Robb Report (Singapore Issue 33, August 2015, Page 94)
There are many reviews and articles written on the Apple watch long before it was officially launched. From design, materials, functions and innovation perspectives, there are more media coverage than all of haute horlogerie products combined in recent years. So, is it really a watch? Which is how many of the reviews started off with. If the definition of a watch is to tell time, hell yeah, and it does so much more!
When connected to your iPhone, it can show text messages, allow you to pick up a call, monitor your daily physical activities, listen to your favorite music, etc. You can even have a chat with Siri whenever you're feeling bored! It is no surprise that the Apple watch is seen on so many wrists soon after its launch, but it didn't stay there for long. I've seen people, lots of them whom I know personally or don't, ditch it after a few weeks. Why?
Let me begin my analysis from the definition of a watch. While it's primary function is to tell time, it's never something that is acquired solely for that purpose. Since its invention in the 16th century, popularized as pocket watches in the 17th century, it is regarded as a social status to own one. For a good 400 years of evolution, invention in design and materials to mechanical movement, particularly the balance wheel/spring and escapement, brings accuracy to where it is today; deviation of seconds a day. Through the industrial revolution and quartz crisis, a (mechanical) watch has become more an 'art' than a piece of equipment that tells time. Owning a mechanical time piece connects the wearer to a rich history of human evolution and artifact perfection. This I believe, is the 'emotional' lure of a fine mechanical watch that many of us pursue, till today.
From a usage perspective, advancement has made watch cases impermeable by the harshest of environments. Deep waters, dust and magnetic fields are no longer reliability concerns of a watch, while synthetic rubies, advanced materials and lubricants alleviate issues on longevity. In fact, with proper care and maintenance routine every 3 to 5 years, most mechanical watches can survive for generations.
As far as 'power reserve' is concerned, it is almost de facto to have a minimum of 40-hrs in current context; which means, wearer could let a self winding watch rest for more than 1.5 days without it stopping, or would require to make a few turns on the crown every 1.5 days to keep the manual winder working. That said, power reserve in excess of 3 to 7 days is not uncommon; and in the case of self winding watches, it should tick forever as long as it is worn on the wrist, at least theoretically.
Smart watches, even if we consider the 1st quartz watch to be one, made its debut in 1972. The lack of historic literature and significance in comparison, would definitely not evoke the same emotion a fine mechanical watch do. I hate to say this, but the fact that electronic watches meant for the masses, didn't set out to convey any social standing to began with. They just serve as trustworthy, minimum fuss time keeping equipments, that are accessible to all.
The latest incarnation of electronic watch, though bring connectivity and functionality to the level of your smart phone, is actually in reverse evolution in many aspects; A sports watch that is not waterproof? A battery life that can barely last your flight from Singapore to Cupertino, requires a charger and 2.5hrs to charge?! Would I ever buy an Apple watch? Maybe if it's called a wrist phone; associating everything of it to the smart phone usage model that we're so used-to right from the start, but not when it is meant to replace a watch. It can't, and it might never will.
When connected to your iPhone, it can show text messages, allow you to pick up a call, monitor your daily physical activities, listen to your favorite music, etc. You can even have a chat with Siri whenever you're feeling bored! It is no surprise that the Apple watch is seen on so many wrists soon after its launch, but it didn't stay there for long. I've seen people, lots of them whom I know personally or don't, ditch it after a few weeks. Why?
Let me begin my analysis from the definition of a watch. While it's primary function is to tell time, it's never something that is acquired solely for that purpose. Since its invention in the 16th century, popularized as pocket watches in the 17th century, it is regarded as a social status to own one. For a good 400 years of evolution, invention in design and materials to mechanical movement, particularly the balance wheel/spring and escapement, brings accuracy to where it is today; deviation of seconds a day. Through the industrial revolution and quartz crisis, a (mechanical) watch has become more an 'art' than a piece of equipment that tells time. Owning a mechanical time piece connects the wearer to a rich history of human evolution and artifact perfection. This I believe, is the 'emotional' lure of a fine mechanical watch that many of us pursue, till today.
From a usage perspective, advancement has made watch cases impermeable by the harshest of environments. Deep waters, dust and magnetic fields are no longer reliability concerns of a watch, while synthetic rubies, advanced materials and lubricants alleviate issues on longevity. In fact, with proper care and maintenance routine every 3 to 5 years, most mechanical watches can survive for generations.
As far as 'power reserve' is concerned, it is almost de facto to have a minimum of 40-hrs in current context; which means, wearer could let a self winding watch rest for more than 1.5 days without it stopping, or would require to make a few turns on the crown every 1.5 days to keep the manual winder working. That said, power reserve in excess of 3 to 7 days is not uncommon; and in the case of self winding watches, it should tick forever as long as it is worn on the wrist, at least theoretically.
Smart watches, even if we consider the 1st quartz watch to be one, made its debut in 1972. The lack of historic literature and significance in comparison, would definitely not evoke the same emotion a fine mechanical watch do. I hate to say this, but the fact that electronic watches meant for the masses, didn't set out to convey any social standing to began with. They just serve as trustworthy, minimum fuss time keeping equipments, that are accessible to all.
The latest incarnation of electronic watch, though bring connectivity and functionality to the level of your smart phone, is actually in reverse evolution in many aspects; A sports watch that is not waterproof? A battery life that can barely last your flight from Singapore to Cupertino, requires a charger and 2.5hrs to charge?! Would I ever buy an Apple watch? Maybe if it's called a wrist phone; associating everything of it to the smart phone usage model that we're so used-to right from the start, but not when it is meant to replace a watch. It can't, and it might never will.
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