A cool, colorful Apple Watch concept that borrows the design language of the original iMac is drawing raves on Instagram.
The instantly recognizable design features translucent plastic in the bright shades of the nonconformist computers that saved Apple’s bacon in the late 1990s.
Colorful retro Apple Watch concept looks like original iMac
When Apple introduced the original iMac in 1998, the computer’s unorthodox design blew people’s minds. At the time, machines from other manufacturers looked boring and beige. The iMac broke the mold with its innovative, fun and “lickable” design.
“It looks like it’s from another planet,” Apple CEO Steve Jobs said at the time. “And a good planet. A planet with better designers.”
Apple translated that look to the colorful clamshell laptop known as the iBook, too. The playful aesthetic rewrote the rules for technology and set Apple up for a string of successes in the early 2000s, from the iPod to the iPhone to the Apple Watch.
An Apple Watch concept that’s a total throwback
Image: SaffyCreatives
The new Apple Watch concept, posted to Instagram last week by SaffyCreatives, retains the standard shape of the world’s most popular smartwatch.
However, it taps into the iMac G3’s groundbreaking design. Thick, white, semitransparent bezels encircle the watch’s squarish screen. The sides and back come in bold, transparent colors that look like the original iMac’s Bondi blue, lime and grape. A vintage rainbow Apple logo sits at the top of the touchscreen. And a milky white band pulls the whole thing together.
The artwork appears to be AI-generated, although SaffyCreatives declined to detail the specific creative process used. (The artist also chose not to reveal his or her real name or occupation.)
“Some of my artworks are actually created using AI,” SaffyCreatives said in a message to Cult of Mac. “The effect I can achieve is pretty amazing, and it really shows how powerful AI can be, especially when used the right way. I’m not saying my work is perfect, but I believe for a designer or any other artist, AI can bring immediate results. It allows you to get a finished product quickly or even a visual of how your idea could come to life. Sure, it might take away a bit from the creative process, but if used properly, it can be something extraordinary.”
The artist leaned into a love of Apple devices for the concept art — including one of the groundbreaking computers that inspired the project.
“I’m a fan of Apple, but not in an obsessive way,” SaffyCreatives said. “I use their products for work, and I actually have a super cool iMac G3 Blue Bondi that still works! I keep it in my living room as a kind of ‘art piece.'”
Commenters love the look
Judging by the comments on the post — which has generated more than 30,000 likes on Instagram — Apple fans would love to strap one of these retro-looking Apple Watches on their wrists.
“I would buy this so fast,” wrote Alex Washburn (alexwashburn).
“That looks so incredibly good and nostalgic,” wrote Niels (appledsign), a self-professed Apple and iPhone expert.
“I was praying this was real,” wrote Robby Collins (robby_c_awesome).
SaffyCreatives said the good response didn’t come as too much of a shock.
“I’ve had a pretty good response, like with other concepts I’ve done,” the artist told Cult of Mac. “In this case, I wasn’t too surprised because I knew it was a strong and nostalgic concept. But there have been other times when I was honestly shocked by the reactions it got! That’s definitely my favorite part — seeing how people react, whether positively or negatively, and how they respond to my ideas, which can sometimes be a little … out there.”
Video of Apple Watch concept art
In addition to several images, SaffyCreatives posted a short video showing the Apple Watch concept being unboxed — and the packaging looks like an iMac G3.
View this post on Instagram
With so many commenters saying, basically, “Shut up and take my money,” perhaps it’s not too surprising that someone might take the iMac-inspired Apple Watch idea and run with it. Just don’t expect SaffyCreatives to start selling Apple Watch clones anytime soon.
“The idea isn’t to sell, it’s more about my personal taste in blending new and old products, or different brands,” said SaffyCreatives. “That’s what I’m into. But yeah, a case for the Apple Watch like the one I designed is definitely doable. In fact, someone has already reached out to me about it, so we’ll see where it goes!”
Lewis Wallace is the managing editor of Cult of Mac and author of our weekly newsletter, The Weekender.
He’s a San Francisco-based writer and editor specializing in technology and culture. He loves his iPhone, hates Siri, and appreciates any hardware that combines form and function.
Prior to Cult of Mac, he juggled words and ideas as culture editor at Wired.com, homepage editor at TechTV, news product manager at NBCi, copy editor at PC World, reporter at The (Hayward) Daily Review and editor in chief of EveryBody’s News in Cincinnati.
He earned a bachelor of general studies degree with a journalism certificate from the University of Cincinnati. While in school, he worked as the entertainment editor of The News Record and as editor in chief of Clifton Magazine.
He’s also a bass player, who’s recorded and performed around the United States with Those Darn Accordions, The Electric Boogie Dawgz and The Mad Maggies. When not writing, editing or laying down bass lines, he plays darts and serves on the board of the San Francisco Darts League.
