Gimmicks and Gadgets

I have to confess that since I transitioned into semi-retirement, I have learned to day-trade stocks successfully. This is actually a curse because it robs me of time for doing more important things such as fly fishing for trout. Be that as it may, I watched the rollout of Apple’s Watch, and was amused from several aspects, not the least being the corporate imitation of Steve Jobs doing his thing. It was actually sort of creepy, but my interest in the potential technological leap overcame my skepticism. You see, I can claim to be an expert in the business of digital watchmaking and marketing (see my LinkedIn profile). At the same time, I watched my several computer screens track the real-time moves in the company’s stock. At the opening today, it surged to new heights, only to drop back down after the rollout.

Why? In my view it was perceived as another clunky gadget, somewhat better than the other ‘Smart’ watches being offered by various manufacturers in Europe and Asia. Now, there is no doubt that Apple will sell a ton of these things because they are promoting the perception that is a ‘Cool’ product. And, at the piece point, it is not a bad deal—if you’re a nerd. But folks, HERE is a Cool product, more like Dick Tracy’s device, and it was a hot seller in 1946:

And, here is a Hitachi design that I think is far more elegant than the Apple product, but still a personal accessory that only a nerd could love:

I don’t know if this was ever prototyped  

With my own business, I helped make the LCD watch a practical time keeping device but, in trying to OEM the product to traditional watchmakers in the USA and Switzerland, I learned an important lesson: Watches are largely a sub-set of fashion jewelry. It wasn’t until the Japanese copied our original designs and perfected them, that mass marketing brought the price down into a range where the average person could afford them. And, who wears a digital watch nowadays? I submit that it is only those who cannot afford a Rolex or even better, the offerings of Vacheron Constantin, Audemars Piguet, and Patek Philippe. I guess time will tell (to make a bad pun). In closing, I believe it won’t be too long before a device in the form of a brain implant will be available that supersedes Smartphones, Google Glass, and similar products; but the jewelry will remain, including the humble wristwatch.