AOC Z17 AMOLED Smartwatch

AMOLED helps the illusion. Each pixel lights on its own, so the black around a classic dial stays black instead of glowing grey, and the round edge disappears into the case. Bright sports faces pop just as well when you head out for a walk.

Two finishes set the tone:

• Black: a stealthy case with a black silicone strap, easy with jeans, a hoodie or a dark suit.
• Argent: AOC's name for silver, a lighter case on a rubber strap that suits summer and brighter outfits.

Both come with two straps, 20mm wide and 22cm long, so a second colour is ready in the box. The black watch is quoted at 52 g, and AOC lists the argent at 78 g. Either way it is a watch you can keep on overnight for sleep tracking.

Faces are where the Z17 becomes personal. Wearfit Pro holds hundreds of free dials, and any photo from your phone can become the background: a partner, a child, a pet, a favourite beach. On a round screen, a centred subject with space around it looks best.

A simple rotation covers most weeks:

• Silicone for the gym, runs and hot days, since it rinses clean.
• A stretchy nylon loop for travel and all-day comfort.
• Leather or metal mesh for the office and dinner, where the round case looks most like a dress watch.

The case is rated IP67, which means dust-tight and able to survive brief immersion. AOC's notes allow hand-washing and rain, mention swimming too (keep dips short and cool, since IP67 is a brief-immersion rating), and warn against hot water, including hot showers. Heat and soap soften seals over time, so the watch lasts longer if it comes off for a steamy bath.

Everyday wear brings a few habits worth forming. Keep the strap snug but not tight, since the heart-rate sensor on the back needs skin contact for steady readings. Wipe sweat off after exercise and let the band dry before it goes back on, which keeps the skin underneath happy.

Straps also change how big the watch feels. A 20mm band in a light colour makes the round case look smaller and softer, while a dark leather band frames it like a dress watch. If a new band feels stiff, give it a few days; silicone and leather both relax with wear.

1. Charge the watch on the included cable for a while before first use.
2. Install Wearfit Pro on any iPhone or Android handset that supports Bluetooth 5.3 or higher, as AOC recommends.
3. Add the watch inside the app and accept the notification and contact permissions.
4. Say yes when the watch requests a second Bluetooth link; that one carries your voice on calls.
5. Head to the bottom of the app's dial page to browse free faces or turn a favourite picture into a dial.

Once linked, the voice assistant turns the Z17 into a small remote. It can change music volume, trigger the phone's camera for a group photo, read the weather and manage alerts on the screen. Calls ring through the built-in speaker, and the microphone picks up your answer, so a quick chat happens without digging for the phone.

Health tracking runs in the background. The watch follows heart rate around the clock and keeps a week of it, logs sleep by stage, including deep, light and REM, and nudges you about stress. Without a GPS chip, run distance is estimated from steps.

When something misbehaves, three guides cover the usual fixes: the Wearfit Pro app guide for pairing, the call setting guide for silent calls, and the time and language guide for a clock showing the wrong hour. AOC adds that the screen-on time can be raised above 10 seconds in the watch settings.

The AOC E07 is the bigger screen, better for anyone who reads a lot on the wrist, but it wears wider. The Yihou AW83 has the same 1.43-inch round size and adds a translator, though it charges more slowly and publishes no IP class. For a quiet everyday watch, the Z17 is the easier fit.

Points to settle before choosing black or argent:

• Match the case to the metal you wear most: black with dark tones, argent with silver jewellery.
• Decide on a spare strap now; the 20mm size opens up plenty of styles.
• Expect distance from steps, since there is no GPS inside.
• Store the included charger somewhere safe, since it is shaped for the Z17's back.

The case flank holds one more contrast. The Z17 pairs its touchscreen with buttons and a dial, a mix that feels closer to a traditional watch crown than an all-glass slab. For people moving over from a mechanical watch, that detail makes the switch feel familiar.

AOC backs the Z17 with a 12-month warranty and offers free replacement for quality faults. The charger guide helps if the cable ever goes missing.