I was debating whether to place this question under electronic watches but felt that it needed a more generalistic view. Having trawled though the forum archives I can see that the last time this subject was raised to any extent was in 2015 but even then it was more about how the members were viewing the "smartwatches". If I have missed any other major debates then my apologies.
The reason why I pose the question is because I recently considered purchasing a Moon Phase watch and read numerous articles about how relevant the Moon Phase complication was to most watch collectors but what I did note was that from an Horological viewpoint most reports considered that because of the "complication" it probably should be either part of a portfolio or at least be on a wish list. I can to some extent agree with that point of view but I then thought "Why then wouldn't a collector consider it important to have a smartwatch as part of their portfolio?"
I have always taken the view with watch collecting that the brand, movement and type of watch is something of a personal preference to the Collector and maybe I am in the "old school" here when I consider that if a watch has been "crafted" then it definitely falls within the parameter of my collection but when it comes to a smartwatch what have you got? It might be a wonderful electronic invention but what is it's primary purpose?
I have gone online to seek the description of both a watch and a smartwatch and I think the following briefly covers each:-
A watch - is a portable timepiece intended to be carried or worn by a person. ... A wristwatch is designed to be worn around the wrist, attached by a watch strap or other type of bracelet, including metal bands, leather straps or any other kind of bracelet.
Smartwatch-, a small smartphone like device worn on the wrist. Many smartwatches are connected to a smartphone that notifies the user of incoming calls, e-mail messages, and notifications from applications. ... Some smartwatches come with pedometers and heart-rate monitors to help users track their health.
So given the descriptions above should we even consider a "smartwatch" to be watch or should it be considered an electronic device incorporating a timer?
On the basis of the above how many forum members consider that the smartwatch should form part of a Watch Collectors Portfolio? I'd be interested to read others views
The reason why I pose the question is because I recently considered purchasing a Moon Phase watch and read numerous articles about how relevant the Moon Phase complication was to most watch collectors but what I did note was that from an Horological viewpoint most reports considered that because of the "complication" it probably should be either part of a portfolio or at least be on a wish list. I can to some extent agree with that point of view but I then thought "Why then wouldn't a collector consider it important to have a smartwatch as part of their portfolio?"
I have always taken the view with watch collecting that the brand, movement and type of watch is something of a personal preference to the Collector and maybe I am in the "old school" here when I consider that if a watch has been "crafted" then it definitely falls within the parameter of my collection but when it comes to a smartwatch what have you got? It might be a wonderful electronic invention but what is it's primary purpose?
I have gone online to seek the description of both a watch and a smartwatch and I think the following briefly covers each:-
A watch - is a portable timepiece intended to be carried or worn by a person. ... A wristwatch is designed to be worn around the wrist, attached by a watch strap or other type of bracelet, including metal bands, leather straps or any other kind of bracelet.
Smartwatch-, a small smartphone like device worn on the wrist. Many smartwatches are connected to a smartphone that notifies the user of incoming calls, e-mail messages, and notifications from applications. ... Some smartwatches come with pedometers and heart-rate monitors to help users track their health.
So given the descriptions above should we even consider a "smartwatch" to be watch or should it be considered an electronic device incorporating a timer?
On the basis of the above how many forum members consider that the smartwatch should form part of a Watch Collectors Portfolio? I'd be interested to read others views