Buy European

In addition to Polar and Suunto, Finland also has Ōura on the ring side. I tested their V1 long ago, and was impressed. The ring form seemed to allow for better measurement of heart rate to the point of reliably using HRV for "readiness" predictions, and temperature to the point of possibly being applicable for basal temperature for ovulation detection, something I doubt any watch could do as accurately simply because of form factor. Then again, I haven't tracked progress lately.

If you are more concerned about your money and data staying in the EU than the brand, I'd also suggest a used device supported by Gadgetbridge; I used to have good luck with used Mi Bands (newer models may not work, or at least need installing the default app and digging up a code).

If you're okay spending a little cash, Withings is a European brand with which I'm very content. They are French, although they do have offices in the US.

The Scanwatch Lite is pretty affordable but was a bit too 'lite' for my taste. I got a great deal on the Scanwatch 2, it's usually 300 but I paid 200 and got a leather band with it. I also own the Sleep Analyzer since I hate sleeping with a smart watch on. It was 100. And I spent a further 100 on the Smart Scale that also measures body fat and stuff.

What I love about the watch:

• first and foremost, a watch is an accessory to me. It should look good on my wrist. The Scanwatch 2 is exactly my cup of tea.
• it's a hybrid smartwatch meaning the display is very small and not really meant for monitoring anything, but that's fine with me. All my stats are in the app on my phone, where I can do better analysis anyway.
• because it's hybrid, battery life is amazing. It does two weeks no sweat, sometimes 3 could do 4 if I only use it for time.
• charging goes through a clamp with a USB-C porr
• there are two sizes available, and a myriad of bands (pricey though)
• there is an optional subscription service, which I tried, but I haven't noticed a difference at all not having it
• it is able to automatically notice when you are exercising. It notices when I play tennis without me having to tell it so. It registers when I'm cycling. It won't track my route of it don't tell it I'm going cycling.

Polar is a Finnish company that makes various health and fitness wearables.

Suunto is another Finnish company, but they are owned by a Chinese company.

You'll probably stumble upon withings, but as an owner of a watch for 8 years now I can not recommend. Their app is horrendous and pushing really hard on buying their plus subscription and just getting daily or historical information is convoluted... Okay haven't opened the app in like 3 months now and apparently it looks quite a bit better now... I just lost trust in them. Their now older watch that I own tracks step counting terribly and heart rate monitoring is unstable.

With that said, their hardware has lasted for over 8 years now so theres that as a good thing.

Interested on this too. I wanted a smartwatch to pair with my phone. I liked the garmin brand but I read they are american so I like them way less now.

Is Pebble American? It’s open source, so no sharing of your health data with 3. parties.