Rob Richman, writing about Apple Watch for Opinion8td:

As an early adopter it reminds me of when I got my first iPod back in 2002. It’s not yet perfect but in my opinion it’s worth its weight in gold aluminium. I remember those halcyon days in my late twenties listening to Coldplay on my way back from work on the London Underground with those striking white headphones in my ears and my iPod hidden in my pocket.

A year later that innocence came to bite me when I was mugged for my iPod. Admittedly I was an easy target being 158cm, of very slight build and carrying a £400 music player that was being ‘advertised’ by those white headphones. Once I got over the shock of being mugged it was a hassle getting my insurance to pay out for a replacement but a few weeks later everything was sorted and after putting my music back on the new iPod I was very careful about where and when I used the iPod. If memory serves me right I used a cheap pair of black headphones to disguise the fact I owned an iPod like many others in the years ahead.

Bringing this back to my Apple Watch I am beginning to feel scared of people seeing me while I’m out walking. The weather in London is warming up and there are days that it’s even t-shirt weather making my Apple Watch permanently visible. I want to check notifications as well as finding out whether I have hit my activity goal but I feel more of a target now I am wearing this expensive and desirable ‘fashion’ tech accessory.

I remember when this wave of anxiety passed through the iPhone community as iPhone mugging became a thing. I don’t carry this concern personally, but I’ve never been mugged before either.

I don’t believe Rob is being a fear monger here, and I do think there’s a legitimate potential concern, given the iPhone’s history.

Fear aside, I think Rob makes another interesting point. Apple produces iconic products and they are styled to stand out from the crowd. Those iconic white headphones tell folks your brand of choice and send a signal as to the valuable tech you are carrying.

Now we’ve got a new signal. No longer hidden, the distinctive strap and rectangular face are unmistakable, even from across the room. There are not a lot of watches that can so quickly achieve that iconic status, that across-the-room recognizability. That’s Apple.