The lines between traditional watches and smartwatches and other wearables have already begun to blur. The Withings Activité Steel or Frédérique Constant Horological Smartwatch are but two examples of contemporary devices that blend technologies from both worlds. The trend is unlikely to stop in the coming years and will more likely become more prevalent. The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Smart Skin is a concept by Switzerland’s Øleg Karnaukh that looks at where this could lead us a few years from now.
At first glance, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Smart Skin is far more smartwatch than mechanical watch. Lacking a traditional case, the “smart” and flexible materials give it the look of a fitness tracker bracelet with a wraparound flexible touchscreen display which incorporates a traditional dial with an octogonal bezel so closely tied to the brand. Portions of the screen can be used for different purposes. For example, health and fitness tracking data can be displayed below the dial.
The Royal Oak Offshore Smart Skin also incorporates a mechanical horological movement. The new materials allow it to be extremely flat and likely curved (much as we saw recently on the Bulova Curv). Arranged around it are the touchscreen controls to manage the different functions offered by the smartwatch.
The self-winding movement not only powers itself but would also be capable of powering the smartwatch components. It remains to be seen if future battery advances will in fact allow for a mechanical movement to support the power demands of components such as the display and cellular connectivity.
The bracelet itself serves as the watch’s case. It is made of a metallic alloy that can shape itself to its user and acting like a second skin. The inside-facing portion sports an array of sensors including body temperature and heart rate. This information can be used to change the display’s background to provide feedback on current health or stress levels and remind its wearer to “take the time to live.”
Source : Behance