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I stopped wearing a watch when cellphones were able to send/receive text messages. For me, a watch is too low-tech compared to all the things I surround myself

I stopped wearing a watch when cellphones were able to send/receive text messages. For me, a watch is too low-tech compared to all the things I surround myself with (iPhone, iPad, MacBook Air, etc.). All it can do is tell time? I've been longing for a bluetooth (or similar) watch that had deep iPhone integration, looked stylish, and wasn't too expensive. The ones I've been able to find can't match all three. I'd love: * tell me what song is playing, allow me to change tracks * show me the text message I just received * show me who is calling me, with a button to ignore / send canned response That said, I always thought the watch market was pretty small. It seems an odd thing that Apple would even be considering it. But, apparently it's a $46B global market: http://www.prweb.com/releases/watches/clocks/prweb8358884.htm http://www.prweb.com/releases/watches/clocks/prweb8358884.ht...

malandrew 14y ago
I'm curious how that $46B breaks down. It's not like the Apple watch will ever compete with a Rolex, Patek Phillipe, Parmigiani, Frank Muller or Cartier for example. People buy those watches for style and to show off. Then again, I could totally see some of the high-end watch companies creating exceptionally nice bands for the Apple watch to meet the need for style and showing off. Whatever they make though, it better be waterproof. A watch that isn't waterproof simply isn't that practical for most people. No one wants to have to fiddle with taking it off their wrist and stuffing it in their pocket at the first sign of rain.
- MattRogish 14y ago
  "By product, Luxury watches remains the largest segment in the global watches market. Mass-priced watches represents the fastest growing watches segment, waxing at a CAGR of about 2.6% over the analysis period." breakdown being: "Mass-Priced Watches (Under $50), Middle-Priced Watches ($50-$299), Upper-Priced Watches ($300 - $999), and Luxury Watches ($1000 - $5000)." Somehow I don't see Apple making a watch that's either mass-priced (<$50) or Luxury (>$1,000). For them to have a sufficient umbrella and make high-end profits (that they are used to) they'd have to be in the "Middle-priced watches" which, at least according to that article, is neither a big pie nor growing. Then again, Apple's strategy is to disrupt markets by creating new segments, so my guess is if they do release a "watch" (whatever form that takes) it won't fit into one of those buckets above. They'll create their own.
- microtherion 14y ago
  It's not like the Apple watch will ever compete with a Rolex, Patek Phillipe, Parmigiani, Frank Muller or Cartier for example. Unless Apple manages to build a Bluetooth complication. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Complication_(horology) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Complication_(horology)

malandrew 14y ago

I'm curious how that $46B breaks down. It's not like the Apple watch will ever compete with a Rolex, Patek Phillipe, Parmigiani, Frank Muller or Cartier for example. People buy those watches for style and to show off. Then again, I could totally see some of the high-end watch companies creating exceptionally nice bands for the Apple watch to meet the need for style and showing off. Whatever they make though, it better be waterproof. A watch that isn't waterproof simply isn't that practical for most people. No one wants to have to fiddle with taking it off their wrist and stuffing it in their pocket at the first sign of rain.

MattRogish 14y ago
"By product, Luxury watches remains the largest segment in the global watches market. Mass-priced watches represents the fastest growing watches segment, waxing at a CAGR of about 2.6% over the analysis period." breakdown being: "Mass-Priced Watches (Under $50), Middle-Priced Watches ($50-$299), Upper-Priced Watches ($300 - $999), and Luxury Watches ($1000 - $5000)." Somehow I don't see Apple making a watch that's either mass-priced (<$50) or Luxury (>$1,000). For them to have a sufficient umbrella and make high-end profits (that they are used to) they'd have to be in the "Middle-priced watches" which, at least according to that article, is neither a big pie nor growing. Then again, Apple's strategy is to disrupt markets by creating new segments, so my guess is if they do release a "watch" (whatever form that takes) it won't fit into one of those buckets above. They'll create their own.
microtherion 14y ago
It's not like the Apple watch will ever compete with a Rolex, Patek Phillipe, Parmigiani, Frank Muller or Cartier for example. Unless Apple manages to build a Bluetooth complication. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Complication_(horology) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Complication_(horology)