Marc Newson confirms only working at Apple part time on secret projects
In an interview on Wednesday, Superstar designer and new Apple hire Marc Newson confirmed his role at the tech giant is strictly part time, saying that he will continue to lead his own company out of the UK while working on special projects in Cupertino.
Apple SVP of Design Jony Ive (right) discusses design with fellow design superstar and (RED) auction collaborator Marc Newson.
Speaking with Dezeen, Newson commented that his job at Apple is limited in scope, confirming reports from September that said he is to remain based in the UK and would fly out to California when needed.
While the interview focused on Newson's new at-home draft beer machine called "The Sub," made in collaboration with Heineken and Krups, the designer touched on working at Apple and offered his thoughts on Apple Watch. Expectedly, Newson declined to reveal what, exactly, he is working on with fellow design superstar and personal friend Jony Ive.
When asked whether he had a hand in designing the Apple Watch, Newson again demurred, saying, "Apparently I can't." An unnamed public relations officer seemingly serving as his handler said, "Sorry we can't answer that, sorry." It is unclear whether the PR representative worked for Apple or Newson.
The designer was more open about the general topic of watch design, an area in which he made significant contributions with high-end concepts for Jaeger-LeCoulture, as well as starting his own Swiss watch company called Ikepod. Newson left Ikepod in 2012.
"There will always be a place for mechanical watches. Apart from telling the time - which is all they do - they're about something completely different," Newson said. "You know, I think that the mechanical watch industry will continue to exist in much the same way as it does right now. To be honest I'm not really intimately aware of what's happening with the world of mechanical watches right now."
Newson pointed out that mechanical watch sales have steadily increased recently and predicted that trend will continue for the foreseeable future.
Most recently, Newson and Ive were on location in Paris, France to show off the Apple Watch at Apple's one-day pop-up showcase at popular boutique Colette. The public display coincided with the influential Paris Fashion Week.
Apple SVP of Design Jony Ive (right) discusses design with fellow design superstar and (RED) auction collaborator Marc Newson.Speaking with Dezeen, Newson commented that his job at Apple is limited in scope, confirming reports from September that said he is to remain based in the UK and would fly out to California when needed.
While the interview focused on Newson's new at-home draft beer machine called "The Sub," made in collaboration with Heineken and Krups, the designer touched on working at Apple and offered his thoughts on Apple Watch. Expectedly, Newson declined to reveal what, exactly, he is working on with fellow design superstar and personal friend Jony Ive.
When asked whether he had a hand in designing the Apple Watch, Newson again demurred, saying, "Apparently I can't." An unnamed public relations officer seemingly serving as his handler said, "Sorry we can't answer that, sorry." It is unclear whether the PR representative worked for Apple or Newson.
The designer was more open about the general topic of watch design, an area in which he made significant contributions with high-end concepts for Jaeger-LeCoulture, as well as starting his own Swiss watch company called Ikepod. Newson left Ikepod in 2012.
"There will always be a place for mechanical watches. Apart from telling the time - which is all they do - they're about something completely different," Newson said. "You know, I think that the mechanical watch industry will continue to exist in much the same way as it does right now. To be honest I'm not really intimately aware of what's happening with the world of mechanical watches right now."
Newson pointed out that mechanical watch sales have steadily increased recently and predicted that trend will continue for the foreseeable future.
Most recently, Newson and Ive were on location in Paris, France to show off the Apple Watch at Apple's one-day pop-up showcase at popular boutique Colette. The public display coincided with the influential Paris Fashion Week.
Comments
so even he doesn't know what he's working on?
The second one is due early next year.
Love that photo:
Ive: "Marc, I think that turd is taking our photo with a Samsung phone!"
Sure. At the very least the Newton is quite good, especially the 2x00 series(and the amazing eMate!), something that the Android watches can never aspire to.
Assuming anyone has even purchased an Android "smart"watch.
I personally would spend $2,000 on a mechanical watch any day before a digital watch with a very short shelf life. Newson is spot on about the lure of a mechanical watch.
Okay, help me out. I am left-handed, and wear my father's gold Rolex on my right wrist. Really would like an Apple Watch on my left wrist. Am I A) making a new fashion statement wearing two watches, or
I don't disagree, but I would spend $349-$500 on a digital one.
No one has said that Rolex is in trouble. Its the $100-$1000 market that is in trouble.
I own a $100 Casio WaveCeptor that I've had for five years without an issue. It's being replaced by an Apple Watch next year. I'm probably not the only one.
Heck, a lot of higher end watch folks say they'll wear two watches: their mechanical on one wrist, and the Watch on the other. That sounds fine to me, kt makes more sense than carrying two smartphones.
FanDroid’s brains are exploding over all this fashion stuff. Even Apple techies are experiencing high anxiety. Tech types don’t give a crap how something looks, only the spec sheet matters. It could be a cardboard box painted baby-shit yellow but as long as it had enough mHz, pixels, the right GPU, and an SD slot they couldn’t care less. This has got to be a big strain on their psyches. That’s why they drive Hyundai cars and use $7 toasters from the Dollar General Store. It’s also why they walk into Apple stores to bend an iPhone 6 and snicker. And Apple cries all the way to the bank over it too, worrying how the tech Illuminati will respond.
That’s why they drive Hyundai cars and use $7 toasters from the Dollar General Store.
I drive a Hyundai and use a $300 KitchenAid toaster. What does that say about me?
Now this is a first world problem :-)
I drive a Hyundai and use a $300 KitchenAid toaster. What does that say about me?
Cognitive dissonance disorder?
B.
That you've been ripped off.
FanDroid’s brains are exploding over all this fashion stuff. Even Apple techies are experiencing high anxiety. Tech types don’t give a crap how something looks, only the spec sheet matters. It could be a cardboard box painted baby-shit yellow but as long as it had enough mHz, pixels, the right GPU, and an SD slot they couldn’t care less. This has got to be a big strain on their psyches. That’s why they drive Hyundai cars and use $7 toasters from the Dollar General Store. It’s also why they walk into Apple stores to bend an iPhone 6 and snicker. And Apple cries all the way to the bank over it too, worrying how the tech Illuminati will respond.
Hahahahaha~! So true... In all seriousness, Apple is masterfully marketing this device to the FASHION MARKET and NOT the tech market. They are not looking at creating a market but super serving a well oiled niche market that is extremely lucrative. Of course they will get converters but thats for dessert...
The chief reason that the others digital watches have failed to "stick". I read that only 3,000,000 watches by all involved have been sold to date.. Ouch! Problem.. Expecting people who drool for droids to suddenly foam at the mouth over a watch isn't happening. Owning a smartphone vs. wearing a watch are two completely different animals...
Whether you are for or against what Apple is doing here the one thing the anti-Apple crowd can't deny is that Apple is going a completely different direction than any other "smartwatch" attempted at this point.