Swiss watch industry headed for an 'ice age' thanks to Apple Watch, Swatch inventor says

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  • Reply 101 of 146
    foggyhillfoggyhill Posts: 4,767member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Relic View Post

     

    Do you really think if smart watches took off, I mean really took off that the likes of Omega or Rolex wouldn't accomadate their customers with a smart watch of their own. As there is nothing but assumptions at this point I think it would be smart to sit back and wait a little. Personally I still don't think these smart watches are ready for prime time but If I were to by one, it would be one of these https://kairoswatches.com/ which is, hey what do you know a Swiss watch and a whole lot nicer looking than what the likes of Samsung, Apple, LG or Asus have come up with thus far.


     

     

    Well, this brick of a watch (50%+ bigger volume than the biggest Apple watch, 80% bigger than the smallest one)  with a crap OS on it.

    When it has 50K developers creating app for it, has 1/10 the functionality, and sells for $350. Well, then I'll applaud i

    For now, bot... I'll pass.

     

    BTW, if you think any woman on earth with wear a 46mm, 16.5mm thick watch, you're out of your mind.

    The average male watch is 42mm * 11mm, so even by that measure it is a monstrosity.

  • Reply 102 of 146
    foggyhillfoggyhill Posts: 4,767member
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by sog35 View Post

     
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by dasanman69 View Post







    All we need is one major power outage for the rotary phone to gain relevance.

     




    We are one oil shortage away from horse and buggy being relevant. I mean seriously.

     

    What use the buggies, by then, the end of the world.. We'll have eaten all the horses anyway ;-).

  • Reply 103 of 146
    foggyhillfoggyhill Posts: 4,767member
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by dasanman69 View Post





    There's plenty of 19th century tech that you use daily. The toilet bowl for one. image

     

    Current bowls use 1/10 the water, some do stool analysis, they're not the same... If you go to Japan, you see what Toilet bowls should really be like. Man, they love their toilets there.

  • Reply 104 of 146
    dasanman69dasanman69 Posts: 13,002member
    sog35 wrote: »
    <div class="quote-container" data-huddler-embed="/t/185171/swiss-watch-industry-headed-for-an-ice-age-thanks-to-apple-watch-swatch-inventor-says/80#post_2690357" data-huddler-embed-placeholder="false"><span>Quote:</span><div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>dasanman69</strong> <a href="/t/185171/swiss-watch-industry-headed-for-an-ice-age-thanks-to-apple-watch-swatch-inventor-says/80#post_2690357"><img src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" class="inlineimg" alt="View Post"/></a><br/><br/><br />
    All we need is one major power outage for the rotary phone to gain relevance.</div></div><p> </p>

    We are one oil shortage away from horse and buggy being relevant. I mean seriously.

    Which one is more likely to happen? Currently we have so much oil that there's no place to put it.
  • Reply 105 of 146
    dasanman69dasanman69 Posts: 13,002member
    foggyhill wrote: »
    Current bowls use 1/10 the water, some do stool analysis, they're not the same... If you go to Japan, you see what Toilet bowls should really be like. Man, they love their toilets there.

    It still works off the same principle idea.
  • Reply 106 of 146
    dasanman69dasanman69 Posts: 13,002member
    sog35 wrote: »
    he probably lives in a 19th century house.  Not that's a bad thing. I love old houses myself

    Early 20th century which is when most of the houses in NYC were built.
  • Reply 107 of 146

    If Apple wants to really gain traction in the watch/smartwatch category they will have to have more than one design.

     

    A watch isn't just a piece of tech... it's a fashion statement. Not everyone will want what the next person is wearing. You can have all the bands you want but, if the watch is the same then people will look elsewhere for a different design.

  • Reply 108 of 146
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by sog35 View Post

     

    You are basing your statement on the old watch industry.

     

    Welcome to a new era.


     

    I'm basing it on the jewellery industry... which is one of the oldest in the world.

  • Reply 109 of 146
    radarthekatradarthekat Posts: 3,842moderator
    sflocal wrote: »

    This is a stupid statement.  Exactly what are the watchmakers supposed to do?  They make a completely different product than Apple's watch.  They have zero in-house software/ecosystem capabilities.  They sell a product that does one thing, tell time.... okay two if I include style/prestige.


    What does Mock want?  Rolex can't create a watch OS, so in theory, they'd probably have to use that piece-of-sh!t Android OS which will really put some brown skid-marks on their brand.


    I think Apple will take a sizable chunk out of the watch market in the next couple years.  I highly doubt that it will take away from the very high-end watch market.  I think many folks that can afford 5-figure watches are not tech-literate at all.  They will still want the pricey, legacy timepieces.  Those will never truly go out of style.


    The lower-end watch makers like swatch, timex, etc.. I think they will be impacted.

    The answer is so obvious, I can't believe you missed it. Rolex should partner with Apple. Apple is adding its tech to automobiles with CarPlay. Of course Apple would welcome an overture from the likes of Rolex and other top-of-the-market luxury watch makers. They wouldn't have to go to Android or roll their own OS/ecosystem; Apple would welcome them with open arms knowing these players would pick up at $10k+, right where Apple leaves off and so would not compete against the Apple Watch. This would add instant halo-effect caché to the Apple Watch, squashing all hope for any other smartwatch OS/ecosystem maker. It would be instant game-over versus the year or two it'll take the world to realize that it's game-over regardless.
  • Reply 110 of 146
    dasanman69dasanman69 Posts: 13,002member
    sog35 wrote: »
    You are basing your statement on the old watch industry.

    Welcome to a new era.

    That's a statement based on the fashion industry in which a 'look' last very little. The timepiece industry isn't insulated from that. A certain watch will suddenly become popular until the next look is found.
  • Reply 111 of 146
    radarthekatradarthekat Posts: 3,842moderator
    gizmosf wrote: »
    Personally I like my 250.00 Seiko kinetic watch I've had for years that never needs a battery, submerges to 300 meters and is stainless steel that will last forever as long as I don't drop it on rocks when I go camping. Why would I spend 399.00 for a aluminum sport watch that will last at best 3 years? I don't get it myself. That said I would buy a stainless steel iwatch (599.00 to 1050.00) if I could replace the electronics out every 2-3 years with advances in apple technology and recycle or keep the original case with each update. As it stands now I won't spend the money for an obsolescent watch. Just my wallet and sensibilities speaking.

    Okay, valid point, except...

    1. Resale value. You'll get some of that $399 back when you trade-in or sell on your Apple Watch should you feel you need to upgrade in three years. Peeps in India and China will be waiting for your old one to be available at a discounted price.

    2. Camera remote controller and view screen. Do you have one? How much would you, or someone into using their iPhone or GoPro camera, pay? GoPro charges, I think $70 for a smart remote, but I don't think it includes a view screen. Your Apple Watch will serve that function.

    3. AppleTV remote and controller for beaming content via Airport wireless from your Mac, iPhone, or iPad to your AppleTV. Got one of those that's conveniently strapped on your wrist?

    4. Replacement for car and home keys, and workplace security FOB, so you no longer have to carry any keys or pull your phone out to unlock doors. Got that yet? How much will that cost separately?

    5. Remote for home control, heating and air conditioning, lights, home security. More convenient on your wrist than on your phone.

    The list goes on. You aren't replacing your Seiko watch with just another watch. You're getting many other appliances in the deal. But you have to charge those much more often. Sorry. You give up something to get so much more.
  • Reply 112 of 146
    mac_128mac_128 Posts: 3,454member
    kibitzer wrote: »

    Obviously a solid gold case model selling in the five digits stakes out a high-end brand cachet from the git-go. But why not an aluminum model in gold, since they're already doing that with the iPhone, iPad and MacBook? It could well be the next card they drop some months down the line. I can wait!
    Actually yes. It's especially perplexing when they introduce the new MacBook in gold. It seems the perfect opportunity for Apple to introduce the Sport model in the 3 matching colors to their other products. So it's odd they gave us only two out of three when gold has turned out to be so popular for Apple, and the Edition is out of reach for the majority of Apple's customers.

    Could they really have been concerned a "cheap" gold watch would somehow diminish the Edition, or the existing gold products? Or as you say, are they withholding this obvious option until 2G? Hard to imagine them introducing a new color mid-cycle. Have they done that before?

    Another thing Apple seems to do is limit the pool of early adopters, while they work out the bugs for a mass roll-out. Knowing there are people who only wear gold jewelry and accessories allows them to potentially leave a group on the sidelines while they both troubleshoot the initial rollout as well as ensure enough supply for the multiple configurations they are already offering. They're probably already going to have some waiting lists for the black/space gray watches as it is. It also forces those who can afford the Edition to buy it rather than test the waters with a mid-priced gold-plated model, which could easily be confused with and diminish the prestige of owning the Edition. I suspect that when Apple offers a gold plated stainless, it will have cosmetic changes that readily distinguish it from the Edition. Perhaps they will release it alongside the solid platinum 2G.

    One thought also occurs: since Apple tends to keep last year's model around after the new designs are released, what if they continue to sell some of the 1G ?Watch at a discount, when the new, thinner 2G models are released? That way, they can introduce a gold plated stainless in the old model, and the new solid gold Edition will be physically different with the latest technology.
  • Reply 113 of 146
    radarthekatradarthekat Posts: 3,842moderator
    hentaiboy wrote: »
    Here's an automotive analogy for you Apple Watch fanboys predicting the death of the mechanical watch.
    If money were no object would you prefer to own this

    700

    or this?

    700

    This... (BMW i9 electric super car)

    700
  • Reply 114 of 146
    radarthekatradarthekat Posts: 3,842moderator
    sog35 wrote: »
    You are right.

    The one on the right looks much nicer.  The one on the left looks gaudy and overdone.

    Hilarious that you are comparing the $349 AppleWatch vs a $20k Rolex.  Why didn't you compare it to the high end models with nice straps?  Or show it with the screen on?  Obvious reason.

    It's not even the Apple Watch he's showing on the right. It's that fake that showed up at CES in Vegas. You can tell by the outline of the very small rectangular display in the middle of the watch face.
  • Reply 115 of 146
    kibitzerkibitzer Posts: 1,114member
    mac_128 wrote: »
    Actually yes. It's especially perplexing when they introduce the new MacBook in gold. It seems the perfect opportunity for Apple to introduce the Sport model in the 3 matching colors to their other products. So it's odd they gave us only two out of three when gold has turned out to be so popular for Apple, and the Edition is out of reach for the majority of Apple's customers.

    Betcha they considered a gold-toned aluminum body many moons ago. My guess: They wanted the Edition models to have an extraordinary effect at introduction, while saving some features as add-ons for a future marketing kick. Remember how customers went crazy when the gold 5cs came out? Smart competitors keep something extra in the tank for later in the game.
  • Reply 116 of 146
    solipsismysolipsismy Posts: 5,099member
    This... (BMW i9 electric super car)

    [image]

    1) Did you see it tested on Top Gear? Beautiful.

    2) It's amazing how the idea of an electric car was laughable for a supercar a few years ago and now it's the best way the best performance.

    3) Did you see series 12 might be canceled before Jeremy Clarkson punched a producer? I'm quite disappointed by this news.
  • Reply 117 of 146
    radarthekatradarthekat Posts: 3,842moderator
    mac_128 wrote: »
    Actually yes. It's especially perplexing when they introduce the new MacBook in gold. It seems the perfect opportunity for Apple to introduce the Sport model in the 3 matching colors to their other products. So it's odd they gave us only two out of three when gold has turned out to be so popular for Apple, and the Edition is out of reach for the majority of Apple's customers.

    Could they really have been concerned a "cheap" gold watch would somehow diminish the Edition, or the existing gold products? Or as you say, are they withholding this obvious option until 2G? Hard to imagine them introducing a new color mid-cycle. Have they done that before?

    Another thing Apple seems to do is limit the pool of early adopters, while they work out the bugs for a mass roll-out. Knowing there are people who only wear gold jewelry and accessories allows them to potentially leave a group on the sidelines while they both troubleshoot the initial rollout as well as ensure enough supply for the multiple configurations they are already offering. They're probably already going to have some waiting lists for the black/space gray watches as it is. It also forces those who can afford the Edition to buy it rather than test the waters with a mid-priced gold-plated model, which could easily be confused with and diminish the prestige of owning the Edition. I suspect that when Apple offers a gold plated stainless, it will have cosmetic changes that readily distinguish it from the Edition. Perhaps they will release it alongside the solid platinum 2G.

    One thought also occurs: since Apple tends to keep last year's model around after the new designs are released, what if they continue to sell some of the 1G ?Watch at a discount, when the new, thinner 2G models are released? That way, they can introduce a gold plated stainless in the old model, and the new solid gold Edition will be physically different with the latest technology.

    This thinking is all wrong. People who wear gold jewelry (not plated, but solid metal) and have a collection of such jewelry, are the same ones who have spent many thousands of dollars on such jewelry, and therefore are the same ones who will spring for a solid gold watch body and not a cheap plated gold watch body. Apple would diminish the caché of the entire Watch line by introducing a plated Watch alongside its carefully engineered solid metal composite Watch bodies. Even their aluminum Watch body is a specially formulated aluminum composite. You're thinking incorrectly to be imagining plated versions of the Watch, a jewelry item as well as a functional device.
  • Reply 118 of 146
    nhtnht Posts: 4,522member
    relic wrote: »
    I also would never own a piece of jewelry that millions of other people are wearing as well and at the end of the day this is a piece of jewelry, smart or otherwise, at least for a woman.

    LOL. So you don't own a pearl necklace that looks like a piece of jewelry that millions of other women own and wear? You only own bespoke pieces and don't have any classic pieces like diamond earrings or tennis bracelets?
  • Reply 119 of 146
    solipsismy wrote: »
    This... (BMW i9 electric super car)

    [image]

    1) Did you see it tested on Top Gear? Beautiful.

    2) It's amazing how the idea of an electric car was laughable for a supercar a few years ago and now it's the best way the best performance.

    3) Did you see series 12 might be canceled before Jeremy Clarkson punched a producer? I'm quite disappointed by this news.

    I'm delighted by the news!

    Clarkson is, literally, a turd.
  • Reply 120 of 146
    mac_128mac_128 Posts: 3,454member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by RadarTheKat View Post





    This thinking is all wrong. People who wear gold jewelry (not plated, but solid metal) and have a collection of such jewelry, are the same ones who have spent many thousands of dollars on such jewelry, and therefore are the same ones who will spring for a solid gold watch body and not a cheap plated gold watch body.

    Really? So why then are jewelry stores full of $300-1000 gold plated watches AND jewelry, many by respectable names in the watch business? There are many levels of consumers, and you have singled out the top 1-2% of those who can afford a $10-17,000 watch that will be obsolete in 5 years. And I can assure you I see gold jewelry and accessories on co-workers who aren't even making enough to be classified middle-class. They co-ordinate real gold with brass buckles, and accents, gold-plated items, and gold-tone. No silver anywhere. And they all have iPhones, and quite a few gold 6 Pluses. So when faced with the choice of buying a jewelry item such as a watch, you can bet if their only option is a silver ?Watch, many will probably hold onto their money and wait to see if they even need it -- since it will match nothing else they own. Whereas, if Apple had a mid-priced gold-tone option, these same people might not think twice about buying it. People care about this stuff, even the ones who don't make a lot of money. And just who exactly do you think Apple is aiming the $349-$1000 watches at anyway? People who don't like gold? People who can't afford gold? There's absolutely nothing wrong with gold plating, and in a device that's only going to be relevant for about 5 years anyway, no reason for more than that. 

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