Apple Watch vs Rolex

[fania123]

Watches have come and gone, big , small, digital, you name it but Rolex is still here and I doubt they are going anywhere.

More like we'll be laughing at Rolex for being the Nokia of watch manufacturers, unless it's smart enough to evolve.

Better evolve or die a slow death. Smartwatches are here to stay.

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

Watches have come and gone, big , small, digital, you name it but Rolex is still here and I doubt they are going anywhere.

But the difference is they were all dumbwatches, and Rolex has never had to evolve beyond being a dumbwatch manufacturer. If smartwatches take over the watch world (as smartphones did to the cell phone industry), Rolex better evolve or it'll end up like Nokia.

As you said, TIME will tell.

 

[anez]

I haven't worn any of my mechanical watches since I got the Apple Watch back in April. I have become as "dependent" on it as I am on my iPhone, and would hate to go a day without it. On the occasions where I am awake but not wearing it (when it's on the charger, basically) I quickly notice and bemoan its absence.

I would not be surprised if the future of traditional watches is limited. I believe they will always have a value, but as others have pointed out, I believe that in the coming years, more and more people will choose a smartwatch over a mechanical one.

Personally, I'm just waiting for the day a case/strap combo comes out that disguises the watch aspect of the AW so I can start wearing my mechanicals alongside it, as I feel both together may look a little strange. Something like this:

But with a magnetized flap to cover (and protect) the watchface (as you see with the phone and tablet cases) would be something I would buy in an instant.

 

[fania123]

Over 100 years is a pretty good track record.

But the difference is they were all dumbwatches, and Rolex has never had to evolve beyond being a dumbwatch manufacturer. If smartwatches take over the watch world (as smartphones did to the cell phone industry), Rolex better evolve or it'll end up like Nokia.

As you said, TIME will tell.

 

[Paco II]

It's worth mentioning the emotional aspect of a nice watch, be it Rolex, Omega, Seiko or whatever. It's something that you'll keep around for a long time to come, always working as expected. A smartwatch, with the expectation that you'll replace it regularly, is not something you'll get attached to. It will just be another device. It's hard to say what the long term impact of that emotional connection will be on the mechanical watch business.

 

[anez]

Over 100 years is a pretty good track record.

Except we're seeing the emergence of an entirely new category here --the wearable-- that was not just impossible but inconceivable for much of that period. A pattern is only relevant until such time as something happens to disrupt that pattern.

Unless the wearables concept completely fails to take off (which it well may; I wouldn't know), it represents a serious and unprecedented threat to the mechanical watch market.

 

[zetaplus93]

There's absolutely no reason why we can't have jewelry-quality smartwatches.

I'm not certain. It's not that Apple (and other companies) can't manufacture jewelry-quality smartwatches on a physical, exterior level. It's more on an emotional level.

Besides using it to see the time, my understanding of why people buy automatic watches (as jewelry):

• Status/exclusivity/fashion
• Looks/beauty/elegance
• Heritage (i.e. Moonwatch went on the moon, having James Bond (or Ian Fleming)'s watch, etc)
• Heirloom

I think the AW (not this version, but certainly future versions) can meet #1 & #2 (to a certain extent), but it may never hit #3 & #4.

Rolex and other high end watch manufacturers can easily evolve into this venue, and they should unless they want to shoot themselves in the foot in the long run. Apple already has a head start with the $10,000-17,000 Edition models.

I disagree. Rolex and other luxury watch brand's strengths are more #3 & #4 (plus status, exclusivity, looks/elegance, etc). If they introduce a smartwatch that doesn't build on these strengths, it would likely put them at a disadvantage and would erode their brand.

 

[res.ipsa]

Then there's the fact AW really does compete favorably with Rolex, and not just Pebble or Gear or any of those other wearables people try to compare it to. I'm an Apple user with Macs, iPads, iPhones going back for years so I assumed the reason AW won over Rolex for me was my own loyalty but to have a Rolex owner impressed by my space grey AW gives me anecdotal evidence it really does have appeal in the upscale watch market that Apple is aiming for.

Like other Apple products, I would assume that it is a well-designed, quality item but they are different things. The mere fact that they are both watches doesn't mean they aren't apples and oranges. One is an electronic device the other is a geared timepiece. The fact that one has a great deal of functionality doesn't make it any better or worse that a timepiece that will last for generations. Like you said, it is perfect for what your needs are and I wouldn't worry about what the critics say about it or finding affirmation in the opinion of a Rolex owner.

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

I disagree. Rolex and other luxury watch brand's strengths are more #3 & #4 (plus status, exclusivity, looks/elegance, etc). If they introduce a smartwatch that doesn't build on these strengths, it would likely put them at a disadvantage and would erode their brand.

True, and they might go the way of pocketwatches, depending on whether smartwatches/wearables take over the watch industry.

 

[zetaplus93]

But the difference is they were all dumbwatches, and Rolex has never had to evolve beyond being a dumbwatch manufacturer. If smartwatches take over the watch world (as smartphones did to the cell phone industry), Rolex better evolve or it'll end up like Nokia.

As you said, TIME will tell.

Comparing Rolex to Nokia isn't a strong comparison.

The difference is that one has a much strong emotional connection to luxury watches than to Nokia phones. The emotional aspect isn't something that's easily broken.

On the other hand, if future buyers never develop the emotional connection to automatics as previous generations did, then this may be a moot point.

Nevertheless, I think there'll always be a place for jewelry. Whether it's watches or other things that fulfill this need is something to be observed going forward.

 

[zetaplus93]

True, and they might go the way of pocketwatches, depending on whether smartwatches/wearables take over the watch industry.

Yes, this is a very real possibility. Pocket watches are even more niche than automatic wristwatches (which are already niche compared to the mass market).

But it certainly could be that the market for automatics shrinks in size over time (as we automatic lovers move on ), but remains as a niche market for those that like to be reminded of a simpler time (much like fountain pen owners of today!).

 

[zetaplus93]

Unless the wearables concept completely fails to take off (which it well may; I wouldn't know), it represents a serious and unprecedented threat to the mechanical watch market.

That's always been my thought as well.

Well, now's the time to pick up the automatics that you want before companies start jacking up the prices to compensate for smaller volumes!

 

[uwdude]

Eh, the last couple decades watches like Rolexes have become more and more like commodity items sold in every mall. I do think there will always be a market for certain individually handcrafted watches, like some of the 6 figure Patek Philippes that are made individually by a craftsman, but I'm not so sure about the mall watches like Rolexes. It won't happen in the next few years, but if I were Rolex or any of the other premium to entry level luxury watchmakers, I would make long term plans to change the product line.

 

[anez]

• Heritage (i.e. Moonwatch went on the moon, having James Bond (or Ian Fleming)'s watch, etc)
• Heirloom

I think the AW (not this version, but certainly future versions) can meet #1 & #2 (to a certain extent), but it may never hit #3 & #4.

You're right about that. Unless we see a seismic shift in the approach to personal technology on both the manufacturing and consumer end, no wearable will achieve this. By current definition, one of the core values of personal technology completely precludes this-- i.e., it is always best to have as recent a version as can be afforded, since each generation represents a significant improvement on the previous one. With that as the case, they're fully mutually exclusive. Do you cherish the bulky 80s portable phone or videocamera your dad had? Do they see daily use in your life? Most people will say no.

However, it's possible --both to achieve heritage and heirloom status, and for reasons of ecological sustainability-- that the personal technology market (and wearables specifically) will try to get around this somehow by offering internal upgrades without the external case requiring modification. Some have suggested this will be possible with the Edition, and while I don't see it happening yet, in the long-term, it could happen.

If it does, wearables should be able to achieve these things, which would be an even greater blow to the mechanical watch market.

 

[anez]

That's always been my thought as well.

Well, now's the time to pick up the automatics that you want before companies start jacking up the prices to compensate for smaller volumes!

Or wait it out until the market floods with good quality second-hands at good prices!

I've been giving some thought to selling some of mine. I feel like a dope having them and not wearing them, but I am going to wait a few more months to see if
a. the shine wears off the Apple, or
b. I can find a case which "disguises" the watch aspect of the AW.

I'd hate to part with them, honestly, but they saw daily use before I got my Watch, and now they sit unloved, which makes me feel guilty...

 

[zetaplus93]

Eh, the last couple decades watches like Rolexes have become more and more like commodity items sold in every mall. I do think there will always be a market for certain individually handcrafted watches, like some of the 6 figure Patek Philippes that are made individually by a craftsman, but I'm not so sure about the mall watches like Rolexes. It won't happen in the next few years, but if I were Rolex or any of the other premium to entry level luxury watchmakers, I would make long term plans to change the product line.

While Rolex is not in the same league as Patek Philippe, it's not a commodity. If it were, then prices would be declining over the years. They have, in fact, been increasing for several decades (much to buyer's annoyance).

 

[Bromeo]

The difference is that one has a much strong emotional connection to luxury watches than to Nokia phones. The emotional aspect isn't something that's easily broken.

Funny, we humans.

"Nice watch," said Albert.
"Thanks, it was my dad's," lamented Janet.
"Oh, that's sweet. What's it running?"
"WatchOS 2.1. I wanted to keep it exactly as Dad had it, but I did have a new battery installed. Wish it would work with my Apple View."
"Is that the 2s? How do you like it? I heard they weren't selling as many as analysts expected."

....overheard at a sandwich shop in 2029.

 

[zetaplus93]

You're right about that. Unless we see a seismic shift in the approach to personal technology on both the manufacturing and consumer end, no wearable will achieve this. By current definition, one of the core values of personal technology completely precludes this-- i.e., it is always best to have as recent a version as can be afforded, since each generation represents a significant improvement on the previous one. With that as the case, they're fully mutually exclusive. Do you cherish the bulky 80s portable phone or videocamera your dad had? Do they see daily use in your life? Most people will say no.

However, it's possible --both to achieve heritage and heirloom status, and for reasons of ecological sustainability-- that the personal technology market (and wearables specifically) will try to get around this somehow by offering internal upgrades without the external case requiring modification. Some have suggested this will be possible with the Edition, and while I don't see it happening yet, in the long-term, it could happen.

If it does, wearables should be able to achieve these things, which would be an even greater blow to the mechanical watch market.

+1

One other thing to think about is the brand. Apple and other tech companies are always pushing to the future, whereas watch companies are valued for their past heritage. So the idea of heritage runs counter to Apple's brand.

 

[Paco II]

With Dad getting a new Apple Watch every year, Janet is not going to give a darn about it. You might as well be talking about Dad's pants.

Funny, we humans.

"Nice watch," said Albert.
"Thanks, it was my dad's," lamented Janet.
"Oh, that's sweet. What's it running?"
"WatchOS 2.1. I wanted to keep it exactly as Dad had it, but I did have a new battery installed. Wish it would work with my Apple View."
"Is that the 2s? How do you like it? I heard they weren't selling as many as analysts expected."

....overheard at a sandwich shop in 2029.

 

[anez]

+1

One other thing to think about is the brand. Apple and other tech companies are always pushing to the future, whereas watch companies are valued for their past heritage. So the idea of heritage runs counter to Apple's brand.

That's certainly true for now, but in the long-term, it may not be? Apple is, compared with Rolex, Patek, etc., a very young company, but that won't always be the case. In the future --assuming it's still around-- we might see marketing patter like "For years you've trusted Apple to produce quality technology..."

Besides that, if they did move to a more long-term and sustainable model for their wearables, they have a shot at doing both at once: "The great Apple Watch look you love with with new features" etc.

For my money? I think the most likely outcome is mechanicals becoming more of a niche market, wearables continuing to be mostly disposable with little heritage/heirloom value, and people looking to other items and products for their handed-down-the-generations requirements.

I might be 100% wrong-- other outcomes are entirely possible, but that would be my personal prediction based on my personal experience. I love mechanicals, but I got sucked into the wearable market and would hate to lose the convenience they provide. While I intend to hang on to one or two of my mechanicals for the future, there's a good chance I will part with some of them. I can see that being the kind of general trend for most people, long-term.

 

[fania123]

I love my apple watch but it'll never compare to this.

 

[Ulenspiegel]

This is what some of us are talking about. It's a masterpiece!

 

[fania123]

Thats hysterical!

Funny, we humans.

"Nice watch," said Albert.
"Thanks, it was my dad's," lamented Janet.
"Oh, that's sweet. What's it running?"
"WatchOS 2.1. I wanted to keep it exactly as Dad had it, but I did have a new battery installed. Wish it would work with my Apple View."
"Is that the 2s? How do you like it? I heard they weren't selling as many as analysts expected."

....overheard at a sandwich shop in 2029.

 

[fania123]

Rolex is beautiful, but I wouldn't say Casio is crappy I love my camouflage G shock and get lots of compliments on it.

Eh, the last couple decades watches like Rolexes have become more and more like commodity items sold in every mall. I do think there will always be a market for certain individually handcrafted watches, like some of the 6 figure Patek Philippes that are made individually by a craftsman, but I'm not so sure about the mall watches like Rolexes. It won't happen in the next few years, but if I were Rolex or any of the other premium to entry level luxury watchmakers, I would make long term plans to change the product line.

Or it could be that the owner has money and likes to finer things. They may not care what other people think. A casio and a Rolex both tell time but the Rolex is beautiful. Casio is crappy looking.

 

[fania123]

Agreed, but I will on occasion wear a bracelet and I'm not from Northern California . BTW, which Panerai do you own?

As mentioned above, it is really a pointless comparison.
I do like my Apple Watch, no doubt, but a piece of jewelry like my Panerai or Rolex it is not.
Whenever I put my finest suit on for something like weddings or stuff like that, I reach for my Panerai, and will continue to do so.
I'm a bit old-fashioned I guess so it is my opinion that a man can wear two, and two only, pieces of jewelry.
A wedding band and a watch.
Everything else is for women and eeh...Northern Californians...[/QUOTE