Would Smart Watches Devalue Rolex Watch?

[AstroBoy]

Just a thought that with the advancement of smart watches and the up coming Apple Watch next year, would it devalue Rolex watch or make it less prominent? would it be harder to justify the price for the Rolex ?

[ColRam425]

Personally, my guess is that they will greatly devalue quartz movements, but most likely those who are buying Apple Watch probably can't afford Rolex anyways, and those that can probably would still buy both if they liked Rolex before.

[diracpoint]

IMO watches that are in the price range of the Apple watch will face tough competition in the short term.

[superdog]

Originally Posted by ColRam425

Personally, my guess is that they will greatly devalue quartz movements, but most likely those who are buying Apple Watch probably can't afford Rolex anyways, and those that can probably would still buy both if they liked Rolex before.

that's some theory you have there.

OP, no it is unlikely to devalue luxury items.

for the most part, luxury items are purchased because of the perceived value and status symbol. it is unlikely that technology will change that anytime soon.

[iazrollie]

Originally Posted by superdog

that's some theory you have there.



OP, no it is unlikely to devalue luxury items.



for the most part, luxury items are purchased because of the perceived value and status symbol. it is unlikely that technology will change that anytime soon.

I agree with this, but let's play devils advocate.

Say, you find the value, functionality and convenience of a smart watch compelling enough to purchase one. (Which could very well become a possibility with mobile payments, etc.) What will you do with your Rolex? Wear it at the same time you wear your smart watch? Basically, one watch on each wrist?

[mike]

Polar opposites.

[kilyung]

Short answer. No

[superdog]

Originally Posted by iazrollie

I agree with this, but let's play devils advocate.

Say, you find the value, functionality and convenience of a smart watch compelling enough to purchase one. (Which could very well become a possibility with mobile payments, etc.) What will you do with your Rolex? Wear it at the same time you wear your smart watch? Basically, one watch on each wrist?

agree, but that is like asking why anyone would buy more than one watch. people will buy multiple watches, as they do now, to serve different purposes.

[T. Ferguson]

No, it doesn't.

Originally Posted by iazrollie

I agree with this, but let's play devils advocate.

Say, you find the value, functionality and convenience of a smart watch compelling enough to purchase one. (Which could very well become a possibility with mobile payments, etc.) What will you do with your Rolex? Wear it at the same time you wear your smart watch? Basically, one watch on each wrist?

Mobile payments, or anything else you can think of for that matter, are nothing you can't do with your phone. In this regard the smart watch should have no more affect on Rolex than the cell phone has. Add to that the watch needs the phone to function, meaning 100% of the potential buyers for the watch will have to carry the phone anyway.

Put it this way. You're obviously a Rolex type customer. Seeing as you must have your phone on you, would you rather wear a smart watch or a Rolex?

Now certainly some early adopters will go get the watch. But the overall impact seems minor to me.

[Ferdelious]

I think its more of an apples to oranges comparison. Most wear Rolex for prestige, craftsmanship, love of the brand, etc. They will not go out replacing their timepieces for a smart watch IMO. Now smart phones and computers may be a difference story.

[Amez]

No. They will bring more people into the watch world. Smart watches are more like a gateway drug.

[London Gent]

Veblen goods.

[rmfnla]

Originally Posted by ColRam425

Personally, my guess is that they will greatly devalue quartz movements, but most likely those who are buying Apple Watch probably can't afford Rolex anyways, and those that can probably would still buy both if they liked Rolex before.

Not sure how you figure this...

[ColRam425]

Originally Posted by rmfnla

Not sure how you figure this...

That came out wrong, what I meant is that because the Apple Watch will be in the hundreds range instead of the thousands range it'll be in a lower price league than Rolex, thus may not be that much of a competitor with Rolex, at least not like it would to other mid-end watch companies like Fossil or something like that.

[dysondiver]

cant see me ever buying one ,,, mind you , i said that about smart phones , led tvs , and volvos ,,,, and yep , ive owned them all , but i think the smart watch isnt ,, as in ,, isnt that smart so for that reason I dont see the attraction.

[Amez]

Originally Posted by dysondiver

cant see me ever buying one ,,, mind you , i said that about smart phones , led tvs , and volvos ,,,, and yep , ive owned them all , but i think the smart watch isnt ,, as in ,, isnt that smart so for that reason I dont see the attraction.

Alerts. I don't get my phone out as nearly as much. I can glance at the text or email and know if it's worth handling. No replacement for a Rolex, but a good addition to my wrist for the work day.

[bayerische]

Not a chance.

Perhaps make more people appreciate a "proper" watch.

Apple watch? Not for me. And have a look at my avatar....

[mkw]

Originally Posted by iazrollie

I agree with this, but let's play devils advocate.

Say, you find the value, functionality and convenience of a smart watch compelling enough to purchase one. (Which could very well become a possibility with mobile payments, etc.) What will you do with your Rolex? Wear it at the same time you wear your smart watch? Basically, one watch on each wrist?

since the multifunction crown of the Apple Watch is also on the right side, will one then wear their Rolex / other nice watch on their right wrist , which most righties hesitate to do and if so , then the said Rolex / other watch will probably be bashed several times against hard objects, from years of muscle memory , until you remember it's there ?

even a lefty will have to wear that smart watch on the left wrist, as crossing arm over to use its multifunction crown , if worn on right wrist , will result in the screen being totally covered by back of said hand

if you wear them bashing each other side by side, others may think you are a tool

[Welshwatchman]

As long as Rolex doesn't try to complete by releasing a bendy watch they'll be fine.

[rmfnla]

Originally Posted by ColRam425

That came out wrong, what I meant is that because the Apple Watch will be in the hundreds range instead of the thousands range it'll be in a lower price league than Rolex, thus may not be that much of a competitor with Rolex, at least not like it would to other mid-end watch companies like Fossil or something like that.

Ah, that makes sense.

I was just thinking that the average .com millionaire (billionaire) would be much more likely to wear a smart watch than any Rolex, and money certainly is not the reason...

[joe100]

A smart watch will ultimately become obsolete as features and technology, even comparability change. A humble Quartz watch will still tell the time

[Dvenus11]

i dont see it having an effect on people that buy Rolex watches. Although i will buy an apple watch for the gym and stuff.

[Rashid.bk]

It's not going to do squat. Remember the quartz crisis, way more significant and look at the value of the watches of that era and look at where we are today.

Also, these smart watches while cool aren't 100% independent, you need a fancy shmansie iphone 6 or Galaxy phablet to run it.
They have a place but not "in" place of my Rolex. In my opinion if one of these smart watches can replace your Rolex or AP then I don't think you were ever the type that bought a mechanical watch for a certain appreciation, you must have bought it for the name and attention and now you want the latest doodad.
I'm good...give me another Rolex please.

[T. Ferguson]

Originally Posted by Rashid.bk

...Also, these smart watches while cool aren't 100% independent, you need a fancy shmansie iphone 6 or Galaxy phablet to run it...

And it is MHO that if Apple, Galaxy, etal. are smart, they will keep the watch as an accessory to the phone, requiring the phone to function. Whatever penetration it gets in the market will be that way. If they make it a completely independent device I don't think it has a chance.

[Lrlx]

Does a Honda Civic devalue a Ferrari?

[Laszlo]

Oh, lord... not again.

(sigh)

[bayerische]

Originally Posted by Lrlx

Does a Honda Civic devalue a Ferrari?

Only if it crashes into it...

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by AstroBoy

Just a thought that with the advancement of smart watches and the up coming Apple Watch next year, would it devalue Rolex watch or make it less prominent? would it be harder to justify the price for the Rolex ?

Lets see, disposable electronic gadget vs. high end luxury jewelry.

No.

[Wesley Crusher]

I would expect this kind of question from somebody who just joined, not somebody who has been here since 2009.

[bighaole]

I've been thinking about this some more and I'm going to go out on a limb and say that Apple got this one wrong. I think there is a tremendous market for wearable sensors and signalling devices. But I don't think people are going to find a watch sized screen to be useful for much more than telling the time. Plus, look how many people abandoned their watches, when cell phones started carrying accurate network time.

I think there is a market for jewelry (which, let's face it, a watch is jewelry), and us here will keep buying watches. And there is a market for wearable technology. But I think that all the things that make the Apple Watch interesting can all be accomplished in a sleek bracelet-looking thing, without having to add a bulky screen, which creates a form factor which most of the target audience has already abandoned.