Swiss Watch Maker Debuts $30,800 Apple Watch Clone With Mechanical Loading Wheel

[MacRumors]

Back in 2016 when the Apple Watch was still a relatively new device, Swiss watch maker H. Moser & Cie came out with a high-end mechanical Apple Watch clone called the Swiss Alp Watch, featuring a rectangular watch face with curved, round edges, a crown at the side, and Apple Watch style lugs.

H. Moser & Cie today debuted a followup to the original Swiss Alp Watch, introducing the $30,800 Swiss Alp Watch "Final Upgrade," which the company says is the "climax to the Swiss Alp Watch saga."

Featuring the same rectangular design as the Apple Watch and the original Swiss Alp Watch, the Final Upgrade was created after an H. Moser & Cie customer suggested the design. The DLC steel case features a Vantablack dial, and for those unfamiliar with Vantablack, it is considered one of the darkest known substances, absorbing up to 99.965 percent of visible light.

Instead of a traditional seconds hand, the Final Upgrade features an Apple Watch-style loading symbol, which is of course poking fun at the Apple Watch. H. Moser plays on the theme of simplicity and "less is more" in its marketing materials.

"No updates required, no lousy autonomy, no unnecessary features, no annoying notifications, just the only reminder you ever really need: To disconnect from all the noise and cherish each and every moment," reads a description of the watch.

The loading wheel, or "shaded disc made of of openings" is meant to "serve as a reminder that the here and now is all that matters."

The Swiss Alp Watch Final Upgrade is entirely mechanical with 100% Swiss Manufacture movement and a 96 hour power reserve. H. Moser & Cie has created just 50 of the Final Upgrade watches, with more information available on the company's website.

Article Link: Swiss Watch Maker Debuts $30,800 Apple Watch Clone With Mechanical Loading Wheel

 

[richard371]

I always find mechanical watches far more interesting but not interested int this one lol.

 

[benshive]

For when you have far more money than sense or taste I guess lol

 

[ArPe]

Meh not a clone. I had a mechanical Tissot watch in the 80s with the Apple Watch shape. I think it was called Tissot Twotimer Sport Edition.

 

[myrtlebee]

Who would want something that looks like the anxiety-inducing spinning wheel / beach ball from iOS / MacOS on their watch constantly?

 

[Moonlight]

They sound like they should go out of business

 

[djcerla]

They should have made it round.

/s

 

[SethBoy]

Why would I want a watch that is always loading

 

[opeter]

I like the sarcastic look and feel of this watch. Actually it looks nice, but not for my budget/out of my league.

My good old CASIO 1301 AW-5 still going strong after more decades.

 

[btrach144]

Who would want something that looks like the anxiety-inducing spinning wheel / beach ball from iOS / MacOS on their watch constantly?

Someone who loves Android and hated iOS.

 

[jonnyb]

 

[Pangalactic]

The loading wheel, or "shaded disc made of of openings" is meant to "serve as a reminder that the here and now is all that matters."

This definitely sounds like it’s from an Apple presentation “Introducing the revolutionary beach ball of death in MacOS”

 

[Localcelebrity]

Who would want something that looks like the anxiety-inducing spinning wheel / beach ball from iOS / MacOS on their watch constantly?

Well first off, this.

But also, if this was actually strap compatible with Apple's watch bands I'd be considering it.

 

[ArPe]

Meh not a clone. I had a mechanical Tissot watch in the 80s with the Apple Watch shape. I think it was called Tissot Twotimer Sport Edition.

Man I can’t believe I found a photo of my beloved watch from the 80s

 

[Rudy69]

The same reason as the Apple Watch Edition failed this will too. People don't want to drop $30k on a smart watch because smart technology gets outdated far too fast. Mechanical watches can go for even more than that because even in 20 years they'll still be just as good

 

[GeoStructural]

Meh not a clone. I had a mechanical Tissot watch in the 80s with the Apple Watch shape. I think it was called Tissot Twotimer Sport Edition.

Exactly, Apple did not invent this shape. I had a Casio in the 1990s that looked very much like this and a Fossil around 2006 with a square-ish design and rounded corners, well before the iWatch was released.

 

[iamasmith]

Oh, so it's OK to copy design, I guess we can have all the iconic watch faces we like because clearly Apple are allowed to do that :/ (not just shape, copy of the lugs etc.)

 

[happyprozak]

Meh not a clone. I had a mechanical Tissot watch in the 80s with the Apple Watch shape. I think it was called Tissot Twotimer Sport Edition.

The Phillipe Patek 3582 is closer in design.

 

[nburwell]

My $399 Apple Watch seems like a steal compared to this 😂

 

[sunapple]

A millionaire’s prank gift to his millionaire friend.

 

[QCassidy352]

Who would want something that looks like the anxiety-inducing spinning wheel / beach ball from iOS / MacOS on their watch constantly?

Yeah just awful. No idea who would want that.

The same reason as the Apple Watch Edition failed this will too. People don't want to drop $30k on a smart watch because smart technology gets outdated far too fast. Mechanical watches can go for even more than that because even in 20 years they'll still be just as good

This is a mechanical watch.

What a bizarre product. An expensive mechanical watch made to look like a (much cheaper) smart watch while also poking fun at said smart watch. I just can’t imagine who the intended audience is for this.

 

[hot-gril]

The bottom looks cool at least.
Why a loading wheel of all things? That's irritating.

 

[t0pher]

What an absolute beauty 🥰

 

[Saludos]

Skeumorphism pro level

 

[the future]

Well first off, this.

But also, if this was actually strap compatible with Apple's watch bands I'd be considering it.

Mind = blown. That is a fantastic idea. Could Apple prevent this legally somehow, though?