TAG Heuer Sales Director Patrick Pruniaux Joins Apple in Run-Up to iWatch Launch [Updated]

[tonyy]

If there are some who wouldn’t mind dropping thousands of dollars on a quality timepiece that does nothing more than tell the time, then there is definitely a market for those who are willing to fork over that much cash for a watch that does a bit more.


http://www.gsmarena.com/apple_enlists_vp_of_tag_heuer_for_iwatch_marketing-news-8954.php

Ummm, you still do not get it after countless posts responding to you. Do you read them?

They do MORE than tell the time. It's about quality, craftsmanship, heritage, etc.

And please don't tell me Apple's iWatch has craftsmanship, history, and quality. Yes, their designs are better than others but it in the end, it's still a mass produced gadget in a Chinese factory.

No one is saying there isn't a market for it, FYI. But please don't underestimate the value of high end mechanical watches.

 

[Serban]

There are still perhaps around 100,000 hand-made watches that require expert watchmakers many hours (sometimes a whole year's worth of work for one person) to complete.

Once again, you don't understand what watch market.
You have a Boss watch.

Boss is an digital watch ?or i don"t understand your point. Longines and most of rolex are not made manual. You are so childish and when your life is a watch there is not many thing to say. With obses people you can't talk

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Ummm, you still do not get it after countless posts responding to you. Do you read them?

They do MORE than tell the time. It's about quality, craftsmanship, heritage, etc.

And please don't tell me Apple's iWatch has craftsmanship, history, and quality. Yes, their designs are better than others but it in the end, it's still a mass produced gadget in a Chinese factory.

No one is saying there isn't a market for it, FYI. But please don't underestimate the value of high end mechanical watches.

I just saying that watch brands are based on sales so mankind decide if they still 20 years from now just a time tell because the manufactering of an iwatch or rolex smartwatch will grow because man like you and me who apreciate a rolex will be gone. Look on rich kids nowdays what they want

 

[cdmoore74]

No way it's massively priced. Wearables are a nascent market, and Apples not going to charge too high of a price for something it's going to have to convince people to buy. It'll probably be stuffed with sensors, but still ultimately much cheaper than an unsubsidized iPhone (probably no camera, little storage, slower processor, etc).

I'd guess $299-499. Current offerings from Lg and Samsung are $200-$300 and far from compelling (I.e. No downward pressure on price). Once you get to $500+ people will think why they're not just spending the money on a new iPhone/iPad. I could see this in 2-3 years becoming the new iPod, the low-hundreds of dollars portable thing that makes for a really nice Christmas gift and comes in different colors, sizes, etc.

Anything over $250 is expensive for me when you can just take out your phone. A smartwatch sounds nice and all but it's not a requirement. I'm still relatively young not to need any of these rumored sensors. If the price is right I will buy one. People just don't have $300 to $500 to throw around.

 

[DrJohnnyN]

Anything over $250 is expensive for me when you can just take out your phone. A smartwatch sounds nice and all but it's not a requirement. I'm still relatively young not to need any of these rumored sensors. If the price is right I will buy one. People just don't have $300 to $500 to throw around.

What's the right price?

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I hope so. I like a little bit of exclusivity, especially when it comes to watches.

Ha. You said it. I wouldn't mind paying $10K.
Won't happen though.

 

[nando87]

Boss is an digital watch ?or i don"t understand your point. Longines and most of rolex are not made manual. You are so childish and when your life is a watch there is not many thing to say. With obses people you can't talk

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I just saying that watch brands are based on sales so mankind decide if they still 20 years from now just a time tell because the manufactering of an iwatch or rolex smartwatch will grow because man like you and me who apreciate a rolex will be gone. Look on rich kids nowdays what they want

You are the kind of illuminated that would have thought that artistic painting will die when the photo camera was invented lol.

BTW rich kids without particular interests use to like high end everything. Cars, watches, clothes... they only have to fit their style. I don't buy the "young generations, people under 30... don't buy watches anymore" premise because if you go to the monaco GP, ibiza in summer and so on you see a lot of people of my age (26) and much younger wearing nice timepieces. If they only can afford a cheap watch and they are not watch aficionados then maybe they won't use watches, but if they can of course they (we) use to like it. Of course not everyone is an authentic enthusiast, but even so they still like nice watches.

 

[SHNXX]

You are the kind of illuminated that would have thought that artistic painting will die when the photo camera was invented lol

Or that horses will become extinct when cars were invented.
Or that rocks will disappear when metals were discovered.

Man this guy is among the most ill informed internet posters I've ever seen on a forum. Lol

 

[cdmoore74]

What's the right price?

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Ha. You said it. I wouldn't mind paying $10K.
Won't happen though.

I personally would pay only $200. Anything more is a waste. I would rather put that type of money against increased storage and a case for my next device.

 

[Serban]

You are the kind of illuminated that would have thought that artistic painting will die when the photo camera was invented lol.

BTW rich kids without particular interests use to like high end everything. Cars, watches, clothes... they only have to fit their style. I don't buy the "young generations, people under 30... don't buy watches anymore" premise because if you go to the monaco GP, ibiza in summer and so on you see a lot of people of my age (26) and much younger wearing nice timepieces. If they only can afford a cheap watch and they are not watch aficionados then maybe they won't use watches, but if they can of course they (we) use to like it. Of course not everyone is an authentic enthusiast, but even so they still like nice watches.

Once a year i go to Monaco and your statement isn't true. Rich kids like high dressing brands and exclusive cars..not so much on the hand.I mean 1 of 10 kids has an Rolex or Zenith...but 10 years ago i've seen 7 of 10

If 100 years ago if in England had let's say a total of 1000 people that love and buy luxury watch, NOW in 2014 i think there are 10 of that 1000. Don't take it literally. So time move on and people will no longer buy luxury watch just for craft and quality

And i make it clear, i'm a perfectionist person who like and live for perfection. My work is my reflection of my believes. So i love luxury watch, but with time i am afraid that business will fall if they don't make some changes

 

[DrJohnnyN]

Originally Posted by nando87
Luxury watches evolve, of course. But they evolve in their own way, if you want to summarize: materials, design, and machining or fabrication methods. New materials for both exterior (case and strap) and movement's parts, and new designs for both exterior and movements, increasing its complications or other attributes taking advantage of the aforementioned new materials and machining/fabrication methods.

But a high end timepiece can't get obsolete, like the iwatch will. Why? Because, objectively, they are obsolete since decades ago if you consider them just time measuring devices, since you can have a gadget which tells you the time more accurately for 5USD. The fact they tell you the time is not their main merit: they are art, their main purpose if you ask me is making you feel good, having that romantic mechanical nature, it's its own kind of beauty. There are a lot of designs because you have to feel identified with your watch's personality, and it has to convey that X feeling to you. It's a very personal choice and you have to feel its charm, and it can be that way, among other reasons, because it's not mainstream.

I just can't explain it better.

My everyday watch (Breitling Emergency) could save my life. Seriously.

http://www.watch-wiki.net/index.php?title=Breitling_Emergency

I had to sign an agreement acknowledging if I accidently set off the transmitter in a non-emergent situation that I would be fined $100,000 by the Federal Aviation Administration.

 

[Serban]

My everyday watch (Breitling Emergency) could save my life. Seriously.

http://www.watch-wiki.net/index.php?title=Breitling_Emergency

Nice, i would say this is a more functional watch than the others
So we already have a luxury smartwatch, and thats a luxury, a high end product that can save your life is an luxury that many don't have

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A product that can save you in time from cancer is an luxury product, so doesn't need a price

 

[nando87]

Once a year i go to Monaco and your statement isn't true. Rich kids like high dressing brands and exclusive cars..not so much on the hand.I mean 1 of 10 kids has an Rolex or Zenith...but 10 years ago i've seen 7 of 10

If 100 years ago if in England had let's say a total of 1000 people that love and buy luxury watch, NOW in 2014 i think there are 10 of that 1000. Don't take it literally. So time move on and people will no longer buy luxury watch just for craft and quality

And i make it clear, i'm a perfectionist person who like and live for perfection. My work is my reflection of my believes. So i love luxury watch, but with time i am afraid that business will fall if they don't make some changes

Ok, I say one thing and you the opposite. I won't argue with you anymore, this is getting very tedious.

 

[Serban]

Ok, I say one thing and you the opposite. I won't argue with you anymore, this is getting very tedious.

On topic, i say for Apple isn't hard to buy and copy like others do the process for building a high end material watch.
They have money,people,and can buy a lot of watches and tear them apart and learn the process

 

[tonyy]

And i make it clear, i'm a perfectionist person who like and live for perfection. My work is my reflection of my believes. So i love luxury watch, but with time i am afraid that business will fall if they don't make some changes

I work in the high end watch industry - a watchmaker to be exact. The Swiss can be stubborn if not confident people. Patek, Lange, JLC, and the likes won't change just to keep up with what's going on in the technology industry.

They'll do what they want and how they want to. You'll see changes in the lines to keep up with fashion and whatnot, but I highly doubt we'll see any of them adding any sort of electronics into their watches.

They've been doing the same thing for a long time and will continue to flourish without incorporating digital displays and health functions.

 

[Serban]

I work in the high end watch industry - a watchmaker to be exact. The Swiss can be stubborn if not confident people. Patek, Lange, JLC, and the likes won't change just to keep up with what's going on in the technology industry.

They'll do what they want and how they want to. You'll see changes in the lines to keep up with fashion and whatnot, but I highly doubt we'll see any of them adding any sort of electronics into their watches.

They've been doing the same thing for a long time and will continue to flourish without incorporating digital displays and health functions.

Some one post already, we have a more functional luxury watch
http://www.watch-wiki.net/index.php?title=Breitling_Emergency

Any of watch companies are based on sales so if in 10 years will no longer have people interesting to buy from you, what will happen with the company ?

 

[tonyy]

Some one post already, we have a more functional luxury watch
http://www.watch-wiki.net/index.php?title=Breitling_Emergency

Any of watch companies are based on sales so if in 10 years will no longer have people interesting to buy from you, what will happen with the company ?

The Breitling emergency is a special kind of watch for certain occupations/conditions. Do you think someone would wear their Emergency to the office other than for a cool factor? It's not a practical watch and not what I call a luxurious watch.

And I don't know what you said in the second part but Patek and Lange have been around since the 1800s. They'll be fine.

 

[Serban]

The Breitling emergency is a special kind of watch for certain occupations/conditions. Do you think someone would wear their Emergency to the office other than for a cool factor? It's not a practical watch and not what I call a luxurious watch.

And I don't know what you said in the second part but Patek and Lange have been around since the 1800s. They'll be fine.

Yes but until now from Jesus Christ we didn't live in such an digital age. This technology practically exploded now and everybody are drown by it

 

[SHNXX]

Lol Breitling emergency.

That is a watch I do not want

 

[gyang333]

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[/COLOR]A product that can save you in time from cancer is an luxury product, so doesn't need a price

So a colonoscopy or proctologist are luxury items by your definition?

 

[Limboistik]

Some of you are completely missing the point.

There is ONE spot on a person to wear a watch. No one is going to wear two watches.

Yes, you can argue that there will always be a market for high-end luxury watches.

But, there is also the possibility that if the iWatch proves to be such an essential accessory like the iPhone, it may have more reason to occupy that ONE space on your wrist. Thus, taking away the timeshare of luxury watches on the wearer's wrist.

It's the concept of convenience and practicality vs vanity and pure fashion.

There may be situations more suited for one or the other, but you are willfully ignorant if you don't think the iWatch won't in some way be competing with the high-end watch segment.

 

[tonyy]

Some of you are completely missing the point.

There is ONE spot on a person to wear a watch. No one is going to wear two watches.

Yes, you can argue that there will always be a market for high-end luxury watches.

But, there is also the possibility that if the iWatch proves to be such an essential accessory like the iPhone, it may have more reason to occupy that ONE space on your wrist. Thus, taking away the timeshare of luxury watches on the wearer's wrist.

It's the concept of convenience and practicality vs vanity and pure fashion.

There may be situations more suited for one or the other, but you are willfully ignorant if you don't think the iWatch won't in some way be competing with the high-end watch segment.

No one here has said the iWatch won't compete in the watch segment. In fact, I know for sure it will in the low end segment. For example, Tag, Tissot, Hamilton, etc. will get their sales taken by the iWatch. Those are not high end watches FYI.

Those that can afford $5k+ watches aren't simply going to unload them and wear the iWatch only. Like said before, it can be an addition but really in no way affect "true" high end watches. This is the point that's trying to be made.

 

[Crzyrio]

Implying that no engineering time went into the iPod because it's simply a "stripped down iPhone" is preposterous.

Here, here's an iPhone. Go ahead and "strip that down" and make an iPod touch for me...

I never said no engineering time. I said LESS engineering time was put into it when compared to the iPhone.

 

[PocketSand11]

45mm. Same as the Classic Fusion original.

That's amazing! This forum needs a "drool" emoticon. I'd use it now for your watch and later when the retina iMac is released.

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Some of you are completely missing the point.

There is ONE spot on a person to wear a watch. No one is going to wear two watches.

It'll compete in some way, but I hardly know anyone who owns only one watch. If you have at least one, you're probably a bit of a collector even if none of your watches are expensive. I've got my inexpensive waterproof digital Casio for utility and a couple of nicer watches for fun/dress, and my brother's got his two 80s Casio calculator watches

My main concern is that this iWatch could end up being nearly useless. The only rumors I've seen have been about geeky health apps that do things like charting your heart rate. I want to see something so cool that I'd spend whatever high price Apple will charge for it.

 

[peterdevries]

Boss is an digital watch ?or i don"t understand your point. Longines and most of rolex are not made manual. You are so childish and when your life is a watch there is not many thing to say. With obses people you can't talk

All Rolex watches are made manually my friend. And most BOSS watches have quartz movements (not all though). It is by now very clear that you have no idea what you are talking about.

Please stop, you are only making it worse for yourself. There is no one here that takes you seriously and that will have an effect on other discussions you will have on this board. You are bound to end up on a lot of ignore lists.

 

[Tech198]

I would actually say the iWatch (when available), will NOT overtake all other classy style watches.

Some people may not need all those sensors and heath stuff. There is always going to be a market for that. Maybe in the US, but defiantly not outside to the extent every since person will have an iWatch...

It's just not going to be that big... Yes, more and more are switching to Apple products outside the US, but no where near the number of people that have all sorts of technology living is the US...

The market is allot better outside (And I have to say thanks for that). The last thing in the world i would wanna see if every since person, regardless of location, slaved to technology, iWatches to help us do stuff, and fail, smart-phones and smart-houses. While its all big now, i definatly am not putting myself on the line where i don't need to get up anymore for *Anything*, why should we when technology can do it for us.

That may work fine for some people, not for me, because when it breaks, guess who will be the ones with their life on the line ...

 

[donnaw]

Been reading all the posts back and forth re: high end watch market vs iWatch. I have to put in one thing, people who buy high end watches fork over big bucks for many reasons. But the major reason even the rich are willing to pay the $$$ s that these watches are an investment. They hold their value and usually go up in value over the years. Much like good jewelry they are immune to fluctuations in the economy. One reason for this is because their production volumes are strictly limited. The same way high end cars are limited productions. The fewer made, the higher the price. These are timepieces that are handed down to generation after generation, each year going up in value. They are well-engineered, beautifully made and purposely scarce.

No matter how well the iWatch is made, no matter what Apple prices it at, no matter anything, it will be mass-produced. There will be millions made. It will in no way impact the high end watch market and it's not meant to. Ten years from now (even 3-5 for that matter) the watch will lose much of it's initial value and won't go up in value. Simply won't happen for the simple reason that there will be so many produced.

Add to that the fact that the tech will be outdated in 2 years at most, the only perceived value an iWatch will have is if it's in unopened, original packaging and then maybe, maybe, some collector with want it. Otherwise it will be just another 'throw-away' electronic device. And to be honest, that's exactly what Apple wants, a throw-away device that you will toss in favor of a newer, shinier model.

It has nothing to do with what the 'newer' generations think. Dispite what people think, most aren't stupid and people who have the means to purchase expensive items certainly aren't. Investments are investments. An iWatch will not be an investment. It will be a commodity. To be used up and tossed. Just like any other tech device.