TimeCaptain versus the Smartwatch
I should actually THANK the entire smartwatch industry for making mechanical timepieces more relevant than ever before.
Let me start by saying something and getting it out of the way. Smartwatches are mind-blowing technological marvels. The ingenuity and software design that goes into these things is quite amazing. If you could travel back to 1985 and show a smartwatch to Marty McFly, he’d think it was from 2055 and not 2015. And if you could travel back to 1955 and show a smartwatch to Doc Brown, he’d think it was witchcraft. I acknowledge that smartwatches do unbelievable things and I may even wear one myself for sports or working out. But if you think you’ll ever see TimeCaptain wear one with a good suit, well…
The space on my left wrist is not to be used for gimmicks or tech toys. The space on my left wrist is reserved for self expression. It is where I share my values and tastes and aspirations with the world. You see, this is where I place a fine mechanical timepiece, with which I communicate to the world. Every morning, I carefully choose the right timepiece for my day and whatever events or occasions I have lined up. Oh, a smartwatch could do this, you may say. No. A piece of electronics has no SOUL whereas a mechanical timepiece with an autonomous power source almost has a life of its own.
When I strut around Montreal all day, I have a smartphone in my pocket. If I am carrying my briefcase, I may also have my tablet, and even a laptop, in there. So I have all kinds of technology and communications tools with me already. Do I want to use my wrist space for yet another smart device? I would rather use my left wrist to display a mechanical marvel that really serves no practical purpose at all. My left wrist is for wearing something that looks cool and feels prestigious… a pure luxury.
In today’s world, there is absolutely no “need” for a mechanical timepiece because the date, time, etc. is visible on our phones, computers, cars, tablets, etc. The proper timepiece merely represents craft, heritage, tradition, quality, and engineering. A watch with a mechanical movement is an expression of style and values. You don’t necessarily wear a Rolex Submariner to go scuba diving. You wear it because you love the style and the design and you want to express to the world that you value quality, accuracy, ruggedness and adventure. There is also something extremely satisfying about wearing a mechanical device on your wrist. It does not need electricity. In theory, it could run forever if we can ignore regular maintenance. It has dozens, sometimes hundreds, of tiny parts that move and interact with one another. Winding and adjusting mechanical watches is an absolute joy that you cannot get with a smartwatch. You see, wearing a real timepiece is hardly about the actual functions of the device, it’s really about an entire experience. And since timepieces are often very expensive, it is a luxury experience.
So there’s my take on smartwatches. You cannot even compare a smartwatch to an Omega Seamaster or a Panerai Luminor. The smartwatch does all sorts of cool tech things, but it does not even attempt to provide the same experience as mechanical watch. So, in fact, the two should be able to co-exist together. You wear your smartwatch as you cycle up a mountain and then you wear your IWC when you go out to dinner. Or, in my case, you actually wear a mechanical watch for both!
Yours truly,
TimeCaptain