[manicdee]

A touch screen on the side of the object is just begging for false input as people steady their fingers by holding onto the sides of the face of the smart watch.

Before you continue on your criticism of the digital crown as an input method, why not actually try it?

[mladenkovacevic]

Of course, all opinions are subject to change. But even on old-timey mechanical watches, the crown is there because of a need not because it is the ideal input mechanism. I think we can do better now.

I don't buy the false input argument. Smartphones already handle that pretty well but in the case of a watch I can additionally see people using their thumb on the base or the other side of the watch as an anchor to steady their hand before committing to swipe or a press gesture.

As I said before, though: all my opinions are subject to change.