With the release of the Apple Watch has come a plethora of docks for the wearable device. While the Apple Watch does just fine charging while laying on its side, there’s just something about a dock that makes the charging process more enjoyable. Docks have ranged from plastic, no frills docks, to hand-crafted docks made of rich mahogany. Today’s review concerns one that claims the “most flexible” crown.
Overview
The Fuse Chicken Bobine Watch is a flexible Apple Watch dock, made of high-grade steel. The Bobine is made of the same materials as the Titan iPhone cables we reviewed awhile back. The flexible cable allows users to bend the Bobine Watch into just about any shape or position, allowing a large amount of “flexibility” in how it can be used.
Be advised, that just like other Apple Watch charging docks, the Bobine Watch stand is strictly BYOC (Bring Your Own Cable). While Apple has kicked off a Made for Apple Watch program, which will lead to docks including a charging connector, for now you’ll need to supply either the charging cable that came with your Apple Watch, or purchase an extra one. You’ll also need to supply your own charger.
The Bobine Watch is 24-inches, fully extended. The length allows the Bobine to be used in a number of situations, even as a charging dock in your vehicle. (Fuse Chicken thoughtfully includes stabilization clips in the package for just that use.)
The flexibility of the Bobine is a definite plus, allowing the use of the stand in almost any situation. I usually used it alongside my MacBook, sitting coiled and ready to strike on my desk. The Bobine can be set to any reasonable height, although you’ll want to be careful not to make it too top heavy or it will easily topple.
While the Bobine’s steel and plastic construction is both attractive and unusual, I do wish Fuse Chicken had included some way to clip the Apple Watch charging cable itself to the Bobine’s steel shell, the actual charging cable laying alongside the Bobine takes away from the stylishness of the Bobine itself.
Verdict
For a dock in the $20 to $25 range, the Bobine is a well made and attractive charging dock for your Apple Watch. The Bobine is sturdy, and looks as if it will stand up to years of use. Watch owners looking for slick, and polished docks would be well advised to look elsewhere, but any Apple Watch owner with an industrial slant in taste who doesn’t want to pay as much for his dock as he did for his Apple Watch should look closer at the Bobine.
Rating:[rating:4.0]
Price: The Bobine Watch is currently available from MacTrast Deals for $18.50. If no longer available there, the Bobine is also available from Amazon for $24.95.
Pros:
- Attractive and well made.
- Flexibility is always a plus.
- Allows charging the Apple Watch in Nightstand Mode.
Cons:
- You have to supply your own charging cable.
- I wish there was a way to clip the Apple Watch charging cable to the Bobine.
Disclaimer: I purchased the Bobine Watch at my own expense. No consideration was received from Fuse Chicken for this review.
