Samsung wants to make its next Gear smartwatch just as pretty as the Galaxy S6 and S6 edge, so it is working with a number of artists and fashion brands on its design and accessories, a new report claims.

Codenamed Orbis internally, the new Gear smartwatch, like Samsung’s new smartphones, is expected to be a premium device that can compete with rivals like the LG Watch Urbane and G Watch, the Moto 360, and the Apple Watch.

“The company is going to team up with various artists and fashion brands” to make that happen, according to sources for the ever-reliable SamMobile.

“Miami based pop-up artist Romero Britto is believed to be involved… Samsung may also work with the likes of Z Zegna, Swarovski, Tech21, Anymode and Incipio to create custom watch bands.”

Samsung has worked with Britto before; he has helped design some custom cases for the Galaxy S6 and S6 edge. The South Korean company has also worked with Swarovski in the past on a number accessories for different devices — and even crystal-covered phones.

It certainly seems plausible that Samsung would enlist the help of these partners again, then, to mount a convincing assault against other high-end smartwatches. The company will almost certainly have an urge to compete against the more expensive Apple Watch options.

We still don’t know when the new Gear will be available yet, but it’s expected to come in two options — one of which will have LTE connectivity, while the other will have just Wi-Fi — and will feature a rotating bezel ring for navigation.

• SourceSamMobile