Swatch CEO Says iWatch Isn't the Next Revolution

MacRumors · Mar 6, 2013, 12:09 PM

Swatch CEO Nick Hayek does not believe that the a potential iWatch could replace the iPhone, reports Bloomberg. At a press conference in Grenchen, Switzerland, Hayek implied that an Apple smart watch would be a flop because of its small display size.

Quote:

"Personally, I don't believe it's the next revolution," the chief of the largest Swiss watchmaker said at a press conference on annual results in Grenchen, Switzerland. "Replacing an iPhone with an interactive terminal on your wrist is difficult. You can't have an immense display."

Hayek also mentioned that consumers buy watches as a fashion item and prefer versatility, a statement that may be off base considering the current popularity of smart watches like the Pebble.

Swatch used to sell its own version of a smart watch through a partnership with Microsoft. The Swatch Paparazzi offered users news headlines, sports, weather, horoscopes, and stock quotes.

The company has been in contact with Apple for several years, said Hayek, speaking about "materials for products and so-called energy harvesting technology that would generate energy from physical movement."

There are no concrete hints on what Apple's iWatch might look like, but a patent application suggests that Apple might be considering a wraparound design with a touchscreen and a flexible glass display. The watch is rumored to run the full version of iOS, but a release date remains unclear.

Article Link: Swatch CEO Says iWatch Isn't the Next Revolution

TheGreenBastard · Mar 6, 2013, 12:10 PM

What? Who said it was supposed to replace the iPhone? Jeez.

arcite · Mar 6, 2013, 12:11 PM

Oh I get it! So Swatch and Microsoft couldn't make a successful iWatch which means....Apple's efforts are doomed? Right....

The Bulge · Mar 6, 2013, 12:11 PM

Last time some guy said so (many guys actually) … didn't end well for their respective companies.

profets · Mar 6, 2013, 12:12 PM

Just like in 2006 when palm said apple had no chance to be successful with a phone.

JoshAlder · Mar 6, 2013, 12:12 PM

There is a pun in there somewhere

iNVERSE · Mar 6, 2013, 12:12 PM

I think the CEO is missing the point. I don't believe the iWatch is supposed to replace the iPhone, but instead complement the iPhone.

chukronos · Mar 6, 2013, 12:13 PM

Famous last words?

G51989 · Mar 6, 2013, 12:14 PM

Of course it can't replace a phone. Its a watch. Will never be able to do what a smartphone can.

----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by chukronos

Famous last words?

You think Swatch is going anywhere? They're the largest watch company in the world, and they make some of the best watchs in the world. I highly doubt they'll go anywhere.

AppleGuesser · Mar 6, 2013, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by profets

Just like in 2006 when palm said apple had no chance to be successful with a phone.

Wow, so many people are beating me to this

I was thinking the same thing.

Right on!

apple_iBoy · Mar 6, 2013, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MacRumors

Swatch used to sell its own version of a smart watch through a partnership with Microsoft. The Swatch Paparazzi offered users news headlines, sports, weather, horoscopes, and stock quotes.

Here's the problem with this guy's analysis. They tried it, probably with poor implementation and lack of the killer app (where's email?), cluttered with bs (horoscopes?!), and it didn't pan out. So therefore, Apple couldn't do any better.

G51989 · Mar 6, 2013, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Bulge

Last time some guy said so (many guys actually) … didn't end well for their respective companies.

Yes...I'm sure Apple will kill off the worlds largest watch company that makes some of the best watches in the world...I'm sure people will trade in a swatch for an iWatch

arcite · Mar 6, 2013, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by profets

Just like in 2006 when palm said apple had no chance to be successful with a phone.

Palm who?

I joke. I actually owned a Visor back in the day. Have it stashed in a drawer somewhere. Oh the glories of a 2bit black and white pressure sensitive screen! But it did play a mean game of drug wars.

macnisse · Mar 6, 2013, 12:16 PM

Watch out!

salmon · Mar 6, 2013, 12:17 PM

This bodes well for Apple stock, if its competitors are underestimating them again!

Of course it wouldn't 1 for 1 replace the phone, dummy. But I'd rather have a watch (for simple interactions, and the communications) and a tablet (for more detailed content) that work well together, than a phone.

Really, smart phones are kind of occupying that "netbook" place right now. We want to be continually connected, but the phone screens are awkward. Watch and tablet is a good model, IMO.

drewyboy · Mar 6, 2013, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G51989

Yes...I'm sure Apple will kill off the worlds largest watch company that makes some of the best watches in the world...I'm sure people will trade in a swatch for an iWatch

Not sure if there was sarcasm or not but one word... "Nokia"

pgiguere1 · Mar 6, 2013, 12:19 PM

Like Apple wanted to cannibalize their main source of profits...

wkadamsjr · Mar 6, 2013, 12:20 PM

I don't recall anyone ever saying an iWatch would replace iPhones. As an accessory, I would definitely be open to seeing what the watch is capable of, however.

To assume it will flop without even knowing what it will look like and what it will do is incredibly asinine. It only opens him up to humility in the long run.

Smartass · Mar 6, 2013, 12:20 PM

its going to be a small revolution, but more like "geeky revolution" for geeks. Normal everyday people use watch as a fashion extra/addon, and not usefulness.

baryon · Mar 6, 2013, 12:21 PM

I agree with Swatch, and I would also add that the iWatch would not be able to replace hybrid cars, either, so it's definitely not going to be a revolution. It also won't replace toasters, which is a shame. Come on Apple, it's time to innovate!

troop231 · Mar 6, 2013, 12:22 PM

"Samsung, you're not going to copy us on our Watch."

Mr Fusion · Mar 6, 2013, 12:22 PM

iWatch = iAmOutOfIdeas

What's the next big thing Apple? A watch and a TV aren't it.

wkadamsjr · Mar 6, 2013, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smartass

its going to be a small revolution, but more like "geeky revolution" for geeks. Normal everyday people use watch as a fashion extra/addon, and not usefulness.

What did normal everyday people use their phones for prior to the smartphone?

The Bulge · Mar 6, 2013, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G51989

Yes...I'm sure Apple will kill off the worlds largest watch company that makes some of the best watches in the world...I'm sure people will trade in a swatch for an iWatch

Oh yeah, just like 5 years ago with phones. I'm not saying this will be the case, but if history taught you anything ...

wkadamsjr · Mar 6, 2013, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Fusion

iWatch = iAmOutOfIdeas

What's the next big thing Apple? A watch and a TV aren't it.

Please enlighten us as to what this watch and TV do. Since you seem to know that Apple cannot possibly improve on the current offerings.

Mar 6, 2013, 12:10 PM	#2
TheGreenBastard macrumors regular Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Canada	What? Who said it was supposed to replace the iPhone? Jeez. __________________ Lots of Apples in my basket.
	41

Mar 6, 2013, 12:11 PM	#3
arcite macrumors 6502a Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Cairo, trapped in a pyramid with my iphone	Oh I get it! So Swatch and Microsoft couldn't make a successful iWatch which means....Apple's efforts are doomed? Right.... __________________ Late 2010 13' Macbook Pro ---- iPad 3
	27

Mar 6, 2013, 12:12 PM	#5
profets macrumors 65816 Join Date: Mar 2009	Just like in 2006 when palm said apple had no chance to be successful with a phone.
	33

Mar 6, 2013, 12:12 PM	#7
iNVERSE macrumors newbie Join Date: Dec 2012	I think the CEO is missing the point. I don't believe the iWatch is supposed to replace the iPhone, but instead complement the iPhone.
	35

Mar 6, 2013, 12:13 PM	#8
chukronos macrumors regular Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Colleyville, TX	Famous last words? __________________ iMac 27" i7 680mx - Black MacBook - Old as S#!& but works great! / iPhone 5 / iPad (3rd generation)
	10

Mar 6, 2013, 12:11 PM	#4
The Bulge Banned Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Up your ass.	Last time some guy said so (many guys actually) … didn't end well for their respective companies.
	17

Mar 6, 2013, 12:12 PM	#6
JoshAlder macrumors member Join Date: Apr 2011	There is a pun in there somewhere
	2

Mar 6, 2013, 12:16 PM	#14
macnisse macrumors regular Join Date: Jun 2010	Watch out! __________________ MBA\|2.0GHz\|i7\|8RAM\|256SSD Blackbook\|2.4GHz(final version)\|4RAM\|160SSD iPad3 iPhones 3GS\|4S\|5 ATV3 iPod4classic
	4

Mar 6, 2013, 12:17 PM	#15
salmon macrumors regular Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Nova Scotia, Canada	This bodes well for Apple stock, if its competitors are underestimating them again! Of course it wouldn't 1 for 1 replace the phone, dummy. But I'd rather have a watch (for simple interactions, and the communications) and a tablet (for more detailed content) that work well together, than a phone. Really, smart phones are kind of occupying that "netbook" place right now. We want to be continually connected, but the phone screens are awkward. Watch and tablet is a good model, IMO.
	8

Mar 6, 2013, 12:19 PM	#17
pgiguere1 macrumors 68000 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Montreal, Canada	Like Apple wanted to cannibalize their main source of profits...
	4

Mar 6, 2013, 12:20 PM	#18
wkadamsjr macrumors regular Join Date: Jun 2010	I don't recall anyone ever saying an iWatch would replace iPhones. As an accessory, I would definitely be open to seeing what the watch is capable of, however. To assume it will flop without even knowing what it will look like and what it will do is incredibly asinine. It only opens him up to humility in the long run.
	5

Mar 6, 2013, 12:20 PM	#19
Smartass macrumors 6502 Join Date: Dec 2012	its going to be a small revolution, but more like "geeky revolution" for geeks. Normal everyday people use watch as a fashion extra/addon, and not usefulness.
	1

Mar 6, 2013, 12:21 PM	#20
baryon macrumors 68020 Join Date: Oct 2009	I agree with Swatch, and I would also add that the iWatch would not be able to replace hybrid cars, either, so it's definitely not going to be a revolution. It also won't replace toasters, which is a shame. Come on Apple, it's time to innovate! __________________ Sent from my iPod Shuffle
	13

Mar 6, 2013, 12:22 PM	#21
troop231 macrumors 601 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: At the gym	"Samsung, you're not going to copy us on our Watch." __________________ My iOS apps: MyTradeshow , Outdoor Rules & Regulations iPhone 5 MBP 15" 2.3 i7 HR-AG
	3

Mar 6, 2013, 12:22 PM	#22
Mr Fusion macrumors 6502 Join Date: May 2007	iWatch = iAmOutOfIdeas What's the next big thing Apple? A watch and a TV aren't it.
	4

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