The latest smartwatches, from the new Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 to the Garmin Forerunner 165 to the Google Pixel Watch 3, all have one major thing in common. No, I'm not talking about built-in heart rate sensors, GPS, or even fancy AI features. All of these devices look remarkably similar to what came before them.
Sure, Samsung gave the Galaxy Watch Ultra a square body with a circular display (gasp), making it more similar to the Apple Watch Ultra, but I wouldn't classify that as a revolutionary design innovation.
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In fact, by 2024, smartwatch design has become terribly outdated. Brands are playing it safe, and that's not likely to change anytime soon. The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is rumored to look similar to the ones that came before it. And the upcoming Garmin Fenix 8 will almost certainly share the basic design of its predecessor.
But instead of bashing big brands, I'm here to help. After thinking long and hard about how to make smartwatch design less boring, I'm convinced that the key to aesthetic innovation lies in tapping into the past.
I’m not talking about the dawn of the smartwatch era here, but rather the 100+ years of watch design history. With that in mind, here are five ways brands like Apple, Garmin, Google, Samsung, and others can make smartwatch design truly exciting by taking inspiration from historic watch brands like Rolex, Omega, Cartier, and Swatch.
1. Consider the dive watch
I know what you're going to say: “But the Apple Watch Ultra can be used for diving!” Sure, that's true, to a certain extent, but its use is subject to many limitations. For one, Apple doesn't recommend wearing it at depths greater than 40 meters. There's also no decompression stop functionality.
Here's what I want: a smartwatch rated for depths of 600 feet or more with an old-school mechanical diving bezel, like you see on legendary watches like the Rolex Submariner and Omega Seamaster, and a real onboard dive computer to boot.
Even if you own the device and never wear it in the water, who cares? Mechanical dive watches are magnificent examples of functionality and fashion, but their owners rarely use them for their original purpose: to monitor the time when they surface. In fact, I'd wager that most people who wear a Submariner these days are more versed in Microsoft Excel than they are in the intricacies of scuba diving.
Again, does this matter? No. People love to brag about what they're wearing; it's probably one of the main reasons why rugged, rugged smartwatches are so popular. Does everyone who bought a Polar Grit X2 Pro In fact Are you planning on climbing rocks and scaling peaks while wearing it? Probably not. But it’s cool that the device is designed for that, and it’s even more fun to brag about it.
2. Design it like a jewel
With the exception of the Garmin Lily 2 and the Fitbit Luxe, the latter of which is more of a fitness tracker than a watch, the vast majority of models available look like… smartwatches. Those that don't, like the ones mentioned above, are designed specifically for a female clientele, meaning that men like me who appreciate a delicate and, dare I say, pretty device on their wrist are out of luck.
Is it Really Is it so difficult to design a watch that looks like a piece of jewelry and appeals to both men and women? No. Take the Cartier Tank, for example. This delicate, iconic watch has been worn by everyone from Muhammad Ali to Princess Diana.
With so few small, fully functional smartwatches available, a Tank-inspired device could also appeal to those who don't like carrying around a bulky device but want the convenience of the latest wearable tech.
More importantly, there isn’t a single smartwatch on the market that I would wear with a suit… and you shouldn’t wear one with formal attire either. Let’s be real, nothing screams “I’m a tool” more than pairing an Apple Watch with a tuxedo.
However, the above line of thinking might change if something intelligent but Tank-like entered the conversation.
3. Integrate a reversible screen
This one might be a little wacky, but I'd love to see a brand experiment with a dual-screen smartwatch where the display is reversible. Maybe the hidden display can reveal your crucial health stats for easy viewing on the fly. Or maybe it defaults to the widget of your choice.
The most famous classic reversible mechanical watch is the aptly named Reverso by Jaguar Lecoultre. And it is a marvel. Designed for polo players, the main dial of the watch can be hidden at the wearer’s discretion to protect it from damage. Other versions feature a second dial on the back of the watch for dual time display.
Is the concept more of a gimmick than a feature? It depends on how it is executed.
4. Highlight interior technology
Many modern mechanical watches feature glass viewing windows on the underside of the timepiece to allow curious onlookers to peer into the inner workings. This applies even to budget watches. My $200 Seiko 5 Sport, for example, makes all of its gears and jewels visible.
Let’s be honest, there’s probably a lot of overlap between mechanically curious geeks and smartwatch enthusiasts. I fall into both categories. And there’s nothing more nerdy/cool than getting a visual glimpse into how a piece of tech you own works. And while the innards of a smartwatch might not be as aesthetically pleasing as a mechanical watch, I bet they still look pretty damn neat.
Those of us who were privileged enough to grow up in the 1990s probably remember a carefree time when translucent consumer electronics, from landline phones to Gameboys to Macintosh computers, were ubiquitous. I think it's time to bring that trend back into the mainstream, my dear.
5. Make it colorful and fun
Few legendary watch brands are more synonymous with fun than Swatch. The Swiss manufacturer has been churning out colorful, stylish, and wacky timepieces for over 35 years, and I’m guessing that most people reading this have owned at least one Swatch watch in their lifetime.
While I appreciate the use of premium materials in a smartwatch, I also appreciate fun hues and design elements. Why not have both? Remember the iPhone 5C? I’d love to see that bold, colorful approach translated to the modern smartwatch world. How cool would a third-generation raspberry blue Apple Watch SE be?
What design changes would you like to see smartwatch manufacturers adopt? And what do you think of my suggestions? Let me know in the comments below.