There isn't much to do at the watch table except… uh… watch the displays.
Watch carefully for the customers who look like they're doing transactions with the staff. I'll bet you see a watch being sold before too long.
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Apple Watch Sales Estimated at 5.1 Million in Holiday Quarter, Swiss Watch Sales in Trouble
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Watch carefully for the customers who look like they're doing transactions with the staff. I'll bet you see a watch being sold before too long.
There isn't much to do at the watch table except… uh… watch the displays.
Watch carefully for the customers who look like they're doing transactions with the staff. I'll bet you see a watch being sold before too long.
I don't ever see anyone trying them on.
On Thursday night, I didn't see anyone trying one on, but during my five-minute visit, someone bought a gold-on-red sport model (Chinese New Year edition).
Just a question about 450 million installed iPhones...you count them from 5 to recent models? Otherwise your count is wrong from the start. Anyway while I mostly agree with you I try to remember that
- It is a 1st generation object, destined only to improve
- Apple is a giant, but any other company would be happy with 13 million units sold
- It's too early for statistics, we should wait for a couple of years...
- ...and next check if Apple screwed up 1st generation users
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You look like you're telling to a friend of yours about an urban legend you've heard of, something like "Yesterday my cousin saw Elvis in a bar in Tennessee"
PS only joking
That's absurd. A rolex is not a car, because the main function of a rolex is to decorate, which is subjective, the main function of a car, at least a car like the tesla or a car which can be substituted by it, is to transport, which is objective. That's like saying technical photography will devaluate paint art, or like saying electric cars like a Tesla will devaluate a Ferrari F40 or an Alfa Romeo TZ2, because you know, they have infotainment systems and low consumption. You're very garish if you don't understand that.
A lot of people changed their mechanical watches for quartz watches some decades ago because they were much better by objective terms. But they are less romantic since the intuitiveness and imperfection of a mechanical system evokes a romantic perception, and that's why the firsts are valueless nowadays and the seconds are traded like mechanical art. This can cause the number of new watches production to be reduced, but the price of both new and vintages high end watches will increase and increase. If you think there is a bubble with watches you should take a look at classic cars first. A 964 3.3 turbo was worth 36000 € less than 5 years ago, nowadays? Over 100 000 easily
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After having a trial with the Apple Watch I simply can't see anything appealing about it personally. A small screen that acts as a remote control for my iPhone is not something I feel I am missing.
I get far more enjoyment looking at my mechanical watches on my wrist because it goes way beyond functionality for me.
The positive thing about smart watches taking the hipster scene by storm is the hope the second hand watch market will become more affordable. Then again the luxury end of the Swiss market will always have its customer base and demand higher prices. People forget Swiss watches come in pretty much every price bracket and the luxury end is still strong because like the Apple Watch they sell off branding alone.
I get far more enjoyment looking at my mechanical watches on my wrist because it goes way beyond functionality for me.
The positive thing about smart watches taking the hipster scene by storm is the hope the second hand watch market will become more affordable. Then again the luxury end of the Swiss market will always have its customer base and demand higher prices. People forget Swiss watches come in pretty much every price bracket and the luxury end is still strong because like the Apple Watch they sell off branding alone.
The problem is mechanical watches are simply outdated. Having a heavy gadget on your hand that can do one function alone is passe. And buying expensive Swiss mechanical watches is like buying an expensive sword for self-defense instead of a firearm or
How about for fitness, weather, hiking etc? I see it as a real competitor to FitBit which displays info. that is only relevant to fitness related activities when it is much more cumbersome to always glance at a big phone.
The people at my running club have a range of fitness bands yet I am yet to see an AW. It might be great for fitness but is costly if you only put it on your wrist to run 3 times a week. There are cheaper alternatives and ones that are very durable too.
Mechanical watches are only outdated to those who like smart watches incidentally. If you want a nice watch with an automatic movement that looks good with a suit and carries the class and craftsmanship, there are plenty of offerings out there. If it was an out of date concept then manufacturing would have stopped already. There is room for both types of watch in the market. Mechanicals are still hugely popular believe it or not, but then again we are on a tech site where the sample of people will always sway more towards toys and gadgets.
Typewriters, Floppy discs, CRT Televisions, and Phone books are still manufactured as well.
Hence why I said there is room in the market for 'both' types of watch.
A mechanical watch however is not something that has been replaced though unlike the examples you have been given. A smart watch is simply an alternative.
Must depend on the country.
I haven't seen a phone book in at least three or four years (which is kinda sad, because I don't trust all the results I'd get from an Internet search for local businesses… but that's a bigger topic). CRT televisions disappeared once the US went high-def, and I'm not even sure where to buy a floppy drive anymore.
Of your examples, I can imagine only the typewriter still being available, kinda like the cheap Crosley record players.
A mechanical watch is outdated tech that performs one function: tells the time. There is no reason why it shouldn't be replaced by smart watches by the vast majority if not now, then in the near future excluding a very niche community. Battery life still needs work on smart watches, the one thing holding them back, but mechanical watches are simply archaic dinosaur wearables and are ready to be phased out, especially among young people I see out in the wild.
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You've been able to buy Casio G-Shock watches that are functionally superior to mechanicals for 30+ years. They've come with better durability, world time, stopwatch, range finding, lights etc etc. They didn't completely replace mechanical watches because watches are a very subjective taste. There is room in the watch market for literally thousands of designs. If you want an Apple Watch you have some choice of finish and strap, but beyond that in an aesthetic way you have to like the product.
I'm young and follow trends with certain things. Not everybody needs a watch that does the same thing as their mobile phone and some people like myself enjoy the style of a mechanical watch. I am yet to see a smart watch that is able to compete on that basis. It's all subjective and there is room in the market for both types of watch.
Many Casio watches were tacky and poorly made. Apple is shifting the paradigm, that smart watches can not only be much more functional than mechanical watches, but aesthetically pleasing.
Function-wise, a smart watch performs the one function a mechanical watch performs better than the mechanical watch. The smart watch or iphone synchronizes to the official time, and automatically changes when you enter a different time zone. A mechanical watch doesn't.
Furthermore, the more complicated a mechanical watch is, the more likely it is to break down, it's difficult to repair and the service costs are astronomical.
Basically you see your watch as jewelry, like a Rolex that makes you feel important.
I am grateful Apple is changing the paradigm so we can have more functional, superior watches that we won't be embarrassed to wear while some people gloat over having their super-expensive, functionally inferior Swiss mechanical watches.
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Again that is a subjective statement as much of the criticism aimed at the Apple Watch is in regards to how it looks.
There is only a single case design which shared by all of the Apple Watches. If you don't like that design why would you buy it?
Anyone who's been without electricity (whether from a storm, or when camping, or by accident if lost in the woods, or by job if in the military) soon realizes that conventional digital or mechanical watches can be invaluable.
As for mechanical watches in particular, a lot of us admire the craftsmanship and genius that can go into one. The fashion aspect is simply an incidental feature that goes with wearing a piece of art.
Speaking of fashion, nobody should knock that aspect. After all, Apple themselves have bent over backwards to claim their smartwatch as some kind of fashion statement.
As for mechanical watches in particular, a lot of us admire the craftsmanship and genius that can go into one. The fashion aspect is simply an incidental feature that goes with wearing a piece of art.
Speaking of fashion, nobody should knock that aspect. After all, Apple themselves have bent over backwards to claim their smartwatch as some kind of fashion statement.
Rings, necklaces, bracelets, neck ties and a plethora of other unecessary items perform one function.
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But, but,... It's different when Apple does it.
Presumably there are nearly limitless wristband combinations you can wear with your Apple Watch. Even if you're not a fan of the watch itself, Apple is revitalizing the smart watch industry.
I believe you will eventually be able to enjoy the superior functionality of a smart-watch with solar-powered batteries and have your choice of aesthetics so mechanical watches go the way of the typewriter.
Adding a different strap to a watch you don't like just makes it a watch you don't like with a different strap.
I appreciate much of the technology and functionality of the Apple Watch and think it is probably the best smartwatch currently available, I just don't like how it looks.
I admire the craftsmanship that went into expensive typewriters, I know a guy who collects them, they can be very impressive and have artistic merit.
If your electricity goes out in a storm and your computer battery runs out you can type by candlelight
You are looking at it purely from a functionality point of view because that is what appeals to you personally. Not everybody craves functionality from a watch and how you can claim a Swiss mechanical watch is inferior to an Apple Watch is quite frankly laughable. Watch taste is subjective and like it or not they are items of jewellery as well as serving as a time piece. Reading emails, writing a text, counting how many steps you've done, and listening to music from your wrist is great if that is what you are into. I enjoy a nice classy mechanical watch with my shirt for work or when I do leisure activities and no smart watch is threatening that for me. I also don't wear a watch to feel important because at the end of the day it provides enjoyment for me and nobody else.
It sounds to me like the fact the Apple Watch isn't applauded by everybody really annoys you. This is the exact reason why the world is filled with millions of watch designs to suit everybody's taste. I have a nice mechanical watch and an iPhone that provides the functionality I don't need on my wrist
I have a nice mechanical watch and an iPhone that provides the functionality I don't need on my wrist
Not to mention far more practical functionality. The iPhone has a larger screen so it's easier to see and type on, which can be placed anywhere the user needs it to be, not fixed to one limited spot.