Well said. I have been a staunch and rather snooty anti-Apple watch person for a long time. But recently, I got one and here are my thoughts about it now. As watch afficionados, it's important to think of the Apple watch as not a watch, but a wrist computer. As Mark says, the Apple watch can do so many things; HRM, Sleep tracking, Vo2 max and so much more. The funtionality doesn't even compare to a proper watch. For this reason, I find myself wearing it more than I expected. Let's not try to think of this as a watch, that is, let's not get POMO and put on fake analog watch faces and let it pretend to be what it is not. If I'm not working out or sleep tracking, I wear a regular watch. Also, I was surprised how comfortable it was. I don't consider it as part of my watch collection, but a very, very useful tool. Especially if you work out a lot. It's not a watch. It's a computer. Let's treat it as such.
Hurumph to you sir on the wrist computer moniker - I just posted before reading other comments and now find that you have straight up stolen my thunder, but well done!
I look at wearing an Apple Watch as lacking any class, but you make a good argument. One annoying habit I’ve noticed with Apple smartwatch wearers is when speaking to them, they’re continually looking at their wrist because the stupid thing is ringing or being message.
I was in Japan this summer, and it was remarkable that just about everyone was wearing a proper wristwatch. For a watch enthusiast, it was so great to see so many different watches on different wrists. In 10 days, I don't think I saw a single Apple watch. Then I went to Korea and the Apple Watch was as ubiquitous there as they are here...
I know one thing I love about the Japanese, besides Seiko, Casio, and Citizen are their great writers like Murakami, so for that reason, I think they would be a classy group of people. And watches no matter how much they cost are classy.
I lived in Japan for four years, until a couple months ago, and can second that. The Japanese are pretty serious watch nerds. Lots of luxury watches everywhere, and a substantial amount of vintage watch shops tucked in corners here and there.
Janitors in Japan wear Cartier. It is almost a closed circuit market, they can survive selling watches in Japan. It is a very particular economic model.
I wouldn’t even compare a standard watch vs a traditional watch. One is multi functional and one tells time. I still wear a traditional watch for how it looks and makes me feel. If I need more functionality my phone is nearby. Traditional Kodak film obviously required cumbersome developing and digital pictures don’t. So, of course you want to see a picture immediately vs waiting for film to develop. Kodak lost sight of why people want pictures in general. Copiers and printers are headed down the same path. Most offices have one or two larger printer/copiers because printing is a thing of the past. Hospitals are one of the few organizations that use hundreds of thousands of hard copies. They are changing too, it’s just taken them longer.
Kodak, ironically, held most patents on digital photography (generated a lot of money for them at the end). The reason they flopped was they just couldn't let go of that gigantic cash cow in film. Hospitals still use paper and fax and will continue to for some time. It's due to HIPAA rules.
Film is better than digital. You can always scan film at a higher resolution. Digital has an expiration date. In 100 years, no one will remember a red camera, but they will remember a 70mm film.
I’m a partner in a fly fishing shop. And 67 years old. Started fishing with bamboo rods and silk lines, and the “new” fiberglass rods and nylon lines. Tackle progressed over the years to lighter (graphite, boron) more powerful faster casting rods, space age synthetic lines and leader etc. Space age materials for fly reels…. And all along people were still hand crafting bamboo fly rods and silk fly lines. Never went away and as a lot of people matured and got more experience they found themselves wanting the old relaxed technology. Modern synthetic rod makers have been making slower casting more relaxed rods, simpler reels and fly lines that duplicate the old silk and nylon lines. A big gradual change to what once was that never really went away. Both types of tackle having their place for certain types of fishing. Like certain types/styles of watches and people.
This video is comparing apples and oranges. A smartwatch is so different from a real watch it’s not even in the same category. Completely different purpose for completely different people for completely different reasons
Last year a man wearing a stunning Celestial Patek Phillipe watch at Baccarat bar in NYC, sat beside me. It immediately caught my eye and I complimented it. His reply? "Yeah thanks, I paid $425k for this one, but I got more expensive ones. I bet you mine is more expensive than yours." It just goes to show you than money doesn't always come hand in hand with class. Fantastic video. I own an apple series 7 that I primarily use to exercise and convenience, but nothing will replace the feel of a well made automatic watch slipped over your wrist. There is an unspoken air of elegance when wearing a work of art, even more so when you know the type of movement it carries, its place in history and most importantly, why it's important to you. Each piece I've bought carries a story behind it. I love to hear others stories too but loathe the occasional boaster "I'm so rich I bought this Patek" or "look at my new $75,000 AP I wear to the beach because I can," without understanding what it is they are wearing. They wear it because they think it gives them status and it's just pathetic.
For me, one of the issues with smart watches is the fact that it pushes us closer to not actually owning anything in my mind. Yes, it's nice for now. How long until it's obsolete? It's as if you are renting it until a new one is available. I'd rather have something I can keep for a lifetime. TGV has inspired me to build my book and dvd/ Blu-ray collection and purchase a dedicated player for them and my CDs. It's nice to "buy" and stream immediately, but you don't own any of it. And I feel like smart watches are the streaming of the watch world. Maybe that makes sense, I'm not sure. But it does to me.
@@JeeGee114 With all CDs, rip them to your computer. Then you can make copies when necessary. But why are your CDs rotting? Mine don't and many are at least 40years old. Vinyl is not the greatest, but a rather poor medium, subject to wearing out from playing to warping. I own 300+ LPs, and many still sound good. I took care of them and played them very little. My friends and I would put them on cassette tapes to play and put the vinyl away. And when you rip a CD, the music can go on thumb drives to be used in your car. Hundreds of songs can fit in one drive.
actually buying an iTunes song instead of subscribing to Apple Music, you really do own the song if you download it to a drive. You just don’t have resale rights. Which you can get if you own a CD.
You’re correct with the trade in for a new model program Apple offers. Some push the limits getting five or more years from a smartwatch but they are a minority. In the end, a smartwatch feels like an appliance. There’s no art, poetry or romance with it.
I agree with Mark when I go for a walk I turn my phone off because I want to tune into the real environment around me. If somebody bought me a smartwatch I'd ask them if they kept the receipt😂
As an owner of multiple mechanical watches I feel smart watches are a part of one's collection, exactly like quartzes used to be and still are. I'm still proud to own a Fossil hybrid HR (all blacked out screen wise) and always enjoy the surprise on people's faces when a notification comes in and text appears on the dial. Fossil did a great job with the e-ink implementation and if the battery lasts in the long term, I'm certain it will be a future classic! Having said that, I value my mechanical watches a lot more than my gimmicky smart watch!
Wrist watches are equally a waste of money and gimic. This just in, your phone has a clock and no1 thinks u look cool wearing a wristband. If you think people, you have self-esteem issues. That said, its the less of 2 evils (well not evil bad waste of monies) to avoid buying a $500-800 smart watch.
@@srobeck77News flash: You're Supposed to have "self-esteem issues"... It's called Humility. Go back to your Generation's lack of original thinking. Just because you're not posing doesn't mean you're thinking for yourself. Maybe go ask your girlfriend... she can confer with Reddit for you and while she's got her phone out, tell you the time.. Which do you think Leads in life, synchronicity or information? ~
@@srobeck77 Do you always make rude assumptions about people you know nothing about, you self entitled prick? This is a watch enthusiast channel, watches are somewhat of a hobby to most people here and like most people if someone opens a discussion about or notices your hobby you feel nice because you discuss something that interests you a lot. This is called a social interaction and it happens to people that leave outside of their mom's basement or their overinflated ego. Now go waste someone else's time.
Approaching my 50th trip around the sun, I have resisted the allure of the latest tech on my wrist. Sometimes I wish I could have done the same with the smartphone, which most of us have become dependent upon. More great content TGV. Onwards and upwards.
The reason we have become dependent on our smartphones, is because the quality of life with them is so much better. I can remember back in the 1980’s, if you were going to travel to another city by plane, it was quite a lot of work. Getting the tickets, finding a hotel, making sure you had the area mapped out if you were renting a car. Hell, even renting the car was some work. When it was time to eat, you either had spent a lot of time figuring out where to go before hand, or most of the time, you just ate at whatever place was close, and hoped it was good. Today I fly into a city (on a flight I could have booked in 5 minutes the day before), and I have thought of none of that before I land. I know I can just pull my phone out, and sort anything I need in minutes. It’s a pretty damn amazing time to be alive. I also have an Appel watch, and as a tool, it’s not the same level of jump as smart phone to no smart phone, but it’s definitely enough to be happy I have it. Also, as a mechanical watch enthusiast, I am not sure why people are so against it. I mean the entire reason to have mechanical watches in the first place, was to provide information at the flip of your wrist. When they came out, it was a marvel of modern technology. People wanted the highest tech they could get (most accurate, durable, and later magnetically resistant). An Apple watch is just the modern extension of that. I am 99% sure if Louis Breguet was alive today, he would love the Apple watch. He built tools, and this is the best tool ever created, that can be strapped to your wrist.
I have tried. Unfortunately I missed out too much of the fun stuff with a dumb phone, so I now accept the downsides. Think about navigation, and most importantly communication with colleagues and friends
As someone who owns both a Pelagos 39 and a Speedmaster 3861, I still love my Apple Watch Ultra for everything else it can do besides tell time. I rotate my watches based on use case, so when I'm at work I'll wear my mechanical watches due to my employer's policy on smart devices. For everything else from jogging or workouts to just running to the store, the Apple Watch is hard to beat!
For me I still love mechanical watches, but as a kid I always wanted a watch that does essentially what an Apple Watch does + more things. For me it’s not a distraction, I can leave my phone at home and still get calls in an emergency. Still I do miss wearing mechanical watches more often. And how could I forget the fitness tracking features for competing with friends. Suit + smart watch is a crime
So is suit and no socks, or blue suit with brown shoes. The people who think it is cool to not wear socks in the office with trousers so short they don't even reach their ankles are the same people who buy apple gear. (and I use the word 'gear' deliberately as Apple id just a glorified drug pusher). I, for one, hate the 'Cult of Apple'
Hating is not really rational. Maybe, you should keep that part for yourself. And your sample is not so clever. You can clearly find more people with smartwatches than shoes without socks. Quite the contrary- it is very different people wearing those watches. Also, I do not see it black and white. I do wear suits and jeans or shorts, depending on the occasion. I do the same with watches. And I do wear socks, usually :)
I think more companies should do hybrid watches. Watches that are analogue but have sensors underneath that send to an app on your phone for health measurements
Casio offers a great variety of quartz watches from sub £20 to £hundreds. Micro brands are offering automatic watches with sapphire crystal and reliable seiko movements for around £200 or less. The big brands might want to consider what they can offer at entry level to build the consumer base.
Exactly. Brands aren’t build customers base. People not in watch know just Rolex, Seiko, Tag Heur, Citizen, Swatch, Tissot. This luxury things doesn’t work if people don’t wear, because we want what we see from other people. At the moment you barely see an Omega around. I was about to buy a seamaster 300 precivid when was a bit more than £3k. On 2021 when I had the money to purchase was more than £4k, now is more than £5k wtf. I buy a captain cook 2 years ago for less than £1,200 now cost £1,800. Honestly who will never buy a rado for that? I love that watch but if my father didn’t own a rado I probably don’t have this sentiment attachment to buy one for that money.
If one day someone’s digital identity is mandatory to be worn and your criminal history , social standing and yearly gross made putting everyone in to separate baskets ,the population will be easily affected by a class system . The haves the have nots . The criminals. The degenerates . And with the advent of Apple glasses it theoretically could be possible to have ones social credit score hi lighted/displayed right next to them . Further separation of those that will never mingle .
It makes no sense. It is a dying industry. Before the AppleWatch Ultra came out, I looked at Casio’s G-Shocks “smart watch” (it is not really smart, just had a bit more functionality). Even my current G-Shocks is extremely frustrating to use (if you want to do more than looking at the time - even changing the time / time zones is frustrating). The only way, for these brands is - making a reasonable priced smart watch - and maybe more “artsy” smart watches. Nobody needs today a watch anymore - except if you are looking at “investment” - but the danger of a bubble is apparent.
@@Dominikmj 100% true. Casio lost the war of sport watches with Brands like Garmin or Suntoo. No athletes wear Casio. It’s a brand for nostalgic no more.
I have no desire to own a smart watch. Maybe because I’m 75 yo. Maybe because I’m an introvert and think the meta verse already knows enough, if not everything, about me. Maybe because I’m loyal to my family history of watchmakers. I love every (17+1 Casio) mechanical watch in my collection. They each have unique character. I have trouble deciding which one to wear every day.
I couldn’t agree more TGV. Luckily I have infected my daughter with the watch fever. For her 6th birthday I bought her an F91 sky blue with a transparent band. She has not taken it off ever since, she has SO many memories with it now that she is 8. And I explain to her, “isn’t it cool that this watch has been with you for 2 years?” And she thinks and goes “Yeah, this watch was with me when I graduated this school and when I had my baptism, etc.” She now loves it even more. We need to explain to our children this concept, that real watches from as little as $9 can last you for a lifetime and be with you for those important moments.
A few months ago, I was set to buy an apple ultra, which is about £1000. I found this channel and changed my plans to buying an affordable watch collection. I still have an old Apple series 4 for exercise, but the rest of the time I wear my new watches. Absolutely love them, stylish interesting and they don’t keep pinging with notifications. They just tell the time. What a luxury. Thanks for your work, TGV.
I had a series 3 and a 5. After the last updat emy 5 barely last a day even though the battery charges to 100% with 84% of health left. So at by the end of the day it can't even act as a watch which should be its first job. So no more Apple watches for me. I'm back to real watches.
“would james bond wear a smart watch?” 😂 dude, you’re not james bond, grow up. really. you just seem insecure about your masculinity/being an adult. it’s sad.
I love the collaboration with Marc from Long Island Watch. He brings since interesting points to this topic as a watch enthusiasts who also became a manufacturer/seller. I really tried to enjoy wearing a smartwatch but it just seemed too gimmicky to me. I could appreciate the different watch faces as long as they are digital.. The analog faces just look cheap. Speaking of the face of the watch what could be more dull than wearing the same black rectangle as everyone else. That's all you see is everyone wearing the same black screen on their wrist. I wear the Hamilton field watch, like the one shown in this video daily. With a Hamilton you get history with your watch. Something that suits my style with it's no nonsense dial, military inspired design, and that's not even beginning with the elegance of a device in your wrist that functions with gears, springs, and drives all working together with precision to provide the time. Smart watches will never be able to live up to any of that and frankly, Marc is right, it's all really just another distraction pulling your eyes back into the digital world of which most of us spend too much time in anyway. Something I know I have been guilty of. Excellent video TGV.
Smart watches are tacky and gives a message of new age vaccinated slavery. While mechanical wristwatch on someone’s wrist translates a message of appreciation for history and our ancestors’ art of horology. Mechanical wristwatch is also an accessory which makes you just look better, while that plastic garbage dependant on government’s electricity is just a tool. Mechanical wristwatch is fully autonomous and is a symbol of freedom.
I would be the world's most boring watch-'tuber ever, as my message would simply be "Buy whatever you want. If you like fashion brands, get your favorite (I had my share of these and enjoyed some of them a lot. I also wore those with pride. Just don't expect miracles and they do their job just fine, in my humble opinion). You want a smartwatch? don't let any 'tuber stop you and just go for it! Life is too precious to be told what watch you can and cannot put on your wrist".
I wish I could like this video more than once. Keep up the great content, it's a joy to watch you convey the current zeitgeist so comprehensibly and even with feasibly achievable positive outcomes!
I have both Apple 'Watch' and mechanical watches, and I wear both when I'm out and about. I can appreciate both, one as a computer that I strap on my wrist that gives me glanceable information without having to pull out my phone (which, in my opinion, more socially disruptive than glancing at my wrist, which is what we do anyways when we're looking at the time on a traditional watch), and the other serving as a 'jewellery' or 'fun' accessory where I derive my personal pleasure whenever I look at it as something of a work of art I strap on my wrist. I think the march of technology is inevitable, as a point, even this video is published in a platform that tracks our watching habit, run by a company that also provides the software for smartwatches. We should not be shying away from it, but instead get to know it better and use it as a tool, like the way we use watches to tell time. It is meant to serve us. I think that's why traditional watch company is moving away from this 'tool' definition, and more towards 'luxury item', or 'hobby' or 'collectibles'. Because as a tool, it's outdated. But when it comes to 'luxury', 'hobby' or 'collectibles', the traditional watch has a better chance at surviving, or even thriving, in the future. I believe this video (which production value is excellent) is just preaching to the choir. I love traditional watches, and I would not like to see it go away (or even climb in price, which is sadly the reality), and will still buy traditional watches in the foreseeable future, and I believe a lot of the people here watching this video are of the same mind. But the crowd that is into smartwatches, (who will probably stumble upon this video by the 'smart' SEO title) will probably not understand and potentially even felt antagonised by the tone of the video which seems to imply that their purchasing decision is 'misguided'. Because to them, they see both as a tool, and of course one of them is outdated if it is put in this definition and they just simply get what they think is the latest advanced tool. I love both 'traditional' and 'smart' watches. But I believe it's good to make a distinction between these two, one as a work of art and the other a computer on a wrist, and I believe both can live together. But sadly, for a lot of people right now, it's just one or the other. But if the 'IT' crowd one day, for whatever reason, see the 'traditional watch' more as an item of passion or collectibles (which is why I think Swatch with its release of Moonswatch and Thrifty Fathoms is quite the strategy to lure people more into this point of view), or the 'traditional watch' crowd can appreciate the 'smart' watch not as a watch but more of a computing device, perhaps we can then see these 2 items living in harmony.
Smart watches are tacky and gives a message of new age vaccinated slavery. While mechanical wristwatch on someone’s wrist translates a message of appreciation for history and our ancestors’ art of horology. Mechanical wristwatch is also an accessory which makes you just look better, while that plastic garbage dependant on government’s electricity is just a tool. Mechanical wristwatch is fully autonomous and is a symbol of freedom.
I wear my Apple Watch because it can wake me up in the morning without waking up the wife, also the tactile indicator lets me know when the countdown timer is done when working out, (earbuds). Is there a quartz watch that has tactile notifications?
A couple of things you might consider: - Don’t dismiss the so-called “fashion watch” brands, those overpriced Daniel Wellington / Movado models. Their success was based solely on lifestyle marketing, and that means they have lessons to teach mainstream brands. - Also consider deliberate pop collaborations. Seiko 5 has had some success with models inspired by franchises like Street Fighter, Naruto, etc., which play on consumer’s memories and subsequent nostalgia for those stories. Ditto Swatch and Dragon Ball.
Totally agree with this. The success of the fashion watches shows an opportunity for trendy designs and market optimization. But for some reason the traditional manufacturers keep pushing out dated boring designs. The Daniel Wellingtons might not be good watches but they look good and trendy. The traditional manufacturers should employ their designers.
I always have a chuckle at the hypocrisy of "watch enthusiats" hating the marketing led approach of Daniel Wellington, MVMT, et al but are in love with Rolex, who's success was based on the exact same principle of marketing first, when it went to challenge the established brands like Patek, Omega etc, I still don't like DW or MVMT but I don't like Rolex either for their cynical deliberate creation of product shortages and growing waitlists. But I have and would continue to buy Tudor (I know that makes me a hypocrite too)
Indeed, we all have our likes n dislikes, maybe hate is too strong a word but I agree that our preferences do carry with them strong emotional biases that affect our choices n decisions... IMHO, the big brands definitely have a lot to learn from the Microbrands. Being able to serve some great quality watches with great specs (read: 2 - 300m WR, Sapphire Crystal, automatic movements, creative design - some really arguable, 316L Stainless steel, Superb Luminova, etc)... At even Greater prices. Makes one wonder... Do we really need... A thousand dollar watch? Or tens of thousands, for that matter?
@@andromedagodit2492 We are very fortunate to live in a time where microbrands offer so much for so little money. Especially at a time where the quality value brands like Seiko for example are pushing more and more into luxury end pricing. It's almost too good to be true and thus I have been buying (more than I should arguably 🙂) thinking can these values last?
TGV, I have a slight concern that you’re getting very near to personal attacks in this video. Though I am not a fan of smartwatches, to label someone as uncouth due to their choice of wrist mounted tool (as this is what a smartwatch seems to be) seems a bit classless.
There was a Jonathan Meades clip in his last video, too. As I noted in the comments under that, I see the influence of Meades in his recent presentation style. The line, "it's clinical, with about as much charm as an abattoir", over footage of meat processing, is pure Meades.
I refuse to call them smart WATCHES - they are wrist pads, and that’s an end to it. Great video as always, both yours and Marc’s views are very valuable indeed.
A great video production and great analysis of the future of wrist watches. Mark does offer a rather pessimistic prognosis of the future of mechanical wrist watches. I have no desire to have a 'luxury' watch; but I do enjoy my micro brand watches and other sub $1K watches that I own. I maybe gone before Mark's wrist watch apocalypse comes to pass. TGV I do hope you and others in the wrist watch industry can inspire us to make the investment in traditional wrist watches. As much as I enjoy your and Mark's commentary, I would hate to see your predictions come to pass. All the best - RKL
I’m a g shock collector. I especially like the triple sensor and only quad sensor watches…also having barometer, altimeter, and compass. Along with these features some has sunrise/sunset, tides, and moon phases. All while 200m waterproof and some having depth sensors as well. I got an iPhone in my pocket that already costs over $1k. I don’t need one on my wrist as well.
I will wear traditional watch only if my smartphone will do everything my smartwatch does. Since wearing two watches simultaneously isn't a good idea, i will not miss out all the health monitoring and safety by wearing a smartwatch, so for now good bye my tag heuer.
@@distiking I do like and consider the health options a smartwatch has. And luckily for me Casio is working on it within their g shock line. I believe a hybrid would be good. I do fear the power grid going down in all it’s fragility.
exactly my thoughts. The new sensors on the GBD's are really attractive. The GBD and Instinct series watches are what I consider the best competition against the apple design philosophy/
I was a G-Shock wearer as well - and still have mine (but wear now a AppleWatch Ultra). Trust me, it is not the same. First of all functionality and accessibility of functions are in another galaxy! My most used feature is workout / fitness and it literally motivates me to be more consistent with my workout - and it tracks my workout (which the iPhone doesn’t do that well). My G-Shocks was frustrating at best, when it came to all its features. Difficult to read as well. See it like that: email, messages, games, camera - all of this has been before on mobile phone - but the iPhone packaged it in a way, that it became far more useful and enriched our lives in a completely different way (and at times it has been also damaging on our lives, but hey...). The AppleWatch is very similar. Nobody “needs” a watch on his wrist anymore. And to be honest: when do you need a compass??? Or do you want to tell me, that you are also wearing a paper map with you at all times? Point is: smartphones became incredible powerful, but also far larger. I can keep my iPhone ProMax at home, when I go quickly anywhere or to the pool or to the beach, yet have access to messages, and I can even be called - and I can pay with it as well!
@@Dominikmj at my age and the knowledge of my area (all of New England and most of USA) a compass is used quite effectively. But, most importantly, I do construction work and “as-builds” are changes made to the print of the build. When making changes on the fly of building something (whether it’s a new building or utilities such as sewer, water, drainage, bridges, and roadways…..we use elevations and direction. My rangeman gives me the elevation where I stand, compass direction….and I can even note the weather conditions of when it was built, all on my wrist in an instant. I’m sure an Apple Watch can do all that, but can’t withstand the blast of a water main being accidentally hit and producing some of the most disastrous conditions a man could endure…nevermind the accessories on his wrist while trying to contain the disaster. My gshocks have endured mud blasts over 120psi, deep underwater pressures, and being used as landing gear for a 180lb human flying off a mountain bike at 15mph on a rocky trail. It’s kinda why I confidently buy more of them.
I love that cheap brands like Pagani crank out actual automatic watches that are affordable to anyone. There is a market for us poor bastards that love mechanical watches but can't afford a BB58 just yet and can go to Orient Bambinos, Invicta Pro-Divers etc.
What's more they (Islander i'm looking at you) will often offer color combinations that aren't even available from the original brand, so if someone wants a blue or salmon Rolex Explorer there's literally nowhere else to go but them. It's nice to have choices.
Touché guys... The big fellas really have a thing or 2 to learn from these Microbrands... 😁 Who said that Great watches need to come... With even Greater price tags?
I couldn't agrree more with allot of what you are saying. I got back into watches cause I was so tired of being connected all the time. And today it sickens me a bit to see my nieces and nephews constantly nose deep in their phones even at the dinner table. I even went so far to ask my brothers if maybethey should tell everyone to put their phones away and I got the stink eye. 😂😂 They all have smart watches too and I wonder why cause they never sem to be away from their phones. I think the tech you carry with you has become the new status symbol.
I like how he thinks that buying apple watch is somehow being influenced by marketing while we all know that the only reason you buy needlessly complicated mechanical watches is mind numbing marketing and consoomerism
I had an Apple Watch for a couple of years. I mainly used it to track running though, and I quickly got tired of the intrusion of email and other notifications on my wrist. Nowadays I have a Garmin watch that I use for running that in my opinion is not only better for running but it also has a rugged and functional appearance that looks a lot better than the Apple blandness. Still, I generally only use it while running and to track my sleep at night. The rest of the time it's so much more satisfying to wear a Casio or a diver etc.
@Sunil-tu8vf You're right. But once I turned those features off, I felt like I'd removed the only thing that made the Apple Watch a useful piece of kit. I didn't like it as a running watch because the battery wouldn't last through a marathon. And I didn't like it from a style perspective, so it was very easy to get rid of it at that point.
I bought a Garmin Instinct 2 Solar and really like it. Even though I use an Iphone (mini), I was not really that impressed with Apple Watches, mainly because of the terrible battery life. I also prefer round watches. Garmin do a very good monochrome screen divers watch/computer series, called G1. I don't dive which is why I bought the Instinct 2 Solar. I'm more of a mountaineer than diver. I really like a lot of the Garmin range. A lot more to choose from than Apple and they look like real watches. If I had double the money to spend, I probably would have bought an Epix or Fenix.
Great intro, my man. The peek through the blind to reveal Cameron's excellent depiction of the future most superb. Plaudits aside, In the past 20 years, the relationship with technology has completely overwhelmed our capacity to understand it. Our culture, relationships and perceptions of self are being distorted beyond recognition by 'smart' devices. If we could travel back in time, much like John Connor, I propose Steve Jobs should be cast as the T1000.
Dear TGV, I have been a member of your channel quite a while now. Recently for not only because of the in-depth and honest info you provide, but also because your editing, especially at the intro’s is getting trough the roof! So professional and still improving, it has become in itself something to look forward to every time again. Compliments!
I recently added an Apple Watch 8 to my collection of automatic and quartz watches. Despite the square-ish form factor (I never liked this in any watch), it has become my daily driver, so to speak. The countdown timer, altimeter, tide indication, heartbeat, and activity indications have made this a must for my daily hikes. I am able to track my sleep patterns now from night to night. From a pilot's perspective I appreciate the inclusion of the most simple navigation instrument, a compass. Ironically, I just found out how to use a GMT automatic watch as a compass. Mind blowing! Still, I crave a highly legible, hackable, glowing round-dial watch with two time zones and a date indication. Maybe, just maybe.... this wearable tech will inspire future generations for mechanical nostalgia.
@@Zed1987X Citizen is great. But for Eco drive, make sure you keep it charged, otherwise the cell goes out. I had to replace 3 of mine. But no matter what, regular lume is no match for the display on an Apple Watch at night.
Im not a iOS guy. I switched to Samsung galaxy after the iphone 5 and never looked back. I do own a galaxy watch 4 that i use at the gym primarily. Mark is right, if I wasn't a watch enthusiast, it's all the watch I would need.
Helped my neighbor who only had an old Timex Ironman buy an Omega Bond watch years ago. He has many now (just got a Snowflake), his wife now wears a Datejust and his 3 sons have all become collectors. Introducing fam and friends to the great designs and makers, watch forums, and fantastic YT channels like TGVs can pull many, young and old, into the game and keep the Industry going.
What a remarkable video! A superb intro, an excellent narration through and through, great B-roll content and Hollywood-level editing. All that, plus an articulate, highly intelligent disucssion of the subject. This video should be seen as a standard to measure by, even for a non-watch enthusiast video maker. Keep up the great work TGV, and thank you Marc for your faithful insight. Cheers to you both. Greetings from Chile.
Yes! A new TGV video. As someone who’s staying off social media and trying to disconnect from that world I appreciate my humble Seiko Turtle more and more
It's amazing to think of how many people will not be able to tell the time after an emp strike.. and then imagine the value of a mechanical watch afterwards...
Amazing video. This all sums up why I sold my Apple watch 3 years ago. It pulled me onto my phone, always notified of everything. I needed time off, now I have a small collection of watches that bring me 100 times more joy
The watch brands should be paying for this video as part of an awareness campaign. Fair play to Mark for his contribution and sponsorship. The points raised in this video are so pertinent. They are akin to what I see and hear in other hobbies. Namely, the concern of where the future generations of collectors are going to come from? In many, they are reliant on young people having an introduction and experience before 'life' responsibilities take over which often causes a dip or lull in the hobby. They may then return at a certain point in their life where they can afford it and have the time to enjoy it. Without that early years exposure, the latter may never occur! So, I would say there has never been a more important time for the more affordable end of microbrands etc. They may prove to be the best hope while simultaneously being likely to be the most vulnerable in the longer term. Brilliant stuff TGV 👏
Not doomed. Resurgent. My 11 year old son bought a Seiko 5 with his allowance and built a Lego Hugo Mountbatten. Seems like a new generation is taking note.
To each their own. It’s often hard to find the highest end Apple Watches in Japan, so all of the commenters, including the Japanese guy, don’t know what they’re talking about. I’ve lived in Japan since 1998, so I may as well be Japanese myself. The NFC feature alone, is worth the price of admission. I have my PASSMO on my watch, so I can pay at a ton of restaurants, vending machines, and use every form of transportation, with a tap of my watch. Including displaying a QR code for my boarding pass for a flight. Not to mention if my PASSMO is short on funds, I can recharge it from my watch as well. Not to mention the medical monitoring, and other things both shown and said in this video. It is much more than a watch, and you can style it how you want, to include gold bands, if you are really that vain… And accuracy? Don’t make me laugh. These watches constantly correct their time on their own. I had a $3,000+ Omega once as a gift, and the darn thing would be 15 minutes or more off within a week. You can keep your stupid mechanical watch. It can’t do a single thing better than a smart watch, other than drain your bank account. I haven’t changed my original Apple Watch yet either, and it’s more than 5 years old. Tempted to upgrade to the series 9 or Ultra 2, but the fact is, I don’t need to.
I stopped wearing smartwatches awhike ago. That decision is what nudged me into watch collecting. I just picked up a Casio GBD200 but that Frederique Constant looks like it has promise too
I found this video a bit cynical, to be honest, TGV. (You were always such a positive chap!) However, I do appreciate many of Marc’s observations regarding how the market has changed over the years, but this is step-change… in the same way that quartz and digital watches upset the markets back in the 70s and 80s… then so it is now. You’ll be well aware that Apple didn’t invent the smart watch… they just mastered it, and built a product that people want to own, because it adds value to their daily life. Do I love watches? Yes! Do I love Apple Watches, yes! Can they both peacefully coexist in my collection…. I’m not so sure, because I wear my Apple Watch far more often than any other watch in my drawer.
I am more optimistic. I think the smart watch will put watches on people that never thought to own one. Hopeful eventually they get tired of the notifications and move to traditional watches. I stopped wearing a watch in my teens, then this year while still 39 I got my first watch in over 20yrs. Smart watches were an interest to me being into tech but hated the way they fit due to the sensors I did not plan on using. Then, I realized I would go to check my phone and get stuck on it 10-20mins dealing with messages and such. The start of my search for a "dumb" watch began. Now, I LOVE watches. Two of my favorite being an Accutron DNA, Longines Conquest VHP and Casio G-steel B400.
Outstanding production, TGV! I like my Garmin Instinct for hiking, but I love my BB58! It stays on my left wrist, & my Garmin goes on my right when I’m in the woods.
TGV missed his true calling as a film maker. I challenge anyone to find better quality watch reviews anywhere. The intros alone are among the most entertaining short films made.
There *ARE* reasons for owning an Apple Watch. I, myself wear an Apple Watch Ultra 2(a replacement for my 6th gen Apple Watch). I work alone outside at night and, in addition to multiple health issues, I have a leg that works bad enough that I get the good parking and makes me a fall risk. I wear it mainly for health/risk management reasons. I’ve turned off all non-health related notifications, and I wear it on my right wrist(I’m right handed), meanwhile my custom built two-tone nh38-powered skxplorer build lives on my left wrist as my everyday watch. I understand the hate for something that is taking market share from something we all love, but smart watches have their place, and purpose, too.
I dunno. If I saw this video 5-10 years ago, I'd agree with it. But trying to talk me back into mechanical watches now is like trying to talk me into a rotary phone. Or buying a horse: Sure, they're great fun if you can afford the upkeep, maintenance and don't mind the unreliability, inaccuracy and inconvenience. But I've been wearing a Garmin smartw- uhhh, fitness watch on a daily basis for the last 3 years while my automatics lie dormant in my watch case. When I got into watches 20 years ago, I fully bought into the dogma that it just isn't a real watch unless its powered by springs, levers and gears - preferably Swiss springs, levers and gears. Now? An automatic watch is just jewelry. Or a really cheap horse. A Garmin is my daily driver and I wear my autos to business meetings only. Or on vacation when I'm not sure about batteries or chargers on the road. I'm an Android guy, so no, an Apple watch isn't on my horizon. But smart-watches are here to stay. My Garmin goes 10 days on a charge and is accurate, functional and reliable. I'll never go back.
It’s not a competitor it’s an adjunct. I have a Rolex Explorer & it’s great. I also have an Apple Ultra watch & it is great too. Would Hilary & Tensing use a Rolex Explorer or an Apple Ultra/ Garmin these days? They would use what fits the bill. People will choose what fits the bill. Rolex fits the bill like a Porsche fits the bill instead of a Tesla. You can’t defeat timeless heritage that is well curated.
My most regretful purchase is the Apple Watch. £560 wasted I barely get time to charge it with plethora of other electronics to keep charging, that’s why I prefer the classics just go anywhere do anything watches.
Very interesting piece TGV and Marcs. Apple Watch has so much benefits to an individual to their everyday life, from health to info and not missing any calls but there is a little trade off. 1. Software updates for 7 years I think. 2. Recharging every two days However, Apples watches can be worn on either wrists and comes with various lifestyle bands. Since people upgrade phones every couple of years and upgrading Apple Watch to newer versions are much better than servicing a mechanical watch at a cost higher than Apple Watch depending on some brands and then having to wait for couple of months to have it back. I have read in news recently that people young’s as 18 or early 20s having heart attacks. I would rather encourage kids to wear an Apple Watch or a fitness watch which has heart rate reading accuracy and prioritise their health first than any statement pieces which can only tell time. One thing why rich people are not seen wearing Apple Watch could be that they can afford 24x7 doctors to keep their health on track. Someone to take their calls and keep their calendar organised. 😀
I own a large collection of G-shocks, I am a sucker, I buy at least one every month. I do also own an Apple watch. The apple has it's uses, for example I travel by car alot every year in Europe and some countries still have tolls, given that my phone needs to be plugged for maps and media, extending my arm and using the Apple watch to pay the tolls is heaven. However, the experience of owning a watch that the battery lasts less than 24hrs is disruptive. I HATE IT with a passion having to take off my watch and find a charger to charge it. It's hideous. But everything has it's usage.
This was superb. Fantastic work, whole heartedly agree. Interesting how watches can raise important topics, like “removing ourselves from the digital landscape”.
I absolutely love your content, TGV, and I really like your videos. I however totally and respectfully disagree with you regarding your take of the Apple Watch. Why would you think that Steve McQueen or Ali would not wear an Apple Watch today? I actually wear both, my mechanical watches which I have bought (often after I saw your review) and those I got from my parents. To me, mechanical watches are like pieces of art you hang on a wall, they either give you joy and pleasure, or not...and many, many people don't get this joy out of watches and thus don't wear them, because they don't NEED them, as Mark and you said in the video. Mechanical watches today have no other function in my view beyond that, because the last time mechanical watches were used to tell exact time was in the pre-70s. And just like art pieces, some look at this from a price point - art is only good if it is expensive and exclusive. And since I enjoy art for art's sake (even if it is a mass-produced print from a art museum...), I will forever continue to wear my inexpensive mechanical watches, but during my work hours, when I need instant information, I will certainly wear my Apple Watch proudly, precisely so that my phone does not have to be glued to my ear. If that makes me vulgar or common in some people's eyes, or even better, if people think I am somehow a victim of some mindless pr campaign or a willing bot of big brother, well, they can go and fly a kite, for all I care. All my best, and keep up the great content, big fan of yours.
The Apple Watch is a tool watch that prioritizes function over form which is why it isn’t best looking or inspired . That is why whenever there is a new version the new features are promoted , not the aesthetics. I do own an Apple Watch alongside my grand seiko and Rolex but smart watches do have their use case. It is a part of horological history and although we need to promote traditional timepieces, we should be weary of coming across elitist or out of touch .
While I don't love smartwatches at all, I will say that Jony Ive is a designer that demands respect. Similarly, I have some qualms about what you're saying in this video. Simultaneously, Richemont, Swatch Group, Louis Vuitton and co are just as cynical corporate conglomerates as your Disney, McDonalds or Apple. I have no illusions about corporate watchmaking, and if you look at a lot of what Tissot puts out at the lower end of the Swatch group (and Swatch itself, for that matter) you see that there is a lot of bad design that deserves no respect, and there's a terrible amount of throwaway stuff being marketed and made there as well. A moonswatch and blancswatch are just as designed around planned obsolesence as a smartwatch. My rule of thumb: If it is disposable garbage, don't buy it.
A thought provoking piece, TGV. Thank you. I have to admit to owning both conventional watches and now, two Apple Watches which form part of my collection. The functionality smart watches provide me is highly beneficial on a daily basis, however, I refuse to part with my conventional watches simply because I love them. They will be passed down to my children as keepsakes and a memory of me, whereas my Apple Watches will likely be recycled one day. Ultimately I think what a wonderful world we live in that provides us with such diverse and amazing items to help enrich our lives, because after all, isn’t it all about the pleasure? Onwards and Upwards to the good Gentry🙏🏻
I beg to disagree with you to a degree, perhaps under circumstances that may have escaped your attention. I moved nearly twenty years ago to Bali Indonesia, and was a big fan of mechanical watches. My pride and joy was an Oris which I bought new in London during the annual February sales. After owning it for about 10 years i considered that it might need a little lubrication, so I took it into a watch dealership in Bali advertising servicing of higher end brands such as Breitling Omega Rolex etc in a lab in Jakarta . I expressly gave instructions for lubrication and cleaning only. What happened was after 4 weeks of no notifications I enquired about progress. Well, I got my watch back, free with a week, with the hands bent, lume stripped off and no lubrication, and not running. No responsibility taken for this screw-up. Ah, Indonesian character. Long story short, I was quoted 700 Singapore dollars for a restoration at the Oris exclusive dealership there. I said no. I did get some repairs done in Bali with a bit excessive lume painted on (looks a bit naff, but too late, and it also required a new balance-wheel to replace the slightly bent one). Most people here don't wear mechanical watches. There are all too few traditional watch-repairers, and I don't trust some. Those of the smug stylish persuasion will spend big money on a mechanical watch, but not worry too much about repairs and maintenance. I cannot do that, and so I gravitated towards quartz (mostly solar). I do like style but now won't invest in mechanicals any more. Quartz is now ok for me after that debacle. Mechanical watches are more for first-world folks with access to traditional old-school watch-repair facilities. I still would like to see quartz watches with some sort of kinetic rotor /solar system for charging, as I still hate the idea of batteries in landfills. I bought an inexpensive Huawei band 6 fitness-tracker a few weeks back, and I love it to bits. Easily recharged and talks to my iphone. Good for when the heart-rate monitor in one of the treadmills in the gym is on the fritz. Suave man-about-town is not me. Don't get me wrong, I will watch videos on real high-end mechanical watches, but purely out of curiosity.
All my life I have refused to wear a smart watch out of principal, recently I decided to buy the Apple Watch ultra 2, best decision I have ever made and a new favorite addition to my collection.
Same here! I have been a Rolex Explorer 214270 mk2 daily wearer, but the new AW Ultra 2 really got to me with its tool watch construction that can withstand a lot of abuse (saw a youtube torture test, and was quite impressed! I don’t think any Rolex can survive that much torture!). Combine it with ALL the functions that I want, insane battery life + the 100% accuracy, I can’t put down the AW Ultra 2!
I had a serious health issue and needed to be able to keep a sharp eye on my heart, I bought a Bluetooth blood pressure cuff and an ultra 1 last year. I usually keep it covered up unless it’s T-shirt weather but it’s been good for dealing with phone calls and the Apple Pay feature is nice. TBH though if the thrust of the video is that the smart watch is hurting the traditional watch, I would argue that my traditional watches were displaced way back when I got my 1st Nokia. Even with having been wearing the ultra everyday for over a year I still often find myself pulling out my phone to check the time.
I'll just stick with my Citizen Eco Drive (solar) chronograph divers style (blue dial). Model - CA0540-56l No. It may not be the best, it's a good watch and it does me! 😎🇬🇧
I've been "experimenting" with double wristing for the last year. Mechanical on the left and apple watch on the right. I lasted about 2 weeks with only the apple watch before the Omega went back on the wrist. I'm still torn about it, but it has become part of my style at this point...
It's funny to see this when you're an Apple Watch user, enjoying the functionality on so many levels that you can't even imagine not using it. Or at least don't want to. Sure, I'll give you two points you made that I think are actually true: 1. even though I like the design of the watch, it is annoying that everyone with an Apple Watch has basically the same watch on their wrist. It is boring and makes them look like lemmings. 2. It is unfortunate that you really do have to replace your watch much sooner and much more often in your life than with a mechanical watch. But, and this is a BIG BUT, the functionality of the Apple Watch makes up for it in every way. Let me show you how: If I want to set an alarm for, say, 5 minutes, I just raise my wrist and say: "5 minutes". If I want to log my water intake, I'll raise my wrist and say "water". If I want to set a reminder or make a new entry in my calendar, I'll do the same. Or if I want to send a short message, the same. Then, of course, I can see my next appointments or reminders on my watch. I can also see the intensity of the sun (important to me) if I want, or the temperature and the weather forecast. I can see when someone is texting me (which I can turn off if I want) and decide if it's important enough to take out my phone or just ignore it. I never miss a call, but if it's not important at the moment, I just cover the screen with my hand for a split second and my watch stops ringing. If I can't find my phone, I can ping it. If I go for a run, I can track my heart rate, distance, calories burned and best of all, I can listen to music without taking my phone with me. I have a flashlight on my wrist, which is very useful in a lot of situations, I can do guided meditations and breathing exercises, and I can completely disconnect from everything wherever I am, combined with the noise cancellation of my AirPods Pro (think airports or something like that). I get a notification when my Uber arrives so I don't have to pull out my phone to check. It monitors how long I sleep and how long I spend in different stages of sleep, my cardio fitness (which is a reliable indicator of how fit and healthy you are), my breathing rate and just a huge amount of health data, which is great if you're into that sort of thing. And probably a few things I forgot to mention that are just useful in everyday life. So I understand why some people don't like smartwatches, but they probably never used them long enough to appreciate them. I was like that before I had the Apple Watch. But once I experienced it, I understood things I didn't understand before. And the conception that you are more distracted than with just a phone isn't necessarily true, because very often I don't even have to touch my phone because of the watch. And when it comes to data collection, I'm not so worried about Apple. You can basically opt out of everything, and health data isn't shared at all. Just my two cents ;)
Smart watches are essential tools. For exercise and what not. But when I’m not in fitness mode I always use either a tag Hueur ball or Armand nicolet watch
Smart watches are not essential tools. We survived just fine before they existed. I have never owned one and life goes on as normal. However, I have many mechanical watches, which are also non-essential.
True but you understand what I’m getting at. You technically don’t need electricity you technically don’t need a lot of things. Electricity does improve one’s life more than a smart watch considerably so but you don’t need it to survive. It simply convient and useful to have like a smart watch. A smart watch can keep track of all your vitals to help keep you healthy and assist you in your goals. So you see quite useful like electricity the only diffrence is the effect it has on one’s life
@@paleriderpublishing451 I invite you to try to exist without electricity. And by that I mean, no electricity at all including all the things brought to you by electricity. All the technical equipment, medical equipment, all the manufactured goods. In the modern world there would be mass deaths if reticulated electricity was switched off permanently. On the other hand we have smart watches. Their non-existence would cause barely a ripple in humanity. Electricity is essential and smart watches are not. You have neatly encapsulated what is essential and what is not with your ridiculous comparison.
I'm not sure why The Algorithm put this video in my feed. I stopped wearing a watch in the 1980's when my job required me to wear a pager at all times. I've felt no inclination wear one (Apple or otherwise) ever since. Your sneering comments about others who don't share your views on style and mechanical watches didn't impress me at all. You derided people who couldn't be bothered pulling their phones out of their pockets to use apps. How about people who couldn't be bothered to pull their phones out of their pockets to see the time (like in the old pocket watch days)? I am unlikely to take in any more content from this channel.
I was offered the Apple Watch series 3 when it was released. I wore quite a bit as a watch for some time. It's still in great condition and I wear it probably 3 to 4 times a week but exclusively as a running watch during my slow runs. I find that it's still a pretty accurate tool especially combined with an external heart rate monitor if you want better data.
Or, you could not give a $@#! what people strap around their wrist. Step One: buy something you like. Step Two: use it or store it or whatever you want. Step Three: don’t give half a FK what people think. Done.
What is a Rolex? It tells time and anyone who notices that you have money to spend just to tell others you have money to spend. The time part is worth $30, if you need more than your phone. But why would you need either aspects of the Rolex. Telling others you have money by having very useful features beyond the time, seems a more intelligent choice. You’re attached to nostalgia, and are stretching to find reasons that the Apple Watch is not well designed, or fashionable. Fashion is subjective. Millions find Apple Watch fashionable, you don’t. Who’s right? You talked about all these icons James Bond and others, and show a pile of bling swatches with hands. For me the bling of those watches have always made my skin crawl, as have men who are full of themselves James Bond etc. Because they’re blatantly designed for vanity. And for me that’s not me. Having useful features beyond just the time, and without the frivolous vanity. That’s for me. And no that’s not a boot on my head. The conformist who tells another man where he can wear a hat in public and that his watch must have bling. There’s the boot.
Rarely do I watch a video where I disagree with basically everything that's in it. Let's dive in: 1. Unimaginative design that doesn't adhere to Max Bill's bauhaus or nature's Fibonacci's mathematics. Max Bill is not the only designer in the history of mankind. Mother nature is not infallible. New ways of thinking emerge all the time, the whole point of being new and potential ground-breaking is that those ways don't adhere to old ones. Apple are doing Apple designs. Apple Watch not being bauhaus is not a con. 2. Gears and wheels have their honesty How often do you take off your watch to look at the display-back showing the movement? 3. Memories and sentimental values with watches Sure, but there are way easier, stronger and popular ways to form memories than associating a watch with events. Like companionship and photos. 4. Would McQueen, Muhammad Ali etc wearing an Apple Watch? Absolutely. Not to galas or diners but in their day to day life if they lived in 2023? Abso fucking lutely. They would be people like anybody else. 5. Tech products don't have artistry worthy of respect This is straight up ignorant. You have no idea how much thought goes into designing products, especially in companies like Apple who pour millions into design. Just because those designers aren't some dead dudes with their photos in some dusty old books doesn't mean they don't deserve respect. 6. Creations far removed from traditional horology So what? Apple Watches are tools. They happened to be worn on the wrist because it's practical. They reached a similar destination from a different origin, how is that a problem? They aren't pretending to be horological masterpieces. 7. Subconsciously conveying conformity, lack of self-respect and uncouthness Ridiculous. Apple Watches are tools. Am I sheep or do I lack self-respect for using a laptop and a smart phone? 8. G-Shock and Frederic Constant doing the tech thing the right way Ok, I'm gonna straight-up ignore the FC since they aren't even a different street of a product, they are a different continent. Nobody's gonna buy an FC so it measures the wearer's heartbeat. As for the GS, comparable. But the thing is that both iPhones and Apple Watches and their respective OS' are made by the same company. The integration between those products will be flawless and completely natural. Other companies aren't at that level. _____ I guess I can see one main conflict with this video. An Apple Watch is not a tool-jewellery. It's a straight-up tool, the jewellery idea isn't there. Meanwhile a traditional watch is tool-jewellery. But the tool half is not a half, it's a tiny fraction. Even Mark admitted as much - they've been long obsolete. It's mainly jewellery with some utility. People don't buy Apple Watches to look good, they buy Apple Watches for the utility and because they don't look too out of place. Honestly, to me an Apple Watch on business-casual looks better than a G-Shock on business-casual.
I don't agree with everything in this comment, but I agree with most of it. I think TGV is being much too harsh on smart watches. What's funny about TGV's argument about the design of the apple watch is that Mark Newson, the man who played a significant role in designing the apple watch, also designed traditional watches. And what is more, those traditional watches became more popular as a result of the launch of the apple watch. So when he says only designers of traditional watches are 'worthy of respect', I think he's not aware of who is behind the design of the Apple Watch. One possible argument against smart watches that TGV does not bring up, is the conditions under which they are produced. We don't know the wages and working conditions of the employees in the Chinese factories where Apple makes its watches. However, we do know that most people who make Swiss, German or Japanese watches are paid well and work in good conditions. Personally, I don't wear smart watches because I feel like my phone is good enough for all the apps I use, I don't feel a need to have a watch as well. But I can understand why some people do.
Watches are out of date tech It's just a bracelet for men and I love them! the price of some though is crazy over £10000 for a watch that's steel! are you sure Rolex? the gold watches will always have a place but this fashion for steel jewellery is silly I have 3 omegas well 2 now that I love but wish I had gold or just steel at reasonable prices I also have watches I put together myself from parts from eBay (scamBay) that I love just as much I just took me longer to admit it to myself. anyway mate I'll leave it there say hi to Hugo for me, Thanks, Andy.
It is great you have your hobby and you can get excited about the craftsmanship of traditional timepieces, but why do you have to insult the many (respected) designers and developers who managed to bring an astonishingly capable computer (that as you said "can even save peoples lives") onto the wrists of millions. At times this video is quite informative but I personally feel like it's spoiled by the obvious bias and destain of the creator for the Apple Watch. And I could easily see someone like Elvis Presley wear an Apple Watch.
I've recently gotten into watchmaking. I absolutely love the engineering and precision of the movement pieces. Repairing my grandfather's Benrus from the 40s brought me immense joy and I get to keep those memories of him on my wrist every day, making new ones along the way.
Poetic but nonsense, I'm sorry to say. The Apple Watch is beautiful, worked on by Messrs Ive & Newsom for years before they finalised the design. It's always the most accurate watch in the room, is constantly collecting data about you but only data you have asked it to collect. It's cheaper than most watches today and you only replace it if it breaks or the sensors are upgraded in a major way making it more useful. Pointing out lots of people have chosen to wear Apple Watches just highlights the fact that these are valuable to people. It's almost instant customisation also suits people more that traditional watches do. Brands like Timex and Bulova releasing £1000 watches says a lot about how deluded those companies are and should serve as a warning to get your shares in them sold.
Im afraid people have lost all sense of style. They dress horribly, they're ungroomed, covered in tattoos, overweight and generally look sad and anti-social. So why in the world would they wear a beautiful mechanical watch? Just put this bland, boring Apple gadget on and call it a day. I live in NYC, which was once a real style capital, but now we look rather pathetic. And sadly, its not likely style is ever going to return, so im not sure what the luxury watch future is.
The AppleWatch is obviously called a watch, but it is no watch. The same is true for American beer: it is called beer, but it is not beer. If you forget about the names, all problems with the AppleWatch and American beer is gone 😊
As a tradesman and gym goer, I wear an Apple Watch during the day at work and at the gym, then after my shower enjoy choosing which mechanical watch to wear for the rest of the evening. Apple Watch is useful when I’m at work as often I can’t easily get my phone out if I’m up a ladder or have gloves on or my hands are covered in shite. The expensive alternative smart watches from FC and breitling etc are very limited in functionality compared to an Apple Watch and just as likely to become obsolete. And yes, I take my mechanical watch off at bedtime and put the Apple Watch back on to track my sleep and then wake me early with a wrist tap so my wife isn’t woken up. Try that with a Rolex submariner 😂
Smartwatch will kill quartz watches, not mechanical ones. These are now, and have been for decades, status simbols and jewellery. This will not change. Quartz only has functionality going for it, and here is where smartwatches will take their share of the market. Which in a sense only feels fair. To be killed by the sword you used to try to kill yourself. In a long run, smartwatches might even help the mechanical watch industry. As iit does not try to be it's competitor by masking itself as a better version of what a mechanical watch is. Like quartz tried. And by eliminating a more direct competitor, smartwatches will allow mechanical watches to even more embrase their function of being luxury rather than function. Which in a sense they already are.
I was deep into Rolex until they stopped selling to the middle class who got them where they are today. I’ll never sell my last Rolex SD4K and my next luxury watch will probably be a Speedy. But until then… Apple Watch Ultra has won me over. I can’t say a watch ever motivated me to be more healthy and I still can’t because it’s not a Watch. It’s a computer on my wrist.
Never going for one of these I watches. Had a pebble, it was cool but simple, straightforward. These new ones look like high tech versions of the tags that criminals wear. They’ll have this stuff as a welcome gift with your life insurance soon. Then eventually it is mandatory, so they have access to your minute by minute health, and price it accordingly. Tied in with your government digital currency, they’ll know what you buy, what you eat. It goes on and on. They can shove their tracker somewhere findmy won’t see it. Sounds nuts, but you wait.
Great points! However, smart watch reads your BP, heart rate, and oxygen levels. A coworker of mine claims his apple watch saved his live because he was alerted for irregular heartbeat. Soon apple watch will monitor glucose levels and hopefully in the future monitor vitamin & mineral levels.
For the price of an apple watch I would get a Mud Master or an Aviator from Casio . I have an smart watch galaxy watch 4, I use it for measuring how active I am, and when I drive the car answer calls, and if my hands are full of dirt oil or other stuff you know it is good a smart watch to answer a call. But if I go out in nature I would take my G-Shock, it is solar I have it for 10 years never changed the battery, still going strong .
Well said. I have been a staunch and rather snooty anti-Apple watch person for a long time. But recently, I got one and here are my thoughts about it now. As watch afficionados, it's important to think of the Apple watch as not a watch, but a wrist computer. As Mark says, the Apple watch can do so many things; HRM, Sleep tracking, Vo2 max and so much more. The funtionality doesn't even compare to a proper watch. For this reason, I find myself wearing it more than I expected. Let's not try to think of this as a watch, that is, let's not get POMO and put on fake analog watch faces and let it pretend to be what it is not. If I'm not working out or sleep tracking, I wear a regular watch. Also, I was surprised how comfortable it was. I don't consider it as part of my watch collection, but a very, very useful tool. Especially if you work out a lot. It's not a watch. It's a computer. Let's treat it as such.
Hurumph to you sir on the wrist computer moniker - I just posted before reading other comments and now find that you have straight up stolen my thunder, but well done!
this is the real take
Touché... Now we gotta tell that to the young 'uns who wear them as ' watches'...
I look at wearing an Apple Watch as lacking any class, but you make a good argument. One annoying habit I’ve noticed with Apple smartwatch wearers is when speaking to them, they’re continually looking at their wrist because the stupid thing is ringing or being message.
@@andromedagodit2492...but first, they need to be able to read an analog dial. That starts with the ability to write in cursive.
I was in Japan this summer, and it was remarkable that just about everyone was wearing a proper wristwatch. For a watch enthusiast, it was so great to see so many different watches on different wrists. In 10 days, I don't think I saw a single Apple watch. Then I went to Korea and the Apple Watch was as ubiquitous there as they are here...
I know one thing I love about the Japanese, besides Seiko, Casio, and Citizen are their great writers like Murakami, so for that reason, I think they would be a classy group of people. And watches no matter how much they cost are classy.
I lived in Japan for four years, until a couple months ago, and can second that. The Japanese are pretty serious watch nerds. Lots of luxury watches everywhere, and a substantial amount of vintage watch shops tucked in corners here and there.
Janitors in Japan wear Cartier. It is almost a closed circuit market, they can survive selling watches in Japan. It is a very particular economic model.
@@christopherananias2313 absolutely!
@@DCbell5 I found one in Ginza that had some really interesting pieces! I didn't buy anything, but it was really cool to simply explore.
You had me at "Don't buy an Apple watch."
You had me at "I'm gay"
@Amber OMG, you’re family, too? Where are you from? I’m putting together watch meet up events for us. Lmk, cutie!
Gadget is not a watch
I don’t like too much tech that i need frequently charging them and worry about it. Also i hate too much notifications it makes me irritated
Tried does abomination one or twice but always get back to my mechanic watch collection. Simple but effective those lil’l f*ckers 🕰️
You remind me of when Kodak tried to convince us that film was economically better than digital. Where is Kodak today?
Pretty sure I saw them in Blockbuster
I wouldn’t even compare a standard watch vs a traditional watch. One is multi functional and one tells time. I still wear a traditional watch for how it looks and makes me feel. If I need more functionality my phone is nearby. Traditional Kodak film obviously required cumbersome developing and digital pictures don’t. So, of course you want to see a picture immediately vs waiting for film to develop. Kodak lost sight of why people want pictures in general. Copiers and printers are headed down the same path. Most offices have one or two larger printer/copiers because printing is a thing of the past. Hospitals are one of the few organizations that use hundreds of thousands of hard copies. They are changing too, it’s just taken them longer.
Kodak, ironically, held most patents on digital photography (generated a lot of money for them at the end). The reason they flopped was they just couldn't let go of that gigantic cash cow in film.
Hospitals still use paper and fax and will continue to for some time. It's due to HIPAA rules.
Film is better than digital. You can always scan film at a higher resolution. Digital has an expiration date. In 100 years, no one will remember a red camera, but they will remember a 70mm film.
I’m a partner in a fly fishing shop. And 67 years old. Started fishing with bamboo rods and silk lines, and the “new” fiberglass rods and nylon lines. Tackle progressed over the years to lighter (graphite, boron) more powerful faster casting rods, space age synthetic lines and leader etc. Space age materials for fly reels…. And all along people were still hand crafting bamboo fly rods and silk fly lines. Never went away and as a lot of people matured and got more experience they found themselves wanting the old relaxed technology. Modern synthetic rod makers have been making slower casting more relaxed rods, simpler reels and fly lines that duplicate the old silk and nylon lines. A big gradual change to what once was that never really went away. Both types of tackle having their place for certain types of fishing. Like certain types/styles of watches and people.
This video is comparing apples and oranges. A smartwatch is so different from a real watch it’s not even in the same category. Completely different purpose for completely different people for completely different reasons
Exactly. It’s like comparing cars to trains just because they both get you to a destination
Especially fitness
I truly love Marc’s mind. The way he composes sentences is so effective and insightful.
Last year a man wearing a stunning Celestial Patek Phillipe watch at Baccarat bar in NYC, sat beside me. It immediately caught my eye and I complimented it. His reply? "Yeah thanks, I paid $425k for this one, but I got more expensive ones. I bet you mine is more expensive than yours." It just goes to show you than money doesn't always come hand in hand with class.
Fantastic video. I own an apple series 7 that I primarily use to exercise and convenience, but nothing will replace the feel of a well made automatic watch slipped over your wrist. There is an unspoken air of elegance when wearing a work of art, even more so when you know the type of movement it carries, its place in history and most importantly, why it's important to you. Each piece I've bought carries a story behind it. I love to hear others stories too but loathe the occasional boaster "I'm so rich I bought this Patek" or "look at my new $75,000 AP I wear to the beach because I can," without understanding what it is they are wearing. They wear it because they think it gives them status and it's just pathetic.
Most ultra-luxury brands wouldn't exist if it wasn't for the very rich people with no class.
@@freightliner_86 you make a valid point.
First! I concur! Burn those bloody Apple Watch abominations … tomorrows plastic waste
For me, one of the issues with smart watches is the fact that it pushes us closer to not actually owning anything in my mind. Yes, it's nice for now. How long until it's obsolete? It's as if you are renting it until a new one is available. I'd rather have something I can keep for a lifetime. TGV has inspired me to build my book and dvd/ Blu-ray collection and purchase a dedicated player for them and my CDs. It's nice to "buy" and stream immediately, but you don't own any of it. And I feel like smart watches are the streaming of the watch world. Maybe that makes sense, I'm not sure. But it does to me.
My first cd's are rotting away. Beter buy some vinyl.
Klaus Schwab says mw ha ha
@@JeeGee114 With all CDs, rip them to your computer. Then you can make copies when necessary. But why are your CDs rotting? Mine don't and many are at least 40years old. Vinyl is not the greatest, but a rather poor medium, subject to wearing out from playing to warping. I own 300+ LPs, and many still sound good. I took care of them and played them very little. My friends and I would put them on cassette tapes to play and put the vinyl away. And when you rip a CD, the music can go on thumb drives to be used in your car. Hundreds of songs can fit in one drive.
actually buying an iTunes song instead of subscribing to Apple Music, you really do own the song if you download it to a drive. You just don’t have resale rights. Which you can get if you own a CD.
You’re correct with the trade in for a new model program Apple offers. Some push the limits getting five or more years from a smartwatch but they are a minority. In the end, a smartwatch feels like an appliance. There’s no art, poetry or romance with it.
If The Urban Gentry says the watch industry is doomed... everybody listens.
I have a full metal gshock gst-w3100 I love that I don't need to charge it or put the correct time in
I agree with Mark when I go for a walk I turn my phone off because I want to tune into the real environment around me. If somebody bought me a smartwatch I'd ask them if they kept the receipt😂
As an owner of multiple mechanical watches I feel smart watches are a part of one's collection, exactly like quartzes used to be and still are. I'm still proud to own a Fossil hybrid HR (all blacked out screen wise) and always enjoy the surprise on people's faces when a notification comes in and text appears on the dial. Fossil did a great job with the e-ink implementation and if the battery lasts in the long term, I'm certain it will be a future classic! Having said that, I value my mechanical watches a lot more than my gimmicky smart watch!
I gotta admit they are really cool
Wrist watches are equally a waste of money and gimic. This just in, your phone has a clock and no1 thinks u look cool wearing a wristband. If you think people, you have self-esteem issues. That said, its the less of 2 evils (well not evil bad waste of monies) to avoid buying a $500-800 smart watch.
A smart watch isn't actually a Watch...
Try again ~
@@srobeck77News flash: You're Supposed to have "self-esteem issues"...
It's called Humility.
Go back to your Generation's lack of original thinking. Just because you're not posing doesn't mean you're thinking for yourself. Maybe go ask your girlfriend... she can confer with Reddit for you and while she's got her phone out, tell you the time..
Which do you think Leads in life, synchronicity or information? ~
@@srobeck77 Do you always make rude assumptions about people you know nothing about, you self entitled prick? This is a watch enthusiast channel, watches are somewhat of a hobby to most people here and like most people if someone opens a discussion about or notices your hobby you feel nice because you discuss something that interests you a lot. This is called a social interaction and it happens to people that leave outside of their mom's basement or their overinflated ego. Now go waste someone else's time.
Approaching my 50th trip around the sun, I have resisted the allure of the latest tech on my wrist. Sometimes I wish I could have done the same with the smartphone, which most of us have become dependent upon. More great content TGV. Onwards and upwards.
Same for me. 76er here.
I have been thinking of switching back to a flip phone and ditching the smartphone lately.
The reason we have become dependent on our smartphones, is because the quality of life with them is so much better. I can remember back in the 1980’s, if you were going to travel to another city by plane, it was quite a lot of work. Getting the tickets, finding a hotel, making sure you had the area mapped out if you were renting a car. Hell, even renting the car was some work. When it was time to eat, you either had spent a lot of time figuring out where to go before hand, or most of the time, you just ate at whatever place was close, and hoped it was good.
Today I fly into a city (on a flight I could have booked in 5 minutes the day before), and I have thought of none of that before I land. I know I can just pull my phone out, and sort anything I need in minutes. It’s a pretty damn amazing time to be alive. I also have an Appel watch, and as a tool, it’s not the same level of jump as smart phone to no smart phone, but it’s definitely enough to be happy I have it. Also, as a mechanical watch enthusiast, I am not sure why people are so against it. I mean the entire reason to have mechanical watches in the first place, was to provide information at the flip of your wrist. When they came out, it was a marvel of modern technology. People wanted the highest tech they could get (most accurate, durable, and later magnetically resistant). An Apple watch is just the modern extension of that. I am 99% sure if Louis Breguet was alive today, he would love the Apple watch. He built tools, and this is the best tool ever created, that can be strapped to your wrist.
I have tried. Unfortunately I missed out too much of the fun stuff with a dumb phone, so I now accept the downsides. Think about navigation, and most importantly communication with colleagues and friends
As someone who owns both a Pelagos 39 and a Speedmaster 3861, I still love my Apple Watch Ultra for everything else it can do besides tell time. I rotate my watches based on use case, so when I'm at work I'll wear my mechanical watches due to my employer's policy on smart devices. For everything else from jogging or workouts to just running to the store, the Apple Watch is hard to beat!
For me I still love mechanical watches, but as a kid I always wanted a watch that does essentially what an Apple Watch does + more things. For me it’s not a distraction, I can leave my phone at home and still get calls in an emergency. Still I do miss wearing mechanical watches more often. And how could I forget the fitness tracking features for competing with friends. Suit + smart watch is a crime
So is suit and no socks, or blue suit with brown shoes. The people who think it is cool to not wear socks in the office with trousers so short they don't even reach their ankles are the same people who buy apple gear. (and I use the word 'gear' deliberately as Apple id just a glorified drug pusher). I, for one, hate the 'Cult of Apple'
Hating is not really rational. Maybe, you should keep that part for yourself.
And your sample is not so clever. You can clearly find more people with smartwatches than shoes without socks. Quite the contrary- it is very different people wearing those watches.
Also, I do not see it black and white. I do wear suits and jeans or shorts, depending on the occasion. I do the same with watches. And I do wear socks, usually :)
You lost me with „you can get a enthusiast accepted watch…“. Why should I aim for such a thing? And - which kind of enthusiast, exactly?
You are a slave to that watch. Liberate yourself. Go somewhere and leave you phone at home and feel the freedom from Apple.
I think more companies should do hybrid watches. Watches that are analogue but have sensors underneath that send to an app on your phone for health measurements
Casio offers a great variety of quartz watches from sub £20 to £hundreds. Micro brands are offering automatic watches with sapphire crystal and reliable seiko movements for around £200 or less. The big brands might want to consider what they can offer at entry level to build the consumer base.
Exactly. Brands aren’t build customers base. People not in watch know just Rolex, Seiko, Tag Heur, Citizen, Swatch, Tissot. This luxury things doesn’t work if people don’t wear, because we want what we see from other people. At the moment you barely see an Omega around. I was about to buy a seamaster 300 precivid when was a bit more than £3k. On 2021 when I had the money to purchase was more than £4k, now is more than £5k wtf. I buy a captain cook 2 years ago for less than £1,200 now cost £1,800. Honestly who will never buy a rado for that? I love that watch but if my father didn’t own a rado I probably don’t have this sentiment attachment to buy one for that money.
I have many watches, some are expensive but, the one I wear daily is my G- shock. It's taken a beating, and I don't care about it, hence I love it.
If one day someone’s digital identity is mandatory to be worn and your criminal history , social standing and yearly gross made putting everyone in to separate baskets ,the population will be easily affected by a class system . The haves the have nots . The criminals. The degenerates . And with the advent of Apple glasses it theoretically could be possible to have ones social credit score hi lighted/displayed right next to them . Further separation of those that will never mingle .
It makes no sense. It is a dying industry. Before the AppleWatch Ultra came out, I looked at Casio’s G-Shocks “smart watch” (it is not really smart, just had a bit more functionality). Even my current G-Shocks is extremely frustrating to use (if you want to do more than looking at the time - even changing the time / time zones is frustrating).
The only way, for these brands is - making a reasonable priced smart watch - and maybe more “artsy” smart watches.
Nobody needs today a watch anymore - except if you are looking at “investment” - but the danger of a bubble is apparent.
@@Dominikmj 100% true. Casio lost the war of sport watches with Brands like Garmin or Suntoo. No athletes wear Casio. It’s a brand for nostalgic no more.
I have no desire to own a smart watch. Maybe because I’m 75 yo. Maybe because I’m an introvert and think the meta verse already knows enough, if not everything, about me. Maybe because I’m loyal to my family history of watchmakers. I love every (17+1 Casio) mechanical watch in my collection. They each have unique character. I have trouble deciding which one to wear every day.
I hope you understand that a video starting with the premise "everyone is wearing an Apple Watch" is only going to propogate the issue further! 😅
I'm not a conservative person. I like my mechanical watches, but I appreciate advancements in time technology.
I couldn’t agree more TGV. Luckily I have infected my daughter with the watch fever. For her 6th birthday I bought her an F91 sky blue with a transparent band. She has not taken it off ever since, she has SO many memories with it now that she is 8. And I explain to her, “isn’t it cool that this watch has been with you for 2 years?” And she thinks and goes “Yeah, this watch was with me when I graduated this school and when I had my baptism, etc.” She now loves it even more. We need to explain to our children this concept, that real watches from as little as $9 can last you for a lifetime and be with you for those important moments.
A few months ago, I was set to buy an apple ultra, which is about £1000. I found this channel and changed my plans to buying an affordable watch collection. I still have an old Apple series 4 for exercise, but the rest of the time I wear my new watches. Absolutely love them, stylish interesting and they don’t keep pinging with notifications. They just tell the time. What a luxury. Thanks for your work, TGV.
Well done indeed mate. 😊 👍
I had a series 3 and a 5. After the last updat emy 5 barely last a day even though the battery charges to 100% with 84% of health left. So at by the end of the day it can't even act as a watch which should be its first job. So no more Apple watches for me. I'm back to real watches.
Glad to hear that!
There might still be a hope...
“would james bond wear a smart watch?” 😂 dude, you’re not james bond, grow up. really. you just seem insecure about your masculinity/being an adult. it’s sad.
I love the collaboration with Marc from Long Island Watch. He brings since interesting points to this topic as a watch enthusiasts who also became a manufacturer/seller.
I really tried to enjoy wearing a smartwatch but it just seemed too gimmicky to me. I could appreciate the different watch faces as long as they are digital.. The analog faces just look cheap. Speaking of the face of the watch what could be more dull than wearing the same black rectangle as everyone else. That's all you see is everyone wearing the same black screen on their wrist.
I wear the Hamilton field watch, like the one shown in this video daily. With a Hamilton you get history with your watch. Something that suits my style with it's no nonsense dial, military inspired design, and that's not even beginning with the elegance of a device in your wrist that functions with gears, springs, and drives all working together with precision to provide the time. Smart watches will never be able to live up to any of that and frankly, Marc is right, it's all really just another distraction pulling your eyes back into the digital world of which most of us spend too much time in anyway. Something I know I have been guilty of.
Excellent video TGV.
Smart watches are tacky and gives a message of new age vaccinated slavery. While mechanical wristwatch on someone’s wrist translates a message of appreciation for history and our ancestors’ art of horology. Mechanical wristwatch is also an accessory which makes you just look better, while that plastic garbage dependant on government’s electricity is just a tool. Mechanical wristwatch is fully autonomous and is a symbol of freedom.
An apple watch screams conformity whereas a mechanical watch is a statement of your individual style.
I would be the world's most boring watch-'tuber ever, as my message would simply be "Buy whatever you want. If you like fashion brands, get your favorite (I had my share of these and enjoyed some of them a lot. I also wore those with pride. Just don't expect miracles and they do their job just fine, in my humble opinion). You want a smartwatch? don't let any 'tuber stop you and just go for it! Life is too precious to be told what watch you can and cannot put on your wrist".
I wish I could like this video more than once. Keep up the great content, it's a joy to watch you convey the current zeitgeist so comprehensibly and even with feasibly achievable positive outcomes!
Just got myself a Hamilton Khakee Day Date. To me it's perfection. Love the Video. Apple Watches are for Sheeple.
I have both Apple 'Watch' and mechanical watches, and I wear both when I'm out and about. I can appreciate both, one as a computer that I strap on my wrist that gives me glanceable information without having to pull out my phone (which, in my opinion, more socially disruptive than glancing at my wrist, which is what we do anyways when we're looking at the time on a traditional watch), and the other serving as a 'jewellery' or 'fun' accessory where I derive my personal pleasure whenever I look at it as something of a work of art I strap on my wrist. I think the march of technology is inevitable, as a point, even this video is published in a platform that tracks our watching habit, run by a company that also provides the software for smartwatches. We should not be shying away from it, but instead get to know it better and use it as a tool, like the way we use watches to tell time. It is meant to serve us. I think that's why traditional watch company is moving away from this 'tool' definition, and more towards 'luxury item', or 'hobby' or 'collectibles'. Because as a tool, it's outdated. But when it comes to 'luxury', 'hobby' or 'collectibles', the traditional watch has a better chance at surviving, or even thriving, in the future. I believe this video (which production value is excellent) is just preaching to the choir. I love traditional watches, and I would not like to see it go away (or even climb in price, which is sadly the reality), and will still buy traditional watches in the foreseeable future, and I believe a lot of the people here watching this video are of the same mind. But the crowd that is into smartwatches, (who will probably stumble upon this video by the 'smart' SEO title) will probably not understand and potentially even felt antagonised by the tone of the video which seems to imply that their purchasing decision is 'misguided'. Because to them, they see both as a tool, and of course one of them is outdated if it is put in this definition and they just simply get what they think is the latest advanced tool. I love both 'traditional' and 'smart' watches. But I believe it's good to make a distinction between these two, one as a work of art and the other a computer on a wrist, and I believe both can live together. But sadly, for a lot of people right now, it's just one or the other. But if the 'IT' crowd one day, for whatever reason, see the 'traditional watch' more as an item of passion or collectibles (which is why I think Swatch with its release of Moonswatch and Thrifty Fathoms is quite the strategy to lure people more into this point of view), or the 'traditional watch' crowd can appreciate the 'smart' watch not as a watch but more of a computing device, perhaps we can then see these 2 items living in harmony.
Very dangerous and shortsighted position.
Agreed 100%
@@tongotongo3143 I cannot support your position.
Smart watches are tacky and gives a message of new age vaccinated slavery. While mechanical wristwatch on someone’s wrist translates a message of appreciation for history and our ancestors’ art of horology. Mechanical wristwatch is also an accessory which makes you just look better, while that plastic garbage dependant on government’s electricity is just a tool. Mechanical wristwatch is fully autonomous and is a symbol of freedom.
100% spot on.
I wear my Apple Watch because it can wake me up in the morning without waking up the wife, also the tactile indicator lets me know when the countdown timer is done when working out, (earbuds). Is there a quartz watch that has tactile notifications?
A couple of things you might consider:
- Don’t dismiss the so-called “fashion watch” brands, those overpriced Daniel Wellington / Movado models. Their success was based solely on lifestyle marketing, and that means they have lessons to teach mainstream brands.
- Also consider deliberate pop collaborations. Seiko 5 has had some success with models inspired by franchises like Street Fighter, Naruto, etc., which play on consumer’s memories and subsequent nostalgia for those stories. Ditto Swatch and Dragon Ball.
Citizen does a lot of this too
Totally agree with this. The success of the fashion watches shows an opportunity for trendy designs and market optimization. But for some reason the traditional manufacturers keep pushing out dated boring designs. The Daniel Wellingtons might not be good watches but they look good and trendy. The traditional manufacturers should employ their designers.
I always have a chuckle at the hypocrisy of "watch enthusiats" hating the marketing led approach of Daniel Wellington, MVMT, et al but are in love with Rolex, who's success was based on the exact same principle of marketing first, when it went to challenge the established brands like Patek, Omega etc, I still don't like DW or MVMT but I don't like Rolex either for their cynical deliberate creation of product shortages and growing waitlists. But I have and would continue to buy Tudor (I know that makes me a hypocrite too)
Indeed, we all have our likes n dislikes, maybe hate is too strong a word but I agree that our preferences do carry with them strong emotional biases that affect our choices n decisions...
IMHO, the big brands definitely have a lot to learn from the Microbrands. Being able to serve some great quality watches with great specs (read: 2 - 300m WR, Sapphire Crystal, automatic movements, creative design - some really arguable, 316L Stainless steel, Superb Luminova, etc)...
At even Greater prices.
Makes one wonder... Do we really need... A thousand dollar watch? Or tens of thousands, for that matter?
@@andromedagodit2492 We are very fortunate to live in a time where microbrands offer so much for so little money. Especially at a time where the quality value brands like Seiko for example are pushing more and more into luxury end pricing. It's almost too good to be true and thus I have been buying (more than I should arguably 🙂) thinking can these values last?
TGV, I have a slight concern that you’re getting very near to personal attacks in this video. Though I am not a fan of smartwatches, to label someone as uncouth due to their choice of wrist mounted tool (as this is what a smartwatch seems to be) seems a bit classless.
Always enjoyed your channel TGV. Seeing the Jonathan Meades clip made my day.
There was a Jonathan Meades clip in his last video, too. As I noted in the comments under that, I see the influence of Meades in his recent presentation style. The line, "it's clinical, with about as much charm as an abattoir", over footage of meat processing, is pure Meades.
I refuse to call them smart WATCHES - they are wrist pads, and that’s an end to it. Great video as always, both yours and Marc’s views are very valuable indeed.
Wristpad! Nice one 😂
A great video production and great analysis of the future of wrist watches. Mark does offer a rather pessimistic prognosis of the future of mechanical wrist watches. I have no desire to have a 'luxury' watch; but I do enjoy my micro brand watches and other sub $1K watches that I own. I maybe gone before Mark's wrist watch apocalypse comes to pass. TGV I do hope you and others in the wrist watch industry can inspire us to make the investment in traditional wrist watches. As much as I enjoy your and Mark's commentary, I would hate to see your predictions come to pass.
All the best - RKL
I’m a g shock collector. I especially like the triple sensor and only quad sensor watches…also having barometer, altimeter, and compass. Along with these features some has sunrise/sunset, tides, and moon phases. All while 200m waterproof and some having depth sensors as well. I got an iPhone in my pocket that already costs over $1k. I don’t need one on my wrist as well.
I will wear traditional watch only if my smartphone will do everything my smartwatch does. Since wearing two watches simultaneously isn't a good idea, i will not miss out all the health monitoring and safety by wearing a smartwatch, so for now good bye my tag heuer.
@@distiking I do like and consider the health options a smartwatch has. And luckily for me Casio is working on it within their g shock line. I believe a hybrid would be good. I do fear the power grid going down in all it’s fragility.
exactly my thoughts. The new sensors on the GBD's are really attractive. The GBD and Instinct series watches are what I consider the best competition against the apple design philosophy/
I was a G-Shock wearer as well - and still have mine (but wear now a AppleWatch Ultra).
Trust me, it is not the same. First of all functionality and accessibility of functions are in another galaxy! My most used feature is workout / fitness and it literally motivates me to be more consistent with my workout - and it tracks my workout (which the iPhone doesn’t do that well).
My G-Shocks was frustrating at best, when it came to all its features. Difficult to read as well.
See it like that: email, messages, games, camera - all of this has been before on mobile phone - but the iPhone packaged it in a way, that it became far more useful and enriched our lives in a completely different way (and at times it has been also damaging on our lives, but hey...). The AppleWatch is very similar. Nobody “needs” a watch on his wrist anymore. And to be honest: when do you need a compass??? Or do you want to tell me, that you are also wearing a paper map with you at all times?
Point is: smartphones became incredible powerful, but also far larger. I can keep my iPhone ProMax at home, when I go quickly anywhere or to the pool or to the beach, yet have access to messages, and I can even be called - and I can pay with it as well!
@@Dominikmj at my age and the knowledge of my area (all of New England and most of USA) a compass is used quite effectively. But, most importantly, I do construction work and “as-builds” are changes made to the print of the build. When making changes on the fly of building something (whether it’s a new building or utilities such as sewer, water, drainage, bridges, and roadways…..we use elevations and direction. My rangeman gives me the elevation where I stand, compass direction….and I can even note the weather conditions of when it was built, all on my wrist in an instant. I’m sure an Apple Watch can do all that, but can’t withstand the blast of a water main being accidentally hit and producing some of the most disastrous conditions a man could endure…nevermind the accessories on his wrist while trying to contain the disaster. My gshocks have endured mud blasts over 120psi, deep underwater pressures, and being used as landing gear for a 180lb human flying off a mountain bike at 15mph on a rocky trail. It’s kinda why I confidently buy more of them.
I love that cheap brands like Pagani crank out actual automatic watches that are affordable to anyone. There is a market for us poor bastards that love mechanical watches but can't afford a BB58 just yet and can go to Orient Bambinos, Invicta Pro-Divers etc.
What's more they (Islander i'm looking at you) will often offer color combinations that aren't even available from the original brand, so if someone wants a blue or salmon Rolex Explorer there's literally nowhere else to go but them. It's nice to have choices.
Touché guys... The big fellas really have a thing or 2 to learn from these Microbrands... 😁
Who said that Great watches need to come...
With even Greater price tags?
Its been said to death, but ill be that guy... the Paganis, Orients, Invictas are keeping you away from your goal of getting the BB.
@@Psysso Perhaps n I'll be that other guy as well... Who said that it Must be a BB or Rolex, for that matter?
I couldn't agrree more with allot of what you are saying. I got back into watches cause I was so tired of being connected all the time. And today it sickens me a bit to see my nieces and nephews constantly nose deep in their phones even at the dinner table. I even went so far to ask my brothers if maybethey should tell everyone to put their phones away and I got the stink eye. 😂😂 They all have smart watches too and I wonder why cause they never sem to be away from their phones. I think the tech you carry with you has become the new status symbol.
I fully agree with your statement about the market being super oversaturated.
@WetLettuce-kc2qmdo you have to complain about the most minute things? If a word annoys you that much, just stay off the internet.
@WetLettuce-kc2qmlmao get some help mate.
I like how he thinks that buying apple watch is somehow being influenced by marketing while we all know that the only reason you buy needlessly complicated mechanical watches is mind numbing marketing and consoomerism
I had an Apple Watch for a couple of years. I mainly used it to track running though, and I quickly got tired of the intrusion of email and other notifications on my wrist. Nowadays I have a Garmin watch that I use for running that in my opinion is not only better for running but it also has a rugged and functional appearance that looks a lot better than the Apple blandness. Still, I generally only use it while running and to track my sleep at night. The rest of the time it's so much more satisfying to wear a Casio or a diver etc.
I’m in this quandary with my Garmin too!
You can turn off any notifications you don't want such as for emails in the watch app. It's only as intrusive as you set it up to be.
@Sunil-tu8vf You're right. But once I turned those features off, I felt like I'd removed the only thing that made the Apple Watch a useful piece of kit. I didn't like it as a running watch because the battery wouldn't last through a marathon. And I didn't like it from a style perspective, so it was very easy to get rid of it at that point.
I bought a Garmin Instinct 2 Solar and really like it. Even though I use an Iphone (mini), I was not really that impressed with Apple Watches, mainly because of the terrible battery life. I also prefer round watches. Garmin do a very good monochrome screen divers watch/computer series, called G1. I don't dive which is why I bought the Instinct 2 Solar. I'm more of a mountaineer than diver. I really like a lot of the Garmin range. A lot more to choose from than Apple and they look like real watches. If I had double the money to spend, I probably would have bought an Epix or Fenix.
Great intro, my man. The peek through the blind to reveal Cameron's excellent depiction of the future most superb.
Plaudits aside, In the past 20 years, the relationship with technology has completely overwhelmed our capacity to understand it. Our culture, relationships and perceptions of self are being distorted beyond recognition by 'smart' devices. If we could travel back in time, much like John Connor, I propose Steve Jobs should be cast as the T1000.
"... with about as much charm as an abattoir ..." - nicely put. Agreed.
Dear TGV, I have been a member of your channel quite a while now. Recently for not only because of the in-depth and honest info you provide, but also because your editing, especially at the intro’s is getting trough the roof! So professional and still improving, it has become in itself something to look forward to every time again. Compliments!
I recently added an Apple Watch 8 to my collection of automatic and quartz watches. Despite the square-ish form factor (I never liked this in any watch), it has become my daily driver, so to speak. The countdown timer, altimeter, tide indication, heartbeat, and activity indications have made this a must for my daily hikes. I am able to track my sleep patterns now from night to night. From a pilot's perspective I appreciate the inclusion of the most simple navigation instrument, a compass. Ironically, I just found out how to use a GMT automatic watch as a compass. Mind blowing! Still, I crave a highly legible, hackable, glowing round-dial watch with two time zones and a date indication. Maybe, just maybe.... this wearable tech will inspire future generations for mechanical nostalgia.
@@Zed1987X Citizen is great. But for Eco drive, make sure you keep it charged, otherwise the cell goes out. I had to replace 3 of mine. But no matter what, regular lume is no match for the display on an Apple Watch at night.
gay
Im not a iOS guy. I switched to Samsung galaxy after the iphone 5 and never looked back. I do own a galaxy watch 4 that i use at the gym primarily. Mark is right, if I wasn't a watch enthusiast, it's all the watch I would need.
Helped my neighbor who only had an old Timex Ironman buy an Omega Bond watch years ago. He has many now (just got a Snowflake), his wife now wears a Datejust and his 3 sons have all become collectors. Introducing fam and friends to the great designs and makers, watch forums, and fantastic YT channels like TGVs can pull many, young and old, into the game and keep the Industry going.
🙌🙌🙌 Absolutely awesome, thank you so much for sharing that.
Best regards,
TGV
What a remarkable video! A superb intro, an excellent narration through and through, great B-roll content and Hollywood-level editing. All that, plus an articulate, highly intelligent disucssion of the subject. This video should be seen as a standard to measure by, even for a non-watch enthusiast video maker. Keep up the great work TGV, and thank you Marc for your faithful insight. Cheers to you both. Greetings from Chile.
Yes! A new TGV video. As someone who’s staying off social media and trying to disconnect from that world I appreciate my humble Seiko Turtle more and more
That is pure class, its a special watch indeed.
Thank you,
Best regards,
TGV
The irony of your comment 🤣
The Terminator 2 mayhem outside the window killed me 🤣🤣🤣🤣
It's amazing to think of how many people will not be able to tell the time after an emp strike.. and then imagine the value of a mechanical watch afterwards...
Yep!... I'll still be wearing my Seiko while driving my Jaguar ..... 😊
Wicked vid bro 👍 Thank you!....
Amazing video. This all sums up why I sold my Apple watch 3 years ago. It pulled me onto my phone, always notified of everything. I needed time off, now I have a small collection of watches that bring me 100 times more joy
The watch brands should be paying for this video as part of an awareness campaign. Fair play to Mark for his contribution and sponsorship.
The points raised in this video are so pertinent. They are akin to what I see and hear in other hobbies. Namely, the concern of where the future generations of collectors are going to come from? In many, they are reliant on young people having an introduction and experience before 'life' responsibilities take over which often causes a dip or lull in the hobby. They may then return at a certain point in their life where they can afford it and have the time to enjoy it. Without that early years exposure, the latter may never occur!
So, I would say there has never been a more important time for the more affordable end of microbrands etc. They may prove to be the best hope while simultaneously being likely to be the most vulnerable in the longer term.
Brilliant stuff TGV 👏
Not doomed. Resurgent. My 11 year old son bought a Seiko 5 with his allowance and built a Lego Hugo Mountbatten. Seems like a new generation is taking note.
To each their own. It’s often hard to find the highest end Apple Watches in Japan, so all of the commenters, including the Japanese guy, don’t know what they’re talking about. I’ve lived in Japan since 1998, so I may as well be Japanese myself. The NFC feature alone, is worth the price of admission. I have my PASSMO on my watch, so I can pay at a ton of restaurants, vending machines, and use every form of transportation, with a tap of my watch. Including displaying a QR code for my boarding pass for a flight. Not to mention if my PASSMO is short on funds, I can recharge it from my watch as well. Not to mention the medical monitoring, and other things both shown and said in this video. It is much more than a watch, and you can style it how you want, to include gold bands, if you are really that vain…
And accuracy? Don’t make me laugh. These watches constantly correct their time on their own. I had a $3,000+ Omega once as a gift, and the darn thing would be 15 minutes or more off within a week. You can keep your stupid mechanical watch. It can’t do a single thing better than a smart watch, other than drain your bank account. I haven’t changed my original Apple Watch yet either, and it’s more than 5 years old. Tempted to upgrade to the series 9 or Ultra 2, but the fact is, I don’t need to.
I stopped wearing smartwatches awhike ago. That decision is what nudged me into watch collecting. I just picked up a Casio GBD200 but that Frederique Constant looks like it has promise too
I found this video a bit cynical, to be honest, TGV. (You were always such a positive chap!)
However, I do appreciate many of Marc’s observations regarding how the market has changed over the years, but this is step-change… in the same way that quartz and digital watches upset the markets back in the 70s and 80s… then so it is now.
You’ll be well aware that Apple didn’t invent the smart watch… they just mastered it, and built a product that people want to own, because it adds value to their daily life.
Do I love watches? Yes! Do I love Apple Watches, yes! Can they both peacefully coexist in my collection…. I’m not so sure, because I wear my Apple Watch far more often than any other watch in my drawer.
Don't buy apple watch buy casio instead !!!
I did. A GA700 because it was worn in Avatar 2 by the military
I am more optimistic. I think the smart watch will put watches on people that never thought to own one. Hopeful eventually they get tired of the notifications and move to traditional watches. I stopped wearing a watch in my teens, then this year while still 39 I got my first watch in over 20yrs. Smart watches were an interest to me being into tech but hated the way they fit due to the sensors I did not plan on using. Then, I realized I would go to check my phone and get stuck on it 10-20mins dealing with messages and such. The start of my search for a "dumb" watch began. Now, I LOVE watches. Two of my favorite being an Accutron DNA, Longines Conquest VHP and Casio G-steel B400.
Outstanding production, TGV! I like my Garmin Instinct for hiking, but I love my BB58! It stays on my left wrist, & my Garmin goes on my right when I’m in the woods.
TGV missed his true calling as a film maker. I challenge anyone to find better quality watch reviews anywhere. The intros alone are among the most entertaining short films made.
There *ARE* reasons for owning an Apple Watch. I, myself wear an Apple Watch Ultra 2(a replacement for my 6th gen Apple Watch). I work alone outside at night and, in addition to multiple health issues, I have a leg that works bad enough that I get the good parking and makes me a fall risk. I wear it mainly for health/risk management reasons. I’ve turned off all non-health related notifications, and I wear it on my right wrist(I’m right handed), meanwhile my custom built two-tone nh38-powered skxplorer build lives on my left wrist as my everyday watch. I understand the hate for something that is taking market share from something we all love, but smart watches have their place, and purpose, too.
I dunno. If I saw this video 5-10 years ago, I'd agree with it. But trying to talk me back into mechanical watches now is like trying to talk me into a rotary phone. Or buying a horse: Sure, they're great fun if you can afford the upkeep, maintenance and don't mind the unreliability, inaccuracy and inconvenience. But I've been wearing a Garmin smartw- uhhh, fitness watch on a daily basis for the last 3 years while my automatics lie dormant in my watch case. When I got into watches 20 years ago, I fully bought into the dogma that it just isn't a real watch unless its powered by springs, levers and gears - preferably Swiss springs, levers and gears.
Now? An automatic watch is just jewelry. Or a really cheap horse. A Garmin is my daily driver and I wear my autos to business meetings only. Or on vacation when I'm not sure about batteries or chargers on the road.
I'm an Android guy, so no, an Apple watch isn't on my horizon. But smart-watches are here to stay. My Garmin goes 10 days on a charge and is accurate, functional and reliable. I'll never go back.
It’s not a competitor it’s an adjunct. I have a Rolex Explorer & it’s great. I also have an Apple Ultra watch & it is great too. Would Hilary & Tensing use a Rolex Explorer or an Apple Ultra/ Garmin these days? They would use what fits the bill. People will choose what fits the bill. Rolex fits the bill like a Porsche fits the bill instead of a Tesla. You can’t defeat timeless heritage that is well curated.
End of days happening outside and TGV chilling in his Eames recliner discussing the possible declination of mechanical watches. Love it! Carry on sir.
🤣🤣🤣👏👏👏
O&U!
Best regards,
TGV
My most regretful purchase is the Apple Watch. £560 wasted I barely get time to charge it with plethora of other electronics to keep charging, that’s why I prefer the classics just go anywhere do anything watches.
Very interesting piece TGV and Marcs. Apple Watch has so much benefits to an individual to their everyday life, from health to info and not missing any calls but there is a little trade off.
1. Software updates for 7 years I think.
2. Recharging every two days
However, Apples watches can be worn on either wrists and comes with various lifestyle bands. Since people upgrade phones every couple of years and upgrading Apple Watch to newer versions are much better than servicing a mechanical watch at a cost higher than Apple Watch depending on some brands and then having to wait for couple of months to have it back. I have read in news recently that people young’s as 18 or early 20s having heart attacks. I would rather encourage kids to wear an Apple Watch or a fitness watch which has heart rate reading accuracy and prioritise their health first than any statement pieces which can only tell time. One thing why rich people are not seen wearing Apple Watch could be that they can afford 24x7 doctors to keep their health on track. Someone to take their calls and keep their calendar organised. 😀
I own a large collection of G-shocks, I am a sucker, I buy at least one every month. I do also own an Apple watch. The apple has it's uses, for example I travel by car alot every year in Europe and some countries still have tolls, given that my phone needs to be plugged for maps and media, extending my arm and using the Apple watch to pay the tolls is heaven. However, the experience of owning a watch that the battery lasts less than 24hrs is disruptive. I HATE IT with a passion having to take off my watch and find a charger to charge it. It's hideous. But everything has it's usage.
This was superb. Fantastic work, whole heartedly agree. Interesting how watches can raise important topics, like “removing ourselves from the digital landscape”.
I absolutely love your content, TGV, and I really like your videos. I however totally and respectfully disagree with you regarding your take of the Apple Watch. Why would you think that Steve McQueen or Ali would not wear an Apple Watch today? I actually wear both, my mechanical watches which I have bought (often after I saw your review) and those I got from my parents. To me, mechanical watches are like pieces of art you hang on a wall, they either give you joy and pleasure, or not...and many, many people don't get this joy out of watches and thus don't wear them, because they don't NEED them, as Mark and you said in the video. Mechanical watches today have no other function in my view beyond that, because the last time mechanical watches were used to tell exact time was in the pre-70s. And just like art pieces, some look at this from a price point - art is only good if it is expensive and exclusive. And since I enjoy art for art's sake (even if it is a mass-produced print from a art museum...), I will forever continue to wear my inexpensive mechanical watches, but during my work hours, when I need instant information, I will certainly wear my Apple Watch proudly, precisely so that my phone does not have to be glued to my ear. If that makes me vulgar or common in some people's eyes, or even better, if people think I am somehow a victim of some mindless pr campaign or a willing bot of big brother, well, they can go and fly a kite, for all I care. All my best, and keep up the great content, big fan of yours.
The Apple Watch is a tool watch that prioritizes function over form which is why it isn’t best looking or inspired . That is why whenever there is a new version the new features are promoted , not the aesthetics. I do own an Apple Watch alongside my grand seiko and Rolex but smart watches do have their use case. It is a part of horological history and although we need to promote traditional timepieces, we should be weary of coming across elitist or out of touch .
While I don't love smartwatches at all, I will say that Jony Ive is a designer that demands respect. Similarly, I have some qualms about what you're saying in this video.
Simultaneously, Richemont, Swatch Group, Louis Vuitton and co are just as cynical corporate conglomerates as your Disney, McDonalds or Apple. I have no illusions about corporate watchmaking, and if you look at a lot of what Tissot puts out at the lower end of the Swatch group (and Swatch itself, for that matter) you see that there is a lot of bad design that deserves no respect, and there's a terrible amount of throwaway stuff being marketed and made there as well.
A moonswatch and blancswatch are just as designed around planned obsolesence as a smartwatch.
My rule of thumb: If it is disposable garbage, don't buy it.
A thought provoking piece, TGV. Thank you. I have to admit to owning both conventional watches and now, two Apple Watches which form part of my collection. The functionality smart watches provide me is highly beneficial on a daily basis, however, I refuse to part with my conventional watches simply because I love them. They will be passed down to my children as keepsakes and a memory of me, whereas my Apple Watches will likely be recycled one day. Ultimately I think what a wonderful world we live in that provides us with such diverse and amazing items to help enrich our lives, because after all, isn’t it all about the pleasure? Onwards and Upwards to the good Gentry🙏🏻
I beg to disagree with you to a degree, perhaps under circumstances that may have escaped your attention. I moved nearly twenty years ago to Bali Indonesia, and was a big fan of mechanical watches. My pride and joy was an Oris which I bought new in London during the annual February sales. After owning it for about 10 years i considered that it might need a little lubrication, so I took it into a watch dealership in Bali advertising servicing of higher end brands such as Breitling Omega Rolex etc in a lab in Jakarta . I expressly gave instructions for lubrication and cleaning only. What happened was after 4 weeks of no notifications I enquired about progress. Well, I got my watch back, free with a week, with the hands bent, lume stripped off and no lubrication, and not running. No responsibility taken for this screw-up. Ah, Indonesian character.
Long story short, I was quoted 700 Singapore dollars for a restoration at the Oris exclusive dealership there. I said no. I did get some repairs done in Bali with a bit excessive lume painted on (looks a bit naff, but too late, and it also required a new balance-wheel to replace the slightly bent one).
Most people here don't wear mechanical watches. There are all too few traditional watch-repairers, and I don't trust some.
Those of the smug stylish persuasion will spend big money on a mechanical watch, but not worry too much about repairs and maintenance. I cannot do that, and so I gravitated towards quartz (mostly solar). I do like style but now won't invest in mechanicals any more. Quartz is now ok for me after that debacle.
Mechanical watches are more for first-world folks with access to traditional old-school watch-repair facilities. I still would like to see quartz watches with some sort of kinetic rotor /solar system for charging, as I still hate the idea of batteries in landfills.
I bought an inexpensive Huawei band 6 fitness-tracker a few weeks back, and I love it to bits. Easily recharged and talks to my iphone. Good for when the heart-rate monitor in one of the treadmills in the gym is on the fritz.
Suave man-about-town is not me. Don't get me wrong, I will watch videos on real high-end mechanical watches, but purely out of curiosity.
All my life I have refused to wear a smart watch out of principal, recently I decided to buy the Apple Watch ultra 2, best decision I have ever made and a new favorite addition to my collection.
Same here! I have been a Rolex Explorer 214270 mk2 daily wearer, but the new AW Ultra 2 really got to me with its tool watch construction that can withstand a lot of abuse (saw a youtube torture test, and was quite impressed! I don’t think any Rolex can survive that much torture!). Combine it with ALL the functions that I want, insane battery life + the 100% accuracy, I can’t put down the AW Ultra 2!
I had a serious health issue and needed to be able to keep a sharp eye on my heart, I bought a Bluetooth blood pressure cuff and an ultra 1 last year. I usually keep it covered up unless it’s T-shirt weather but it’s been good for dealing with phone calls and the Apple Pay feature is nice. TBH though if the thrust of the video is that the smart watch is hurting the traditional watch, I would argue that my traditional watches were displaced way back when I got my 1st Nokia. Even with having been wearing the ultra everyday for over a year I still often find myself pulling out my phone to check the time.
I'll just stick with my Citizen Eco Drive (solar) chronograph divers style (blue dial). Model - CA0540-56l
No. It may not be the best, it's a good watch and it does me!
😎🇬🇧
I've been "experimenting" with double wristing for the last year. Mechanical on the left and apple watch on the right. I lasted about 2 weeks with only the apple watch before the Omega went back on the wrist. I'm still torn about it, but it has become part of my style at this point...
You just saved your right arm,
Because any arm with an Apple Watch on it should be amputated..
It's funny to see this when you're an Apple Watch user, enjoying the functionality on so many levels that you can't even imagine not using it. Or at least don't want to.
Sure, I'll give you two points you made that I think are actually true:
1. even though I like the design of the watch, it is annoying that everyone with an Apple Watch has basically the same watch on their wrist. It is boring and makes them look like lemmings.
2. It is unfortunate that you really do have to replace your watch much sooner and much more often in your life than with a mechanical watch.
But, and this is a BIG BUT, the functionality of the Apple Watch makes up for it in every way. Let me show you how: If I want to set an alarm for, say, 5 minutes, I just raise my wrist and say: "5 minutes". If I want to log my water intake, I'll raise my wrist and say "water". If I want to set a reminder or make a new entry in my calendar, I'll do the same. Or if I want to send a short message, the same. Then, of course, I can see my next appointments or reminders on my watch. I can also see the intensity of the sun (important to me) if I want, or the temperature and the weather forecast. I can see when someone is texting me (which I can turn off if I want) and decide if it's important enough to take out my phone or just ignore it. I never miss a call, but if it's not important at the moment, I just cover the screen with my hand for a split second and my watch stops ringing. If I can't find my phone, I can ping it. If I go for a run, I can track my heart rate, distance, calories burned and best of all, I can listen to music without taking my phone with me. I have a flashlight on my wrist, which is very useful in a lot of situations, I can do guided meditations and breathing exercises, and I can completely disconnect from everything wherever I am, combined with the noise cancellation of my AirPods Pro (think airports or something like that). I get a notification when my Uber arrives so I don't have to pull out my phone to check. It monitors how long I sleep and how long I spend in different stages of sleep, my cardio fitness (which is a reliable indicator of how fit and healthy you are), my breathing rate and just a huge amount of health data, which is great if you're into that sort of thing. And probably a few things I forgot to mention that are just useful in everyday life.
So I understand why some people don't like smartwatches, but they probably never used them long enough to appreciate them. I was like that before I had the Apple Watch. But once I experienced it, I understood things I didn't understand before. And the conception that you are more distracted than with just a phone isn't necessarily true, because very often I don't even have to touch my phone because of the watch.
And when it comes to data collection, I'm not so worried about Apple. You can basically opt out of everything, and health data isn't shared at all.
Just my two cents ;)
Smart watches are essential tools. For exercise and what not. But when I’m not in fitness mode I always use either a tag Hueur ball or Armand nicolet watch
Smart watches are not essential tools. We survived just fine before they existed. I have never owned one and life goes on as normal. However, I have many mechanical watches, which are also non-essential.
True but we also survived before electricity
@@paleriderpublishing451 Comparing electricity to a smart watch is hilarious.
True but you understand what I’m getting at. You technically don’t need electricity you technically don’t need a lot of things. Electricity does improve one’s life more than a smart watch considerably so but you don’t need it to survive. It simply convient and useful to have like a smart watch. A smart watch can keep track of all your vitals to help keep you healthy and assist you in your goals. So you see quite useful like electricity the only diffrence is the effect it has on one’s life
@@paleriderpublishing451 I invite you to try to exist without electricity. And by that I mean, no electricity at all including all the things brought to you by electricity. All the technical equipment, medical equipment, all the manufactured goods. In the modern world there would be mass deaths if reticulated electricity was switched off permanently. On the other hand we have smart watches. Their non-existence would cause barely a ripple in humanity. Electricity is essential and smart watches are not. You have neatly encapsulated what is essential and what is not with your ridiculous comparison.
I'm not sure why The Algorithm put this video in my feed. I stopped wearing a watch in the 1980's when my job required me to wear a pager at all times. I've felt no inclination wear one (Apple or otherwise) ever since. Your sneering comments about others who don't share your views on style and mechanical watches didn't impress me at all.
You derided people who couldn't be bothered pulling their phones out of their pockets to use apps. How about people who couldn't be bothered to pull their phones out of their pockets to see the time (like in the old pocket watch days)?
I am unlikely to take in any more content from this channel.
I was offered the Apple Watch series 3 when it was released. I wore quite a bit as a watch for some time. It's still in great condition and I wear it probably 3 to 4 times a week but exclusively as a running watch during my slow runs. I find that it's still a pretty accurate tool especially combined with an external heart rate monitor if you want better data.
Or, you could not give a $@#! what people strap around their wrist. Step One: buy something you like. Step Two: use it or store it or whatever you want. Step Three: don’t give half a FK what people think. Done.
The EMP⚡(Electric magnetic pulse) is the arrow into the heal of all digital & internet watches 🏹
The wind-up automatic watch will survive⌚
What is a Rolex? It tells time and anyone who notices that you have money to spend just to tell others you have money to spend. The time part is worth $30, if you need more than your phone. But why would you need either aspects of the Rolex. Telling others you have money by having very useful features beyond the time, seems a more intelligent choice. You’re attached to nostalgia, and are stretching to find reasons that the Apple Watch is not well designed, or fashionable. Fashion is subjective. Millions find Apple Watch fashionable, you don’t. Who’s right?
You talked about all these icons James Bond and others, and show a pile of bling swatches with hands. For me the bling of those watches have always made my skin crawl, as have men who are full of themselves James Bond etc. Because they’re blatantly designed for vanity. And for me that’s not me. Having useful features beyond just the time, and without the frivolous vanity. That’s for me. And no that’s not a boot on my head. The conformist who tells another man where he can wear a hat in public and that his watch must have bling. There’s the boot.
Rarely do I watch a video where I disagree with basically everything that's in it. Let's dive in:
1. Unimaginative design that doesn't adhere to Max Bill's bauhaus or nature's Fibonacci's mathematics.
Max Bill is not the only designer in the history of mankind. Mother nature is not infallible. New ways of thinking emerge all the time, the whole point of being new and potential ground-breaking is that those ways don't adhere to old ones. Apple are doing Apple designs. Apple Watch not being bauhaus is not a con.
2. Gears and wheels have their honesty
How often do you take off your watch to look at the display-back showing the movement?
3. Memories and sentimental values with watches
Sure, but there are way easier, stronger and popular ways to form memories than associating a watch with events. Like companionship and photos.
4. Would McQueen, Muhammad Ali etc wearing an Apple Watch?
Absolutely. Not to galas or diners but in their day to day life if they lived in 2023? Abso fucking lutely. They would be people like anybody else.
5. Tech products don't have artistry worthy of respect
This is straight up ignorant. You have no idea how much thought goes into designing products, especially in companies like Apple who pour millions into design. Just because those designers aren't some dead dudes with their photos in some dusty old books doesn't mean they don't deserve respect.
6. Creations far removed from traditional horology
So what? Apple Watches are tools. They happened to be worn on the wrist because it's practical. They reached a similar destination from a different origin, how is that a problem? They aren't pretending to be horological masterpieces.
7. Subconsciously conveying conformity, lack of self-respect and uncouthness
Ridiculous. Apple Watches are tools. Am I sheep or do I lack self-respect for using a laptop and a smart phone?
8. G-Shock and Frederic Constant doing the tech thing the right way
Ok, I'm gonna straight-up ignore the FC since they aren't even a different street of a product, they are a different continent. Nobody's gonna buy an FC so it measures the wearer's heartbeat. As for the GS, comparable. But the thing is that both iPhones and Apple Watches and their respective OS' are made by the same company. The integration between those products will be flawless and completely natural. Other companies aren't at that level.
_____
I guess I can see one main conflict with this video. An Apple Watch is not a tool-jewellery. It's a straight-up tool, the jewellery idea isn't there. Meanwhile a traditional watch is tool-jewellery. But the tool half is not a half, it's a tiny fraction. Even Mark admitted as much - they've been long obsolete. It's mainly jewellery with some utility. People don't buy Apple Watches to look good, they buy Apple Watches for the utility and because they don't look too out of place. Honestly, to me an Apple Watch on business-casual looks better than a G-Shock on business-casual.
I don't agree with everything in this comment, but I agree with most of it. I think TGV is being much too harsh on smart watches.
What's funny about TGV's argument about the design of the apple watch is that Mark Newson, the man who played a significant role in designing the apple watch, also designed traditional watches. And what is more, those traditional watches became more popular as a result of the launch of the apple watch. So when he says only designers of traditional watches are 'worthy of respect', I think he's not aware of who is behind the design of the Apple Watch.
One possible argument against smart watches that TGV does not bring up, is the conditions under which they are produced. We don't know the wages and working conditions of the employees in the Chinese factories where Apple makes its watches. However, we do know that most people who make Swiss, German or Japanese watches are paid well and work in good conditions.
Personally, I don't wear smart watches because I feel like my phone is good enough for all the apps I use, I don't feel a need to have a watch as well. But I can understand why some people do.
Watches are out of date tech It's just a bracelet for men and I love them! the price of some though is crazy over £10000 for a watch that's steel! are you sure Rolex? the gold watches will always have a place but this fashion for steel jewellery is silly I have 3 omegas well 2 now that I love but wish I had gold or just steel at reasonable prices I also have watches I put together myself from parts from eBay (scamBay) that I love just as much I just took me longer to admit it to myself. anyway mate I'll leave it there say hi to Hugo for me, Thanks, Andy.
Who tf lives in a world where most people can buy a $500 watch as part of a similarly priced “collection” ?!
It is great you have your hobby and you can get excited about the craftsmanship of traditional timepieces, but why do you have to insult the many (respected) designers and developers who managed to bring an astonishingly capable computer (that as you said "can even save peoples lives") onto the wrists of millions. At times this video is quite informative but I personally feel like it's spoiled by the obvious bias and destain of the creator for the Apple Watch. And I could easily see someone like Elvis Presley wear an Apple Watch.
I've recently gotten into watchmaking. I absolutely love the engineering and precision of the movement pieces. Repairing my grandfather's Benrus from the 40s brought me immense joy and I get to keep those memories of him on my wrist every day, making new ones along the way.
Poetic but nonsense, I'm sorry to say. The Apple Watch is beautiful, worked on by Messrs Ive & Newsom for years before they finalised the design. It's always the most accurate watch in the room, is constantly collecting data about you but only data you have asked it to collect. It's cheaper than most watches today and you only replace it if it breaks or the sensors are upgraded in a major way making it more useful.
Pointing out lots of people have chosen to wear Apple Watches just highlights the fact that these are valuable to people. It's almost instant customisation also suits people more that traditional watches do. Brands like Timex and Bulova releasing £1000 watches says a lot about how deluded those companies are and should serve as a warning to get your shares in them sold.
Im afraid people have lost all sense of style. They dress horribly, they're ungroomed, covered in tattoos, overweight and generally look sad and anti-social. So why in the world would they wear a beautiful mechanical watch? Just put this bland, boring Apple gadget on and call it a day. I live in NYC, which was once a real style capital, but now we look rather pathetic. And sadly, its not likely style is ever going to return, so im not sure what the luxury watch future is.
The AppleWatch is obviously called a watch, but it is no watch. The same is true for American beer: it is called beer, but it is not beer. If you forget about the names, all problems with the AppleWatch and American beer is gone 😊
As a tradesman and gym goer, I wear an Apple Watch during the day at work and at the gym, then after my shower enjoy choosing which mechanical watch to wear for the rest of the evening. Apple Watch is useful when I’m at work as often I can’t easily get my phone out if I’m up a ladder or have gloves on or my hands are covered in shite. The expensive alternative smart watches from FC and breitling etc are very limited in functionality compared to an Apple Watch and just as likely to become obsolete. And yes, I take my mechanical watch off at bedtime and put the Apple Watch back on to track my sleep and then wake me early with a wrist tap so my wife isn’t woken up. Try that with a Rolex submariner 😂
Smartwatch will kill quartz watches, not mechanical ones. These are now, and have been for decades, status simbols and jewellery. This will not change. Quartz only has functionality going for it, and here is where smartwatches will take their share of the market. Which in a sense only feels fair. To be killed by the sword you used to try to kill yourself.
In a long run, smartwatches might even help the mechanical watch industry. As iit does not try to be it's competitor by masking itself as a better version of what a mechanical watch is. Like quartz tried. And by eliminating a more direct competitor, smartwatches will allow mechanical watches to even more embrase their function of being luxury rather than function. Which in a sense they already are.
I was deep into Rolex until they stopped selling to the middle class who got them where they are today. I’ll never sell my last Rolex SD4K and my next luxury watch will probably be a Speedy. But until then… Apple Watch Ultra has won me over. I can’t say a watch ever motivated me to be more healthy and I still can’t because it’s not a Watch. It’s a computer on my wrist.
Never going for one of these I watches. Had a pebble, it was cool but simple, straightforward.
These new ones look like high tech versions of the tags that criminals wear. They’ll have this stuff as a welcome gift with your life insurance soon.
Then eventually it is mandatory, so they have access to your minute by minute health, and price it accordingly. Tied in with your government digital currency, they’ll know what you buy, what you eat. It goes on and on.
They can shove their tracker somewhere findmy won’t see it. Sounds nuts, but you wait.
Great points! However, smart watch reads your BP, heart rate, and oxygen levels. A coworker of mine claims his apple watch saved his live because he was alerted for irregular heartbeat. Soon apple watch will monitor glucose levels and hopefully in the future monitor vitamin & mineral levels.
For the price of an apple watch I would get a Mud Master or an Aviator from Casio . I have an smart watch galaxy watch 4, I use it for measuring how active I am, and when I drive the car answer calls, and if my hands are full of dirt oil or other stuff you know it is good a smart watch to answer a call. But if I go out in nature I would take my G-Shock, it is solar I have it for 10 years never changed the battery, still going strong .