APEX 4 CHOIRS four weeks following in the footsteps of Christophe Bénit, or the art of running right. Because yes… there are two categories of sports watches. Those that you unpack carefully, that you testMethodically, that we analyze with seriousness. And then those that we end up deliberately forgetting, because they do exactly what we expect of them : to support the effort, measure the essentials, then step back. The COROS APEX 4 undoubtedly belongs to this second category. For four weeks, it has bytagThis is the daily life of an experienced, demanding, and clear-headed runner. Here's why she faded into obscurity... and why that changes everything.
By Jeff Tatard – Photos: ©3Bikes
COROS, precision before noise
Founded in the United States, CHOIRS is not a brand born in marketing, but in practice. From its inception, the philosophy has been clear: to design watches conceived first and foremost for the endurance athletesWhether they are runners, trail runners, cyclists, or mountaineers. Not to shine in a shop window. Not to pile on gadget features. But to just workfor a long time, and without fail.
Where some brands have opted for excess—ultra-bright screens, excessive notifications, promises sometimes disconnected from reality—COROS has taken the opposite approach. GPS precision, exceptional battery life, reliable sensors, readability in all conditions: the specifications are clear, almost austere. And fully embraced.
In just a few years, the brand has become a fixture on the wrists of some of the world's most demanding athletes, from marathons to ultramarathons, from the track to mountaineering. reconThis development is no accident: at COROS, every update, every hardware or software evolution responds to a real need. testtested, tried, discussed with those who really run.
La APEX 4 It fits perfectly into this tradition. It doesn't try to appeal to everyone. It's aimed at those who know what they expect from a watch: consistency, precision, and that rare ability to fade into the background to let the essentials take center stage – the race.
That is precisely why she deserved a test in real conditions.
And that is precisely why it naturally found its place on the wrist of Christophe Bénit.
=> Buy the COROS APEX 4 for €499
Christophe Bénit, consistency as an inheritancetage
Christophe was born on 3st December 1973. Because at over fifty years old, this member of the Team PREFONTAINE, a deliberate nod to the illustrious American miler of the 70s, still features among the 9 best French 10km runners in their category. Specialist 10 km in the marathonChristophe runs in a regular and disciplined, simultaneously pursues a career of Area manager for the THERMOR brand of the ATLANTIC groupand moves forward with that particular serenity of runners who have been through everything: periods of grace, minor physical scares, youthful mistakes, unnecessary bursts of enthusiasm… and, above all, progress that lasts. He's no longer running to prove himself. Technology doesn't obsess him. A runner lucid, experienced, almost philosophical. |
Four weeks, one watch, one real life
During four weeks, APEX 4 CHOIRS a partagthe daily life of Christophe Bénit.
Not a sanitized version, prepared for a test.
The real one. The one of runners who juggle their schedules, their fatigue, and their goals.
night runs in Paris, when the city slows down, when the quays shine under the streetlights and the GPS is put to the test by the concrete and the buildings.
midday jogsslipped in between two business meetings, when every minute counts and you expect a watch to be immediate, reliable, and straightforward.
track sessionsdemanding, repetitive, unforgiving, where the slightest approximation is paid for dearly and where only the precision of the stopwatch counts.
forest outingslong and silent, sometimes thankless, where you can't cheat with pace or elevation gain, and where autonomy and readability become essential.
And finally, a 10 km official race in Ermont, with all that this implies: the pressure of the race number, the rigor of the target pace, the demand for results, and that truth that only competition reveals.
Not for a moment was the clock spared.
Not for a moment was it used with leniency.
She was not tested.
She has lived, at the pace of a runner who knows exactly what he expects from his equipment.
A first impression that says a lot
Christophe unpacks the watch without solemnity. No ritual. No staging. Just a quick, precise look, that of someone who immediately knows what he has in his hands. "The design is clean and understated. It doesn't try to be flashy."
Behind this apparent simplicity, however, lies a watch. Designed for demanding terrainGlasses in titanium grade 5, sapphire crystal scratch-resistant, always-on transflective MIP screen perfectly legible under all conditions: sun, night, dense forest or hilly terraintagnine. Everything is there, in its place, without ever trying to impose itself.
Originally designed for endurance sports in demanding environments, trail running, mountaineering, hiking, skiing or all-mountain biking — the COROS APEX 4 features a ultra-precise dual-frequency GPS technology, dual-range barometer For reliable altitude data, a Smooth mapping with turn-by-turn guidance, as well as a Battery life of up to 65 hours in GPS mode on all systemsEnough to see what's coming, very far ahead.
Christophe notes the weight, honestly, without beating around the bush. "It is a bit heavy, yes. But on the wrist, that quickly disappears. You can feel that it's solid."
La rotating crown It does the rest. A few seconds are all it takes to understand the COROS philosophy. "Intuitive. Simple. Efficient. You set it, you run."
And sometimes, in sports equipment as elsewhere, Not doing more is already doing the right thing.
Le test starts just as quickly…
Running in Paris at night: when the GPS has to shut up... and work hard
Running at night in Paris is the test lastBuildings, docks, bridges, signal reflections. The watch locks quickly. Christophe sets off. Eleven kilometers later, the track speaks for itself. "The GPS is reliable. Really reliable. Where some watches hesitate, here it's crystal clear."
The heart rate is following, without any alarm. "The data is consistent with my feelings. That's what I'm asking for."
The COROS app extends the experience. "Intuitive, readable, very efficient. Much more pleasant than the Polar I had before."
The midday run: the watch for busy but serious people
Between two clients, No room for approximationChristophe sets a pace of eight kilometers. The screens are clear. The essential information. "Everything is there, without any extra space."
Power is intriguing. "I don't run for power, but the numbers are consistent. It provides some interesting clues about fatigue."
Fires, restarts, changes of pace: the clock keeps up. "She never answers the phone."
The track: the moment of truth
Eight times 800 meters on the track of Taverny. Here, watches either lie or tell the truth.Calibration activated. Silence. "No fancy tricks. It's precise. Very precise."
For Christophe, it's a strong marker. "When a watch is accurate on the track, you can trust it everywhere."
The forest: when technology knows how to remain humble
Long Sunday outing. Ascents, descents, fatigue. All this in the gigantic in the forest of Montmorency. "The difference in elevation reflects reality."
The screen remains readable. The battery life is impressive. "Several days without recharging. That's a luxury."
Ermont: the race, the real one
The Ermont 10km race offers no favors. Christophe sets off, with one mission in mind: to lead Tiago Tatard to the junior departmental title.
The watch locks instantly. The pace is steady. Regular.
Result:
- 34'07 For Christophe, national level Master 3
- 33'55 for Tiago, champion of Val-d'Oise
- "The watch remained stable from beginning to end."
She didn't create the performance. She did it. secure.
The runner's verdict
Christophe isn't looking for a formula. He speaks like he runs: with restraint, precision, and without artifice. Its assessment is based on usage, not on the promise.
"The design is sleek, the watch remains discreet on the wrist. The GPS is reliable, the heart rate readings are consistent with my sensations, and the battery life is truly impressive. You can do back-to-back workouts without ever worrying about recharging."
One point recurs consistently in his speech: application. "I really loved the COROS app. It's clear, intuitive, and very easy to read. You can immediately find the information you need without being overwhelmed by data. Compared to others I've used before, especially from Polar, it's much more pleasant and efficient for everyday use."
Then, true to his nature, Christophe concluded without unnecessary emphasis : "The price-performance ratio is very good. However, to be honest, for many runners, a COROS Pace 3 is more than enough. It all depends on individual needs."
A calm, clear-headed opinion, without any blind spots.
That of an experienced runner who never judges a product on its prestige, but on what it brings him, session after session.
=> Buy the COROS APEX 4 for €499
Who is the COROS APEX 4 for, according to 3Bikes ?
Based on Christophe Bénit's experience, the COROS APEX 4 is primarily aimed at runners. dalready engaged in their practice. Athletes who train regularly, from 10km to marathon including trail running, and who are looking for a reliable, precise and durable watch, capable of accompanying them without ever overriding their sensations.
This watch is for those who prioritize accuracy over flashy displays, battery life over excessive features, and data consistency over a multitude of functions. Conversely, for more casual users or those primarily seeking a lifestyle-oriented smartwatch, simpler models from the COROS range will likely suffice.
Conclusion: The watch that knows how to disappear
La APEX 4 CHOIRS It's not a watch that seeks attention.
It doesn't flash. It doesn't seduce with artifice.
It doesn't promise more than it can deliver.
She's looking for something else, something rarer: accuracy.
In the life of Christophe Bénit, experienced runner 9th Frenchman in the 10km race in his category, born the 3st December 1973It settled in naturally, quietly, like a tool you adopt because it's just right. In the Parisian night, on the track, in the forest, between two business meetings, and even up to the requirement of an official 10km race, it did what you expect from a watch designed for running: to be reliable, consistent, and never let you down.
She didn't change Christophe.
She hasn't changed her running style.
She simply accompanied him, with precision and discretion.
And when Christophe is asked to summarize his experience, his answer is contained in one sentence, almost a haiku: "She never steals your attention. She lets you run."
Ultimately, isn't that exactly the best definition of a great sports watch?
The COROS APEX 4 in brief…The pros: Remarkable GPS accuracy even in dense urban environments, exceptional battery life actually observed over several weeks, premium construction (grade 5 titanium and sapphire crystal), excellent readability of the MIP screen day and night, simple and stable interface, clear, intuitive and particularly efficient COROS app, a reliable tool for both structured training and competition The - : Slightly heavier than some more minimalist watches, lacking an AMOLED screen for those who prefer a more "smartwatch" aesthetic, and with intentionally limited connected features, the COROS Pace 3 will already meet the essential needs of many runners. Suggested price : COROS APEX 4 – approximately €499 Available on : https://www.coros.com |
