What's the anti smartwatch?
Although I'm not some sort of anti-smartwatch zealot who commits battery against people who wear them, I'm personally not a big fan of them. You buy a Fitbit or a Apple Watch knowing that in a few years it'll be worthless junk, since Apple/whoever made it will stop updating it. And although you can buy cases and straps for them, along with dozens of kinds of dials, you can't really express yourself with one in the same way you can with a more traditional watch, because at the end of the day, you have the same black square as everyone else in Costco.
So that got me thinking: what's the anthesis of the average smartwatch; something that isn't modern, chic and basically designed to be thrown away in a couple years despite its high price?
For me, I'd say the Vostok Amphibia is the very antithesis of what something like an Apple Watch is. It's quirky, oftentimes chauvinistic and anti-capitalist designs, low price and damn near 40 year old mechanical movement shows that Vostok, rather than pursuing the latest trends, dumps all ther revenue into making the production of their watches cheaper and more efficient. And unlike a lot of smartwatch makers, they basically have no PR department or advertising; most of their customers came to them through word of mouth through enthusiasts, not billboards or impressive looking stores.
What do you guys reckon is the anti smartwatch?
Good and honest watch-oriented content. And yes, I talk about all watches, not just quartz ones. Instagram: @ofquartz_watches
Definitely one of these!
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FShaheera-Nautical-Antique-Steampunk-Sundial-Watch%2Fdp%2FB07CXNJXWM&psig=AOvVaw3gf1b-RrxugOL0yuyVJW_O&ust=1642697663746000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAwQjhxqFwoTCICcs-ujvvUCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAD
I'd say a pocket watch is the exact opposite of a smartwatch, old, barely functional, ticks as loud as a train, not as practical and yet strangely endearing
Appearance wise, Apple watches look like a square screen on a rubber strap. Their functionality is off the charts. The price (for the functionality) is quite reasonable. Tens of millions are sold each year. After a few years of use, they're just electronic waste.
For an opposite, I'll nominate watches made by Graff Diamonds. They're diamond encrusted jewelry. Functionally, they tell the time. They cost tens of millions of dollars. Very few are made. Their value will continue to increase over time, if only due to the appreciating value of the raw materials that went into them.
I have no desire to own a watch manufactured by either company.
Not really answering your question, but I think that the Moser Swiss Alp watch is the ultimate FU to the Apple watch. The small seconds mimicking the "loading" icon is the icing on the cake.
If my budget allowed, I'd love to own one of these.
https://www.h-moser.com/product/swiss-alp-watch-5324-1205/
Not really answering your question, but I think that the Moser Swiss Alp watch is the ultimate FU to the Apple watch. The small seconds mimicking the "loading" icon is the icing on the cake.
If my budget allowed, I'd love to own one of these.
https://www.h-moser.com/product/swiss-alp-watch-5324-1205/
If I was a baller I'd definitely get a Swiss Alp, but unfortunately I'm not a bestselling author or a CEO (yet 🤞). If the difference in price and the design wasn't part of the equation I'd definitely choose that over the Amphibia
Appearance wise, Apple watches look like a square screen on a rubber strap. Their functionality is off the charts. The price (for the functionality) is quite reasonable. Tens of millions are sold each year. After a few years of use, they're just electronic waste.
For an opposite, I'll nominate watches made by Graff Diamonds. They're diamond encrusted jewelry. Functionally, they tell the time. They cost tens of millions of dollars. Very few are made. Their value will continue to increase over time, if only due to the appreciating value of the raw materials that went into them.
I have no desire to own a watch manufactured by either company.
I will say the functionality of the Apple Watch and my Arnie is as vast between a Model T and a Tesla. But the Apple Watch has one major flaw: it can't exist without its host: an iPhone, which, like its wrist mounted brother, is basically engineered to be landfill in a couple years. Without it, your Apple Watch is essentially an overpriced, delicate, unimaginatively designed Fitbit, which in of itself isn't as good as a mid-tier G-Shock. You can't swim with or bang around your Apple Watch as you would with a GBD200-1, and the functions that the Apple Watch has and the G doesn't can be done easily with your phone. Further still, nobody is going to claim that Marques Brownlee with his Apple products is cool as Arnold-fucking-Schwarzenegger was with the H558-5000.
I feel like tons of people could save some substantial money if they sat down and thought about their penchant for planned obsolescence once in a while.
I think something like a Hamilton Khaki or IWC Pilot Mark XVIII would be the opposite of an Apple Watch. These are iconic "tool" watches that use workhorse movements and aren't too expensive. Perfect for everyday wear!
Interesting question! I would perhaps not point at a particular watch brand/model. For me, the most anti-smartwatch would be a (regular) watch that means the most to you, emotionally. The reason why I am saying that is that, to me, a smartwatch is a highly developed tool that you specifically buy or get gifted to communicate better, work out better, etc. In contrast, that ol' micky mouse quartz watch you keep in your drawer brings you right down memory lane whenever you see it. Its an entirely different world, isnt it?
Definitely one of these!
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FShaheera-Nautical-Antique-Steampunk-Sundial-Watch%2Fdp%2FB07CXNJXWM&psig=AOvVaw3gf1b-RrxugOL0yuyVJW_O&ust=1642697663746000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAwQjhxqFwoTCICcs-ujvvUCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAD
You made my day🙌🏼
I had an answer before I clicked the link- VOSTOK!
As I like to say-
Strong like Bull, Smart like Tractor
I guess great minds think alike...
I'd agree with the Vostok. I'm not anti-smart watch and use to wear a Apple Watch and Garmin all the time. However, I didn't wear them for the watch features. I was avid runner and liked the GPS and Fitness Tracking functionality. I honestly wish they just came out with band like the Whoop Band and stayed out of the watch world. Even now I wear a Mi-Band 6 on my right wrist and my watch on my left. I just disabled the screen on the Mi-Band so it's a fitness tracking bracelet like a Whoop Band minus the subscription fees.
I agree with Vostok, but I would also add that any of the new Bulova military models could be considered for a good anti-smart watch. All of them, the Hack, the a15 Pilot, and the Mil Ships, are simple three hand watches without even a date complication, just the time.
It's funny what become valued and collectible. I woundn't be suprised if future middle age men pay good money for first generation smart watches with boxes and papers.
Pocket watch gets my vote. Something like the Omega is pretty much the opposite of disposable tech.
(Happy Apple Watch wearer myself, fwiw.)