Samsung's new Gear S2 smartwatch is pictured at a event beside the consumer electronics trade fair IFA in Berlin, Germany. (Photo : REUTERS/Hannibal Hanschke)
At IFA, classic shaped touchscreen smartwatches able to perform most of the functions of a smartphone were one of the major attractions.
The traditional style in design has migrated recenly to a new category of electronic gadgets, according to The Telegraph.
Retro styling is inspiring from traditional, timeless classic roots. It has long been fashionable on the market of electronic devices, from HiFi systems and audio speakers to digital cameras. According to market analysts, the classic design could make high-tech gadgets seem more appealing to certain demographics.
Rival smartwarch manufacturers have gone back to a retro style. All major companies sharing the market hope that a change in design and a dose of retro styling will convince consumers to change their old timepieces to a high-tech gadget.
Many of the devices on display at IFA, despite their high-tech features, were designed to look as much like traditional timepieces as possible. For instance, Motorola's latest Moto 360 smartwatches unveiled a more traditional style, with polished bezels and customized straps, materials and colors. It was one of the prettiest smartwatch model on display, according to Wired.
Samsung focused previously on futuristic-looking smartwatches with this year's Gear S2. The new version of the latest Samsung device has a leather strap and a round face, in contrast to its predecessor's large rectangular display.
Chinese company Huawei also introduced its own smartwatch "inspired by Swiss timepieces", aiming to bridge the gap between high-tech and fashion style. LG presented its Watch Urban model with stitched leather strap and a metal body.
Apple is among the few gadget makers that do not follow the same path as its rivals. When Apple unveiled its Watch in September 2014, it already presented it as a fashion accessory instead of a gadget.
Now, the manufacturer of the Apple Watch has made no attempt to mimic retro design. Its device comes with a square face and a slightly futuristic design, but it is undeniably more stylish that some of the early smartwatch attempts from other companies.
The return to a more analogue-looking timepieces unveiled this week, suggests that most of the manufacturers believe smartwatches should not break too much with tradition. In their attempt to establish their products in the mainstream and gain more customers they may have to face their own identity crisis.
