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> Kodak would like to have a word They will have to join the queue behind a lot of Swiss watchmakers.

by KineticLensman 6y ago

oblio 6y ago
Why/which watchmakers?
- KineticLensman 6y ago
  The ones who used to make clockwork watches just before digital watches appeared in the 1970s. They failed to invest in time and lost a lot of market share. To be fair, unlike Kodak and cameras, they weren't completely wiped out, and the high-end precision Swiss watch is still a thing. Incidentally, recent sales have apparently been massively affected by COVID, as many of them are sold in bricks-and-mortar boutiques that customers are no longer visiting. [Edit] - this is the queue of companies who failed to consider a rival disruptive technology.
  - ChrisMarshallNY 6y ago
    I have been seeing a lot of Apple Watches on wrists, lately. Lots of AirPods, too. But that is anecdotal, from a limited geographic perspective.
    - warkdarrior 6y ago
      Completely different markets: good Swiss watches start at $2-3k and go up, way, way up. Apple watches are sub-$1k for the majority of models.
      - ChrisMarshallNY 6y ago
        Yeah, but those manufacturers are not a huge market. For a time, a fair number of people didn't wear watches at all, and used their phones. Those are the people that I'm seeing with Apple Watches (and other devices, like FitBits).
      - megablast 6y ago
        Not a different market at all. I hate that phrase. Apple watches are updated every few years. Swiss watches last a lot longer. Price might not be that different over 10 to 20 years.
        leadingthenet 6y ago
        Sure, but since getting an Apple Watch, I haven’t felt the need to wear a mechanical watch anymore. They are good enough looking, and I need to close my rings, damnit! They just do so much more...
        rangibaby 6y ago
        > They just do so much more... That's a bug, not a feature! My Gshock is indestructible and tells the time, and that's about it. Perfect for me.
  - milkytron 6y ago
    > Incidentally, recent sales have apparently been massively affected by COVID, as many of them are sold in bricks-and-mortar boutiques that customers are no longer visiting. I'd argue not having to go into an office and "dress up" has impacted the watch market as well. If I'm at home all day, I don't really need a clock on my wrist.
Dirlewanger 6y ago
Is there really that many watchmakers on their deathbeds? Every couple of months I'll spend several hours wasting time looking for watch styles I like and I'm amazed at how many traditional watchmakers are still out there, some with 0 smartwatch offerings.
- dagw 6y ago
  I'm amazed at how many traditional watchmakers are still out there There has been massive consolidation in that market and most of those brands you see are all owned by one of maybe three conglomerates.
  - ChrisMarshallNY 6y ago
    Most watches are identified by their movement (guts), as opposed to the branding you see on the face. The people who make movements are a much smaller bunch.

> Kodak would like to have a word They will have to join the queue behind a lot of Swiss watchmakers.

oblio 6y ago

Why/which watchmakers?

KineticLensman 6y ago
The ones who used to make clockwork watches just before digital watches appeared in the 1970s. They failed to invest in time and lost a lot of market share. To be fair, unlike Kodak and cameras, they weren't completely wiped out, and the high-end precision Swiss watch is still a thing. Incidentally, recent sales have apparently been massively affected by COVID, as many of them are sold in bricks-and-mortar boutiques that customers are no longer visiting. [Edit] - this is the queue of companies who failed to consider a rival disruptive technology.
- ChrisMarshallNY 6y ago
  I have been seeing a lot of Apple Watches on wrists, lately. Lots of AirPods, too. But that is anecdotal, from a limited geographic perspective.
  - warkdarrior 6y ago
    Completely different markets: good Swiss watches start at $2-3k and go up, way, way up. Apple watches are sub-$1k for the majority of models.
    - ChrisMarshallNY 6y ago
      Yeah, but those manufacturers are not a huge market. For a time, a fair number of people didn't wear watches at all, and used their phones. Those are the people that I'm seeing with Apple Watches (and other devices, like FitBits).
    - megablast 6y ago
      Not a different market at all. I hate that phrase. Apple watches are updated every few years. Swiss watches last a lot longer. Price might not be that different over 10 to 20 years.
      - leadingthenet 6y ago
        Sure, but since getting an Apple Watch, I haven’t felt the need to wear a mechanical watch anymore. They are good enough looking, and I need to close my rings, damnit! They just do so much more...
        rangibaby 6y ago
        > They just do so much more... That's a bug, not a feature! My Gshock is indestructible and tells the time, and that's about it. Perfect for me.
- milkytron 6y ago
  > Incidentally, recent sales have apparently been massively affected by COVID, as many of them are sold in bricks-and-mortar boutiques that customers are no longer visiting. I'd argue not having to go into an office and "dress up" has impacted the watch market as well. If I'm at home all day, I don't really need a clock on my wrist.

Dirlewanger 6y ago

Is there really that many watchmakers on their deathbeds? Every couple of months I'll spend several hours wasting time looking for watch styles I like and I'm amazed at how many traditional watchmakers are still out there, some with 0 smartwatch offerings.

dagw 6y ago
I'm amazed at how many traditional watchmakers are still out there There has been massive consolidation in that market and most of those brands you see are all owned by one of maybe three conglomerates.
- ChrisMarshallNY 6y ago
  Most watches are identified by their movement (guts), as opposed to the branding you see on the face. The people who make movements are a much smaller bunch.