Vintage watches versus smartwatches

Smartwatches are replaced before they get old

Jan. 21, 2018 - Willem L. Middelkoop

A good friend of mine had an issue with his Apple Watch, the digital crown lost a rubber ring causing the watch to lose its water resistance. Apple made no problem of it and offered to replace his "device". While it solved his problem, it felt painful to my watch lover's ears. It made me realise the one thing a smartwatch will never have: patina.

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Tudor Oyster-Prince Submariner 7924 (from 1959) auctioned for $93,750 in 2016 (photo: Christie's )

Notice the countless microscopic scratches reflecting light like no new watch would

The Pebble Smartwach is no longer supported by software an will not develop patina

a Zerdax (from the 1960's, worth about €100), a Citizen (1970's ~ €80) and a Seiko (2008, €130)

Among the scuffs and scratches you can see at least three different colours of paint drops

The plated gold is worn through, but the watch still shines in sunlight

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