The idea of this blog is this simple question. ” is the Apple watch the future of the watch business or just a passing fad”?? Watches were originally only owned by the rich and famous, a sure sign of status and power. As watches became cheaper and more reliable, they fast became a part of just about every person’s daily wear. Everyone had a watch and the simple idea of staying on time was enough for these products.
I am sure most people have heard about the Apple Watch over the past few months. Apple Inc is great at creating the need for an item that we just must have. First with the Ipod, then the I Phone, now the Apple watch. They create our desire for products that we really did not know we needed or wanted. Do we really need a new phone model every year? So now comes the Apple watch to fill our need for constant info at the touch of a button. Now you no longer need to pull out your phone to check your email or send a text, all of that cool info is right on your wrist.
I have read a lot about the new Apple watch and my opinion is it will fill a bit of a niche with the technology crowd, but will never replace a “real” watch. I wear a watch to simply tell the time, period. I carry a smart phone so that I can stay “plugged into” my business. I don’t need all of that info on a watch that is so small that I can’t read it.
Why don’t young people wear watches?
If you ask any teenager or person in their twenties what time it is, they don’t look at their wrist, they quickly pull out their cell phones. The phone is their new watch, a source of the time and just about every other aspect of their lives is now carried in their back pocket. I have been doing my own simple survey of people that I see and whether they wear a watch. Most people 40 and up wear a watch, that includes men and women. On the other hand, just about every teenager or 20 something that I see does not wear a watch. As a high school track coach, I am around kids throughout the year and have found that the only kids that wear a watch are runners. Most young kids wear a watch as a piece of Fashion or Jewelry rather than a Timepiece. They use their phone as a means of staying connected to their friends through Twitter, Vine, Snapchat etc. Just about the only thing they don’t do on their phone is actually talk to someone.
Watches as a graduation gift.
I received my first watch when I was 8 and have been wearing a watch ever since. In my day, a watch was a very popular high school or college graduation present. While working at our Jewelry store, I sold “lots” of watches around graduation time. What better way to mark a special occasion than with a watch that you would keep with you for many years to come. I don’t think that this is the case today. Kids want an I Phone or even a new car for a graduation present, a new watch is way down the list of must have items.
Is the “Fitbit” the next big thing?
Coach Johnson with her Fitbit
The one item that I think might have some staying power is the “Fitbit” This is a wristband device, that can tell time along with lots of other interesting data. We had an end of year track party this week and one of our Coaches, Rae El Johnson was wearing this gadget. We had a conversation about how it works and what it does. I think her comments tell you why this device will be popular. She said that she wants more from a watch than just telling the time. She needs more “information” and not just the correct time. The Fitbit will tell time, it also will track your steps throughout the day, how many calories you burn, track your sleep patterns, give you your heart rate and then send all of this info to your phone or computer. I think that this is going to be a popular device for the person that is into technology but doesn’t want to spring for the $400 on an Apple watch. The Fitbit sells for $100-$200 depending on what model you have.
I don’t think that anything will replace the watch, but these two devices will have their place in society as we move toward a future that is more focused on technology. I think it is here to stay.
4 Comments
Jeff
Yes the Apple watch is a fantastic innovation and a highly evolved piece of electronics.
In my opinion, nothing can replace a fine timepiece be it a Rolex, Omega and the list go’s on. The engineering of gears, jewels, pinions, springs and numerous parts that fill the chronometer’s case to make it one of the most accurate mechanical machines man has invented.
Electronics are dazzling today, but a fine watch has no rival for time keeping IMHO and the watch will be here forever I believe.
Boyd Fry
The Apple Watch is about as close as we have come to the device worn by Dick Tracy in the comics. The next version will probably have the Face to Face capabilities. Just as the iPad was inspired by Startreck, many tech devices are inspired by Science Fiction and Fantasy. But, the appreciation of a purely analog mechanism will slowly enter the mind of those who can afford the new devices and with that comes an even greater appreciation of the vintage mechanisms. The self winding models do not have to be plugged in, or put in a charging dock and need little attention if worn daily. Aside from changing time zones, or daylight savings time, the analog watch can me designed, built , and regulated to extreme accuracy. They only require monthly attention if they have a day/date function. An analog watch may incorporate as many functions as a person is able to pay for and desires while being protected in a case as plain or fancy as desired. Once a person discovers the analog timepiece and endeavors to learn more about them, the more they become believers in them. There are places where digital devices are prohibited and even the luminescence on some watch hands are not permitted but the pure mechanical timepiece is allowed. The universe is analog. Electronic digital devices are the creation of analog, electrical, and chemical processes in union.
Georgia Grant
I’ve had the Apple Watch since it came out amd I wear it every day. It’s like having a personal sec’y on your wrist. It reminds me to stand up every hour. Tells me the date and where I have to be and at what time. Gives me the temp, allows me to take a phone call on my wrist. Also let’s me dictate emails. And it has a Micky Mouse face that my two year old neighbor insists on seeing each time we meet! What a watch!
Jeff
Mark,
Never fear the Apple watch is clever and very cool, but it can never replace gears, pinions, jewels and precision marching. The mechanical watch whether it’s a chronometer or a basic wind up is a watchmaker’s marvel and will be here long after the Apple watch is a memory.
Of course, being a Rolex owner for nearly 50 years makes me believe this IMHO.