footsteps of the G Watch and G Watch R . With the Urbane, LG has tried to create a classic-style watch that wouldn't look out of place in formal situations.

Sharp; round display; Metal body

Chunky; tacky design; Poor battery life; Limited app functionality; Questionable heart rate sensor

The LG Watch Urbane has great battery life, works with Android and iOS devices and is now more reasonably priced

ImageTagInstance gallery-acc2d824-d46c-456e-844a-738dbc24dbd2 ImageTagInstance gallery-182bbef8-dd44-4416-9a27-15024ea26730 IntroductionWhen we got our hands on a modern-day smartwatch for the first time back at the end of 2013, we weren't quite sure what to make of this new paradigm. Here was a whole new category, with hype around it reaching a crescendo, and many wondering if it wasn't destined to take a place next to smartphones by providing a lucrative new revenue stream for traditional and emerging gadget manufacturers alike.Entrants — such as HTMLTagInstance html-tag-80f45f3c-755b-43df-9ab9-f5e0dddcc5a2 Pebble — definitely made a small fortune on the form factor, but things have been rather quiet overall. That is, until Apple announced that it's going after the still small and highly niche market with its own Watch. By then, however, we had an entirely different view on smartwatches.Smartwatches weren't going to be as big a deal as smartphones were (and still are) — not even clos...

You can understand why Android enthusiasts might be resentful of the Apple Watch. Android Wear has been around long enough for manufacturers like LG to release several generations of smartwatch, but listen to some and you'd be excused for thinking Cupertino had invented the segment.

The LG Watch Urbane is the first Android Wear watch on the market following the much-hyped launch of the Apple Watch. How does it stack up against Apple's offering, and Android Wear in general?

Today's best Android smartwatch display; Comes with the latest version of Android Wear; Good battery life

Expensive; Bulky; Not much of an upgrade over the LG G Watch R

The LG G Watch R already looked good, but the LG Watch Urbane looks even better. That's important, since appearance is really the only thing that sets the two watches apart. The Urbane has a stainless steel finish and a leather strap for that expensive, business-chic look.

Classic design; Sharp screen

Expensive; Bulky; Stiff leather strap; Android Wear still underwhelms despite 5.1 update

The LG G Watch R ( at Amazon)  already looked good, but the LG Watch Urbane looks even better. That's important, since appearance is really the only thing that sets the two watches apart. The Urbane has a stainless steel finish and a leather strap for that expensive, business-chic look. But it's a tough sell at $349, which is the same price as the base model of the Apple Watch ($300.00 at eBay) , and a lot more than the $99 Pebble . And despite the new 5.1 software update, Android Wear still underwhelms. The LG Watch Urbane is arguably the best-looking Android Wear smartwatch yet, but you're better off saving $100 on the G Watch R. Design and DisplayLG doesn't exactly go back to the drawing board wuth the Urbane, but the design refresh is the lone distinguishing factor between it and the G Watch R. The Urbane's face is still round, but it's nestled in stainless steel with a silver finish, rather than the black plastic of the G Watch R. It's a more classic look than the marked bez...

The LG Watch Urbane is the most luxuriously crafted Android Wear smartwatch yet, but it's a tough sell for the price.

Classic design; Sharp screen

Expensive; Bulky; Stiff leather strap; Android Wear still underwhelms despite 5.1 update

Now that the Apple Watch is here, what's Google going to do for Android Wear, Act 2? We may get a more detailed roadmap at Google's big I/O developer conference later this month, but in the meantime, the LG Watch Urbane just might be the raising of the curtains.

The LG Watch Urbane is the best-looking Android Wear smartwatch and adds Wi-Fi-to-phone connectivity, but it doesn't offer all that much more than previous Android Wear watch models.

Crisp, classic design; fully round, beautiful OLED display; latest Android Wear support; Wi-Fi antenna connects to phone across different Wi-Fi networks; decent battery life (for Android Wear).

Big design won't appeal to many wrists; Android Wear software still doesn't feel all that smooth to use; Wi-Fi connectivity spotty at times; watch is expensive compared to other Android Wear options.

The LG G Watch R , released late last year, didn't really split opinion when I showed it around. Everyone pretty much liked it. The Watch Urbane is a sequel of sorts, and it's considerably more divisive. The first person I showed it to hated it.

Best circular Android Wear watch display; Strong two-day battery life; It makes a fashion statement; Latest Android Wear version installed

Divisive design; New software features aren't very inspiring; Leather strap needs a lot of wearing in