The forthcoming Huawei Watch announced at MWC is, not surprisingly, based on Android Wear.

It receives SMS, email, calendar, app, and phone call notifications from smartphones running Android 4.3 or higher.

Hardware features include a heart rate monitor sensor, six-axis motion sensor, and barometer sensor, allowing the Huawei Watch to determine whether its user is walking, running, biking, hiking or sleeping. Monitoring capabilities include the number of calories (and hopefully kilojoules) burned, heart rate, climbing height, steps taken, and distance travelled.

The Huawei Watch features a 400 by 400 pixel AMOLED 1.4in display with a 10,000:1 contrast ratio, which the company says makes it "the most vibrant Android Wear smartwatch in the world."

A selection of more than 40 faces will be offered, along with a choice of strap materials and styles.

Like the Apple Watch, the Huawei Watch has a crown at the two o'clock position, but the company's media release implies it is just a push button.

A magnetic charging station is included.

"We have responded to consumers' requests from around the world asking for a smartwatch featuring a timeless design that is truly smart from within," said Huawei consumer business group CEO Richard Yu.

"As the first smartwatch in our expanding line of premium wearable products, the Huawei Watch was designed and created to enhance and be part of the consumer's everyday lives."

Australia is one of the 20 countries on the initial release list, but there's no indication yet of when the Huawei Watch will go on sale or how much it will cost.