I used the old FT1 model for years and then bought this one as well. I have had it for about 5 years.

It has been used in a pool, for running, and on a kayak at a distance of about 70 cm from the belt. In all cases the readings were correct.

It is comfortable on the wrist and lightweight. Plenty of options for wrist thickness. Discreet size.

It really has one button, and its functions are watch, stopwatch, heart rate monitor. It has an indicator for when you are within the heart rate limits you set, when you have exceeded them, and when you are below them. In the picture you will see that the heart is black. When you go over, it becomes "hollow" and the fill is on the right. When you are below the lower limit you set, the fill is on the left. You can also enable an audible alert that beeps at a different pace (faster or slower).

In addition, you have the day display. When you activate the stopwatch, if you are wearing the belt, the heart rate monitor starts automatically and shows your pulse. If you want to switch to stopwatch mode (while still measuring heart rate in the background), you simply bring the watch close to the belt. You can also switch it to time mode. In any case, the stopwatch will show the small rectangles above the pulse reading, as in the picture, each of which represents a 10-minute interval.

Edit: I forgot to write that at some point I had a problem with the button. For no reason it had broken and was not working. I contacted the representative office in Athens and sent it in. It was still under warranty and they covered the button replacement. It has never caused me any problem since then, and that is why I had not written it in the original review.

I have been using this particular Polar in my workouts for years. I have never written a review, so let me write one for my FT1 to help people out. So, let’s go through it in detail:

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1. Functions
As simple as it gets. It tells you your heart rate, workout time, and time of day. Switching is done simply by bringing the watch close to the strap. In addition, it has a light for the night (although it doesn’t offer great clarity — still manageable) and an audible alert if you go outside the heart-rate range you set yourself.
The memory keeps only the last workout (duration, average and maximum heart rate), enough to manually enter your heart rate into your favorite app on your phone.

2. Accuracy of measurements
In one word: "perfect". The datasheet states accuracy of +/- 1 bpm or 1% (whichever is greater). Since, after years with a heart-rate monitor, you learn your body and can tell whether the watch is fooling you, in this case it is fooling you at all! Guys, its accuracy is amazing.
Another characteristic is its fast response. Especially for intervals, where it matters, it catches you immediately! Guaranteed! :)

3. Operation
It is operated with a single button(!). A fairly smart interface, a little slow when you want to set many numbers, such as your heart-rate alert zone. Because it relies on a time delay to move from "increase", "decrease" or "accept" the number you are adjusting, if you use it quite often it may be a little annoying. Personally, it has never bothered me, and I can say I got used to the operation almost immediately. So, it depends on how one sees it.

4. Comfort and appearance
I haven’t taken it off my wrist for years (except once when I changed the battery after 3 years of use). Very, very light and comfortable. It doesn’t tire you at all. The strap is also high quality with a secure fit.
As for looks, you decide. I like it, though. :)

5. Strap
Its strap is also high quality and very comfortable on the body. It has never bothered me.
A little water on the electrodes before putting it on and it fits perfectly for hours without dropouts.
Its battery is a beast. It lasts for years. According to the datasheet, it lasts 5 years with daily use of 1 hour. I have had it exactly 5 years and it is still going strong.
Important note: The battery does NOT change (well, it does. But then the strap is no longer waterproof). In any case, though, get 1825 hours of training out of it and then buy another one... okay? ;)

6. Use in water
According to the datasheet, the watch is Water Resistant 30m (3atm). Technically, this does not allow swimming. Personally, I have never taken it off my wrist, neither in the shower nor in the sea. I have had it for 5 years and nothing has happened to it. A tank. The best part? If you tighten the strap reasonably well, it measures your heart rate while swimming just fine! It is definitely not for competitive swimmers, but for the humble runner who occasionally tracks a swim too, without caring if it misses a reading here and there, it will do the job. If you read 00 as the reading, tighten the strap a little more by pressing it against your body and then continue without problems. I repeat, it is not for swimmers! Still, it has definitely never taken in water. :) Just be careful not to press the button in the water. Since the workout button is simply start/stop, start it with your hand out of the water and stop it the same way. It won’t be pressed by accident, though. It is quite stiff.
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That’s it for my Polar FT1. I’ve had it for 5 years and it has never disappointed me! Lately I’ve been thinking it’s time to replace it with a Garmin so I don’t have to depend on my phone to record workouts and for the much more data it records. For the runner, though, who (1) is buying their first heart rate monitor and (2) doesn’t need more functions, it is by far the best choice! It literally does an excellent job and you don’t spend a fortune either. Trust me! ;)

+ And one piece of advice for new runners: STAY AWAY from heart rate monitors that read heart rate from the wrist. They’re toys! The readings are so off that for training they are literally useless.

Happy training!!

It is a very nice tool. It has been very useful to me and I have not found anything negative. It is easy to use and small in size, so it is also delicate.