Smart watch or fine timepiece... Why can't it be both?

I really think this is the way of the future. It may take a few more years for the electronic components and their wireless communication methods to standardize, and for the most popular feature sets to become the norm in smart watches before fine watchmakers decide which electronic features to incorporate.

Long article, I suggest going out to read the whole thing.

http://mobile.nytimes.com/2015/06/07/magazine/can-the-swiss-watchmaker-survive-the-digital-age.html?referrer=

 

I hope somebody remembers to bump this thread in five years.

 

Why not a replacement case back which contained the fit bit accelerometers and some form of haptic feedback for notifications, that was invisible under your mechanical wristwatch?

I'm not talking about screens.

 

I keep this HID brand prox rfid chip in my wallet... It's my credential to gain access to my building and ID myself to some of the data collection devices we make.

Its disposably cheap but durable. It is not self powered, but battery technology is improving rapidly.

I think in a few years, the components for could fit in a form factor the size of this chip. I've shown it with my speedmaster which is by today's fashion, a tiny mechanical watch.

So is a mechanical heirloom timepiece suddenly garbage if the "smart" technology in the case back becomes obsolete.?
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I tried that for fun, not adhered but slipped it between watch and wrist, here's just too much metal between the reader and the chip. I may try it with other watches with thinner movements as I rotate what I wear.

But to clarify, I was just using the HID chip as a physical size example... I think it's feasible to cram the electronics into one unit the size of my pictured chip, and design beautiful mechanical timepieces that have separate, upgradeable electronics modules completely integrated into the caseback.

No wires, chips, etc running thru the mechanical movement.

Of course, ideas are a dime a dozen and it's all about the execution.

 

The very last paragraph illustrates the rationale behind my idea for a "smart fine case back" not a "smart fine watch"

 

You summarized it better than I did. Thank you.

Another alternative to casebacks as the tech containet could be be bracelets or straps that contain the tech.

There's a very real, though very niche, product idea here. But again, ideas are easy, execution is the trick.

 

Like I said, ideas are easy.

I was the OP, and obviously this article started me down the patch of daydreaming about the smart case back.

But I guess I skimmed over/missed the part that mentioned Mont Blanc with their e strap. I was aware of Samsung's use of packaging components in the wristband, I own a Samsung Gear. It gets worn in rotation about as often as any watch I own.

The article talks about products sold by watch manufacturers. But what about an accessories company that makes self contained tech in case backs and watch bands that are interchangeable and not made with just one watch case in mind?