Concept

Samsung Watch Redesign

Eight watchface concepts for the Samsung Watch 4.

My contribution: Reference research and watchface design.
The output: Watchfaces adapted from analogue and digital watch references.

Category: Concept
Year: Winter 2025
Duration: 2 weeks
Made with: Figma, Photoshop, Watch Face Studio
Document: Open the PDF (opens in a new tab)

Where it sat

Research — yes
Concept — yes
Product Design — no
Branding — no
Development — no
MVP — no

What came out

Research — no
UX/UI — yes
Design System — no
Prototype — no
Website — no
Application — no

Who it was for

Productivity — no
Education — no
Community — no
Brand Experience — yes
Creative Expression — no
Social Impact — no

Overview

About the project

The brief asked how a Samsung Watch 4 could appeal to a more expensive watch market. I chose to work on the face, using references from mechanical and digital watches to explore a different appearance within One UI.

The challenge

The problem

The community watchfaces I reviewed often combined bright colours, glossy effects and competing details. I wanted to try a more restrained treatment, drawing on the dial layouts and finishes I liked in conventional watches.

Design decisions

Studying the details of watch dials

I compared watches at different price points, looking closely at their indices, dial textures and complications. I used those references to explore watchfaces that would still feel at home on a Samsung Watch 4.

Reference study → interface decisions

Reading the time

I looked at where complications sit in relation to the hands and hour markers.

Hands and indices

The shape and weight of these details helped me compare the character of each reference.

Dial texture

I explored how a dial’s finish could be suggested on a screen.

Analogue reference

Omega Constellation

Digital reference

Tissot PRX Digital

Tool-watch reference

Rolex Submariner

Complication reference

Tissot PRX Chronograph

Working within One UI

I used these watches as references, then reworked the faces to fit Samsung’s interface.

Source & context

References and final watchfaces are in the project deck. The brief explored premium positioning; I did not test whether buyers would pay more for the redesigned faces.

Read the original project document ↗

The approach

What I did

I compared references including the Omega Constellation, Tissot PRX and Rolex Submariner. I studied the indices, textures and placement of complications, then developed eight watchface concepts over two weeks. The project explored appearance; I did not test whether the faces would change what buyers were willing to pay.