That's all I read.
A stupid decision if true. Especially for the Swatch brand which isn't what it was at one time.
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Swiss Watchmakers Rebuff Apple's Partnership and Hiring Advances
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That's all I read.
A stupid decision if true. Especially for the Swatch brand which isn't what it was at one time.
OOoOOoo...a Patek Phillippe iWatch.
Well, a guy can dream, can't he?I don't see any reason why Swatch would want to partner with Apple in making a watch. Swiss watches are renowned for their clockwork movements, not their looks.
And another thing, it would never get the Swiss Made stamp, since it would be made in China by Foxconn.
Swatch
I could be a little wrong here, but I believe that Swatch, as it stands today, is the largest worldwide manufacturer of high-end watch movements...not simply the faux fashion plastic watches of the 80s. They have bought other huge Swiss movement companies, too. They literally control who gets Swiss movements and who doesn't.
I could be a little wrong here, but I believe that Swatch, as it stands today, is the largest worldwide manufacturer of high-end watch movements...not simply the faux fashion plastic watches of the 80s. They have bought other huge Swiss movement companies, too. They literally control who gets Swiss movements and who doesn't.
You all think the watchmakers are making a mistake here?
Let's pretend the reverse happened and some new company comes to Apple and asks Apple to share it's phone-making secrets and employees.
Yeah, that sounds exactly like something Apple would agree to do!
Let's pretend the reverse happened and some new company comes to Apple and asks Apple to share it's phone-making secrets and employees.
Yeah, that sounds exactly like something Apple would agree to do!
Hmm... who's talking about replacing? I own a Baume Mercier AND a FuelBand. My brother has a Rolex and a Nike Sportwatch. My brother-in-law also has a Rolex and a Garmin running watch. I think you need to dispense with your stereotypes. A sport or smart watch is a supplement, not a substitute to a nice watch. Many people own both just as they have a nice car and a junker for winter weather.
get it
i understand the sentiment. But Swiss watches have a very specific customer. I don't think it's Swatch is unaware of the potential market, or that smart watches could be a huge category. I just think they believe it won't hurt their market whatsoever, and they don't want to share literally generations of secrets with a huge corporation who is offering nothing in return. Apple's smart watch won't affect Swatch's market share by one single watch. It's a different vibe, and both categories could flourish.
i understand the sentiment. But Swiss watches have a very specific customer. I don't think it's Swatch is unaware of the potential market, or that smart watches could be a huge category. I just think they believe it won't hurt their market whatsoever, and they don't want to share literally generations of secrets with a huge corporation who is offering nothing in return. Apple's smart watch won't affect Swatch's market share by one single watch. It's a different vibe, and both categories could flourish.
I live near Dundee, which used to have a massive plant for making Timex watches. Then everything went digital, and guess what? The plant shut down. I hate watches, but if it allows me to improve my health, I will wear an iWatch or something similar. Frankly I would never buy a Swatch.
A watch is not only something practical, it a jewel. Do you see yourself wearing a computer on your wrist? Is it a jewel? Gadgets aren't jewel, they have no value.
Even if it released, then, do you think that if 30% of people with the exact same "watch", this is still a personal jewel?
I always wore a watch (except 1 year) since I am 10 years old. Now I'm 20-25 and I received an automatic Louis Erard for my 20th Birthday.
Moreover, automatic watches doesn't need battery. Less pollution and less waste.
Even if it released, then, do you think that if 30% of people with the exact same "watch", this is still a personal jewel?
I always wore a watch (except 1 year) since I am 10 years old. Now I'm 20-25 and I received an automatic Louis Erard for my 20th Birthday.
Moreover, automatic watches doesn't need battery. Less pollution and less waste.
Not A Watch
I won't wear a watch. But I will wear a needed sensor that the iPhone won't provide. If I were diabetic/athletic, the watch would be fine. Otherwise, not needed. I don't see Apple selling many of these unless they find a real reason. I'd rather they focus on an all-electric car, buy Comcast, or something else.
I won't wear a watch. But I will wear a needed sensor that the iPhone won't provide. If I were diabetic/athletic, the watch would be fine. Otherwise, not needed. I don't see Apple selling many of these unless they find a real reason. I'd rather they focus on an all-electric car, buy Comcast, or something else.
Shows you what you assume.
Yes, Swatch Group owns some high end brands, but the majority are lower end department store brands, most of which sell for under $500, many for less than $200. But so what? When I mentioned Swatch it was the Swatch brand specifically and that brands particular quirky styling that can match Apple's. Swatch Groups other brands are very staid an un-Apple.With your logic if I discussed Seven for all Mankind jeans I'd also be talking about Wrangler jeans.
Yes, understood, but I'm assuming Apple isn't interested in Swatch's mechanical watch movements, but rather the Swatch brands styling.
Apple's product will be circuit boards and sensors inside a case. What could a traditional watch maker offer?
Yes. It is also a good PR move placing existing watch makers in a static / old school view where they are not willing to change. In a way, it demonizes them to the market Apple is targeting.
IMO, these "reaches" are just test volley with perhaps a handful worth the time if they can unlearn their existing management philosophies.
This kind of reminds me of the off and on relationship Apple has with Nike where they do a high tech product and the Nike universe is not in full support.
Whatever the iWatch becomes, it will be trailblazing and fun to write apps upon.
Or one can imagine that this was done at a very low level ('hey', I just started in Jony Ive's group.... it's really cool... we have some projects that you would be perfect for... Wanna meet for lunch?).
I send emails like that all the time... and it's not a corporate raiding party.
Apple corporate would be smart enough to buffer the queries through headhunters (at least after the collusion charges leveled against them, google, et al).
Brand name and also styling. Also, I wouldn't put past Apple to have a hybrid mechanical / electronic build with programmable watch hands via an API.
Reminds me more of Apple trying to work with handset manufacturers. Remember the rokr phone? So primitive in 2005. iPhone was magnificent. No comparison but rokr did get a carrier on board.
Does Apple have the talent in house to be able to do something as remarkable today?
005/09/07/the-motorola-rokr-e1-apple-itunes-phone/
That's the first time I have seen that iWatch concept. That is definately my favorite so far. I'd replace the band with a metal or ceramic watch band.
I hear this argument all the time. Its not about price. Its about construction, movement and heritage. If you're into watches that is. To the outsider who couldn't care less it doesn't matter but dismissing those who it matters to is just the highlight of ignorance.
Its like saying saying a $1000 wine is no different than a $20 wine. To some yes. To others no.
I wear a $30 watch and it works like a charm. But i also know there are better watches out there.
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The physical abuse and wear the outer package takes. Glass versus sapphire experience would be helpful. G-forces, temperature and moisture extremes. Upgrade cycle. Style cues.
What part of Apple talking to current watch makers and maybe trying to hire their employees makes you think they want to rebranch a mechanical watch? You do realize that for the type of watch that Apple wants to make, that Apple *IS* the expert? What they desire are skill sets that they don't current hold, like form factor and other usability things. Any business hires talent and experience if they can get it, and it has nothing to do with wanting to rebrand the same product. No single employee could possible recreate a swiss watch from memory, and more importantly Apple would have no desire to sell one.
Hummm
. I just can't figure out why any of the smart watch people would want to talk to Swatch??? Especially Apple
what expertise would a watch maker bring to the table for a computer you have on your wrist? Not like telling time is a big issue here.
Confused and wonder how valid these statements are???
Confused and wonder how valid these statements are???
Never underestimate how sponsorship money can change that. The IOC will gladly run tradition and ethics under the bus if the money is there. Omega paid to be a sponsor, so that's the name. Anyone that can outbid them when it comes up again will be the official time keeper for the length of the contract.
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Is that really Apple's history? I think they've been more than willing to work with an outside company when they didn't have the expertise in-house to do something - the big one that strikes me off the top of my head is the PowerBook 100, which Apple's Industrial Design Group designed in collaboration with Sony (and a good example of something where Apple's own previous attempt at a portable, the Macintosh Portable, was a sign they didn't think they could do it well completely in-house).
FYI, Swatch Group (which owns SWATCH, which I believe is what you're thinking of) owns Omega, Longines, Hamilton, Rado, Harry Winston, Blancpain, etc. was contacted by Apple. Not the subsidiary SWATCH which makes those colourful quartz watches. So in essence Apple was trying to poach watch makers and technicians from the likes of Omega in all likelihood and not from the $100 subsidiary SWATCH.