Will Rolex one day make a smart watch?

[JRT]

A smart watch is usually a cheap electronic consumer's product, but Rolex watch is a luxury men's jewelry. The fomer will be dumped away in one or two years after you buy it, and the latter may be operated normally for more than 20 to 30 years with a proper maintenance. They are commercial products that belong to different categories. Why should Rolex make any smart watches in the future?

[LondonL]

MP3's haven't manage to replace CD's yet

CD's haven't managed to completely replace vinyl yet

I don't think smartphones have too much to worry about when it comes to smart watches

Do I think Rolex will make them? No. Looking at what happens to the price of five year old technology compared to (most) five year old Rolex, I know which I will buy.

[Ruud Van Driver]

Originally Posted by james cole

You are thinking on the tech YOU have available today... of course its not possible, leave that to the people that are in the tech business to make it work, the phone WILL be replaced with a wearable device that looks like a watch you can count on that... of course there will be normal smart phones available but wont be as convenient as a smart watch of the time...

Looks to me like you'e contradicted yourself, unless I've misunderstood. In one sentence you say "...the phone WILL be replaced with a wearable device that looks like a watch..." and in the next you say "...there will be normal smart phones available..." If one product replaces another, the former must surely be obsolete. Therefore, in your own words, the smart phone will not be replaced.

There may well be a device that CAN replace a smart phone but I do not think that smart phones will disappear. Some will think it an awesome idea but others will not agree. Imagine watching a movie on a long haul flight or tedious commute on your watch. What about reading a bundle of documents from lawyers (like I do for a living) on a wearable device? Sorry mate, I cannot see a wearable REPLACING a smart phone. Not now, not ever.

[RICHARD_LEWIS]

Can't see this happening ever

[toneafficianado]

[QUOTE=Mak2013;5800850]They made quartz watch, so anything is possible
Its hard to exponentially increase prices on 50s technology, so one day, enough will be enough.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk[/

Fender and Gibson are still doing really well with their 50s technology electric guitars. People still on the whole prefer the older designs and appearances. A guitar is worn on the body, like a watch, so the purchase decisions are REALLy personal.

[speedy_master1]

No but I heard they are going to make an Smart Phone.

[Racerdj]

I hope not.

[watchwatcher]

Not happening.

[omx5o]

For me the definition of a smart watch is one that can be worn for 30 years without the need for a recharge.

[Watch This]

No.

[qyk1010101]

a fine watch is a piece of jewellery. a smartwatch is a mini computer strapped onto your wrist. completely not comparable.

here's the problem with smartwatches vs smartphones. I can use my smartphone with one hand whilst doing something else with my other hand. Like holding a drink. With a smartwatch, both hands are committed to operating the small screen. Smartwatches will never replace the smartphone. I will even go as far as to say smartwatches are merely a fad that will die out in the foreseeable future... save for a small community of enthusiasts.

A real potential game changer in the world of wearable tech is google glass. I hope they revive the project again sometime soon.

[gawey98]

NO never going to happen.

[fishingbear]

Short answer is no.

[T. Ferguson]

Originally Posted by MattSoCal

A smart watch has screen real estate problems as another posted pointed out - and those problems need solutions for "wearable" tech to continue to grow beyond the next couple of years. I can imagine several possible solutions to this problem - none of which require the wearable tech to be a watch.

I believe the OP is alluding to some sort of heads up or other projected displays that will overcome the small screen size of the smart watch. But I agree it still is not likely to happen. I just don't see people walking around with hologram like images projected in front of of them every where they go.

I also agree that even if that came to pass many people would still prefer the hardware to be in something else, like a key fob, eyeglasses, lapel pin or the "ancient" smart phone, leaving one free to express their individuality and taste through the accessories they wear.

In any event, if this kind of technology became the ubiquitous, more likely the major players in the tech world would want to partner with Rolex.

[Rolex addict]

No.

[HL65]

Originally Posted by Tools

No..

The smartwatch isn't going to replace the cell phone either.

X2

[Sublover2166]

Originally Posted by james cole

Sorry guys but this thread is focused on how could Rolex get on with times if needed be... what are your opinons... nobody knows the future but rest assured that is its beyond our wildest dreams.

Sorry to bust your bubble James, but Rolex will be alive and well and still making fine mechanical watches long after you are dead and buried.

[RJC]

No way! Like the Internet, they'll never take off.

[fania123]

They already do

[theprocess]

Maybe if they retrofit the Perpetual movement into a battery charger. This would take the smart watch to the next level, which Rolex has a history of doing.

Sign me up when the smart watch has all the functionality of a smart phone with a battery that lasts more than a day. The day will come, its just a matter of when. But there will always be a certain sense of intrigue and appreciation for a quality mechanical watch. Its all about progress.

[SeaAndSky]

Originally Posted by Tools

No..

The smartwatch isn't going to replace the cell phone either.

Yup, not going to happen. Maybe a bunch of trendy kids riding fixed gear bikes with suits that are fitted too tight will sport them for awhile. But the overwhelming majority of mankind will continue to use phones.

[Cru Jones]

the thing about electronics is that they are fleeting....

which one of these from the 70s has stood the test of time? ;-)

[SeaAndSky]

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

the thing about electronics is that they are fleeting....

which one of these from the 70s has stood the test of time? ;-)

Ha! Nice post. The red digital numbers remind me of a hand held electronic football game I had as a kid. These Playstation and Xbox kids don't know how good they have it. . .

[Jim Smyth]

Originally Posted by james cole

Sorry guys but this thread is focused on how could Rolex get on with times if needed be... what are your opinons... nobody knows the future but rest assured that is its beyond our wildest dreams.

Actually each time I upgrade my not so smart phone I go to a bigger size because I am getting older and need to be able to see. A smart watch doesn't interest me at all. Actually wouldn't want one if it was for free!

I will stick with Rolex and there mechanical movements till the day I die. If I wanted superior time function I would have bought a $5 quartz watch at Walmart. But IMO Rolex is more than a time telling device. Its a work of simplistic Art and is a fine piece of Jewelry in addition to telling time.

Sometimes in life one acquires the taste for the finer things and the precision that comes with something made by man that is so delicate yet undeniably precise!

Oh ya, beam me up Scotty...........................

[AK797]

If the smart watch takes off with a larger screen size does this mean 50mm watches will be back on trend? Is Flava Flav a prophet of our times?

[springbar]

Originally Posted by james cole

You are thinking on the tech YOU have available today... of course its not possible, leave that to the people that are in the tech business to make it work, the phone WILL be replaced with a wearable device that looks like a watch you can count on that... of course there will be normal smart phones available but wont be as convenient as a smart watch of the time...

I'm going to push back against you presuming to speak with authority about which mobile computing form factor "WILL" be dominant in the future. You don't know the answer to that question. It's not clear where this is going.

I think traditional wristwatches are okay for the foreseeable future, but the "will never happen" crowd is also being presumptuous. There a hundreds of dead or dying companies that were once big players. Duesenberg, Packard, Pan-Am, Kodak, Polaroid, Bethlehem Steel, the Dutch East India Company... more than half of these organizations were thriving in my lifetime. "Never" is a long time.

[sirduncs]

i can't see the smart watch replacing the cell phone. if you are stuck in an airport queue, or on the bus, or have a few minutes to kill...you want screen size to check your emails, facebook, check in with the forum, stream something etc.

these are all regular activities smartphone users exhibit, and a smartwatch can't replicate them as such due to its small size. activities which are easy on a smartphone like checking your internet banking, an ebay listing running out, facebook updates, or photography, are nowhere near as easy or convenient with a smart watch imo.

duncs

[ems12]

Originally Posted by rdschreiner

Honestly, the smartwatch can never match the aesthetics or cache of a Rolex. It's a small computer screen that is strapped to your wrist and frankly is ugly. Plus it can't really take the place of a smartphone, which are growing in size in order to support video, websurfing, etc.

I don't know I thought like you do until I got my hands on the "premium" Apple Watch. SS with Sapphire Crystal.

I didn't buy one, but it was anything but ugly.

[rolepam312]

Originally Posted by james cole

Sorry guys but this thread is focused on how could Rolex get on with times if needed be... what are your opinons... nobody knows the future but rest assured that is its beyond our wildest dreams.

I think Rolex and other watch makers are too late to the party... I don't see them making any smart watches because they are too obstinate and arrogant. They think there will always be a demand for a 8K sub and frankly they along with the other watch brands will struggle to compete for that small percentage of watch enthusiast who may still prefer a mechanical watch over a smart watch . I own numerous watches and I am waiting anxiously for my Apple watch. It'll be my daily wear and once in a while I'll wear my mechanical...the younger generations is all about technology ... Who will buy mechanical watches in the future??

[Acusnlee]

One thing Rolex has that the new smart watches don't is that timeless quality. Smart watches by their design are lucky to last a decade without it stop functioning since they are basically mini computers. Rolexes can passed down generations, smart watches cannot.