Is the Apple Watch a "watch"?
Been thinking about this since I published my SOTC.
I wear my Scubapro G2 on my right wrist when I dive, and my Garmin Approach S20 on my left wrist when I play golf. Both tell the time. The S20 in particular has one function where it displays only the time! To me though, they are both wrist mounted computers that tell time as one of their many functions. When I think about my "watches", I don't include these two.
Which leads me to think .... is the Apple Watch any different to my G2 or S20? Do most people buy one as a wrist mounted computer to read emails, text messages, check the weather? In short, is it a "watch"?
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Well it's definitely a 'timepiece' but it's much more than that. It has complications...lots of them. I guess it's more like a very small computer, that is battery powered. A quartz watch is battery powered but it ticks. Even quartz watches without a second hand tick. Same goes for mechanical. Digital watches don't tick but they use a quartz crystal in the same way as their analogue counterparts. So this all means it's not a mechanical nature of ability to tick that makes a watch. In my opinion, it both is and isn't a watch and there is no definitive answer. But I'm sure someone will tell me I'm wrong.
Well it's definitely a 'timepiece' but it's much more than that. It has complications...lots of them. I guess it's more like a very small computer, that is battery powered. A quartz watch is battery powered but it ticks. Even quartz watches without a second hand tick. Same goes for mechanical. Digital watches don't tick but they use a quartz crystal in the same way as their analogue counterparts. So this all means it's not a mechanical nature of ability to tick that makes a watch. In my opinion, it both is and isn't a watch and there is no definitive answer. But I'm sure someone will tell me I'm wrong.
And like opinions on wine, the point is not to be correct but rather to enjoy the discussion! 😁
Ah, the old question, "is it a watch?" In my view, no it isn't. But I need to put in some time to get my thoughts down, because they are complex and nuanced. Watch out for a separate post on this. But ask yourself the following question, and you'll get where I'm going with this...
Is your laptop a calculator?
Ah, the old question, "is it a watch?" In my view, no it isn't. But I need to put in some time to get my thoughts down, because they are complex and nuanced. Watch out for a separate post on this. But ask yourself the following question, and you'll get where I'm going with this...
Is your laptop a calculator?
It really just became a question for me when I didn’t include the S20 in my SOTC and thought why?
IMO, it is not just a watch, it's a portable device that also happens to tell time but that's just me. If you like it and it's reliable, good for you. 🍻
It really just became a question for me when I didn’t include the S20 in my SOTC and thought why?
Article is now here :-)
https://www.watchcrunch.com/Richierich/posts/smartwatches-my-thoughts-16952
But my thoughts are that we should not ban them from the discussion though. Smart devices are going to become increasingly ubiquitous, and will continue to evolve. I can also see a lot of discussion about how a watch and a smartwatch may be able to be worn together in a harmonious way.
Article is now here :-)
https://www.watchcrunch.com/Richierich/posts/smartwatches-my-thoughts-16952
But my thoughts are that we should not ban them from the discussion though. Smart devices are going to become increasingly ubiquitous, and will continue to evolve. I can also see a lot of discussion about how a watch and a smartwatch may be able to be worn together in a harmonious way.
Discussion is always good!
I think it’s a tool where people use it to make their lives easier but not necessary better with all the notifications and stuff. It’s definitely smart in a sense. Tracking steps and fitness, locations, heart rate, auto crash detection etc etc. I consider it a wrist device that also tells the time.
It is useful to those who use these to help them better their lives. I for one, am considering to get one just for my workouts. There’s a reason why Apple Watch is so popular and it does bring folks who have it into the world of watches. I say that’s a win win.
That being said, if someone who has an Apple Watch and he/she is happy, who are we to say anything? Just like who are people to say about our watches and collections? Correct?
This just comes to my mind. When people said mechanical watches have moving parts, gears, hands and has a soul, I could argue that an electrical device and/or a digital watche also have moving parts but in terms of ions and electrons, just that we can’t see them. It’s making the watch come alive, doesn’t it? Then, doesn’t it count as “soul”? I know it’s very random and controversial but I’ve been thinking about it when I first come across this topic.
Just my 2 cents. 🤝🍻
Hope everyone isn’t taking this poll too seriously! I was intrigued by my own decision to not include my Garmin Approach S20 in my own SOTC.
Everyone should do what makes them happy! 😊
This is a question that has come up numerous times in various forms, and the question presupposes an accepted standard of what constitutes a watch. Some collectors dislike digital watches, others disdain quartz movements in favor of mechanical movements. Even wearing a watch on the wrist was a change from the pocket.
Is a Fitbit a watch? I never see these sorts of questions about Fitbits. What about watches with Bluetooth connectivity? Watches that connect to the atomic clock signal? It can't just be about using it to do more than tell the time. My Pro Trek watch has 25 different functions, only two of which have to do with telling time. Further, consider the calculator watches, remote control watches, video game watches, and even TV watches that have been released.
I think it is a new form of watch encountering resistance to acceptance rather than not being a true wrist watch. Just my two cents worth.
It’s a timepiece certainly, but I really don’t want my watch buzzing me for emails and texts. So, I’m an um . . .
The real question is,”Does it look good with a suit?”…
Exactly my pov
It straps to your wrist and tells the time, so yes, although many don’t want to hear it, it is a watch as much as a G-Shock is a watch.
Probably not, but that’s not the definition of a watch…
Imagine in the year 2080, your grandpa inherits you his scratched Apple Watch with a dead battery 🤣
Imagine in the year 2080, your grandpa inherits you his scratched Apple Watch with a dead battery 🤣
Well... it literally has "Watch" right there in its name, it's worn on the wrist, has complications and a rotating crown for input, can display many types of well-known watch faces (digital, chrono, GMT, California, etc), and tells you the time on nearly every display screen, so I'd say it's a watch (as well as a heart rate monitor, a fitness tracker, communication device, flashlight, calculator, payment tool, timer, alarm, remote control, music player, navigation device, etc.).
The plastic military watches (Mil-Spec W-46374B) that were sealed and non-serviceable had limited lifespans and weren't meant to be repaired, yet nobody is saying they weren't watches since they won't continue working for your grandchildren. Even disconnected from a phone, an Apple Watch will continue to tell time.
Well... it literally has "Watch" right there in its name, it's worn on the wrist, has complications and a rotating crown for input, can display many types of well-known watch faces (digital, chrono, GMT, California, etc), and tells you the time on nearly every display screen, so I'd say it's a watch (as well as a heart rate monitor, a fitness tracker, communication device, flashlight, calculator, payment tool, timer, alarm, remote control, music player, navigation device, etc.).
The plastic military watches (Mil-Spec W-46374B) that were sealed and non-serviceable had limited lifespans and weren't meant to be repaired, yet nobody is saying they weren't watches since they won't continue working for your grandchildren. Even disconnected from a phone, an Apple Watch will continue to tell time.
I’m 100% on your side 👍
Imagine in the year 2080, your grandpa inherits you his scratched Apple Watch with a dead battery 🤣
Still a great way to remind me of him! Imagine inheriting his Dodge Charger in 2080 when fossil fuels are banned and all the "cars" are electric. It was still his "car" even if it doesn't run, but you can't stash that piece of junk in the attic! 🤣
Imagine in the year 2080, your grandpa inherits you his scratched Apple Watch with a dead battery 🤣
Does this work with iPhone Pro 136890?
I think the Apple Watch is more than just a watch and calling it a watch is disservice to what it's actually is, a nuanced and complex device with a lot of functions at someone's disposal.
Timecop beat me too the punch.
Was gonna say, but doesn’t ”It has complications…lots of them”
(an “um” at first until that occurred to me)
It definitely is a Watch...In Fact, it's a Smartwatch. It sits atop your wrist with a strap and its main objective is to tell the time(that's the watch part) It has a heart rate monitor, Blood oxygen monitor, Step counter, can take calls, reply to messages Etc... (That's the smart part)