I've criticised the Apple Watch plenty on here and still am not convinced it can completely replace a traditional watch for me.
However I have just bought one.....
However I have just bought one.....
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Has your Apple Watch entirely replaced your expensive Swiss watch?
- Thread starter Ffosse
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Why keep them if they're just collecting dust? Sure, they won't lose value, but it's not like they're earning their keep, so to speak, by sitting in a case.
There are many reasons to keep High end mechanical watches. Some of them likely carry heritage or there is limited models made.
Also, high end mechanical watches can also gain in value versus just retaining their value. And quite a few people who have expensive, I am mechanical watches, 10 to pass them down through their family line.
I already forgot my automatic watches with my old (and unforgettable) Pebble Time... With my brand new AW S2 I will give them to my sons 
These are true. But unfortunately mine don't have much heritage. They may appreciate in value with time, but there are far better investments that can be made with that amount of money, which will appreciate far more in the same period of time.
I'll have to eat crow big time, because I thought for sure that my Apple Watch would replace my mechanicals (Rolex, Omega) when I bought it last year, and I've written quite a bit on here saying as much. The thing is, after owning my Apple Watch for 15+ months, it's been fully relegated to drawer status. There's something unfussy about a simple mechanical watch that never needs charging. I think I may be getting tech fatigue. Having my little iPhone SE on vibrate in my pocket is all that I've needed lately.
When I sold my S0 AW I spend the following days back with my different mechanicals and first I had the same thought: Maybe I just shouldn't go with another one - the retro-love I got with my old trusty watches were great and loved it for a couple of days.
After that I started to get reminded how much I actually use my AW every day and maybe don't think about it - all the notifications (I have filtered them quite a bit) that makes me able to keep my iPhone a little on the distance and the daily motivation for moving more, getting the gym sessions in and running... Jumped on a S2 and haven't used the mechanicals a single day since - and prob. won't for the foreseeable future.
Just got the AirPods and put the "now playing" app first in my dock. Comes in really handy for adjusting volume, changing tracks and seeing whats playing. Im pretty confident Apple will add an LTE modem that will kick in when your out of range from the iPhone. Hopefully they will have a way to work with the carriers so you use the same line. Sure it would use more battery but you would only need it when you don't have your phone so it may just work. Im sure they will also squeeze in better health sensors, bluetooth 5.0 etc. They will get better and better.
Still don't want to give up my mechanicals yet unless I just completely stop wearing them which is unlikely at this point
Still don't want to give up my mechanicals yet unless I just completely stop wearing them which is unlikely at this point
Strange isn't it? How the Apple Watch has replaced so many high-end mechanical watches that are far worth more than a piece of technology. But it goes to show you how much someone appreciates the Apple Watch and its functions.
Another thing I am worried about is as more and more people move to the Apple watch or other smart watches there will be a flood of used Swiss mechanicals on the market and they will have bad resale value vs dumping them now? Its amazing how many people I see in SF with a smart watch esp Apple Watches. There have been times where I've seen about 25-50% f the people in a bar or restaurant with one. I also see people in all age groups wearing them. I am convinced in another 5 years even your typical Rolex and Omegas will not be so popular anymore. This is coming from a true Swiss mechanical watch lover. I wonder if it better to sell them and put the money in better investments? Sure there are some special edition watches that will go up and are collectables but your typical Omega/Rolex/Tag/Breitling etc I doubt it.
Somebody else posted a comment similar to yours on here. High end mechanical watches are being less likely worn in some respects over an Apple Watch. That said, I don't think anyone is dumping or selling them because of the Apple Watch. They are likely just being set aside or not worn as often as the Apple Watch. Apple Watch sports a great purpose for fitness tracking and notifications, which a lot have grown fond of and meets everyone's needs differently.
Mechanical watches always carry heritage, limited availability, and/or will retain value with various considerations. The Apple Watch is a great device, but however is superfluous.
High-end watches are still predominate in the market, but smart watches are certainly a competing category for the time being.
It's also worth mentioning that the high end Swiss mechanicals are often not bought for their function but for their status. Apple are never going to have the luxury brand status of say Patek Philippe, Rolex or AP. Those companies have a very long history and their footing in the industry is strong. It's simply a competition for wrist time, and dare I say the sub-£1000 market are going to lose out the most.
Having said that the niche brand market for mechanicals had a strong 2016. I see articles saying they are losing out but know of several brands that struggled to keep up with demand last year and have a waiting list. Then there are articles that say the AW has dwindling sales but there's evidence to the contrary? You just don't know what to believe.
Having said that the niche brand market for mechanicals had a strong 2016. I see articles saying they are losing out but know of several brands that struggled to keep up with demand last year and have a waiting list. Then there are articles that say the AW has dwindling sales but there's evidence to the contrary? You just don't know what to believe.
The opposite happened for me. I bought the SS 42mm Apple Watch. It got me to appreciate the design and craftsmanship of a well made Swiss watch. While I wear my Apple Watch to work on occasion for the "Calendar notification". That is the only use I have for it. Once the battery for the Apple watch no longer holds a charge I would never replace it with an updated version/series. It's not a good watch if it can't last a full day or a weekend out.
Judging by your use case the Apple Watch should be able to last you at least for the weekend
Nah the most I've got out of it is 10 maybe 11 hours. If I remove Outlook I might be able to squeeze a couple more hours out of it. But then what is the point of having a "smartwatch"
Something is wrong with your watch then. I use mine pretty extensively throughout the day and even on the days I go to them gym, it's between 50-65% around midnight when I go to bed after a long day.
You should have your watch serviced by Apple
And a couple more hours would equate to 14 or 15. That's semi-accurate to what the Apple Watch is predicted around the 18 hour battery life.
I have been wearing both my Apple Watch 2 and my Hamilton recently; I found, though, that I really didn't get on with the stainless steel strap on the Hamilton, (a pin suddenly came out of one of the links for some reason) so this morning bought a fairly sturdy leather chocolate-coloured strap for it. It feels and looks better in my opinion plus it is lighter. I have fairly skinny wrists and the Hamilton is a lot heavier than the AW but less so with this new strap.
Trouble is, I can't decide upon which wrist to wear them, lol. I'm right-handed so the left wrist is where I would normally wear a watch if I only wore one. The AW has a smaller footprint even though I have the 42mm model.
Trouble is, I can't decide upon which wrist to wear them, lol. I'm right-handed so the left wrist is where I would normally wear a watch if I only wore one. The AW has a smaller footprint even though I have the 42mm model.
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I have been wearing both my Apple Watch 2 and my Hamilton recently; I found, though, that I really didn't get on with the stainless steel strap on the Hamilton, (a pin suddenly came out of one of the links for some reason) so this morning bought a fairly sturdy leather chocolate-coloured strap for it. It feels and looks better in my opinion plus it is lighter. I have fairly skinny wrists and the Hamilton is a lot heavier than the AW but less so with this new strap.
Trouble is, I can't decide upon which wrist to wear them, lol. I'm right-handed so the left wrist is where I would normally wear a watch if I only wore one. The AW has a smaller footprint even though I have the 42mm model.
That brown leather band is absolutely sharp. Very nice.
I'm spending a lot of time with the Hamilton - I sold my Maurice Lacroix for £250 so it effectively cost me only £65. It won't replace my AW2 anytime soon but I'm wearing both together more often.
Before the Apple watch came out I had these 2 watches, sold the Raymond Weil some time ago. I love watches but have never had more than 3 at any one point. I've never really had the budget for a Rolex or Breitling or I may have bought one. Now I have the AW2, the Hamilton and a solar radio G-Shock. That will do me for some time.
Before the Apple watch came out I had these 2 watches, sold the Raymond Weil some time ago. I love watches but have never had more than 3 at any one point. I've never really had the budget for a Rolex or Breitling or I may have bought one. Now I have the AW2, the Hamilton and a solar radio G-Shock. That will do me for some time.
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