As a huge tech nerd, making the choice between a smartwatch and a mechanical watch should be easy. Turns out that’s not the case.
I’ve always loved watches. (Something I picked up from my grandfather.) Small, big, old, new, leather, metal. Doesn’t matter I appreciate it for what it is.
After owning many different watches, this year I received my first automatic watch. A Rotary I inherited from my grandfather.
An automatic watch, also known as a self-winding watch, is a mechanical watch in which the natural motion of the wearer provides energy to run the watch, making manual winding unnecessary. It is distinguished from a manual watch in that a manual watch, likewise having no internal battery, must have its mainspring wound by hand at regular intervals. – Wikipedia
What makes an automatic watch so special, for me, is the relationship. It isn’t as simple as slapping it on my wrist every morning. I first need to make sure the time is still right and if it has enough energy left. Otherwise, I first need to set the time and date, and then wind it up. Compared to a smartwatch that always has the right date and time.
An alternative would be a hybrid watch. Like a Kronaby. Which combines tech features and beautiful watchmaking. It’s designed to, as they put it, keep you connected but not distracted. It has simple features like tracking your steps and letting you know when you have a notification.
I’m aware of all the benefits a smartwatch can give, but there’s just something about a mechanical watch that makes it a bit more special, especially in a world where most people are wearing smartwatches.
What are your thoughts?
Hannes van Eeden 
I prefer my mechanical Citizen Axiom BL6005-01E watch. A square black faced watch without numbers, just 4 indicator bars at 3, 6, 9 and 12, powered by light. A gift from my wife during our vacation to New York city many years ago continues to remind me everyday of the great sights, sounds and people. Now, after all isn’t this a smartwatch?
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I just Googled it. It looks like a beautiful watch. I love the simplicity.
Haha. You’re absolutely right.
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I think those of us with a creative spirit can’t help but to be attracted to the artistry of a mechanical watch.
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You’re so right!
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I personally prefer traditional watch
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Why is that? 🙂
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Small world! I used to work for a company that imports Rotary watches into South Africa and honestly it’s my favorite watch brand to date! You’re lucky to have inherited such a classic. Sentimental and reliable, you’ll get a lifetime’s joy out of it.
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What a small world indeed! I agree with you. It is also by far my favourite watch brand as well. I’m looking forward to slowly but surely add more of them to my collection. 🙂 Btw your blog looks promising. Please keep at it!
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Looking forward to see your collection grow 🙂
thanks so much I really appreciate it! Been a good pastime during these interesting times we’re currently facing. Aiming to keep it up once life goes back to normal – love being part of the WP community!
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The WP community is amazing right! Everyone is so kind and supportive towards each other. It’s so amazing to hear everyone’s stories from around the world. 🙂
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Agreed, I had an android model, and it tried it’s best to look like a real watch. However there were the issues afforementioned. Just can’t beat the things of old !
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Haha. You’re absolutely right! There’s just something different about a mechanical watch. It has a heartbeat. 🙂
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Especially a mechanical watch. I just love that relationship between you and the watch. You need to take care of it, if you neglect it, it stops working.
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Couldn’t agree more! Not to mention, the type of watch you wear//own says a lot about you as a person as well.
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Yes it does! It’s something most people easily overlook.
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Hello Hannes, I agree on your stand point Mechanical//wind-up Vs Smart.
I within the past year bought my first smart watch and although originally I was attracted to the idea of all the doodads, It quickly lost it’s luster. Not to mention the idea that I had to charge my smartwatch near daily and If it wasn’t charged. You guessed It, it would die and be useless to me. This is where I appreciate watches that aren’t “smart” not to mention the fact that I never really used any of the special features of the watch. One other trait that I appreciate about Non smart watches, is the astetics of it all.
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Everything you said. That’s exactly what I’m afraid of. Even if the battery can last a few days, I might also not use many of the special features. Most smartwatches look horrible to me. I’m a huge fan of Apple, but their watch looks terrible. I think Huawei’s GT 2 smartwatch is the best looking on the market. I absolutely agree with you there, non-smartwatches just has a different aesthetic.
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I have a thing for Roman Numerals in the watch dial.
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Me too!
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I didn’t know about different types of watches. Lol. Just learnt something new!
That being said, I appreciate the art behind Mechanical watches, but I think I’ll stick to Smart ones. I mean, I might not always remember to check if the time is correct or the energy for the M. Watch.
It’ll be a good acquisition though☺
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Haha yes. But that’s exactly the reason I love it so much. In a world where we are constantly rushed, the watch allows me, for just a minute, relax and focus to wind it properly. I can’t rush it otherwise I might break it. It must be done carefully, especially if it is an old watch.
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This is a great way to look at it!
Impliedly, we should all pause sometimes in our busy, busy world, relax, and focus on ourselves..
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It is a thing of beauty in a way that a smartwatch can never be!
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You are absolutely right! 🙂
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For me, it’s the beauty of the craftsmanship. After years of training, someone spent hundreds or thousand of hours tooling and polishing absolutely microscopic pieces of metal that most of us will never see. And when those bits come together, they “come alive” and tell time in a regular and rhythmic way. Alive, you ask? Just listen to the “heartbeat”.
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Well said! All those things are what a smartwatch will never be. (Maybe a hybrid smartwatch) But nothing compares to a purely mechanical watch with moving parts and most amazingly, a heartbeat.
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So beautifully put!
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