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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

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.

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.