Smartwatch timeline: The devices that paved the way for the Apple Watch
Apple Watch may well be the highest profile smartwatch launch in history but let’s not forget that the Cupertino giant is a latecomer to the ever expanding genre. In fact, the first smartwatch dates back to 1927 and there was a real boom in the 80s and 90s
2003: Microsoft SPOT
Microsoft worked with the likes of Citizen, Timex, Fossil and Suunto on these ‘Smart Personal Object Technology’ devices.
2003: Garmin Forerunner
The original Forerunner range paved the way for the likes of the Forerunner 15 by measuring speed, distance, pace, and calories burned.
- It ran from a pair of AAA batteries, which would get you around 14 hours of action.
2014: Moto 360
The Moto 360 took on an almost mythical status thanks to its round design and the fact it looked so much more sleek than the other two Android Wear debutants.
2014: Samsung Gear Fit
The original Gear did pave the way for some great Gear devices though and the Gear Fit created some wow factor for the market with its gorgeous curved OLED display
- Unveiled at MWC 2014, it was unveiled alongside the Gear 2 and Gear 2 Neo devices
1983: Seiko Data-2000
This smartwatch could hold memos and calendars, and act as a calculator
1985: Sinclair FM Wristwatch Radio
The company behind the ZX Spectrum produced a wristwatch radio that came with three separate sections: an LCD watch, piezoelectric speaker and FM tuner, along with a battery compartment in the clasp. Unfortunately, it was cancelled due to Sinclair’s financial woes.
1998: Linux Wristwatch
Designed to communicate wirelessly with PCs, cell phones and other wireless-enabled devices, the ‘smart watch’ will have the ability to view condensed email messages and directly receive pager-like messages
- Future enhancements include a high-resolution screen and applications that will allow the watch to be used as an access device for various Internet-based services such as up-to-the-minute information about weather, traffic conditions, the stock market, etc.
1927: Plus Four Wristlet Route Indicator
No GPS, but this wristlet can help you get from A to B.
Samsung Gear S
Has 3G connectivity and can operate without an accompanying smartphone
1982: Seiko TV Watch
This’smart’ watch needed an adapter and a whopping great receiver box in order to show grainy TV images below the digital time display.
- It cost about £500 and your TV action was presented in ten shades of grey.
2012: Nike+ Fuelband
Track your steps, earn Fuel Points, and have it automatically synced to a smartphone via Bluetooth
2012: Sony SmartWatch
The original Sony Smartwatch was a companion device for the Xperia smartphone range, running a modified version of Android.
2002: Fossil Palm Pilot
Awarded ‘best of Comdex 2002’ it featured a 160 x 160 display, 2MB of internal memory and Palm apps such as address book, memo pad, to-do list and a calculator. It had a stylus integrated into the strap.
1995: Breitling Emergency Watch
Packing a distress signal that could be picked up from anywhere within 90 nautical miles, this watch is credited with helping in the rescue of two British pilots after their helicopter crashed in Antarctica in 2003.
2013: Pebble
Capable of a range of notifications, the Pebble can also act as a remote controller for your smartphone, or for devices such as the GoPro camera.
2013: Samsung Galaxy Gear
The original Gear was a critical flop and very much stank of a product released just to beat Apple to the punch
2015: Apple Watch
The artist formerly known as iWatch was officially unveiled to an expectant crowd in Cupertino in September 2014 along with a duo of new iPhones and we now know that it will go on sale on 24 April