Just when Tech Boutique thought wrist watches were getting a bit outdated, a parcel from Firebox arrived containing a black Burg wrist watch phone for us to review. . 

All we had to do to get started was place a SIM card into the side of the Burg 5 watch and then we could make and receive up to 60 minutes' worth of calls before the battery died. The numbered buttons around the edge of the watch serve two purposes, making calls and telling the time.

The Burg 5 is great for people wanting to feel like a secret agent. It may also come in handy for those who want to go out without a handbag, or leave your handbag in a cloakroom and avoid carrying around a smartphone all evening, which then quite often gets lost.

The watch phone features a nine-number speed dial memory and a key lock. It costs £99.99 and is available in black, blue, green, pink, red, silver, white and yellow.

Tech Boutique was a bit disappointed not to have been sent the pink version, but then the product is a bit of a disappointment all round.

It is hard to be sold on the idea of a watch phone in the first instance. You do not really want to possess two phones with two SIM cards, and it is unlikely you will choose the most basic phone possible (even if it is very small) over any of the latest smartphones.

The Burg 5 carries no phone book, so all the numbers have to be recalled from memory. Tech Boutique was also surprised that the Burg 5 does not yet support 3G SIM cards. Does anyone still use 2G SIM cards?

If Tech Boutique wanted to leave her iPhone behind in exchange for a watch phone, she would much rather one that has a digital display and can store contact numbers.

Many watch phones on the market also offer integrated camera functionality, music players and Bluetooth connectivity. The LG-GD910 3G is one of the most impressive watch phones to date with its video-calling and voice recognition features.

02 Jul 2011