Plain and simple

As everything else in the world gets more complicated, your watch is a chance to keep things simple

- RICHARD HOLT

WHEN DID EVERYTHING GET SO complicated? A few years back, if someone handed you a set of car keys, you didn't need instructions. You just got in and drove off. Then along came the Toyota Prius and suddenly cars needed a 'startup sequence' - foot on brake, press this button, wait for screen to boot up, check light, select gear... what was wrong with turning a key?

Watches got complicated even earlier. The first calculator watches came out in the 1970s, and when Casio made affordable ones in the 1980s they became a popular bit of early geek chic.

The smartwatch upped the ante. They allow you to check your messages, control music, track health data and more. Now around half of all watches sold are of the smart variety.