Laughing my a$$ off, how peeps are getting worked out over this. Most likely Ive never said such thing or if he did, certainly it wasn't serious. Sheeeeeesh
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Jony Ive On iWatch: Switzerland is in Trouble
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No, that's my point.... there actually isn't room for all manufacturers. Most markets eventually revolve around a few core brands, and it's especially true in tech and more so when ecosystems are involved. Just look at OS vendors and even the relatively new smartphone space.
If smart watches become indispensable (a real possibility), then I can't imagine even the super rich spending $10,000 on a "dumb" watch. Case in point, those Verdu phones... are they even around anymore? The rich can always find other ways to stand out from the crowd, like buying an Aston Martin DB9 like my neighbor, or buying $400 Chuck Taylor's from LV.
Furthermore, watch manufacturers don't have the technological know-how nor the capital to keep pace with the likes of Apple, Microsoft and Samsung. So yes, it's a very real possibility that they will soon make the endangered species list and eventually become extinct.
True, but the Prius represented fuel efficient Hybrid cars. Alot of European car companies adapted and are now making fuel efficient cars.
This to me is analogous to traditional cellphone companies adapting and making smartphones (Samsung, LG, Sony, etc). The ones that did not, perished or were marginalized.
If this is case, terms of watches, the existing watch industry may have to adapt. Likely shift from mechanical watches to smartwatches. Casio can probably do it... but I bet the Swiss makers will not have the know how to move to an electronic world, and would likely 'team-up' with electronics companies. And even so, it possible that they will be marginalized to the higher end. This isn't that bad, because that's where are today, but now their mechanical know-how and craftsmanship offers less protection from new entrants. (in the end it ended up to be more of a war of eco-systems than who makes the hardware)
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swingerofbirch
macrumors 68040
I was kind of curious about this as my first reaction was: Well why would Switzerland be worried, they have Nestle, which makes practically every snack food?
This is what Wikipedia says about their economy:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_Switzerland#Economic_sectors
But it looks like watches are actually a big dent; they make up 6.8% of their exports.
This is what Wikipedia says about their economy:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_Switzerland#Economic_sectors
But it looks like watches are actually a big dent; they make up 6.8% of their exports.
What matters is not having them, but how many in the next generation of your kids and grandkids actually buy them new compared to retiring generations. Collectable inherited timepieces do not produce Swiss revenue (except repairs).
If their pipeline of paying customers doesn't stay filled, their business will slowly die.
Because "Switzerland" (in this context) is a metaphor for "the precision watch industry", not literally the nation of Switzerland.
Second, the phrase "Switzerland is f---ed" is like boasting "my engineering is so great, it will put the Swiss to shame"... I'm sure Apple isn't looking to take out the high priced jewelry-watch industry but rather create a brand new market that will disrupt or redefine the existing watch industry.
It appears J. Ive inherited Steve Jobs extreme narcissism. It suits him well. Especially since we already know the iWhateverItIs will sell in huge quantities at any price point. Especially if it's over $400.
The makers of luxury goods understand a concept many are unaware of. It's called perceived value. The Hollywood types and millionaires expect to pay premium prices and will do so without a second thought. They're Apples target market for this new gadget. Once Apples common customer sees their hero's buying this thing, they'll want it more than ever.
Apples brilliant at separating people from their money. It's one of their core competencies. You've got to hand it to Apple, a great deal of their success is based on their ability to influence people to buy, buy, buy.
The makers of luxury goods understand a concept many are unaware of. It's called perceived value. The Hollywood types and millionaires expect to pay premium prices and will do so without a second thought. They're Apples target market for this new gadget. Once Apples common customer sees their hero's buying this thing, they'll want it more than ever.
Apples brilliant at separating people from their money. It's one of their core competencies. You've got to hand it to Apple, a great deal of their success is based on their ability to influence people to buy, buy, buy.
what a bunch of crap - first of all, "Switzerland" isn't going to be in trouble even if some of its watch making companies are seeing competition (of which they already have tons - it's not like Switzerland's the only country in the world where watches are made). Watch making, while being a tradition, is hardly one of the most important factors of our economy.
Also, I own about 10 watches - if I buy the iWatch, it'll be 11. I doubt Omega cares. People who buy expensive mechanical watches won't stop buying them because some smart a** at Apple (who probably owns a few 10+k Omegas and Rolexes himself) claims their plastic bomber is better. As far as I remember, Rolex didn't go out of business when Swatch started mass producing their cheap-a** models back in the 80s and everyone and his dog was wearing one of them.
If anyone's in trouble, it's Pebble and some other lesser-known smart watch manufacturers.
Also, I own about 10 watches - if I buy the iWatch, it'll be 11. I doubt Omega cares. People who buy expensive mechanical watches won't stop buying them because some smart a** at Apple (who probably owns a few 10+k Omegas and Rolexes himself) claims their plastic bomber is better. As far as I remember, Rolex didn't go out of business when Swatch started mass producing their cheap-a** models back in the 80s and everyone and his dog was wearing one of them.
If anyone's in trouble, it's Pebble and some other lesser-known smart watch manufacturers.
From my re-collection. The renaissance of the current high end Swiss boom started in the mid 90s during the dot-com era. I was one of the frequenters of timezone dot com which is one of the biggest watch forums. Mostly young people (myself at the time) in the 20s early 30s bought high end watches during the dot-com craze. We were buying $3-10K watch every month with dot-com money.
I'm seeing a new renaissance with Tech web 2.0 start-ups. The techy "brogrammers" are the ant-thesis of the Swiss high watch collector consumer but the Silicon Valley start-up execs are the one I see buying 10,15 Panerais in a short time these days. Just go to some of the web programmer conferences for stuff like Angular or Node.js. Brogrammers with their Blancpains, IWCs, I can definitely spot them.
My point, there will always be a market for the Swiss industry with more affluence. Just google the term, "Fuerdai" The Chinese 2nd generation are buying watches in droves. Or the Dubai teenagers in their Astons.
that may be, by it's a stupid and arrogant statement. The only thing that's in "trouble" right now are the other smart watch manufacturers.
Yeah, well, they are not. People who are serious about timepieces are not looking for something that measures vital signs, show Facebook updates and directions to the movies. The Apple brand is anything but comparable to the exclusive Swiss brands, such as Patek Philippe, Chopard, Piaget, or Audemars Piguet. I think Johny Ive's designs are way out of this league. Switzerland will be fine, thank you very much.
Adjusted for inflation, my Omega Seamaster is roughly the same as the one my Uncle got when he was 25. There's a bit of sticker shock yes, but it's worth every penny. I don't wear it every day, but it fits with everything nice that I own, which I couldn't say for most other 'fashion' watches out there.
I am 28 and I am an outlier. That said, there's a lot of guys in technology and office jobs who consider a nice watch a first 'luxury' purchase and will buy one when they have that sort of disposable income available.
I don't disagree that this will open a new market where one hasn't existed for quite some time, and that's a good thing. I do think that if it's over $200, it's going to have BIG issues in the US - $200 is the same price as an iPhone in the eyes of most consumers.
It's horribly cliche, but it's true, as long as James Bond wears a precision timepiece, boys will want precision timepieces.
Now I know how regular people feel when I talk about speakers.
I know the feeling - however, what are the alternatives? Samsung is even more embarrassing in this respect with their extreme arrogance. I like Sony, but they're not making much. HTC and Huawei are cheap china-crap to me. So in the end, you've got to pick your poison. For me, for the time being, it's Apple - be it only for the lack of alternatives.
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We're a proud little nation. Back in the day, we were good enough to treat Steve Jobs' cancer - now we're a developing country in Apple's view. While Switzerland only has around 8 million people, we used to be an Apple stronghold in Europe (3 years ago, iOS was at an 80% market share here and nowhere else on the plant was the Mac market share higher than here). Apple has fessed that up - we used to get new products on launch day, for example, now we get them months later, together with some banana republics. People are getting a bit tired of that - and Ive's arrogant little remarks don't really help.
Does it matter overall? I guess not - people will move on and buy Android devices and Windows desktops just like everywhere else. Is it a pity? I think so.
Oh dear, you make me feel guilty for not wearing my Omega, a gift from my uncle in Zurich back in the early 90s.
I would brag if I have a Patek Phillipe. Omega, not so much
People in this thread are leaping to defend Swiss watches so aggressively. It's like they're the Barenaked Ladies or something.
EXACTLY!!!
The people spouting off have no idea what has been built. Ffs, Jony is a DESIGNER.... He has been seen most recently sporting a $350,000 Jaeger-LeCoultre watch. Umm, I think there's a chance he just might understand people's affinity for beautiful & handsomely crafted timepieces. Maybe.... just maybe (wait for it...) Apple is going to use their patent idea for a removable watch piece from the sensors on watch band & we will all ONLY replace our screen part of our watches every year or two, but keep our same sensors & bands. Maybe we will be able to buy a $100,000 band (or a $5 one; whatever tickles our fancy) and use it year after year, only changing the face.
THEN would you Rolex snobs be willing to buy one?????
Well, i have two Swiss watches and both have some historical meaning. I am not wearing them all the time. In contrary - I often wear a Casio.
From Apple I wish more for a sports watch then a luxury watch. One that I can use during running or biking or working in the garden.
From Apple I wish more for a sports watch then a luxury watch. One that I can use during running or biking or working in the garden.
I'd have to disagree - the Seamaster has almost doubled in price in the last 3 years alone.