Coros Pace 4 Black Crystal Edition Review: A Premium Take on a Budget Favorite

Introduction

The Coros Pace 4 Black Crystal Edition is a little bit more than just a new colorway. Think of it as a premium take on the standard Pace 4, with a unique case design, an aluminum bezel, and a new band. The original Pace 4 is already one of the stronger picks among budget-friendly sports watches, offering a lot of features for the money, so a dressier version makes sense for anyone who liked the watch but wanted a more premium look and feel.

It costs a bit more though: $279 versus $249 for the original. Here is what that difference actually gets you.

What the Black Crystal Edition Actually Changes

The main case is virtually the same as the original, just slightly more of a true black. The biggest change is where the Black Crystal name comes from: the lugs are now somewhat see-through. The main case itself is not translucent, so you cannot see internal components, but the lugs do stand out from the case, especially when viewed at an angle. Straight on, the difference is hard to spot.

The Aluminum Bezel and Display

The other hardware change is the aluminum bezel, which should be more durable than the plastic bezel on the original. It also changes the look noticeably, with a satin finish that makes it stand out from the case and from the translucent lugs. The bezel is also PVD coated for extra scratch resistance. PVD, or physical vapor deposition, is a process where the coating material is applied at a molecular level and bonded with the aluminum, rather than sitting on top like ordinary paint.

One disappointment: the bezel does not rise above the display, so there is no raised edge to help protect the glass. This is the same slightly curved 2.5D display introduced with the original Pace 4. The curvature looks and feels nicer, but because the surface is not completely flat, screen protectors may not work well. A smaller protector that covers only the flat central portion can sometimes work, but results vary.

The New Band

The band uses the same dual-tone material as the original, but the edges are see-through, matching the translucent lug theme. The pattern on the outside looks like a texture, but it is actually a graphic that is silk-screened onto the material and should be permanent. With only short-term use, it is hard to attest to the long-term durability of that design.

Coros also color-matched the band hardware to the aluminum bezel, and the watch ships with a special watch face that includes translucent elements, completing the theme. Weight is essentially unchanged, so this remains a nice lightweight sports watch.

What Has Not Changed

Beyond the cosmetic and hardware touches, this is exactly the same watch as the original Pace 4. All the features, performance, and functionality carry over, which is why the value case here rests almost entirely on whether the premium design appeals to you.

Who This Watch Is For

This edition makes the most sense for someone who wants a more premium look and feel but does not want to spend over $400 on the Apex 4. The Apex 4 is a good watch, but many people do not need everything it offers, and the Pace 4 may already do everything they need. The Black Crystal Edition bridges that gap for the most part, and for not much more money.

Buying Advice

If you are happy with the standard Pace 4’s looks, save the $30 and buy the original. If you were already considering the Pace 4 but wanted something with a bit more presence on the wrist, the Black Crystal Edition delivers that upgrade in the bezel, lugs, band, and watch face without changing anything that matters functionally.

Conclusion

The Coros Pace 4 Black Crystal Edition is a sensible premium variant rather than a new watch. For $30 more than the standard model, you get an aluminum PVD-coated bezel, translucent lugs and band edges, matched hardware, and a themed watch face, all on a lightweight sports watch that was already strong value. It is an easy recommendation for design-motivated buyers, and an easy skip for anyone who just wants the cheapest Pace 4.