Wearable tech has come a long way. In fact, the computing power we carry around with us on a daily basis is often more advanced than the systems early astronauts relied on to get them to space and back in one piece.
We can tap an earbud to communicate with friends on the other side of the world, check today’s weather by glancing at our wrists, or measure fitness dynamics to the nth degree with a cutting-edge timepiece like Huawei’s Watch GT 2 Pro, which boasts a 2 week battery life. Not only that, but as these gadgets advance they’re becoming more than just tools; they’re turning into stylish accessories in their own right.
Here we take a look at the pinnacle of today’s stylish wearable tech, and travel back in time to explore the inventions that allowed us to arrive at this point.
1975 - The Calculator Watch
To see the first true example of stylish wearable tech, we have to go all the way back to 1975. This was the year that the first calculator watch launched, combining technology and fashion successfully for the first time.
Today, we think of calculator watches as retro; a bit kitsch; something a hipster might wear ironically. Back then, however, they were fully fledged luxury items that carried very high price tags. One popular 70s model was famously made from solid gold.
Most importantly, the birth of the calculator watch paved the way for the stylish wearable technology of the future, proving that it could look good and blend in with our daily lives rather than just being a short-lived gimmick or a novelty.
1979 - The Portable Music System
When the first portable music players began to emerge in the late 70s, no one could have predicted the impact they would have. Looking back, these simple tape decks may seem primitive, but they represented the dawn of a new era in how people consumed their music.
They were also an early example of technology becoming a fashion trend. People wore them clipped onto their belts, slung over their shoulders on straps or just carried them anywhere they’d be seen.
2008 - The Fitness Tracker
Without the advent of wearable fitness trackers, modern-day smartwatches likely wouldn’t exist. These basic devices simply kept a record of steps taken, distance travelled, calories burned and hours slept. Nothing more, nothing less.
Early versions were made to clip onto the user’s clothing, but as time progressed, the style aspect became more central to their design.
Fitness trackers were reworked into things like bracelets and rings, becoming accessories in their own right. There were even a few instances of them being built into pairs of trainers, allowing users to harvest data directly from their shoes.
2015 - The Smartwatch
Considering the advanced tech some smartwatches showcase today, it’s almost unbelievable that they only debuted five years ago.
Designed to replace the traditional wristwatch, they did everything a regular watch could do but with the added ability to pair with the user’s phone and offer various fitness tracking features.
This allowed the wearer to receive push notifications on their wrist, control music playback, track steps throughout the day and more.
2020 - The Future Of Technical Watch Design
The current benchmark for stylish wearables is Huawei's Watch GT 2 Pro. This handsome piece of kit is the perfect marriage of cutting-edge tech and elegant design, and serves as proof that a wearable can be more than just a tool for a job.
The Watch GT 2 Pro’s titanium housing, sapphire dial and ceramic back are more reminiscent of a traditional artisanal timepiece than a smartwatch. It’s robust enough to stand up to the rigours of daily wear, but also refined and sophisticated enough to pair with tailoring should the occasion call for it. In fact, there are over 200 different watch faces to choose from, so whether you’re in a suit, your gym gear or flip-flops and swim shorts, you can tailor your watch to match.
But what really sets Huawei's Watch GT 2 Pro apart is what’s going on behind that slick exterior. Don’t let the good looks fool you – this is more than just a nice piece of design. It’ll allow you to improve your sleep pattern, monitor stress levels, remotely operate other devices, check weather and moon cycles, navigate unfamiliar routes and store up to 500 songs. A lot, right? Don't worry about battery life though, as even with all this going on it still maintains an astonishing 2 week battery life.
It also goes much further than just timing your 5k (with 10 training courses to help you achieve your PB), as this hardcore timepiece boasts over 100 workout modes to track your exercise achievements, including a new golf coach that helps you develop your swing, and comprehensive data tracking that measures maximum slope, track and distance for skiing and snowboarding.
All this and more, from right there on your wrist. Bit of a step up from the calculator watch, right?
Go further with your own style and find out more about Huawei's Watch GT 2 Pro
