Smartwatch or Traditional Watch | Which is right for you?

Smart watches are not new. In fact, most watch enthusiasts consider the Timex Datalink (introduced in1984) as the grandfather of “Smart Watches”. The Apple Watch could be considered the most popular smart watch with more than 115 million being produced since its release in April 2015. Which brings us to our question. Has the smart watch era replaced traditional watches? I would argue very loudly NO, it has not and will not.

Why a dumb watch is still relevant in 2023 and beyond.

I know that might seem like a bold statement and might quickly get me labeled as a Neo Boomer since I’m a Generation X guy. But let’s wait a moment and read the article and watch the video before casting judgement on me.

Technological Decline of the Smart Watch

There is no debating the great advances in technology of the smart watches the last few years. But whenever someone touts how a smart watch will replace a traditional mechanical watch? I always use the world-famous Apple Watch as a classic example of how technology can become irrelevant and no longer supported. Let’s look at the 1^st generation of the Apple Watch as a study.

1^st Generation Apple Watch

• Released Date: April 24, 2015
• Discontinued Production: September 7, 2016
• Support Lifespan: 3 years 4 Months
• Average Price New: $549.00

In the first 4 years of the Apple Watch, there were 6 different models released with 5 different chips sets. On one hand, I applaud the innovation in the name of capitalism to keep expanding the line. On the other hand the second you get your new smart watch you literally are on a running clock as to when it will become just another unsupported piece of electronic junk.

Lifespan

A lifespan of 3 years 4 Months of support for a watch is incredibly short amount of time. In fact, when you look at the entire life cycle of the first four series of Apple Watches, you will see the average life cycle is 4 Years 1 Month. One component of this lifecycle debate is the proprietary support needed from Apply in the form of the Apple WatchOS software. The other is the fact you are essentially wearing a small computer. So repairing or maintaining any smart watch is not possible. I’m not particularly bagging on Apple in particular, the same could be said for any smart watch.

When you look at mechanical watches, there tends to be a large amount of commonality. Like its movements (internal workings) across many different manufactures. This generally leads to larger amounts of replacement parts should the need arise to repair your watch. In other words, imagine if the venerable Chevy small block 350 cubic inch V-8 motor was used in a dozen different car manufacturers, there would be a large amount of replacement parts and people to work on them. The same can essentially be said for many mechanical watches.

Don’t believe me? The Japanese built Seiko 7S26 automatic movement was made from 1996-2021 and was largely unchanged during it’s run. If you favor a Swiss movement the reliable ETA 2824-2 movement has been manufactured since 1982 and still is in production today.

Durability Concerns

Many smart watches on the market are considerably lighter than their traditional counterparts. Making use of thin lightweight materials such as lower grade aluminum and plastic polymers. The fact they are lighter weight does however allow manufactures to easily produce behemoth smart watches with diameters of 45-50 mm at a fraction of the weight of a steel case. This is a plus for them in some regards if you want a large timepiece with little weight.

There is nothing wrong with polymers or high-grade aluminum at all. They are great materials for specific projects and needs, no one is debating that. Although we do have to admit that aluminum and polymers are inherently weaker when it comes to surviving bumps, scrapes and knocks unscathed.

However, when you examine the materials used in the most cost affordable and basic mechanical watches. You routinely find materials such as various grades of stainless steel. If you look a little deeper into the materials, we find some companies have proprietary steel blends or coatings that push the hardness rating of the cases to levels that rival jet aircraft strength. Take German manufacturer Damasko. Who uses a process that results in their watch cases having a Hardness Value of 800 (62.5 Rockwell Scale). Which is about the same as carbide drill bits. That type of engineering makes a watchcase that will last a lifetime.

Simplicity & Ease of Use

This should be a no brainer when it comes to a discussion. Baring a conversation that includes a complex analog pilot chronograph. The average mechanical watch will be considerably easier to use than any smartwatch. Even if you get a less complex chronograph like the Omega Speedmaster. Or a dual time zone watch like the Citizen Eco-Drive Endeavor. They are still relatively simple compared to the average smartwatch.

I’ve owned several smartwatches and currently use one regularly in the form of a Suunto 7. And still, I find that even when switching between models within the same brand it can be cumbersome and frustrating. It was even worse when I tried to switch brands moving from the Suunto 7 to a Garmin. It’s often not a lack of knowing how to use a computer. Or even a smartphone or previous smartwatches. Rather an issue of changing technology that rolls out in the form or updates that are often not advertised well.

When it comes to simplicity, there must be a conversation where the smartwatch just doesn’t get a passing grade. When it comes to ease of use, we must look hard at applications, power sources and system glitches and how they render the smartwatches into nonfunctional hunks of plastic. It’s the dirty secret of computer-based watches that no one likes to talk about.

Un-reliability?

More than once, I’ve had a smart watch just shut off and go black after a run, hike, or bike ride. Just when I was going to happily sync the fitness tracker with my phone, it just dies with zero warning. PERFECTLY frustrating. Perform a quick hard reset and the watch acts like it just woke up and the exercise never happened. These glitches happen about 20% of the time and it doesn’t get any less frustrating the more it happens as a smartwatch ages.

Battery life is another topic no one wants to honestly discuss when it comes to smartwatches. The number of applications you are running, knowingly or not, have a natural draw on your watch’s battery. This combined with other natural life cycle issues of a rechargeable battery start to make the smartwatch an expendable tool rather than a time piece that will last you 10 or even 20 years.

One combined series of issues that arise relating to smartwatches and power is essentially the natural lifecycle of any rechargeable battery. As a battery ages, it looses its ability to recharge to a full capacity. Resulting in a decreased length of battery life between charges and overall lower capacity. Add that to the fact that you will have to find yourself near a recharging source every 24-36 hours. Because of this, the smart watch looks less and less like a reliable timepiece and more like an electronic tool.

A traditional mechanical or battery-operated watch like the Seiko 5 or the Casio G-Shock can operate effectively and accurately for years with little to no maintenance. Zero need for an outlet, charging cord or adapter. The fact that you have one less thing to worry about on your adventures. Means you can devote more time to enjoying your adventure, with no need for electricity whatsoever.

Smartwatches are a Tool

I know this may seem like an anti-smartwatch article but I assure you it’s not at all. I’m simply trying to point out that traditional watches which seem to have been shunned by many people in recent years still have a place in our world. The smartwatch isn’t always a suitable alternative to every situation.

Smartwatches are amazing tools and do a great job when they function like they are supposed to. When they function well with enough battery power and connectivity, they can track workouts and distance and perform other tasks with amazing detail and accuracy. BUT they have drawbacks that must be weighed. In conversations with people who laugh at my niche of collecting watches, I always relate the smartwatch to an electronic GPS. They are amazing tools but I will always carry a traditional compass and map somewhere on my person if I am out on an adventure. Because not everything goes as planned.

So You Want a Non Smart Watch?

There are many brands to choose from with a myriad of options to weigh. Fortunately we have Partner Affiliations with MTM Watches, Luminox and 5.11 who all have sell non smart watches. Look back through our archives you will see full reviews on many MTM watches and 5.11 Tactical. Scott Witner just completed an excellent primer piece on the Citizen Eco Drive Endeavor.

In the next few weeks, I will be posting my long-term reviews of several watches I’ve owned. What environments and situations I have put them through, and how they faired. I will also be highlighting some new pieces I have picked up recently. And providing a quick look at them while providing an introduction piece to watch collecting and watch straps.

Be sure to check out our affiliate links and if you have any watch related questions, I’m always willing to lend a hand. Here are some of the links to our affiliate sites which should get your on your way.

• MTM Watch
• Luminox
• 5.11 Watch
• Seiko