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The Apple Watch Makes Its Jewelry Store Debut And We Road-Test The Watch In Action | August 19, 2015 (0 comments)
Manhasset, NY—Remember when your mobile phone was just a phone? Then it also enabled texting. Then there were games and apps: so many of them! Then came tablets—technology that many were not sure they needed or would ever use, but today can’t live without.
With that kind of track record, wearable technology—specifically ‘tech jewelry’—is likely to be the same. News broke this week that London Jewelers in Long Island is carrying the Apple watch in-store (the high-end 18k gold Edition version) and surely others will follow.
Because this market is new and growing, its demographics are not yet clearly defined, although they likely include parts of all age groups and income levels. Don’t be surprised to find that customers who love your jewelry may also have an increased interest in tech jewelry, especially as time goes by. Eventually, it’s likely everyone will end up wearing some sort of technology. So while you may not sell Apple (or other brands’) watches today, it may be a consideration moving forward.
London Jewelers is the first fine jewelry store in the country to offer the Apple Watch. It goes on sale Friday.
For now, let’s look at the Apple watch, the best-known example of tech jewelry. This new technology—and jewelry—is taking a nice-sized bite out of the watch market.
The Apple watch is a watch, but it functions a bit differently. It’s made to pair with your iPhone (iPhone 5 or later) to run apps. It comes in various price points and specifications (here’s a quick overview). Given that this is a first for Apple, there are likely many variations on the Apple watch to come.
As always, Apple has put their design spin on their watch with excellent results. A few items of interest to jewelers who sell traditional watches:
1) The better watchband. Apple has solved the design issue where the end of band sticks out once it is fastened (on a two piece band). On the plastic band models, the end tucks into the watchband, underneath instead of staying outside. Underneath is surprisingly comfortable. On the leather band models, concealed magnets throughout the band hold it in place. This also removes most sizing issues (and again, nothing sticks out). Here are the various band options, including traditional metal and leather options (with a flap that sticks out). Image: Apple
As a bonus, there are NO springbars! A simple pressure on a bar on the bottom of the watch releases the band to easily change from one band to another. No spring-y pieces to fly away.
2) The Apple watch has to charge. It needs about 2.5 hours on its magnetic, stethoscope-like charger. And yes, it needs to be off your wrist for this. No battery changes needed.
3) It tells time, even when it’s not linked to an iPhone (as long as its charge lasts). And when it’s apart from the iPhone, it still has other basic functionality from its apps, along with letting you know the time. Think of it like your iPhone or iPad in airplane mode. Android users take note, however: you will have to switch to iPhone to take advantage of the watch's full functionality, otherwise it'll just do the basics.
When it’s active, the screen on the Apple watch stays blank until you lift you wrist. Whether right or left handed (you choose this preference in the setting section and you can change it), the time magically appears and you can set the options for what other information you see on the screen (temperature, day/date, phase of the moon, Move goal, etc.).
For those used to traditional watches, those are a few changes of interest. I can hear you thinking, but what does it DO?
According to Apple, here is the basic list of what the watch does when paired with your iPhone:
- Change your watch face.
- Call your mom.
- Get directions.
- Control what your iPhone is playing.
- Pay for coffee.
- Set your Move goal for the week.
- See your progress as you work out.
- Take a group shot with Camera Remote.
- See today’s forecast with the Weather app.
Is this something you want on your wrist? From my own recent purchase, the answer is yes. From a great experience in the Apple store, (which seems to be the norm) through to wearing it daily, playing with every option and reading/watching the tutorials, I can see how this is handy now and will be more so in the future as the apps selection expands.
The Apple watch has impressed me in several areas. I love getting a text right on my wrist. It vibrates (Apple’s word is haptics) and I can reply with a smile, a pre-programmed phrase (no typing) or I can dictate a message. Easy.
I also used it with my iPhone GPS. The turn-by-turn directions came up when appropriate, right on my wrist, making it simple to follow them. I’m also surprisingly fond of the Move tracker. In the short time I’ve had it, I’m already more conscious of how much I move and am striving for more.
Apple also has some fun up their sleeves for those with Apple watches to communicate with each other. You can send drawings/doodles/hearts/whatever from one unit to another.
It’s a fun yet useful purchase. While it’s not for everyone, every jeweler has some customers that find this product category fascinating. Visit online or in an Apple store and see what they are about. It’s worth your time.