Horology, the study of time and time measurement, has evolved over the years, and watches have become a major way to keep time. One could arguably say it is much easier to turn and look at your wrist than it is to start unto a wall to know the time. Watches just like all other devices have evolved from just telling time to performing other beautiful functions. The watches are called smartwatches.
Smartwatches are watches that possess a microprocessor. Cool yeah? These watches have amazing capabilities due to their interesting components. I’m talking calling, dialing, a touchscreen, a speaker, a heart rate monitor, and much more. You might not know this but the first smart watch was released in the year 1998 and it was called the “Seiko Ruputer” capable of running applications and connecting to a PC via a docking station.
Some of the smartwatch’s feature is its ability to display relevant information such as time, heartbeat information, oxygen level information, etc, it has a “find my phone” feature which just locates your phone in case of a misplacement. It has various sensors and monitors embedded in its system, it has a Random access memory and a Read-only memory for information storage, and a lot more
While Smartwatches provide these cool features, I find myself wondering why the most expensive watches yet remain analog watches. How are watches that tell only time still the most valuable in fashion even after the emergence of watches that can do more than time-telling? Some of the brands that make the most expensive watches in the world and are analogs are: Rolex, Cartier, Patek Philippe, etc.
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The entry-level price of buying a Rolex in-store is about $5000 – $7000. Now notice I said entry-level, this means the starting price, these watches can have prices as high as hundreds of thousands of dollars while the average price of an Apple smartwatch ranges from a few hundred dollars to maybe thousands.
While smartwatches have undeniably made their mark, the allure and value of high-end analog watches remain steadfast. Luxury analog watches like some of the brands earlier mentioned, particularly those with mechanical movements, are heights of engineering. These precise movements made by these watches involve hundreds of tiny, meticulously crafted parts that work in perfect harmony, set up to form the watch’s engine. This is a major reason for the watches’ high value. The craftmanship often embraced in developing these pieces is often a technique passed down through generations of engineers.
Brands like Patek Philippe, Rolex, and others have built up such huge reputations for excellence that their names alone carry significant weight in the market. This “brand prestige” is a key component of the watch’s value. These watches have ways to retain their value over a long period, this has helped establish them as investment pieces. Now, you might hear some of the rich guys who invest heavily in watches say something like “It’s not just about telling time. It’s about owning a piece of art.” This right here is a legitimate reason for their high prices with luxury brand watches making limited editions of certain watches thereby pushing its demand.
While smartwatches offer cutting-edge technology and functionality, analog watches represent the very top of traditional watchmaking. They are valued for their craftsmanship, materials, heritage, and the emotional connection of personalization they create with those who wear them.
