Frederique Constant Hybrid Watch

[Baco Noir]

Ok, I don’t care for the planned obsolescence that is inherent with smart watches, but I must say this hybrid mechanical watch with a built in fitness tracker has piqued my interest. The fitness tracker app also lets you see performance statistics (rate, amplitude and error - in real time) of the mechanical movement too! Now, the watch geek in me thinks that’s COOL.

EDIT: At $3500 - $3700 USD it’s expensive, but at least it’s an in-house movement and a LE of 888 pieces.

www.hodinkee.com/articles/frederique-constant-hybrid-manufacture-smartwatch-introducing

[Baco Noir]

[muckymark]

I don’t quite get the need for a mechanical and smart watch combined. I have both and have never found myself wishing they were combined. In my case I usually wear the Apple Watch for fitness activities or days where I want to track steps, mileage etc such as trade shows or walking tours. I also appreciate the ability to be “subtlety” notified of incoming messages or reminders. For days when I have a lot of meetings I will also wear the AW. These hybrid or traditional style smart watches can only tell you you have a message or alert. You still have to pull out your phone to read or check them. A lot of the health metrics this watch tracks can be measured by just using the health app on the iPhone. This appears to be more dependent on a iPhone, and only iPhone, no Android, than the current AW. You can use the current AW for fitness activities without having to carry your phone at all times. It will be interesting to see how these sell at this price point.

Also of interest is a video on Time + Tide with JC Biver discussing how he feels the smart watch will kill quartz not mechanical watches. I tried to link it but not having much success on the iPad.

[Baco Noir]

Feb 27, 2018 10:00:17 GMT -6 muckymark said:

I don’t quite get the need for a mechanical and smart watch combined. I have both and have never found myself wishing they were combined. In my case I usually wear the Apple Watch for fitness activities or days where I want to track steps, mileage etc such as trade shows or walking tours. I also appreciate the ability to be “subtlety” notified of incoming messages or reminders. For days when I have a lot of meetings I will also wear the AW. These hybrid or traditional style smart watches can only tell you you have a message or alert. You still have to pull out your phone to read or check them. A lot of the health metrics this watch tracks can be measured by just using the health app on the iPhone. This appears to be more dependent on a iPhone, and only iPhone, no Android, than the current AW. You can use the current AW for fitness activities without having to carry your phone at all times. It will be interesting to see how these sell at this price point.

Also of interest is a video on Time + Tide with JC Biver discussing how he feels the smart watch will kill quartz not mechanical watches. I tried to link it but not having much success on the iPad.

All super valid points.  I hadn't thought of the notifications you'd be missing that you get with an AW or even Fitbit, and the fact that it's duplicative with the Health app.  I bought the FitBit because I found I didn't always have my phone on me (since I work from home) and wasn't really accurately tracking my movement, and the FitBit tracks my sleep.  I do think the price point is way too high for what it is, but it's a start.  If they could make the dial a translucent black and have notifications shine through the dial, that would make it more competitive in the fitness tracker market, but the price would have to come way down too IMHO.  Interesting to see where this goes. 

[carl]

Mechanical watch, smart watch and dress watch all in one! I suppose that it would have an appeal, but to a limited audience.

[carbon6]

Feb 27, 2018 20:46:17 GMT -6 carl said:

Mechanical watch, smart watch and dress watch all in one! I suppose that it would have an appeal, but to a limited audience.

I agree, Carl. For someone looking for an all-in-one type of watch that would be ideal. For me, I like to have a variety. If I'm working out and running, I have my Garmin. On other occasions, I'll have my daily, casual, and dressy watches.