What is it about Apple Watch that makes it look so attractive?

[shenfrey]

I mean at the end of the day, it's just a square with a couple of buttons on it. Others have tried this exact same thing, pebble was square, Sony smart watch (1 and 2) was square, the original LG watch was square and yet none of them match the same standard of praise that the Apple watch has when it comes to cosmetics.

Just curious why, I know Apple watch is a nice looking watch because I look at it and think that, but I just can't pinpoint what it is about it that's make me think that.

 

[striders]

For one, the screen is very nice. Having owned Pebble, Samsung and Moto 360, the Apple Watch screen is really attractive.

 

[T5BRICK]

Just curious why, I know Apple watch is a nice looking watch because I look at it and think that, but I just can't pinpoint what it is about it that's make me think that.

The other watches didn't have an Apple on the packaging.

 

[BvizioN]

I don't know how you see the world, but to me Pebble looks ugly in comparison to Apple Watch, and never mind the screen quality of it. And am not going through other watches, maybe the only watch that comes close to Apple Watch for my taste is Moto 360.

 

[striders]

I don't know how you see the world, but to me Pebble looks ugly in comparison to Apple Watch, and never mind the screen quality of it. And am not going through other watches, maybe the only watch that comes close to Apple Watch for my taste is Moto 360.

I had the Pebble long before the Apple Watch came out. It was revolutionary at the time. Then got my Moto 360 before getting the Apple Watch.

 

[kdarling]

The other watches didn't have an Apple on the packaging.

That, and the fact that Apple has made sure no other maker can duplicate its Watch's functionality with an iPhone. This stacks the deck in its favor.

Physically speaking, I think the the accessory watch bands help enormously. They take a bland rounded rectangle shape and elevate its looks (and price).

 

[melman101]

It's the level of polish they put on their products. It just screams premium. Whereas Pebble just screams indie. Not that that's a bad thing, it's just how I perceive them.

 

[Gav2k]

I like it because it reminds me of the iPhone 2G

 

[edlex]

That, and the fact that Apple has made sure no other maker can duplicate its Watch's functionality with an iPhone. This stacks the deck in its favor.

This is truly the reason why I'm spending this kind of money on a smart watch. Apple could never get away with the stuff that they do if they had any real competition.

 

[kdarling]

I like it because it reminds me of the iPhone 2G

That's what I thought when it was first shown. At this point, Jon Ive is pretty predictable when it comes to shapes and colors.



It's always safer to go with a proven formula, and Cook could not afford to take any truly radical chances with his first new device. Who can blame him?

 

[mplex]

I think the edgeless screen illusion and the constant curvature between the glass and case extending to the back of the watch are largely responsible for the pleasing aesthetics. Other smartwatch bezels are jarring in comparison, obviously being a screen cased in steel or plastic. The Apple Watch appears as a singular object in comparison.

I find it interesting as well how the watch by itself doesn't appear nearly as pleasing until you place it on your wrist and view it from every angle. When I first saw the watch, I wasn't impressed, but on my wrist I find it extremely appealing.

 

[Itsedstech]

ill be honest, i saw the design and wanted to throw up, had no interest in the watch at all. fast forward to the last keynote and i wanted it all of a sudden haha now i love the design!

 

[Blakjack]

As I sit here on the toilet, looking at my wrist, I'm asking myself the same question.

How can something with so simple of a design be this incredibly beautiful?

I'm not one of those "A watch has to be a circle for me to think it's beautiful" people. Can't stand those guys....

I agree with the poster above who stated that the screen itself is nice. I'll even go a step further and say that the way the glass melts into the stainless edge helps too.

The screen is off most of the time and the watch's glass display still is eye candy.

If you get the right size for your wrist, the watch comes off more to me as a simple classic timepiece more than a smart watch. Just my opinion, when on the wrist, it looks like a watch that in 5 years coukd still be relevant. It's more jewelry than smart watch.

Right now I'm leather looping it, but hope to have a Milanese loop or link bracelet in the future.

 

[zmunkz]

As I sit here on the toilet, looking at my wrist, I'm asking myself the same question.

How can something with so simple of a design be this incredibly beautiful?

Those are some deep thoughts for the toilet… Maybe you should focus on the task at hand

 

[Cory Bauer]

That's what I thought when it was first shown. At this point, Jon Ive is pretty predictable when it comes to shapes and colors.

View attachment 553003

It's always safer to go with a proven formula, and Cook could not afford to take any truly radical chances with his first new device. Who can blame him?

Don't mistake remaining true to one's design philosophies as playing it safe.

Garnishing the watch body with faux ornamental design would go against everything Jony Ive believes, in that a product should be true to itself. As for those Fitbit style bands with the screen wrapping around the wrist, I think that was a cool concept but in hindsight it's far more gadget than watch and would not look right outside a gym or software development lab.

The Apple Watch is the only smart watch, concept or otherwise, that has the aesthetic flexibility to be worn while jogging or at the opera by simply changing out the band. That to me makes it the winner because it's the smartwatch/fitness tracker you can wear all the time.

 

[noobinator]

The fact that you can't buy one in stores makes it attractive.

 

[cynics]

ill be honest, i saw the design and wanted to throw up, had no interest in the watch at all. fast forward to the last keynote and i wanted it all of a sudden haha now i love the design!

While my reaction wasn't as extreme I agree. I thought it was very unattractive. Its still slowly growing on me.

 

[mightyjabba]

They clearly spent a lot of time on the design. Yeah, it's a rounded rectangle, but there's more to it than that. They got the angles just right somehow. And if you compare it to the other square smartwatches, the lack of any apparent bezel is impressive. Even the ones that don't appear to have physical bezels when the screen is off do have them when they are on, due to the way that Android Wear displays things.

 

[shenfrey]

They clearly spent a lot of time on the design. Yeah, it's a rounded rectangle, but there's more to it than that. They got the angles just right somehow. And if you compare it to the other square smartwatches, the lack of any apparent bezel is impressive. Even the ones that don't appear to have physical bezels when the screen is off do have them when they are on, due to the way that Android Wear displays things.

The Apple Watch does have bezels it's just levelled with the display, I didn't really think about the way you put it though, it must of been a remarkable achievement since it's the only watch to have done it.

 

[whatos]

It's not that it's a stylish watch, because it's just a basic shape not unlike some Timex models. In fact that it's not ugly is what makes it acceptable. Ask an Apple disciple and they'll say it's special, ask an average person and they'll often be indifferent.

The best aspect of Apple Watch is it's not offensive. Ad in the always brilliant Apple hype and they sell loads of them. Illustrating the undeniable power of great spin and terrific marketing.

 

[Mac 128]

They clearly spent a lot of time on the design. Yeah, it's a rounded rectangle, but there's more to it than that. They got the angles just right somehow. And if you compare it to the other square smartwatches, the lack of any apparent bezel is impressive. Even the ones that don't appear to have physical bezels when the screen is off do have them when they are on, due to the way that Android Wear displays things.

Yeah, it's the same rounded rectangle that's defined Apple since the Macintosh was introduced, and it's gotten a little long in the tooth for me. This, if nothing else, is Steve Jobs legacy. http://www.folklore.org/StoryView.py?project=Macintosh&story=Round_Rects_Are_Everywhere.txt

The Watch is no doubt beautifully designed, and made out of premium materials compared to the Moto 360 or any other smart watch I've seen regardless of shape. Some are very nice watches, but they don't have the appearance of classic wrist wear, most are too tech looking, or clumsy-looking. The great Swiss watches have a design scheme with Great attention to detail. Apple has this.

And while the disguised thick bezel by using a dark UI is an attractive feature, it's only relevant when it's on. And there are plenty of screens which clearly illuminate the oversized bezel -- far wider than on most other smart watches, which make it look no different from them. But it definitely has an overal effect on the user, though less of a factor for someone admiring the watch on your hanging arm, from across the room.

 

[digitalnut]

I mean at the end of the day, it's just a square with a couple of buttons on it. Others have tried this exact same thing, pebble was square, Sony smart watch (1 and 2) was square, the original LG watch was square and yet none of them match the same standard of praise that the Apple watch has when it comes to cosmetics.

Just curious why, I know Apple watch is a nice looking watch because I look at it and think that, but I just can't pinpoint what it is about it that's make me think that.

I haven't received mine yet, but I think the variety of materials and band options is what leads people to find the Watch aesthetically pleasing. While I have one co-worker who already has their Space Gray Sport and another who's procrastinating their order claiming to still be undecided, I'm attempting to patiently wait for my Space Black Watch. Much like the watch industry already knew, people typically have a preference for the materials in objects they wear. Some people like gold jewelry, others go for stainless steel. Some like sapphires, others prefer rubies Ion-X. And by marketing these Watches in that way, they enable us to find one we connect with, and we them provide a halo to the entire line-up based upon it.

Samsung, Motorola, and every other smart watch maker needs to recognize the lesson here, and -- yes, I'm gonna say it -- copy Apple. They need to offer a crazy-limited solid gold model. Maybe create it with a silver or platinum body. Offer more interesting colors of anodized aluminum; but make it so people go from "liking" it to "loving" it.

 

[Voragon]

I have the SS and classic band in 38mm .... I had the Ss pebble .. It was ugly and the actual screen really ugly. The Surge the same though serviceable .

I wear my AW except when charging ... My good regular watches are put away though they too are beautiful my AW satisfies the quality requirement and the Smart part that my good watches can't do.

So, it's the design, workmanship and quality of materials used. Love it.

 

[Mac 128]

Samsung, Motorola, and every other smart watch maker needs to recognize the lesson here, and -- yes, I'm gonna say it -- copy Apple. They need to offer a crazy-limited solid gold model. Maybe create it with a silver or platinum body. Offer more interesting colors of anodized aluminum; but make it so people go from "liking" it to "loving" it.

Like always, the other smart watch makers needed Apple to show them how to do it correctly. But they will still mess it up, because they don't have the taste of Apple, and in the end don't seem to really care.

Where Apple is going to face its greatest competition is from the existing watch makers whose style and quality match and exceed Apple's own. I imagine a few must haves built into these watches for starters without changing much else -- NFC chips, BT radios, fitness sensors, and app interaction. Later, once the traditional watchmakers hire some talented software designers, they'll start mimicking Apple's software designs to the extent Apple's copyrights and third party developer kits allow. And these watches will be viable competitors to the Watch. The key is whether Apple will license Pay to third parties for inclusion into their devices. I don't see these watchmakers ever competing with Apple in the same mass produced level, but they will continue to design limited editions which will provide the individual style currently enjoyed within the watch community, but with some indispensable smart watch features.

 

[Mr. Buzzcut]

I mean at the end of the day, it's just a square with a couple of buttons on it. Others have tried this exact same thing, pebble was square, Sony smart watch (1 and 2) was square, the original LG watch was square and yet none of them match the same standard of praise that the Apple watch has when it comes to cosmetics.

Just curious why, I know Apple watch is a nice looking watch because I look at it and think that, but I just can't pinpoint what it is about it that's make me think that.

It isn't offensive but I don't think it looks nice. Nondescript is a better adjective.

Aside from that, even ugly things can be interesting to look at if they are put together well. That is, if you have an eye for quality / craftsmanship.