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Verdict
There's no denying that the Diesel On Full Guard looks the part, and is sure to appeal to existing fans of the brand as well as those who value aesthetic charm above all else.
It also benefits from the enhanced power of Wear OS, Google's smartwatch operating system – it's smoother, more versatile and offers both Android and iOS support. It's just a shame that there aren't more dedicated apps for the platform.
However, there are some unfortunate shortcomings to note. The lack of GPS and NFC is a real shame, especially when you consider the price point. Battery life is also decidedly average – you'll need to charge this at least once a day, and the charging time is pretty lengthy.
Of course, not everybody wants a super-sporty smartwatch or fitness tracker, and the Diesel Full On Guard isn't all that expensive when you compare it to a typical 'traditional' fashion timepiece.
Who's this for?
It might sound like an obvious answer, but the Diesel On Full Guard is clearly aimed at existing Diesel fans.
The company has maintained design connections with its existing line of watches – right down to replicating the attractive color-change dial effect using the motion-sensing tech inside the watch – and AMOLED display aside, you'd be forgiven for assuming this is just a typical watch (something which, in all fairness, could be said of many of the new Wear OS devices).
If you're a fitness enthusiast though then this perhaps isn't for you; there's no built-in GPS or heart rate monitor, which rather limits the Diesel On Full Guard's suitability when it comes to keeping tabs on your daily activity regime.
Should you buy it?
If you're after a smartwatch to rival the likes of the Apple Watch 3, then the Diesel On Full Guard is tricky to recommend; it's lacking in key features – such as GPS and NFC – and can't match Apple's device when it comes to fitness functionality.
However, if you want a smartwatch which looks like a fashionable timepiece, then the purchasing decision is a little easier to justify; Diesel's designer watches are already quite pricey. It's just a shame that the battery life is so disappointing, and the Wear OS software is still so limited in terms of app support.
First reviewed: May 2018
The Diesel On is far from a perfect smartwatch, so you might want to consider one of these instead:
LG Watch Sport
One of the leading Wear OS devices right now, the LG Watch Sport has powerful specs and can even make calls via its own SIM card – assuming you're in the US, anyway. It's quite expensive though and suffers from poor battery life, like the Diesel On Full Guard.
Read our full LG Watch Sport review
Apple Watch 3
Apple's the market leader in the smartwatch sector and with good reason – its flagship device is head and shoulders above its rivals. However, by focusing on iOS so strongly the company runs the risk of losing out on customers; Google's Wear OS provides support for both iPhone and Android users, to its credit.
Read our full Apple Watch 3 review
LG Watch Style
Cheaper than the LG Watch Sport and not quite as feature-rich, this Wear OS device is a good option if you don't fancy spending loads of money on Diesel's offering – just don't expect to dazzle your mates with this on your wrist.
Read our full LG Watch Style review
