With 300 Design Combos, the Smart Watch Gains Individuality

Apple may be the undisputed design champion of the tech world, but when it comes to smart watches, there may be reason to stray. Motorola’s new Moto360—which lets you access email, get directions, and hail an Uber from your wrist, among other things—stands out not for its endless apps and exclusivity, but for a philosophy that says wearables should reflect individual styles. Count up all the configurations of case sizes, bezel colors, band materials, and more, and you can come up with more than 300-combos—including one particularly attractive women’s option with a double-wrap leather band and rose gold housing. “People feel a more powerful emotional connection with something when they’re allowed to engage in the design process,” says Motorola Mobility creative director Dickon Isaacs. Even so, Isaacs and his team went to great lengths to make sure that every watch is a top-notch timepiece: The genuine leather straps, for instance, are sourced from Chicago’s 110-year-old Horween tannery, while metal bands are made from aircraft-grade stainless steel. It may not be Hermès (like Apple’s recent release), but then again, you wont have to get the price upon request, either.