Will a Smartwatch Ever Replace a Traditional Timepiece

Smartwatches have become so much more popular than the used to be back in the day. So much so that they are slowly taking over the world of wearables, and they are becoming so much more convenient than anything else that you might find in the market. That on top of the fact that almost all the modern smartwatches are shipped with fitness trackers as well as features such as GPS that will truly give you a convenient, all-rounded experience.

As someone who loves horology as much as he loves technology, the one question that has always been in my mind is that what will happen to the traditional timepieces once the smartwatches take cover, and considering how that is slowly happening a lot faster than I had projected.

You can actually buy the best smartwatch for a lot cheaper than you can buy a traditional wristwatch. This means that people are becoming even more worried that we might see a future with traditional timepieces completely being wiped out. That combined with the fact that companies like Tag Heuer has already released a couple of smartwatches, and a lot more Swiss-based companies are following suit.

This makes us wonder what the future holds. Below, we discuss some of the reasons why we think that traditional timepieces will be staying, and in many cases, they will be coexisting with the slew of smartwatches that are coming in the future.

They Are Still Very Convenient

The whole reason why wristwatches were made was because of convenience. Not everyone had the time to take out their pocket watch just so they can check the time. People wanted something convenient, and that is why watches were put on our wrists.

With smartwatches, you still have to tap the screen in order for them to wake, or at least wait for them to wake even if you are using the one that has sensors. With a traditional wristwatch, you do not have to worry about it.

The watch keeps ticking or beating all the time, and you do not even have to worry about charging it. With smartwatches, you not only have to keep them charged but your smartphones as well. Because if one thing loses connection, both will lose a lot of functionality.

This is one of the biggest reason why the average wristwatch is still going to stay.

The Style Speaks for itself

Let’s be honest, if you find yourself in a room with two strangers; one of which is sporting a Rolex while the other is sporting a Galaxy Watch or an Apple Watch, who would you prefer talking to? If you are the least bit interested in watches, then you would want to know more about the person sporting a Rolex.

When it comes to smartwatches, there is not enough style. True, you can change the straps, or you can change the watch faces, but that is about it. With traditional timepieces, the style is in the detail. Just look at a Tissot, or any other famous Swiss watch, or even a Grand Seiko, and you will realize just how stylish these watches can be.

They Are Simple

Owning a couple of mechanical watches from the likes of Seiko, Victorinox, and Fossil, I have come to the realization of how simple they are when it comes to their functionality. How effortlessly the watch keeps beating without any issues that might come in the way. Sure, you might tell someone about how your smartwatch will never lose time, but your smartwatch does require you to charge it whereas a traditional watch does not.

True, the mechanical watches do require wounding them if they want to keep running but that takes a few minutes and your watch is ready to work for another 80 hours or so.

Craftsmanship

I still remember the first time I looked at how a Rolex and a Grand Seiko is made, and it took me a few minutes before I could pick my jaw up from the floor. I am talking about mid-range luxury watches here that are still not as cool as a Jaeger LeCoultre or a Patek Philippe.

Needless to say, when it comes to sheer craftsmanship, there is no way a smartwatch can beat a traditional timepiece. Granted, the craftsmanship is mostly found in mechanical watches, but just one look at the movement and the beating heart of a mechanical watch and you forget everything else that is around you.

These watches are truly beautiful, and so far, no one has managed to make something as beautiful.

Heritage

Let’s admit it, a watch that went to the moon is always going to be more valuable than anything that comes from the likes of Apple or Samsung. In case you have not guessed it, I am talking about the Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional.

However, that is not all, the Hamilton Khaki Pilot is the watch that Matthew McConaughey wore in Interstellar, as well. These are just two of hundreds of examples that are waiting for you to explore once you start looking at the world of traditional watches.

Needless to say, when it comes to the traditional wristwatches, there is so much history that it is simply not enough to take down by smartwatches.

So, What is Going to Happen to the Traditional Timepieces?

Needless to say, when it comes to looking at traditional timepieces vs the smartwatches of the modern-day and age, the former is still something that is going to stay. It is not so much about who is going to win, but it is more about what you are going to wear.

In many cases, it would be entirely wrong to compare both, but utterly necessary, given the fact that the smartwatches have disrupted the traditional timepieces. But the impact is not big enough to cause any substantial damage, and that is what makes everyone happy.