Product designer and watch connoisseur Michael Foley highlights trends in the wrist watch segment and explains how the advent of technology and innovation in materials is revolutionising designs. By Divya Kaushik
Why would we need wrist watches when everyone will have mobile phones in their pocketsIJ” someone asked Michael Foley a few years ago. He smiled and replied, “Wait to witness a revolution in the watch segment with the advent of technology in the coming years!” Foley, renowned product designer and watch connoisseur, probably had foreseen the revolution that we are now witnessing with the popularity of smart wrist watches. He explains, “Watches today are becoming an ecosystem in themselves and have come a long way from being mere time-keeping devices. The exceptional popularity of smart phones across the globe in recent times has brought a new dimension to the future of the wrist watch. Smart technology is making its way into the wrist watch space with the advent of inter-linked devices. Smart watches have created a unique footprint in this space with the Pebble, a one-of-its-kind easy to use watches to seamlessly connect to a smart phone. Digital technology is consistently improving with time with exponential changes in intelligence of electronics, resolution of screens, memory and the shrinking size of devices. These changes are dramatically transforming the landscape of wearable devices and even the definition of wrist wear. Managing health parameters, working on-the-go, keeping in touch with family and controlling devices at home are all possible through a smart watch. It won’t be long when the devices will fight for the ‘real estate’ of the wrist. This precisely explains the trend that we have been seeing in the watch section. From analogue watches, we moved to digital, choronographic and designer watches and now we are set for a change again.”
Foley is the man behind the contemporary makeover of Titan watches. He designed Titan Edge, the world’s thinnest watch. He joined Titan Industries as an intern, while he was still a student of National Institute of Design, and was promoted as the head of the Titan Design Studio and later as the chief creative advisor to Titan Industries. He is now the managing director and chief designer for Foley Designs, a design studio known to create the Commonwealth Games baton. Cutting-edge concept, high-end technology and aesthetics are the USP of his designs, be it the watches or products.
Innovations in materials have played a big role in watch designs. For example, coating and moulding have made intricate styling possible. Foley adds, “Today’s sports watches are seeing an exciting mix of innovations in the form of carbon-fibre dials, high performance rubber and polyurethane bands, dials inspired by automotive tachymeter styling and details like engine turning — a fine geometric pattern inscribed on aluminium automotive parts. The popularity of this trend is seen across watch brands, giving a distinct perspective to sports watches.”
Calculators and radios have now been added to watches. Smaller, flexible screens have become a reality through OlED technology.
Design awareness among the youth has led the brands to more innovations. To sustain competition, it is important that watches be technologically advanced, long-lasting and uniquely designed. “There has been a major shift in the consumer buying pattern when it comes to watches. People now invest in watches like they would in gadgets. They want their watches to reflect their personalities,” he says.
To extend his knowledge to the masses, he has now collaborated with an online shopping website, Amazon.in. He has curated the online watch store based on the latest trends and styles. He also shares extensive reviews for each timepiece to help customers understand their chosen product better. He says, “I hope to enhance customers’ perspective of the whole domain by developing their understanding of the watch-making process, jargons, styles and materials and their choices based not only on current fashion trends but also on aspects like topography, climatic conditions and skin-types which would in turn make them much smarter with the kind of choices they make.”