Design excellence emerges when form serves function without compromise. Samsung’s Galaxy Watch8 lineup embodies this philosophy perfectly.

Designer: Samsung

After getting hands-on time with the Galaxy Watch8, Watch8 Classic, and Watch Ultra, it’s clear Samsung has achieved the design maturity that transforms smartwatches from gadgets into essential lifestyle tools. The Galaxy Watch8 stands as the thinnest Galaxy Watch ever created, featuring a sleek profile that disappears on your wrist while housing a powerful 3mm processor and comprehensive health monitoring capabilities.

Breaking Design News: Samsung’s Galaxy Watch8 represents an 11% reduction in thickness compared to previous generations.

The Watch8 Classic brings back the beloved rotating bezel with modern refinements, while the Watch Ultra introduces titanium construction and adventure-ready features in Samsung’s most ambitious wearable design yet. Each model serves different lifestyle needs while maintaining design coherence across the range.

The Slimmest Galaxy Watch: When Less Becomes More

At 11% thinner than the Galaxy Watch7, this represents the most significant dimensional reduction in the series’ history while actually expanding functionality.

The sleek profile creates a more seamless integration with your wrist, enhancing both comfort and style throughout extended wear. The cushion design philosophy creates visual continuity with Samsung’s broader device ecosystem while maintaining distinct smartwatch identity. Clean lines flow from the watch face to the slim body, creating refined aesthetics that work equally well in boardrooms and gyms.

Available in sophisticated Graphite and Silver colorways, the design choices feel timeless rather than trendy. The 3,000-nit display delivers exceptional visibility in any lighting condition while the 3mm processor enables fluid interactions that eliminate the lag that plagued earlier smartwatch generations.

Every design element serves multiple purposes: the reduced thickness improves comfort, the premium materials enhance durability, and the refined proportions create visual appeal.

Galaxy Watch8 Classic: Heritage Design Meets Modern Innovation

The iconic rotating bezel returns with refined engineering that provides smooth, intuitive scrolling through interfaces.

This physical interaction method proves superior to touchscreen-only navigation, especially during workouts or when wearing gloves. The cushion design takes a cutting-edge approach with rounded square aesthetics that encases the latest smartwatch technology.

Available in timeless Black and White colorways, the Classic complements any outfit from workout gear to formal attire.

The Quick Button adds functional elegance, providing reassuring tactile feedback while offering instant access to features and app launches. Samsung equipped the Classic with 64GB of storage, representing a massive upgrade that eliminates the constant space management that plagued previous generations.

The powerful 3mm processor handles demanding tasks while maintaining the refined user experience that makes the Classic feel like a premium timepiece rather than a computer on your wrist.

Galaxy Watch Ultra: Adventure-Ready Engineering

The 1.5-inch Super AMOLED display surrounded by durable titanium casing creates a device equally suited for corporate presentations and mountain expeditions.

This represents a significant departure from Samsung’s traditional design language, embracing rugged functionality without sacrificing everyday usability. High-endurance battery power with intelligent management modes ensures the Ultra keeps working when you need it most.

Exercise power saving mode optimizes for workout tracking while Power saving mode extends operation for multi-day adventures.

The upgraded 64GB storage accommodates extensive GPX data recording for serious outdoor enthusiasts. The titanium construction delivers genuine durability rather than just premium aesthetics.

Samsung specifically mentions ocean readiness for Pacific and Caribbean waters, indicating serious water sports capabilities rather than basic splash resistance. The Quick Button enables swift transitions between endurance sports through the Multisport Tile functionality.

Health Innovation: World-First Antioxidant Measurement

Samsung’s Galaxy Watch8 introduces the world’s first smartwatch antioxidant measurement capability. Place your thumb on the sensor to measure carotenoid levels in your skin, providing insights into how healthy your current diet and lifestyle choices are. This breakthrough technology transforms the watch into a comprehensive wellness monitor that encourages better eating habits and lifestyle changes.

The running coach functionality adapts to your fitness level with personalized training programs. Whether you’re taking first steps as a beginner or training for marathons, the system provides 3-5 week programs that guide you through every milestone with motivation and practical advice.

The AI analyzes your running capacity and creates training that works uniquely for you.

Energy Score monitoring powered by Galaxy AI gives you daily insights into your body’s condition. The system analyzes key indicators and provides a simple score that helps you understand whether to push hard or take it easy.

This represents the kind of health guidance that makes smartwatches genuinely useful rather than just data collectors.

Sleep Revolution: AI-Powered Bedtime Guidance

The Galaxy Watch8 uses three days of sleep data to find your optimal bedtime. Smart nudges for your ideal bedtime help establish consistent sleep schedules that improve overall rest quality. Wake up feeling refreshed and fully recharged with personalized sleep coaching that actually works. Sleep insights provide detailed analysis including sleep stages, consistency, heart rate, and blood oxygen levels.

You can finally understand aspects of your sleep that were previously invisible. The system trains your sleep patterns to gain deeper rest and energize your day through practical, actionable recommendations.

Heart health monitoring during sleep tracks vascular load overnight, helping prevent heart-related diseases through early detection and lifestyle adjustments. When readings trend upward, you receive thoughtful suggestions for fresh foods, better sleep habits, or stress management techniques.

One UI 8 Watch: Interface Innovation

The multi-info tile brings key information from your chosen apps into a single view, eliminating the constant app switching that makes many smartwatches frustrating to use.

Streamlined notifications provide essential information without overwhelming your wrist with constant alerts. The system learns which notifications matter most and prioritizes accordingly.

Easy access to frequently used apps from the top of the app list speeds up common tasks. The Now Bar displays real-time information like call status, running timers, and workout data in a persistent, easily accessible format.

This creates a more efficient interaction model that reduces the time spent navigating through multiple screens to find essential information.

Design Philosophy: Form, Function, and Future

Each model serves different lifestyle needs while maintaining design coherence across the range. The Classic appeals to traditional watch enthusiasts, the standard model targets mainstream users, and the Ultra serves adventure seekers. Every design decision serves multiple purposes.

The rotating bezel isn’t just nostalgic; it’s more functional than touch-only navigation. The titanium construction isn’t just premium; it’s genuinely more durable.

The health sensors aren’t just comprehensive; they provide actionable insights. The robust construction and comprehensive feature sets suggest devices designed for years of daily use rather than annual replacement cycles.

Samsung’s integration of AI throughout the experience anticipates how wearables will evolve. The antioxidant measurement capability represents the kind of health innovation that transforms smartwatches from fitness trackers into comprehensive wellness monitors.

Hands-On Verdict

These devices eliminate the compromises that made previous generations feel experimental while introducing capabilities that expand what wearables can accomplish.

The Galaxy Watch8 delivers sophisticated daily wear with advanced health monitoring. The Galaxy Watch8 Classic provides traditional aesthetics with modern capabilities.

The Galaxy Watch Ultra offers adventure-ready features without sacrificing everyday usability.

After hands-on testing, these watches feel like essential daily tools rather than interesting gadgets. Samsung has created wearables that enhance your lifestyle through thoughtful design and practical innovation rather than overwhelming you with unnecessary complexity. The smartwatch category just reached design maturity.

The post Samsung Galaxy Watch8 Hands-On: The Smartwatch Design That Finally Gets Everything Right first appeared on Yanko Design.

The Swiss watch industry rarely looks to maritime navigation equipment for design inspiration, but Laventure’s new Marine Type 3 breaks this mold entirely. This titanium tool watch draws directly from 1980s marine chronometers , the analog navigation instruments that guided ships before GPS became accessible to civilian vessels. What makes this approach significant? The resulting timepiece challenges conventional dive watch aesthetics while delivering military-grade functionality.

Designer: Laventure

Most contemporary tool watches follow predictable design languages borrowed from aviation or automotive industries. Laventure founder Clément Gaud took a different path, studying the pragmatic industrial design of vintage boat chronometers used for celestial navigation. The Marine Type 3 emerges as a 38mm titanium instrument that resembles what happens when you embed a precision clock into a diving weight.

The watch’s visual DNA comes from an unexpected source: the functional beauty of marine timekeeping equipment that once determined longitude at sea. Before satellite navigation, ships relied on these robust chronometers to track Greenwich Mean Time, comparing it to local astronomical observations for precise positioning. This historical context explains the Marine Type 3’s utilitarian appearance and military-inspired dial layout.

Grade 23 Titanium Construction Meets Industrial Design Philosophy

The Marine Type 3’s most striking design element combines advanced materials with vintage aesthetics. Grade 23 titanium forms the foundation of this timepiece, delivering aerospace-grade strength while maintaining the lightweight properties essential for extended wear. The substantially lighter titanium construction contrasts sharply with the watch’s iron diving weight appearance , creating an intriguing tactile experience that defies visual expectations.

Tribofinishing transforms the titanium surface into something resembling aged industrial equipment. This process, similar to stonewashing denim, creates the weathered texture that defines the Marine Type 3’s character while accomplishing multiple engineering goals. The technique softens sharp edges for comfortable wear, increases surface hardness for durability, and enhances corrosion resistance beyond standard titanium finishing.

The 60-graduation bezel, crafted from matching titanium and filled with black lacquer, surrounds a surprisingly compact 25mm dial opening. This proportion creates visual tension that draws the eye while maintaining the instrument’s functional clarity. The bezel’s etched markings serve more aesthetic than practical purposes, unlike traditional diving bezels designed for elapsed time measurement.

The military-style dial layout reflects the 1980s chronometer tradition when most marine instruments used military time formats. Each design choice reinforces the watch’s connection to its maritime heritage while serving contemporary functionality. The dial’s stark readability prioritizes information clarity over decorative elements, following the instrument-first philosophy that guided marine chronometer development.

Anti-Magnetic Protection and Material Engineering

Modern tool watches must address electromagnetic interference, a concern that maritime chronometers faced decades ago. The Marine Type 3 incorporates a soft-iron Faraday Cage beneath the dial , providing robust anti-magnetic protection that exceeds typical watch industry standards. This shielding proves crucial for users working around electronic equipment or industrial machinery, while the dial protection system challenges conventional luxury watch construction.

Instead of sapphire crystal, Laventure chose Plexiglas for its superior impact resistance. This decision prioritizes practical durability over prestige materials, reflecting the watch’s tool-first philosophy. Plexiglas withstands shattering forces that would compromise sapphire, making it ideal for demanding environments where crystal replacement becomes problematic.

Water resistance reaches 300 meters despite the watch’s field watch appearance, supported by solid titanium case construction that eliminates potential failure points. The screw-down crown and case back create a sealed environment suitable for serious aquatic activities. The titanium construction prevents galvanic corrosion in saltwater conditions. This combination of materials and engineering creates a timepiece equally suited for marine environments and terrestrial adventures.

Swiss Movement Integration and Production Philosophy

The Sellita caliber SW300-1 automatic movement provides the chronometric foundation for this design experiment. Operating at 4Hz frequency with 56 hours of power reserve, this Swiss movement delivers reliable timekeeping performance within the titanium case architecture. The movement’s stop-seconds function enables precise time setting, a feature valued by users who require accuracy synchronization, while its antimagnetic properties complement the case’s Faraday Cage protection.

Production constraints shape the Marine Type 3’s market positioning and collector appeal. Only 100 pieces of each dial color are manufactured annually , with current orders shipping in October. This limited availability creates exclusivity while allowing Laventure to maintain quality control over each timepiece. The pricing strategy at CHF 4,200 ($5,270) positions the Marine Type 3 within reach of serious tool watch collectors while maintaining exclusivity through production limits.

The watch ships with comprehensive strap options that acknowledge its dual-purpose nature. Rubber dive straps in black, olive, sea green, white, or yellow support aquatic activities, while two-piece nylon straps in yellow, white, black, olive, or khaki provide field-ready alternatives. This accessory selection reinforces the watch’s versatility across different environments and reflects the design team’s understanding of how tool watches function in real-world conditions.

Industry Impact and Design Legacy

The Marine Type 3’s unconventional approach may influence how other manufacturers approach tool watch design. By drawing inspiration from marine chronometers rather than diving equipment, Laventure demonstrates that functional aesthetics can emerge from unexpected sources. This design philosophy could inspire similar historical research across the watch industry, encouraging brands to explore overlooked instrumental design languages.

The watch’s success in combining historical inspiration with modern materials engineering suggests that contemporary tool watch design need not rely on familiar visual languages. Instead, functional beauty can emerge from studying the pragmatic solutions that solved similar problems in different eras. The Marine Type 3 proves that design innovation often comes from looking backward to move forward, finding fresh approaches in forgotten industrial aesthetics.

This approach challenges the industry’s tendency to repeat established formulas, opening new possibilities for tool watch development. The timepiece demonstrates how thorough historical research can yield contemporary design solutions that feel both familiar and fresh. Laventure’s commitment to this methodology suggests future releases will continue exploring overlooked instrumental traditions for modern applications.

The post Swiss Watchmaker Laventure Transforms Military Tool Watch Design with Grade 23 Titanium Marine Type 3 first appeared on Yanko Design.

If you’re a watch lover, collector, or simply someone who appreciates beautiful craftsmanship, the world of independent horology offers a wealth of treasures. Among the most exciting new brands is Laventure, founded in 2017 by Swiss designer Clément Gaud. Laventure has quickly earned a reputation for limited edition watches that blend Swiss precision with evocative storytelling, each piece capturing the spirit of adventure and the romance of exploration.

The Marine Type 3 Chronometer perfectly exemplifies Laventure’s philosophy. Drawing inspiration from the precision instruments of the 1980s that guided sailors across the seas, the Marine Type 3 is not just a nod to history but a thoroughly modern tool watch for today’s explorers. Clément Gaud’s design expertise shines through in every detail, from the robust case to the legible dial, creating a timepiece that balances vintage charm with cutting-edge watchmaking.

Designer: Laventure

At the heart of the Marine Type 3 is a 38mm case made from Grade 23 titanium, valued for its strength, lightness, and hypoallergenic properties. The stonewashed (tribofinished) finish adds a rugged, utilitarian character while enhancing durability for daily wear. The dial, offered in either full-lume white or classic black, features a two-layer sandwich construction for depth and clarity. Instead of ornate decorations, you’ll find crisp printed indexes and matte black hands, all treated with Super-LumiNova for outstanding visibility in low light. The clean, instrument-inspired layout makes it a pleasure to read at a glance.

A standout feature of the Marine Type 3 is its domed cheminée crystal, crafted from locally produced Plexiglas. This material choice enhances the watch’s vintage appeal and resists shattering, while remaining easy to polish if scratched. Beneath the dial, a Faraday cage provides protection from magnetic fields, officially certifying the watch as anti-magnetic to ISO 764 standards—a valuable trait for everyday life.

Turn the watch over and you’ll find a solid titanium caseback, engraved with the Laventure logo and the watch’s individual serial number. Inside, the Marine Type 3 is powered by the Calibre 4, a Sellita SW300-1b automatic movement, custom decorated for Laventure and COSC chronometer-certified. This means it meets the highest Swiss standards for accuracy, running between -4 and +6 seconds per day.

Despite its vintage inspiration, the Marine Type 3 is built for adventure today. It’s water-resistant to 300 meters (ISO 6425 certified), so it’s ready for swimming, diving, or any journey you can imagine. The large, screw-down crown and robust construction offer comfort and confidence on the wrist. True to Clément Gaud’s vision, every detail is carefully considered. Only 100 pieces of each color are produced each year, ensuring exclusivity and collectability.

Each Marine Type 3 is delivered with both a Swiss-made rubber strap and a fabric or elastic strap, both fitted with titanium buckles and presented in premium packaging. The Marine Type 3 stands out for its blend of heritage and modernity. It’s a watch that tells a story of exploration and precision, capturing the enduring romance between people and the sea. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or simply passionate about fine design, the Marine Type 3 brings a sense of adventure to every wrist.

The post Laventure brings marine-inspired Marine Type 3 Chronometer first appeared on Yanko Design.

When Titan decided to enter the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève with their second flying tourbillon, they could have easily gone the predictable route of Swiss-inspired complications wrapped in precious metals. Instead, they chose something far more audacious: putting 225 years of Jaipur’s architectural heritage directly on your wrist. The Jalsa represents India’s second flying tourbillon watch ever, but the first to feature a hand-painted design… and at ₹40.5 lakh ($47,367 USD) a pop, limited to just 10 pieces, it’s a bold statement that luxury doesn’t have to be culturally neutral.

This watch carries the weight of expectation for an entire nation’s horological ambitions. While Titan has been making timepieces for decades, the Jalsa positions them as serious contenders in haute horlogerie, complete with a GPHG entry that signals India’s arrival on the global stage. The name “Jalsa” translates to celebration, and that’s exactly what this watch represents: a celebration of technical mastery married to cultural storytelling in ways that most luxury brands wouldn’t dare attempt.

Designer: Titan

The technical foundation is impressive enough on its own merits. The in-house flying tourbillon movement comprises 144 components and 14 jewels, with the escapement positioned at 6 o’clock in Titan’s logo shape. The 18K rose gold case measures 43.5mm in diameter and weighs a substantial 68 grams, giving it the heft that serious collectors expect from a statement piece. The movement features Côtes de Genève and perlage finishing, with red agate inlays on the bridges that echo the dial’s design language. The sapphire crystal caseback reveals the mechanical ballet beneath, while the front crystal protects what might be the most remarkable dial ever created by an Indian manufacturer.

Here’s where the Jalsa transcends typical luxury watch territory and enters the realm of wearable art. The marble dial features a hand-painted miniature by Padma Shri Shakir Ali, one of India’s most celebrated artists specializing in Mughal and Persian miniature paintings. Each dial depicts a royal procession featuring Maharana Pratap Singh and his grandson Maharaja Jai Singh positioned in front of the iconic Hawa Mahal. Ali uses natural stone pigments, including lac, neel (indigo), turmeric, and gold, to create these microscopic masterpieces, with each painting taking months to complete. The variations between dials are so minimal that they appear identical, yet each remains a unique work of art. The minute hand features a sapphire crystal magnifier as its counterweight, allowing wearers to examine the intricate details of the painting as time passes.

The design philosophy extends beyond mere decoration into thoughtful integration of form and function. The case construction eliminates traditional lugs in favor of a floating design where the brown-tan leather strap connects through hollowed sections, creating a seamless visual flow. A red agate cabochon adorns the crown, while the hour and minute hands are crafted from sapphire crystal for transparency that doesn’t interfere with the dial’s artwork. The red agate theme continues throughout the movement’s bridge inlays, creating a cohesive design language that feels distinctly Indian rather than derivative of European traditions.

What makes the Jalsa particularly compelling is how it positions Indian craftsmanship within the global luxury conversation. Rather than apologizing for its cultural specificity or attempting to mimic Swiss conventions, Titan has created something that could only come from India. The watch celebrates the 225th anniversary of the Hawa Mahal while simultaneously marking India’s entry into the world’s most prestigious watchmaking competition. This dual purpose gives the Jalsa a gravitas that transcends its technical specifications, transforming it from a luxury object into a cultural artifact that happens to tell time with mechanical precision.

Each watch represents three years of development, from movement design to the painstaking process of creating miniature paintings that capture centuries of architectural and cultural heritage. For Titan, the Jalsa represents a coming-of-age moment that could redefine how the world perceives Indian luxury manufacturing.

The post Titan reveals India’s first watch with a Flying Tourbillon and Hand-painted Marble Dial first appeared on Yanko Design.

I love my Apple Watch, but for the love of everything holy, I hate that I need a specialized charger for it. What’s the point of a power bank or a wireless charger if I now need one with a special charging zone for the Apple Watch JUST because the damned thing has a proprietary dock design? It’s probably the one frustrating thing about the Apple Watch, after the Watch’s underwhelming 2-day battery life… but it seems like the latest iPhone may fix that. Rumors and leaks are suggesting that not only will the iPhone 17 series get bumped up to Qi2.2 charging, it will also get a highly sought-after Reverse Wireless Charging feature (like the one on Samsung’s Galaxy phones). This means that you can potentially place your Apple Watch or even your AirPods on the back of your latest iPhone, just to have it charge normally. No cable, no dock, nothing.

What’s particularly exciting is how these advancements could fundamentally alter our relationship with power management. The days of carrying multiple chargers and cables might soon be behind us. Instead, the iPhone 17 Pro will become a power hub for your Apple ecosystem, addressing one of the most persistent pain points in modern tech: keeping everything charged without turning your bag into a cable management nightmare. At this point, I might just excuse Apple for flopping on the AirPower Mat if my iPhone itself can become a wireless charger!

The star of the show is undoubtedly the new reverse wireless charging capability. Your iPhone 17 Pro will function as a portable charging pad for accessories like AirPods and Apple Watch. This feature has existed on Android devices for years, but Apple’s implementation appears more refined, with stronger magnetic alignment and more efficient power transfer. Imagine being at dinner when your Apple Watch battery indicator turns red. Simply place it on the back of your iPhone, and you’ll have enough juice to get through the evening. The feature leverages the existing MagSafe system for precise alignment, ensuring optimal charging efficiency rather than the hit-or-miss experience seen on competing devices. The power transfer is reportedly limited to 5W for accessories, which is adequate for emergency charging situations without excessively draining your phone’s battery. It’s also heavily speculated that the Pro models will exclusively get the Reverse Wireless Charging feature… not the base models.

On the receiving end, the iPhone 17 lineup will support wireless charging speeds of up to 50W through the new Qi2.2 standard. This represents a massive leap from the current 15W limitation and approaches the speeds typically associated with wired charging. A full charge could take just over an hour wirelessly, compared to the 2+ hours required by current models. Apple has reportedly redesigned the internal coil structure and improved heat dissipation to handle the increased power without thermal throttling. The charging speed increase addresses one of the most significant criticisms of wireless charging: that it’s too slow to be practical for daily use.

The new charging capabilities complement the iPhone 17’s refreshed design language. The lineup introduces the ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air (just 5.5mm thick and weighing 145g) alongside the standard, Pro, and Pro Max variants. The Air model features a 6.6-inch display but comes with a smaller 2800mAh battery, making the improved charging speeds particularly valuable for extending its usability throughout the day. Meanwhile, the Pro Max variant boasts a 4700mAh battery, the largest ever in an iPhone, paired with the new A19 Pro chip and vapor chamber cooling system for sustained performance.

Color options are expanding too, with the base models receiving fresh purple and green finishes, while the Pro models will feature a sophisticated sky-blue option inspired by the M4 MacBook Air. The Pro models are shifting from titanium to aluminum frames, resulting in lighter devices without compromising durability. All models will feature 120Hz ProMotion displays, ensuring smooth visuals whether you’re gaming or simply scrolling through social media.

The iPhone 17 lineup is expected to debut in September 2025, with pricing likely to remain consistent with current models despite the significant technological advancements. These charging improvements, combined with the design refinements and performance upgrades, position the iPhone 17 as a compelling upgrade even for those who typically sit out a generation or two.

The post The iPhone 17 Pro will wirelessly charge your Apple Watch and AirPods, according to news leaks first appeared on Yanko Design.

Representational image

I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve stared at my smartwatch’s notification telling me to “drink water” while I’m in the middle of a Zoom call or stuck on a crowded subway. These reminders are about as useful as your mom texting “drive safe” after you’ve already arrived at your destination. The fundamental problem with current hydration tracking is that it’s not tracking at all – it’s just nagging on a schedule, completely divorced from your body’s actual needs.

That’s why Garmin’s latest patent filing has me genuinely excited about the future of wearable health tech. The company is developing technology that could measure your actual hematocrit levels, the proportion of red blood cells in your blood, which rises when you’re dehydrated due to decreased plasma volume. This isn’t another algorithm making educated guesses based on your heart rate or the weather; it’s a genuine physiological measurement that could tell you you’re dehydrated before you even feel thirsty. For tech enthusiasts and fitness buffs alike, this represents one of those rare moments when wearable technology makes a legitimate leap forward rather than just adding another colorway or marginally faster processor.

Designer: Garmin

Representational image

The technology works through a clever application of optical sensors using specific wavelengths of light (850 nm and 1,000 nm) that can penetrate the skin and analyze blood composition. When you’re dehydrated, your blood plasma volume decreases while red blood cell concentration increases – a measurable change that these sensors can detect. Current smartwatches already use similar optical technology for heart rate and blood oxygen readings, but Garmin’s patent extends this capability to something previously unavailable outside medical settings. The brilliance lies in its simplicity: no new invasive sensors, just smarter use of similar hardware with specialized wavelengths and algorithms.

For endurance athletes, this could be revolutionary. Imagine running a marathon and receiving an alert that your hematocrit levels are rising, before performance starts to suffer. Elite athletes often maintain surprisingly steady heart rates during intense activity, making traditional hydration estimates based on heart rate largely ineffective. Cyclists doing a century ride or ultramarathoners pushing through desert terrain would have real-time data on their actual physiological state, not just guesswork. The technology could even help detect the early stages of heat exhaustion before it becomes dangerous.

But let’s be honest – this matters for regular humans too. Studies consistently show that approximately 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated, despite carrying water bottles everywhere and owning smartwatches that nag them hourly. I’ve personally ignored countless “drink water” notifications while sitting next to a full water bottle. The problem isn’t reminders; it’s meaningful data. A watch that can tell me “Your body is 4% dehydrated right now” carries infinitely more weight than a generic timer. That way, nobody’s playing guesswork.

The patent doesn’t guarantee this feature will appear in the next Garmin release, but it signals the direction wearable health tech is heading. We’re moving beyond simple activity tracking toward devices that understand our physiology in increasingly sophisticated ways. When your watch finally knows more about your hydration needs than you do, that’s a genuine advancement in preventative health technology. And for someone who regularly powers through workdays forgetting to drink anything but chai, that might be the feature that finally makes me pay attention.

The post Garmin patents a sensor that can detect dehydration levels and remind you to drink water first appeared on Yanko Design.

Independent watchmaker Ressence has an uncanny habit of ensuring time-telling remains an essential aspect of each of its watches. No wonder, it has designed timepieces for easy readability, and Type 8 is a significant example in that context. But what Ressence does more to the watches of simple stature is to give them an artistic upliftment by collaborating with artists. These watches, including the likes of the Type 8 watch with handwoven Indigo-dyed silk fabric dial made in collaboration with Swiss Art & Métiers artisans, are limited in production.

The new entrant from Ressence, in its latest artist collaboration, is a dazzling timepiece featuring a geometric display laden with a joyful color palette. Designed in partnership with German sculptor and painter Daniel Engelberg, this simple two-hand watch with an automatic movement is again based on the Ressence Type 8, but what is visually represented gives the simple look of the Type 8 a new limited-edition resurgence.

Designer: Ressence

The optical illusion

Like its base model, the Ressence Type 8 Daniel Engelberg has a dial comprising two smaller concentric circles, where the hour sub-dial with the hand logo rotates along with the moving minute hand on the crescent-shaped outer dial. While that seems pretty straightforward, it’s the Engelberg genius that propels this into the artist’s own ‘inside out’ series of works, where the concentric circle motif creates an illusion of depth on a flat surface.

Here, with the interplay of colors and geometric gradients, the dial appears like an infinity mirror, where the optical illusion creates an incredible sense of depth as you look down on it for a bit. As interesting as the dial, is the caseback of the Ressence Type 8 Daniel Engelberg. All the operations of the watch are handled by its caseback, which when slowly rotated, lets you wind and set the watch to your liking.

The interesting creation

The watch case measuring 43mm is made from grade 5 titanium while the laser-etched titanium dial rests under and domed sapphire crystal, which together with the case makes the watch only 11mm at the thickest point. The watch comes without a crown and has lugs hidden behind the case, which lends the Type 8 Daniel Engelberg a smaller form factor than its actual size suggests. The watch is powered by the ETA-based Ressence ROCS 8 automatic movement that give it a 36-hour power reserve and a kick-start function (like in manual movement) that gets the watch started.

The Ressence Type 8 Daniel Engelberg is delivered in two color variants, each limited to only 40 pieces. Dubbed the DE1 and DE2 they are in a pink and vivid turquoise color scheme. The lively dial colorway of the watches is complemented by matching teal rubber straps. Both the colorways have white hands and indices, which are filled with Super-LumiNova for legibility in the dark. Ressence has made the Type 8 Daniel Engelberg available for preorder now, and it’s likely to start shipping in August for $22,500.

The post Ressence Type 8 Daniel Engelberg is an interesting and colorful interplay of motion and depth first appeared on Yanko Design.

I’m used to wearing a smartwatch the past few years but even before that, I wasn’t really much of an expensive watch person. Probably the most expensive one I owned was a Baby G, and that isn’t even considered a luxury watch. But I can appreciate the workmanship that goes into those high-end timepieces even though I probably would never own a pair (unless someone generously gives me one). And if it’s a very limited edition kind of watch, then you know that there is something special in its material or in its featured and that it will cost a ton.

The Ressence Type 9 S75 is a strikingly original limited-edition timepiece, created to mark the 75th anniversary of Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons, a leading UAE-based watch retailer. This watch is not only a celebration of horological innovation but also a beautiful tribute to the landscape and culture of the United Arab Emirates. At first glance, the Ressence Type 9 S75 stands out for its minimalist, seamless silhouette which is a hallmark of Ressence’s design philosophy. The 39mm Grade 5 titanium case is polished and sleek, weighing just 40 grams, making it one of the lightest luxury watches you’ll find. There’s no crown, which preserves its fluid lines; instead, the watch is wound and set via a two-direction rotating caseback mechanism, another signature Ressence feature.

Design: Ressence

What truly sets the Type 9 S75 apart is its dial. Ressence and Seddiqi have taken storytelling to a new level by integrating real sand from each of the seven Emirates directly into the dial. These sand grains are bonded to the rotating titanium discs, creating a tangible, earthy connection to the UAE’s desert heritage. The effect is both luxurious and deeply meaningful, giving you a physical piece of the region on your wrist. Beneath the sandy dial, the Ressence Type 9 S75 is powered by the reliable ETA 2892A2 automatic movement, combined with Ressence’s in-house ROCS (Ressence Orbital Convex System) module. This patented system displays time in a unique way: the entire dial and its sub-dials rotate in a fluid, orbiting motion, offering an intuitive and captivating reading experience. The movement beats at 28,800 vibrations per hour and provides a power reserve of 36 hours.

The hour indices and minute markers are engraved into the sand-textured dial and filled with green Grade A Super-LumiNova, ensuring good nighttime visibility. The watch is splash-resistant and protected by a domed sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating, enhancing its legibility and durability. Completing the desert-inspired design is a genuine camel leather strap in a light tan finish—a thoughtful touch that honors regional heritage. The strap is secured with a polished titanium ardillon buckle that matches the case.

If exclusivity is your passion, the Ressence Type 9 S75 delivers: only 20 pieces will be produced. Each watch is available through Ahmed Seddiqi boutiques, priced at $24,000 (excluding VAT). This ensures the it will remain a unique collector’s item, especially appealing to both watch aficionados and those who appreciate objects with a strong sense of place. It’s a wearable piece of art that encapsulates place, heritage, and modern horological mastery.

The post Ressence Type 9 S75 is a limited edition watch with UAE grains of sand embedded first appeared on Yanko Design.

In an era where smartwatches increasingly adopt sleek, minimalist aesthetics and glossy facades, designers are exploring alternative paths that celebrate character over conformity. The Retro‑Future Wrist Tech concept challenges conventional norms with a rugged, industrial silhouette and a deliberately pixelated font that evokes the vibe of early digital watches. This design reframes wearable tech with nostalgic cues and tactile authenticity, diverging sharply from the polished, edge‑to‑edge displays dominating today’s market.

At first glance, the design reminds me of the bold geometry and exposed hardware of Nothing’s devices. Its body appears engineered rather than art‑directed, embracing functional aesthetics. Think robust plastic bezel, visible fasteners, and a screen typeface that wouldn’t look out of place in an ’80s Casio. This aesthetic choice suggests purposeful restraint: each visual element serves a purpose, avoiding superfluous flourishes. The monochrome display and oversized pixel font deliver clarity and charm, reminiscent of Game Boy menus or retro computing interfaces.

Designer: Jacek Janiczak

Under the surface, the concept maintains the essential features modern users expect: notifications, activity tracking, and health monitoring. Yet the keystone here is emotional resonance offering tactile engagement, analog textures, and a visual language that feels more human than glassy. For individuals tired of interchangeable rectangular smartwatches, Jani­czak’s proposal presents a refreshing alternative that prioritizes design integrity over compliance with market homogeneity.

This design sits at the crossroads of two distinct movements. On one side is retro‑futurism, characterized by its reverence for past visions of tomorrow in structured forms, chunky materials, and typographic nods to the digital dawn. On the other side lies the influence of Nothing and similar tech hardware that foregrounds honesty in materials, utilitarian construction, and a defiant rejection of minimal blandness. Janiczak successfully merges these with a singular vision: a smartwatch that feels lived‑in, engineered, and surprisingly fresh amid silicon and glass.

The font choice reinforces the concept’s narrative. Instead of striving for sleek, anti‑aliased typefaces, the sharp, pixel‑perfect characters lay bare the illusion. This is new-age tech, yes… but tech with visible roots. The result feels sincere, playfully even, and disarmingly approachable. It’s easy to envisage a watchface that cycles through digital readouts, chunky icons, and perhaps even simple animations that mimic retro game sprites. Crucially, the concept’s physical framing honed by a thick bezel, screw accents, and robust strap attachments conveys endurance. It tells a story of being tapped, worn, and lived with, distancing itself from devices meant solely to be looked at.

Retro‑Future Wrist Tech may not be destined for mass production, but it asks important questions: What if smartwatches had personality? What if their look reflected craftsmanship instead of assembly‑line precision? Janiczak’s proposal doesn’t just add a new model to the wearable gallery, it offers a reminder of the power of thoughtful design, where form and narrative align to shape inanimate objects into meaningful, memorable experiences.

The post This retro-futuristic smartwatch is rugged by design and precise by purpose first appeared on Yanko Design.

Liquid Glass – the tech world’s abuzz with this new term from Apple’s design playbook following their reveal of the new slew of operating systems at WWDC 2025. What is liquid glass? Well, it’s a multi-tier strategy on Apple’s part to redefine interfaces, moving away from the minimalist elements to introduce gorgeously refractive glass-like modules instead. These glass elements interact with screen elements by bending light like real glass would. Think of holding a magnifying glass to a newspaper to watch the text around the edges warp while the center stays clear.

There’s speculation that this move towards glass-based interfaces was a conscious effort to further Apple’s spatial interface goals… but to be honest, we were in love with Liquid Glass back as early as 2021. What do I mean? Well, I’m talking about the NightWatch, an Apple Watch dock from 4 years ago that did exactly what Liquid Glass did, amplify the watch’s screen into a gorgeous liquid orb while your watch was charging!

Designer: NightWatch

Click Here to Buy Now

The NightWatch, as its name so succinctly implies, is a dock for your watch while it charges overnight. Shaped like a massive orb, this dock turns your watch’s night-time charging face into a massive, magnified alarm clock that’s easier to see. Moreover, the dock amplifies the watch’s audio too (through clever design details), transforming your Watch into a makeshift alarm clock that works remarkably well.

There’s no hidden components, no inner trickery – the entire NightWatch is a cleverly designed, solid piece of lucite that does three things remarkably well. First, it docks the Apple Watch and charger inside it, magnifying the watch screen so the numbers are clearly legible even from a couple of feet away. Secondly, channels located strategically under the Watch’s speaker units amplify the sound (sort of like how your voice is louder when you cup your hands around your mouth) so your alarm rings louder. Thirdly (and this might be the best feature yet), the lucite orb is touch-sensitive. Which means a mere tap on the surface causes your Watch screen to wake so you can see the time!

The dock may have been designed in 2021, but its design philosophies align with Apple’s Liquid Glass push brilliantly. Liquid Glass is all about mimicking real-world materials, bringing physicality to the digital world while still maintaining a pristine aesthetic that boosts focus and highlights important elements. That’s exactly what the NightWatch does too – it takes the Watch’s flat digital interface and brings real-world physicality to it through the refraction and magnification of the clear lucite. It also helps easily highlight important elements by enlarging your watch face for clearer timekeeping. The NightWatch is compatible with all Apple Watch series (as long as your watch doesn’t have a case on it).

Click Here to Buy Now

The post ‘Liquid Glass’ Apple Watch Dock might be the Coolest Smartwatch Accessory of the Season first appeared on Yanko Design.