A Pocket Watch That’s Equal Parts Compass and Smart Watch?

File under: Things we didn't know we needed until now

March 24, 2017 9:00 am

In the days before smartwatches, wristwatches and $45,000 tickers imbued with a drop of the oldest Scotch whisky in the world hit the market, the humble pocket watch reigned supreme.

As a salute to the since dethroned OG timekeeper, Samsung revealed a pair of hybrid pocket watch concepts at Baselworld that merge a classic compass, an analog face and smart tech.

The first of the watches has a compass on its black cover with a Gear S3 touchscreen underneath and a heart rate monitor on its back. The second model, in comparison, features a classic analog watch and has the same Gear S3 touchscreen the first model has housed within its silver body. Either of them would be perfect for a steampunk Sherlock Holmes reboot.

Samsung says the watches are a “reinterpretation of the classic pocket watch” and has given them each a hook to attach a strap so they can be worn in the standard manner or on a belt clip.

Though the company “is committed to delivering quality craftsmanship in all of its products to reflect the heritage and evolution of the watch industry,” according to Gear S3 designer Yvan Arpa, it’s apparently not committed enough to make a production version of the watches  — yet.

Give ‘em time.

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