Anyone besides me appreciating a good mechanical now that AW is released?

[adammull]

A watch doesn't do anything for me. I just started wearing a watch only because my job requires one. I bought a G-Shock.

Before then I always told myself I would buy a really nice watch one day for dressy occasions, but never pulled the trigger.

I'm 29, which means the entire second half of my life, I've had a cell phone. Hadn't had a need to buy a watch, definitely not some nice mechanical one that only tells the time and date. That appreciation for a watch just doesn't exist in my blood.

But.......the Apple Watch brings more functionality to the table for me. And with the SS as an option, I also get the dressy look I want.

Now I admit, I love LOOKING at beautiful watches, but I myself can never justify the purchase of one because they only tell me the time. But that's me and my opinion.

I think mechanical watches will suffer in the end. Smart watches will only get better especially as they become standalone devices. And the batteries improve. Watch makers can sit in denial all they want, but the end is inevitable.

Do we really think that in the year 2030, the mechanical watch is still going to be popular. they already lost a good bit of their popularity over the past 15 years or so with the smartphone (something you don't even wear on your wrist).

You are 100% correct and yes, all watches will suffer. The cheap ones for sure are dead in the next 5 years. The nicer ones will remain, but their sales will be impacted. I won't buy a new Rolex again. Ever. Not to speak in absolutes but I am pretty sure.

Some people don't feel that way personally and that's fine. I am some company still makes pince-nez's somewhere for someone. But not in volume.

 

[Hustler]

Always will.
But I'll still get an apple watch eventually. I'm planning on keeping the sg sport as a more utilitarian/ work (auto service field) watch and my nicer watches for different occasions.
I went for my try on at the Apple Store and laid down my Breitling super ocean and the store employee said that looks nice but you'll really like this while suggesting I try on the SS link model. LOL
Btw that watch was a wedding gift.



And yes, my wife is that awesome lol.

 

[SixtyK]

You are 100% correct and yes, all watches will suffer. The cheap ones for sure are dead in the next 5 years. The nicer ones will remain, but their sales will be impacted.

I disagree.

Digital watches have been commercially available for over 40 years and yet mechanical watches are as popular as they have ever been, if not moreso. Smart watches are not going to change that.

This is my opinion, of course.

 

[adammull]

I disagree.

Digital watches have been commercially available for over 40 years and yet mechanical watches are as popular as they have ever been, if not moreso. Smart watches are not going to change that.

This is my opinion, of course.

But digital watches aren't doing anything new or different. They're simply showing you time off a battery instead of a mechanical movement.

The Apple Watch is the first step in having a real communicator on your wrist. It's totally different.

 

[Arran]

I don't think it will ever 100% completely replace the phone anymore than it will 100% completely replace the traditional watch.

I'm thinking about well in the future. Think flying cars and that sort of stuff.

Granted, you'll still be able to carry a small ipod-touch-like device in your pocket, but it will be nothing more than a remote screen for the watch. It will be a complete reversal of todays' roles between iPhone and watch. The big screen being an optional accessory.

Some time off, obviously.

 

[Fortimir]

I have the same two watches and I see it entirely differently. I think they will be replaced. Doesn't mean I don't appreciate fine craftsmanship.

Yep. I'm a watch fanatic. Absolutely love them. But I'll be selling my Omega and others for one simple reason: they will collect dust.

 

[BillyTrimble]

I do not get the blank face look either. What's the point of wearing a watch that has nothing on it? Hopefully Apple copies the low energy mode always on face of Android watches soon considering my zenwatch displays hands on the face 24hrs a day with no battery problems. It's a watch. It should always show the time. Period.

Oh please! NOT period! In your opinion and based upon your desires, it should always show the time. But I absolutely don't need that functionality.

I've worn mechanical and digital watches my entire life. They always showed the time, even when I didn't need it to.

I've adjusted to the Apple watch just fine. The time comes up very quickly when I need to know the time. It doesn't bother me at all. My definition of a watch does not require it to always show the time, even when I'm not looking at it. Your definition does. Good for you.

The Apple watch is NOT for you. You would be absolutely foolish to get it.

 

[AS90]

And you are complaining about accuracy?

All steel Rolex watches are made from 904L Stainless Steel, all of their movements are made in house and COSC certified and a regular service (which consists of a total strip down, clean, inspection, lubrication and calibration) starts from around £300 depending on the model.

We know they are very expensive but there's no need to spread misinformation to prove your point.

They bought the rights to produce a slightly modified ETA movement! Maintenance starts at £300 but a full service is £1800.

Ripoff.

 

[adammull]

They bought the rights to produce a slightly modified ETA movement! Maintenance starts at £300 but a full service is £1800.

Ripoff.

I'm assuming £300 is still around $450. If so, I have to call BS on that figure. I paid $1,000 over 10 years ago. Can only imagine its gone up.

 

[dyt1983]

edit: to remove personally identifying information not relevant to thread.

 

[OllyW]

Maintenance starts at £300 but a full service is £1800.

Ripoff.

A full service on a modern Submariner costs £460 from Rolex UK.

The Rolex watch you left with us has been professionally examined and our recommendation is as follows:

Full Service £460.00
To replace the glass as it it is chipped £78.00
To fit 1 link as requested £52.00
To replace the crown as it is marked/dented and worn £52.00
Optional - to replace the bezel insert as it is marked £38.00

Price includes postage, packaging, insurance and VAT.

http://christopherwardforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=31104

 

[dyt1983]

edit: to remove personally identifying information not relevant to thread.

 

[greytmom]

I know I am going to get some flames for this, and that's fine. I have not received my watch yet, I was 10 minutes late to the party, 6 of those were spent trying to refresh the apple store. Anyways, I own multiple dumb watches, and do a lot of travel. Usually, the thing I notice most is a nice watch when I look at strangers. I can appreciate the beauty and craftsmanship. It's a personal accessory that each user decides for themselves. I never really gave much thought to the whole watch face being blank the majority of it's use. The more I think about, when I see an apple watch..doesn't matter if it's gold, ss or sport...am I really going to think..nice..blank lcd screen on your wrist. I don't know, historically I have always had the latest gadget on the block because I enjoy learning new technology's, but this one is / has lost it's luster quite quickly and I haven't even touched the device. Professional and user reviews are painting this in a light I didn't see coming, the people jumping up and down over it mostly seem young, which isn't what I was going after.

I am a 50 year old human resources professional, and I am jumping up and down over my Apple Watch. Well, not literally, old joints won't take it. But I love it, never had any doubts about it.

I'd wait until you actually get it before making a decision about it.

 

[OllyW]

I'm assuming £300 is still around $450. If so, I have to call BS on that figure. I paid $1,000 over 10 years ago. Can only imagine its gone up.

A full service on the basic Oyster Perpetual cost £340 a couple of years ago (which is where I got my "around £300" from) but I've checked again and it's now gone up by around 10%. A bit more than I thought but still nowhere near £1800.

 

[modernaccord]

I love mechanical/auto watches. I have a collection of watches that include everything from Timex to Omega. My daily driver has been my Tissot Touch Classic for the last couple months, and Orient Automatic on occasion. HOWEVER, since the Apple Watch will likely provide more functionality, I will use it on the daily and save the more classy timepieces for the dressier occasions.

Will it reduce sales for regular watches? Maybe, if it takes on a fanbase like iPhone did. Will it kill the watch market? Definitely not because people don't want to pay more than $50 bucks for a watch.

 

[Rangers94]

I'm 39 (far from young) and I'm LOVING my Apple Watch. It has helped simplify things for me and make me reach for my iPhone a lot less!

 

[pcsguy88]

Oh please! NOT period! In your opinion and based upon your desires, it should always show the time. But I absolutely don't need that functionality.

I've worn mechanical and digital watches my entire life. They always showed the time, even when I didn't need it to.

I've adjusted to the Apple watch just fine. The time comes up very quickly when I need to know the time. It doesn't bother me at all. My definition of a watch does not require it to always show the time, even when I'm not looking at it. Your definition does. Good for you.

The Apple watch is NOT for you. You would be absolutely foolish to get it.

You are right, it's not for me. That is why I purchased a beautiful stainless steel and rose gold smartwatch that accepts any 22mm watch strap I choose all for the reasonable price of $200 from Asus.

I am keeping a close eye on the Apple Watch for my girlfriend and because I love technology. I'm delighted the smartwatch market is growing and so many choices are being offered. This will push all manufacturers and software companies to mold this young technology into something amazing. The future is a wonderful place.

I still think anything called a watch should display the time all the time. It's a watch.