Does traditional watchmaking work with wearable tech?
A watch does more for you than just telling the time. In fact, a smartwatch is more than just a piece of equipment: one represents a timeless connection to the past, whereas the other is a small computer that connects you with the present in a flash. Both appear to be completely different and at war for the same wrist real estate But is it actually possible to enjoy the benefits of both? The watch industry and tech companies believe in it.
The Apple Watch remains the best of what technology has to offer on your wrist. Its smooth and sleek user interface are due in significant in part, to a system that’s completely integrated into its design from the ground beginning to end. This is it’s an “in-house movement,” in the language of watchmaking, or if you prefer. It’s the Apple Watch outsells any other product in terms of production and revenue. It is undoubtedly the benchmark by all other smartwatches assessed.
The popularity that has been enjoyed by the Apple Watch is why brands like TAG Heuer, Montblanc, and Louis Vuitton felt pushed to get in the game while offering another perspective on the smartwatch. These luxury firms are recognized for their exquisite and refined products, like watches with mechanical in-house movements that typically tell the time and can cost thousands of dollars. They claim that their smartwatches leverage decades of experience in the aspects of design and the construction of their cases, providing distinct perspectives, but are built around the same operating system developed by Google.
Are the tradition, craftsmanship and the illustrious reputation of traditional watchmakers suitable for touchscreens or software update, notifications and eventually obsolescence?by link clichemag.com website What do these brands have to offer to the world that is wearable tech? What do they have to offer? How do they compare to that of the Apple Watch? We tested them.
Traditional horology inside the Apple Watch
Some of the oldest watchmakers have their roots, but Apple has proved that it’s not horologically ignorant. The tech company gushes out that it has incorporated an array of features aimed specifically for those who enjoy traditional watches. “Did you notice?” They seem to be saying directly to fans with a smile. We did.
The ergonomic Apple Watch features are the result of Cupertino directly and intensely studying the watch industry — after all the industrial designer and watch market veteran Marc Newson was deeply involved in its initial development. You can turn an Apple Watch over in your hands, examine its finishing and construction, move its Digital Crown, and notice the round charging station with sensors on the back of the watch which is where traditional watches have their power source at display…fans of traditional watches can find plenty of familiar echoes. The software will reveal more.
The watch industry’s influence is evident in the display (“face”) alternatives based upon watchmaking archetypes, such as Chronographs (stopwatches) and GMTs (second time zone displays). Those Apple Watch faces where half the hour’s indices are Roman numerals and the rest are half are Arabic? The design is referred to by watch enthusiasts as”California dial “California dial” They’ve been around since before the war in 1940. Apple calls those customizable bits of data used in watches “complications,” a term borrowed from the watch industry despite the fact that a lot of general public aren’t aware of it. Of course, the seconds watches have hands that move seamlessly, much like mechanical watches, too.
The list of traditional watches’ influence for this Apple Watch goes on, and it’s clear that the Apple Watch is designed as far more than just the smallest version of a smartphone or tablet. It further demonstrates that Apple’s intentions are set on capturing the wrists even of traditional watch lovers, and luxury brands of watches have two ways to counter this: by delighting customers with traditional timepieces and by creating smartwatches in their own.
As with any luxury item, the value of such options is subjective and contested (in other words depending on your preferences, desires, lifestyle , and financial budget to determine if heritage and top-quality features make sense in the form of a smartwatch.
Apple Watch Series 6 ‘Edition’
$849.00
The Series 6 is the most recent culmination of the Apple Watch’s continuing improvements and enhancements, and the Edition is the most expensive model alongside the Hermes collaboration. Like other Apple Watch Editions, it’s distinct by its case material, which previously been similar to top-quality materials such as ceramic and also 18k gold. Series 6 Edition Series 6 Edition has a titanium case that has the brushed look and scratch-resistant treatment. Like the steel version it also has sapphire crystals that are scratch-resistant. Titanium is lightweight and interesting with its own unique luster, however it doesn’t give the Edition appear to be a significant difference from other versions.
A display that is always on is standard on Apple Watches since Series 5 (though not for the price-conscious SE version) it allows you to view the time with a glance, but not feel like you’re wearing a dead slab on your wrist. As with other Apple products that are available, its Apple Watch (Edition or otherwise) has a high-end feel in every sense including its user-friendly interface to its ergonomics its finishing and build. And, most importantly, when compared to models from other luxury brands it provides a solid value in terms of price.
Diameter 40mm, or 44mm Water Resistance 50m
Operating System: Apple iOS
Montblanc Summit Lite
$930.00
Montblanc launched the Summit Lite as an affordable alternative to its flagship Summit smartwatch. The Lite comes with a recycled aluminum case with a less refined finish unlike the distinctive polished and brushed finishes on The stainless steel Summit smartwatches, which are priced around a hundred dollars more but not as much as the Apple Watch Edition. Montblanc appears to be an active participant in what it calls “New Technologies” and, before launching its full-on watches, unveiled an interesting concept of having a smart module that can be integrated into the watch’s strap.
As with most smartwatches, as with all smartwatches Summit line is geared towards fitness features and offers several proprietary apps. They largely make use of heart rate sensors and other ones to help you navigate exercises for cardio or sleep, stress-management along with “energy level.” In contrast to other brands, Montblanc doesn’t offer an app for smartphones specifically designed to work with the watches — and that’s unnecessary anyway, as the Wear OS as well as Google Fit are probably more than adequate.
Diameter: 43mm
Water Resistance 50m
Operating System: Google Wear OS
TAG Heuer Connected
$900.00 (28% off)
TAG Heuer was among the first to join the smartwatch revolution and has also been among the most well-known traditional watchmakers in the world of smartwatches. To address the issue of software obsolescence, the brand also introduced a Modular concept wherein you could swap out traditional and smartwatch watches, which were sold together, between a single case The idea was that you’d only need to replace the smartwatch head once it was outdated.
The Connected However, it’s an ordinary smartwatch, however it’s a remarkably refined one. The Carrera case feels sophisticated, robust and well integrated with the overall design of a smartwatch designed to be used in actual usage, and specifically, for sports. Its apps are proprietary and feel as if they were developed by watchmakers. Lastly, it offers not only the level of design and finish that you would expect from a luxury sports watch but also the pushers and crown as well as a scroll wheelthey are as smooth as they are solid. Even its haptic feedback feels premium.
Diameter: 45mm
Water Resistance: 50m
Operating System: Google Wear OS
Louis Vuitton Tambour Horizon
Louis Vuitton is a sister brand of TAG Heuer in the LVMH corporate group (along with Hublot which also makes high-end smartwatches) however, it has its own style of wearable tech. The other watches featured here — and almost every smartwatch in the market have a strong focus on fitness. It’s the Louis Vuitton Tambour Horizon is different because it only provides 30m of water resistance and doesn’t have an HR sensor. It’ll also track your step and so on, but considering that the strap is made of leather, you’ll probably want another smartwatch you can use to workout.
Inevitably, the brand’s renowned name and iconic design are a component of the price that Louis Vuitton is charging when compared to other manufacturers of smartwatches. However, the brand has a unique and unique experience using its distinctive Tambour case made from sandblasted metal and the brand’s famous leather straps. Exclusive faces make the whole package appear more cohesive, and include themes for travel, as well as designs that were adapted from classic Louis Vuitton watches as well as new ones that are specifically created for this watch made by Louis Vuitton Studios.
Diameter: 42mm
Water Resistance: 30m
Google Wear OS Operating System Google Wear OS
The future of luxury smartwatches
Is there a luxury smartwatch that actually beats the Apple Watch for premium feel and refined user interface? No. Do such watches offer fascinating alternatives to the standard of Apple products? Certainly. For certain consumers, the conventional European approach together with Google Wear OS might be the best and most satisfying option but what is the best way for luxury companies do to be more in the market?
Wearables highlight the fact that what technology does is as important as integrating it in a way that benefits users’ lives. Consumers and developers no longer have faith in smartwatches doing everything smartphones can. People don’t really want to read the news or browse Instagram on a small display. What smartwatches excel is providing limited and precise information and conveniences, but they’ve proven most practical for fitness and health applications.