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Available on September 22nd, 2023, Apple will be releasing their new products to their Apple Watch line. These will include the SE, Series 9, and Ultra 2 smartwatches. With new releases every year, how do these gadgets compare with the tried and true? It may not be a fair fight, but the growing attention to these products is an interesting development in the history of timepieces that warrants another look.
Cherished Heirloom or Outdated Artifact?
Apple watches offer an interactive user experience; their compatibility with your phone and health benefits are just some of its advertised features. However, as with all Apple products, they need to be upgraded to a newer model every 3-5 years. Constant updates to the operating systems and apps boast improved performance and features, while at the same time warranting upgrades to the hardware on a consistent basis.
When the first edition of the Apple watch came out in 2015, a customer decided to customize his piece by decking it out in gold and diamonds. As the newest edition came out less than a year later, the customer essentially invested his time and money into something that became obsolete. The double-edged sword of new technology is that its allure of convenience and features has a short shelf life.
Not many objects can last a lifetime, but a luxury watch is one of those rarefied assets. It can eventually be passed down through generations. With a few servicing appointments, well-made luxury timepieces are the gift that keeps on giving.
One of those gifts is the stamp they leave that commemorates occasions both personal and historical. From Businessmen to Royalty, watches have marked the significance of inductions to the halls of power across time and continents. While tracking your sleep might be useful, smartwatches are anything but prestigious.
Make a Statement, not a Siri Command
Have you ever seen a man on his wedding day wearing a suit with an Apple watch? I have, and it looks ridiculous. It’s just like those people who take photos with their iPads.
The reasons why we love watches go well beyond the practical functions. They have a magical quality that instantly elevates the wearer’s presence. It communicates that you pay attention to the little details as well as the finer things in life. They look sleek with a suit or dress, and they can instantly transform even a casual button-down shirt.
Now, this is not to say that you should steer clear of technology. Horology itself is just mature tech, after all. Utilizing the technological advances of old, the physics and mechanics behind watches have their roots in tracking the sun, the moon, and the stars.
I, myself, have been an Apple iPhone user for years. But making a phone call with an accessory that almost everyone else has doesn’t leave much to the imagination. Non-smart watches are not without their own incredible features, including complications like the moonphase, flyback chronograph, date functions, minute-repeaters, and more.
Appreciation or Depreciation?
Considered to be in a unique investment class of its own, luxury timepieces will always be in style. Their value will continue to grow as newer models are produced. You can count on these models to hold their value both on your wrist as well as the market. The same cannot be said about smartwatches. Technology evolves quickly; the older the model, the more obsolete.
When it comes to luxury watches vs. smartwatches, the former tends to cost more, and for good reason. While a Toyota Camry and McLaren 750S Spider perform the same essential action, they are entirely different beasts that fulfill different purposes.
The craftsmanship that goes into one of these pieces is breathtaking and, in some cases, can take years to produce. When working on the internal movement of watches, each micrometer counts. This amount of attention to detail ensures it will last for decades. In 2020, smartwatches generated about $12.6 billion in watch sales. Luxury watches were almost double that in the same year, coming in at about $23.6 billion.
In 2020, approximately 33.9 million Apple watches were sold. This means that 33.9 million people are walking around with the same accessory as you. Now, imagine 33.9 million people sporting a Richard Mille. This change would most definitely lower the brand’s value. Not many consumers would want to invest in a watch with a high price tag if it was so readily available to anyone who wanted one.
The Lightness and Strength of Titanium
Among Apple’s flagship watches, the Ultra 2 is made of titanium. This material is renowned for its remarkable strength and lightness. In Apple’s latest Press Release, they introduce their latest Apple Watch Ultra. “Made from aerospace-grade titanium, Apple Watch Ultra provides the perfect balance of weight, durability, and corrosion resistance.”
If you were seeking titanium watches, why didn’t you say so? Titanium has been used on luxury watches since 1970. Titanium watches are 30% stronger than stainless steel watches, as well as 45% lighter. They are also perfect if you’re seeking a timepiece that doesn’t rust.
Here are some of Avi & Co.’s favorite titanium watches:
Don’t hesitate to visit Avi & Co.’s stunning showroom in either New York City or Miami. Our collection ranges from Richard Mille and Patek Philippe to Cartier and Panerai. We look forward to helping you begin (or expand) your collection!
*As of publication, the pieces listed above are in stock. Prices may fluctuate based on the market. Call 212-354-1808 to inquire!
