Marc Newson on the Apple Watch

James Chessell writing for the Financial Review interviews part-time Apple industrial designer, Marc Newson. In the interview Chessell asks Newson about the relatively “mute reaction” to Apple’s timepieces:

“I think people will make their own judgments,” he replies carefully. “As far as I’m aware, it’s been enormously successful however you gauge it. The point is, it’s the beginning of something. I think people, consumers or analysts, whoever, are so impatient. Everyone wants immediate, instant recognition, instant understanding.

“Look at the iPhone: it was a game-changing thing. And I believe that this product – for many, many reasons people are not aware of because they haven’t thought ahead or they just don’t know – will become a similarly game-changing thing. In five years time I have absolutely no doubt this will be right up there.”

Selling roughly 6 million units since April is actually impressive when you think about it, especially giving all the Watch’s shortcomings. I have no doubt that we’re going to see some dramatic advancements in the next 5 years and we’ll look back at today’s Watch and laugh, similar to the way we laugh at the original iPhone which didn’t have an App Store, 3G connectivity, or copy and paste.

Newson says he is “addicted” to his Apple Watch. The ability to check messages or emails on his wrist has “liberated” him from constantly checking his iPhone, while the health functions have also made a positive impact. “I exercise, probably not enough, but I can say without a shadow of a doubt that I am more conscious of my physical wellbeing because of this than I was six months ago.”

While I may not be addicted to my Apple Watch, I certainly appreciate its pressence on my wrist throughout the day. There is a sense of liberation that comes from not having to have your phone within your line of sight all the time. Plus, things like health monitoring are a big deal, despite what some think.

The entire interview is a fascinating read. Marc Newson strikes me as a guy who, like Jony Ive, tries to understand the essence of why a product should exist. I wouldn’t bet against Apple when you basically have Newson and quite possible the best team of industrial designers in the world.