The Apple Watch Launched Four Years Ago Today

[kis]

Rolex aren’t really trying to sell more watches than any other watch maker as they are a luxury brand and have never mass produced to the scale of Casio or Seiko for example.

A person making a significant investment by purchasing a Rolex is unlikely to be directly comparing it to an Apple Watch too. It’s a totally different beast and I’d never compare my disposable gadget to my Swiss masterpiece lol.

That’s also one of the reasons why Apple has been selling a lot of watches - while mechanical watches last for decades, Apple Watches are junk after 2-3 years. So people replace them far more frequently. Which doesn’t mean that the overall market share is increasing much.

And yeah: Rolex watches are most definitely mass produced. And they’re not in the luxury segment either. They’re upper middle class watches. The luxury segment is where Patek is. Rolex owners who actually believe they’re wearing a luxury watch have zero clue about the Swiss watch industry. Rolex certainly makes some luxury models, but unless yours is a white gold GMT Master or the like, it probably isn’t a luxury watch.

I like my Rolex and Tudor collection a lot but I have absolutely no illusions that there are a lot more Submariners on people’s wrists than Apple Watches.

 

[kis]

The Apple Watch has had a severe impact on sales of traditional watches under $1,000. It's not as big an impact as what the quartz movement had, but it's still significant.

It may have had an impact, but certainly not the one Apple had envisioned and that lots of people here seem to claim. Sub-1000$ watches have seen rise in exports of over 8% since the last quarter and are expected to hit 15% by the end of this year. The Apple Watch (and other smart watches) led to a brief decrease (5%) in domestic sales, but that, too, has been reversed by now. The fact is: mechanical watches in Apple’s price segment are selling better now than they have in almost a decade.

I’m guessing the only segment that’s actually been taking a beating from the Apple Watch is the quartz industry, which is completely unimportant in Switzerland. Apple’s probably killing Casio and Citizen and that’s about it.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

That’s also one of the reasons why Apple has been selling a lot of watches - while mechanical watches last for decades, Apple Watches are junk after 2-3 years. So people replace them far more frequently. Which doesn’t mean that the overall market share is increasing much.

And yeah: Rolex watches are most definitely mass produced. And they’re not in the luxury segment either. They’re upper middle class watches. The luxury segment is where Patek is. Rolex owners who actually believe they’re wearing a luxury watch have zero clue about the Swiss watch industry. Rolex certainly makes some luxury models, but unless yours is a white gold GMT Master or the like, it probably isn’t a luxury watch.

I like my Rolex and Tudor collection a lot but I have absolutely no illusions that there are a lot more Submariners on people’s wrists than Apple Watches.

Don’t worry, I need no education on my watch collection thanks.

 

[PickUrPoison]

Sorry to multi-quote, but I'm so happy that there's lots of us Series 0 users still going strong! Bought mine on day of release and still really happy with it.

I was also struck by how many posters are still on the S0. Like iPhone, iPad and AirPods (personally I’d also include HomePod despite current Siri shortcomings), it really demonstrates just how good Apple is at nailing a product when they enter a category. Of course successive generations will be more refined—Apple is well known for iterative improvements—but the first gen model is still worth getting.

 

[Gogeta-Blue]

Genuinely the most redundant comment I’ve seen in a while.

yes that was until you beat me for the title when you wrote that comment


at least I was giving my opinion about the topic
yes I didn't agreed with the users but I didn't made a personal attack

if you don't agree with something that is fine but you are the one making the "redundant comment"

I respect who ever likes the AW and is not my intention to make them feel bad in anyway
if I say that I don't like the watch, maybe is not that I don't like it
but more like I don't need it

if I need to know what time it is , I can simply look at my iPhone or buy a regular non smart watch
I also understand that many people use the AW for fitness and health

like a said I don't need the AW
but why people wants to forced others to like, buy or use something

same way I respect those that like, need or use the watch
they have to also respect my opinion because I'm not attacking them just by saying that I don't have any use for the watch

so why make things personal? but some devices owners always act that way
I never said that the watch is garbage, yes it look cool
but I don't buy thing just because they look cool , I buy them because I need them

I hope you don't find this on topic comment "redundant"

 

[DeNachtwacht]

That’s what the Apple fan community have been saying for years now and the exact opposite has happened. The “functionality” the Apple Watch is offering over “plain time watches” is not something most people seem to want though - otherwise the mechanical watch industry wouldn’t have entered one of the biggest growth rates in history now .

Not false, but not the whole story. As early as 2016 more smartwatches than Swiss watches were shipped. Since then, sales of the Apple Watch have only grown, especially after the launch of the AW4. The series 4 is, because of both software and hardware improvements, the first full-grown smartwatch in my opinion. Only since series 4, heart rate monitoring is backed by (Stanford) science and keeps getting more serious. Add the rumors of plans of blood pressure, blood glucose and skin temperature measurement, and smartwatches keep getting a more serious threat for mechanical watches in the years ahead. It’s only just starting...

 

[Shanghaichica]

I was also struck by how many posters are still on the S0. Like iPhone, iPad and AirPods (personally I’d also include HomePod despite current Siri shortcomings), it really demonstrates just how good Apple is at nailing a product when they enter a category. Of course successive generations will be more refined—Apple is well known for iterative improvements—but the first gen model is still worth getting.

Apple products are generally built to last. The battery life on my series 0 had degraded too much by the time I upgraded to the S3. However for all the things I needed it for, notifications, calls, Apple Pay, fitness tracking, alarms, reminders etc it still worked really well. If not for the battery it was still doing its job.

 

[yegon]

yes that was until you beat me for the title when you wrote that comment


at least I was giving my opinion about the topic
yes I didn't agreed with the users but I didn't made a personal attack

if you don't agree with something that is fine but you are the one making the "redundant comment"

I respect who ever likes the AW and is not my intention to make them feel bad in anyway
if I say that I don't like the watch, maybe is not that I don't like it
but more like I don't need it

if I need to know what time it is , I can simply look at my iPhone or buy a regular non smart watch
I also understand that many people use the AW for fitness and health

like a said I don't need the AW
but why people wants to forced others to like, buy or use something

same way I respect those that like, need or use the watch
they have to also respect my opinion because I'm not attacking them just by saying that I don't have any use for the watch

so why make things personal? but some devices owners always act that way
I never said that the watch is garbage, yes it look cool
but I don't buy thing just because they look cool , I buy them because I need them

I hope you don't find this on topic comment "redundant"

In no way was it a personal attack.

Merely that you could apply the “millions disagree” statement to virtually everything, so it’s hardly worth saying.

As for the Apple Watch, it’s something I use, and like, at the gym. The rest of the time I wear my mechanical watch, I don’t foresee that ever changing.

 

[erasr]

Yeah and it was approx £400. A £400 watch for me historically would be a huge treat, a luxury watch, a lifetime watch...

My £400 series 1 is now too slow to use. It’s dying.

That concept itself is outrageous. When on earth did it become normal to keep buying a £400 watch every few years?!

Why is it now slow? I do nothing different on it. We’re all being conned by unbelievably good marketing!

 

[PickUrPoison]

And where did you get that from? Apple has had declining market shares in all of Europe (where the iPhone has never been as strong as Android) and Asia, especially China. The only place where they’ve been holding on and even growing market share is the US.

I got that straight from my head, because I’ve been reading Apple financials for many years and I know that to be a fact. I’m not sure why you’re dragging Android phones into this, I was clearly comparing Apple sales in the Americas vs. Apple’s sales in the rest of the world.

Statista 2019

 

[smoking monkey]

(Personally) still cant see a use for it. If you're in to fitness tracking it's obviously a no brainer, but take that away and theres just nothing there that makes it worth paying for over just, ya know....looking at the phone you've got in your pocket.

Perhaps not for you...
But for me it's been massive. Having payments, train/bus passes, boarding passes, music/podcasts, phone calls, texts on my wrist has been extremely useful.

 

[Brandhouse]

My Series 0 is still running like a champ with barely a scratch on it. I'll stay with it until we get heart monitoring in OZ.
[doublepost=1556238799][/doublepost]

Apple Watches are junk after 2-3 years. So people replace them far more frequently.

Really?

 

[ipponrg]

And because economist’ laws also apply here: prices will drop.

The economist laws seem to be wrong. Prices have gone up for all the mid tier brands.

 

[Tiger8]

Wasn’t it going to be a huge fail?

It wasn't a mega hit either, especially the 'higher end' which was supposed to make Swiss Watch makers nervous.

Apple thankfully were taught a lesson and stuck to cheaper material versions. Not many will shell $17,000 for an Apple Watch, not even serious Watch collectors

 

[DeNachtwacht]

The economist laws seem to be wrong. Prices have gone up for all the mid tier brands.

Well another economist’ law for you then.

“What happened in the past, does not predict the future.”

We can keep arguing about this, but we’ll just have to wait and see what the future brings.

 

[PickUrPoison]

It wasn't a mega hit either, especially the 'higher end' which was supposed to make Swiss Watch makers nervous.

Apple thankfully were taught a lesson and stuck to cheaper material versions. Not many will shell $17,000 for an Apple Watch, not even serious Watch collectors

It’s actually a pretty big hit. If it does the 30-35 million units estimated for 2019, that’s upwards of $15 billion a year. It only takes $30 billion in revenue to make it a Fortune 100 company all by itself.

btw the 18K Apple Watch Edition was mostly for giveaways to celebrities and “influencers” for PR value. It worked amazingly well—that story was everywhere. The watch had a very successful launch and there are rumors that Apple even sold $25 million or so additional of the Edition. Apple knows how the make a splash, and that promo was worth thousands of times it’s weight in gold. You couldn’t buy that publicity. Apple taught a lesson all right—to those open to learning it.

 

[haddy]

My Series 0 is still running like a champ with barely a scratch on it. I'll stay with it until we get heart monitoring in OZ.
[doublepost=1556238799][/doublepost]

Just nip over to LA and buy your AW S4 there and you'll be sweet

 

[StephanieMedlock]

Wooow! I never used an Apple watch but it must be really good.

 

[Tiger8]

It’s actually a pretty big hit. If it does the 30-35 million units estimated for 2019, that’s upwards of $15 billion a year. It only takes $30 billion in revenue to make it a Fortune 100 company all by itself.

btw the 18K Apple Watch Edition was mostly for giveaways to celebrities and “influencers” for PR value. It worked amazingly well—that story was everywhere. The watch had a very successful launch and there are rumors that Apple even sold $25 million or so additional of the Edition. Apple knows how the make a splash, and that promo was worth thousands of times it’s weight in gold. You couldn’t buy that publicity. Apple taught a lesson all right—to those open to learning it.

You raise good points, thank you.

 

[ipponrg]

Well another economist’ law for you then.

“What happened in the past, does not predict the future.”

We can keep arguing about this, but we’ll just have to wait and see what the future brings.

Economist law is wrong again. You also left off present in your quote.

Examples: global warming, the fall of Blackberry, inflation

If you believe in such a naive thought that the future is completely random, please step outside and exercise your mind a little

 

[Stiss]

My Series 0 is still running like a champ with barely a scratch on it. I'll stay with it until we get heart monitoring in OZ.

I had a S0 SS model and when polished it was scrubbed up well. The screen is flawless.
I can't say the same about my S4 SS, the screen has a series of annoying surface scratches. Either the crystal used is inferior or it's the oleophobic coating but either way its annoying and never happened on my S0.

 

[TTTedP]

Would you recommend upgrading from S2 to S4? My S2 is in great condition but some of the apps are so slow or they crash a lot. I went for a run with NRC and it hadn’t recorded half of my run and was so slow.

yes, S4 is a big improvement

 

[DoctorTech]

They are all valid points, thank you. I’m ok with the design etc but it’s the speed that I struggle with. Going for a 4 mile run only for it to only record 2 miles and then struggle with an app because the processor is so slow is a pain. I usually stop running at the end of my street so I can warm down properly. I was trying to pause and then stop my workout but it wouldn’t let me at all and by the time I managed to I had been stood in my kitchen for 2 minutes haha

The S4 would definitely take care of the sluggishness you are describing. The S2 was a big improvement over the original Watch but there was still a noticeable delay when you launched an app. With the S4, it is much more like launching an app on a new iPhone, the delay is usually so brief as to be imperceptible. Everything is faster from launching apps to scrolling to playing music. The ONLY thing I have ever had an issue with on my S4 is sometimes using Siri is very slow. I don't know for sure but I think it is the cellular network that is causing the delay instead of the watch itself. Regardless, I pre-ordered my S4 and have worn it daily since I received it and I have been VERY happy with mine.

One last thought - as a runner you might want to check out RoadID.com They sell a small, engraved metal plate that fits nicely on an Watch band. The plate is engraved with your name and the name & cell phone number of your emergency contact(s). There is also a phone number and web address on the front of the plate (visible to a first responder should you have an emergency while out running). On the back of the plate (visible only if your watch is removed) is a User ID & access code so a first responder can call or log into your account and get all your vital medical information (medications, medical conditions, allergies, implanted medical devices, etc.). My brother credits his Road ID for saving his life when he was hit by a car while cycling and woke up hours later in a hospital.

 

[djalice]

I have the original AW and still love it! I hadn't worn a watch for 30+ years until my mate bought me one for my birthday. It's never been off my wrist. Notifications alone would be worth it alone for me. All my devices are silent now as I just get a tap on the wrist. Silence is Golden! Add the fitness, ApplePay on public transport and all the complications and it is near essential to me now. Can't wait to upgrade to the Series 4 or 5!

 

[kis]

I got that straight from my head, because I’ve been reading Apple financials for many years and I know that to be a fact. I’m not sure why you’re dragging Android phones into this, I was clearly comparing Apple sales in the Americas vs. Apple’s sales in the rest of the world.


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Statista 2019

You do know that these numbers confirm exactly what I’ve been saying, right? It’s also interesting that you seem to have numbers for Q1 2019. Apple hasn’t been releasing figures since Q4 2018. Revenue figures don’t always coincide with sales figures either. Take Europe for example: the dramatic price increases Apple has been making here over the last year will temporarily push revenue figures - but that’s not a lasting process. And Apple knows exactly why they’re not releasing sales figures anymore.