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TAG Heuer Announces Smartwatch Plans as Threat From Apple Watch Looms
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I can see the advantages if you're an iPhone user like us but as 90% of smartphones run Android that leaves a whole lot of market for the rest of the watch industry to exploit.
I don't think the Apple Watch will be the roaring success some people are predicting.
It will be interesting to see how they handle the number one problem with smart watches. I imagine they will want more than a day or two of battery life but it can't happen with today's tech so they have to deal with that or wait for better tech to use.
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We agree then that the apple watch will be a smash hit.
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We agree then that the apple watch will be a smash hit.
I can't wait to see what Tag comes up with. I love their watches. Hopefully it will be something beautiful to see. Too bad it's not Apple...
Wake up. Swiss high end watches are handed down to next generations. Not disposable made in China toys obsolete after one year.
Is this going to be another Samsung Catch-Up Game?
We've seen this game since Apple started producing almost all of their products. Round Three, who's up?
We've seen this game since Apple started producing almost all of their products. Round Three, who's up?
Why would they be worried? Just because they change their mind doesn't mean there is a problem, what it likely is they under-estimated the demand for such a device and now they want a piece of the pie and they are not going to go rushing in since they have a reputation to maintain.
Good for them - at least they are not are stubborn as RIM and Microsoft laughing at the iPhone and then getting rolled over.
I don't think that high-end brands like Breitling and Rolex and the like will feel threatened in any way. Their product (despite of being also watches) is totally different from a smart watch, neither will they loose any customers to Apple. It are only those mid and low end watch makers that are/feel in the squeeze.
This. The concept of a "luxury" smartwatch makes zero sense...who the hell is going to drop a few thousand on a watch that will be technologically obsolete in a couple of years?
Why?
I don't get it. Why would you want to spend that much money on a device that would be obsolete in 5 years. Okay, I get that we do that with phones all the time and perhaps we should think of the low-end apple watch the same way, as a throw away item. As for the gold versions I'm lost. Why would anyone want to spend thousands on a watch that wouldn't last a lifetime?
I don't get it. Why would you want to spend that much money on a device that would be obsolete in 5 years. Okay, I get that we do that with phones all the time and perhaps we should think of the low-end apple watch the same way, as a throw away item. As for the gold versions I'm lost. Why would anyone want to spend thousands on a watch that wouldn't last a lifetime?
Following Apple's Watch announcement, LVMH watch chief and TAG Heuer interim chief executive Jean-Claude Biver dismissed the smart watch, saying it was "too feminine" and looked like "it was designed by a student in their first trimester." He added that smartwatches such as the Apple Watch will soon be outdated, while "luxury always has something timeless."
This reminds me of what Steve Ballmer said when the iPhone was launched:
http://youtu.be/eywi0h_Y5_U
Totally agree. Let's not forget there are still plenty of people who want a watch that looks like a WATCH, not a wrist computer.
I think there is a distinct line between swiss watchmakers and apple watch. In most of the swiss watches, everything inside remains same; its the outside that matters which may prove to be opposite in case of future generations ofwatches.
Exactly, the inside is pure mechanical for most of them, that what's making Swiss watches so famous (with the exception of some models of Breitling). Swiss watches are jewelries while the iWatch is a gadget. Can't imagine someone trading in a 10 thousand dollar Rolex for an iWatch (which every kid wears in the street).
Real watches are automatic anyhow.
Real watches aren't obsolete with the next version of hardware or software.
If Quartz didn't kill the business, neither will this.
I don't see the Apple Watch taking off and will be a niche market for them.
I'm not paying $250+ for a watch made in China.
Real watches aren't obsolete with the next version of hardware or software.
If Quartz didn't kill the business, neither will this.
I don't see the Apple Watch taking off and will be a niche market for them.
I'm not paying $250+ for a watch made in China.
Are you saying that the Apple Watch will not have an enduring quality or the smart Tag Heure will not have the endurance of their quartz/mechanical watches? Or are you saying all smart watches will be disposable after a year? I'm not clear what you mean.
My thinking (and this has been brought up before) is that the 18K gold Apple Watch will have a case that opens up and the internals are replaceable/upgradable throughout the life of the watch. Every few years you send your watch in for a $300-$500 "service" which includes upgrading the processor.
Tag really doesn't need to do much as far as design, imo of course. They have that experience licked. The software will probably be Android Wear. I hope they use the Monaco as a basis for the smartwatch. It's already square and comes in men's and women's sizes. I'm pretty sure adjusting the case to fit electronics instead of mechanicals would be the biggest challenge. Ladies watch has a more rectangular face (left), men's is primarily square.
I really have no interest in smartwatches of any ilk, but something like this would make me take a look... an earnest look. I'll probably not buy though; cost being one issue and seeing smartwatches as superfluous being another.
I really have no interest in smartwatches of any ilk, but something like this would make me take a look... an earnest look. I'll probably not buy though; cost being one issue and seeing smartwatches as superfluous being another.
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Well, it actually happend the other way around, the quartz almost killed the 'normal' winding watch, as response to this treat the Swiss watch makers came up with the self-winding watches.....and appeared to be very successful in doing so.
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hmmm, Apple is just making upgrades impossible on all other devices they produce......
I'm still trying to figure out why I'd want or need any smart watch when my phone already has most or all of those functions covered.
It's basically the same question I had regarding e-wallets: I don't mind carrying a couple of credit cards, and most of my loyalty cards are already available on the retailer's app, which the store can scan at checkout. Those that aren't can be looked up with my mobile number.
At least for me, there's no clear value proposition for smart watches and e-wallets from any vendor.
It's basically the same question I had regarding e-wallets: I don't mind carrying a couple of credit cards, and most of my loyalty cards are already available on the retailer's app, which the store can scan at checkout. Those that aren't can be looked up with my mobile number.
At least for me, there's no clear value proposition for smart watches and e-wallets from any vendor.
A high end mechanical watch is timeless, it will last you a lifetime if taken proper care of. An electronic wristband has a different purpose, and will probably need to be replaced after 2-3 years. For that very reason, only a knucklehead who has nothing better to do with their money would purchase one with a precious metal casing. We all know that there are plenty of knuckleheads on our planet, Apple certainly seems to think so.
Cant imagine any of these 24hr. lasting goofy looking smart watches ever becoming really successful. At best they will be cater to the geeks, like calculator watches once did. I dont think even Apple can manage to make a popular product out of this.