Apple is expected announce more details about its Watch at an event on 9 March, however a group of designers who have had the chance to get up close and personal with the new timepiece have already made up their minds.

Apple Watch, Watch Sport and Watch edition.
Apple Watch, Watch Sport and Watch edition.

A jury of international design experts awarded Apple Watch an iF Gold Design Award, deeming it one of the best of the best from the thousands of entries.

“The idea of combining classic materials such as leather and metal with state-of-the-art technology to create a very individual fashion accessory has resulted in a delightful product offering a holistic user experience. The Apple Watch scores highly for each design detail and is an altogether extraordinary piece of design. For us, it is already an icon,” the jury stated.

Only one other product was award an iF Gold Design Award in the Telecommunications category, the Smartisan T1 smartphone. The Chinese smartphone received this high praise form the jury: “Everything is perfectly thought through, from packaging to the product itself. Altogether, the phone’s most convincing attributes are ease-of-use and high quality of design and finish.”

Sony Xperia Z2 tablet.
Sony Xperia Z2 tablet.

Sony’s Xperia Z2 Tablet won an iF Gold Award in the computing category for achieving the difficult task of ‘standing out when you’re a tablet.’ The jury said, “It is particularly difficult to stand out with a product like a tablet – but exactly this was achieved with the extremely flat Xperia Z2. The rounded edges and the ultra-light weight (only 439 grams) make the Z2 particularly easy to handle. The amount of components has been reduced to a minimum; details such as the connection of frame and back are excellently executed – furthermore, the Z2 is water and dust proof. The result is an honest, outstanding device.”

Lenovo’s Yoga 3 Pro Laptop won iF Gold for being “perfectly executed with regards to design and technology.” Lenovo’s ThinkVision Pro2840m computer monitor also took out iF Gold as did HP Omen gaming notebook.

Samsung Galaxy Note Edge
Samsung Galaxy Note Edge

Samsung’s Bended Surface, which is employed in the Galaxy Note Edge, won an iF Gold Award for mobile device concept.

“This concept for mobile devices such as smart phones, for example, uncovers a completely new way of operation. On the one hand, the display uses the maximum space possible on the surface by being taken right to the edge, and on the other hand, the edge itself also has a display. This results in a tidy interface with many new possibilities of control. In addition, the transition from the main display to the edge is designed in a smooth and aesthetically pleasing way,” the jury stated.