CEO’s Speak Out on Smartwatches
The Apple Watch will not be making a guest appearance at Baselworld 2015 but the potential effect of the new wearable on the industry has been a major topic of discussion. CNN surveyed several executives from the makers of Swiss watches and got varying opinions on whether smartwatches are something to worry about.
H. Moser & Cie CEO Edouard Meylan sounded resigned to the competition, admitting that, “It’s a fight for the wrist.” He added, “How smart watches will affect Swiss watchmakers remains to be seen but you can’t ignore the trend.”
Karl-Friedrich Scheufele of Chopard did not sound fazed by the coming wave of connected devices. “When it comes to a higher end watch, I really, strongly believe in mechanical movements and the beauty of these movements is that they last for generations and you don’t have to worry about batteries and recharging.”
Scheufele definitely has a point since the very technology that makes the smartwatch tempting to buyers also makes it obsolete within a year or two. Will the target audience for fine Swiss watches be willing to spend $10,000 or more for a piece that has such a limited lifespan?
