This is the latest iteration of the Full Metal collection from G-Shock and is currently on a pre-order status. Officially, this one is known as the GMWB5000RD-4.
Courtesy of G-Shock
I love this design for it's ease of use. Download the G-Shock app to your smart phone, sync your G-Shock up, and you're good to go. Thanks to Bluetooth connectivity, you will no longer have the challenges of constantly re-setting your watch owing to timezone changes, daylight savings, etc.
Courtesy of G-Shock
This wrist-bound time machine will set you back $600 US, and it can be pre-ordered now, and is estimated to ship 3 days from now on the 20th.
Here are the pertinents -
Features
Multiband 6
Bluetooth Connectivity
Solar Powered
Specifications
Approx. battery life 2 years oc CR2016
Module 3229
Size of case / total weight 49.6 X 43.2 X 12.9 mm / 73g
Shock resistant
Electro-luminescent backlight Afterglow
Flash alert
Flashes with buzzer that sounds for alarms, hourly time signals
It slices, it dices, it's the last watch you'll ever buy! The difference between Ron Popeil and some watch executives might be only a passport ; ) For those of you unfamiliar, Ron Popeil is the man behind Ronco -
Courtesy of the world-wide info-web
Now I want to start this out by saying
that I actually have the highest respect for Mr. Popeil as both an
inventor of stuff we really didn't want or need, and more importantly,
convincing us that we couldn't possibly live without it. The man could
sell. Steve Jobs had his Reality Distortion Field, per Wikipedia: this
was said to be Steve Jobs's ability to convince himself and others to
believe almost anything with a mix of charm, charisma, bravado, hyperbole, marketing,
appeasement and persistence. RDF was said to distort an audience's
sense of proportion and scales of difficulties and made them believe
that the task at hand was possible. Jobs could also use the RDF to
appropriate other's ideas as his own, sometimes proposing an idea to its
originator after dismissing it the week before.[3] Does this sound like some people we know? What sort of got
me caught up in this theme yesterday and today was reflecting on the
"miracle" of Tag Heuer's Connected watch and the Reality Distortion
Field that was spun around it. After first poo-pooing the Apple Watch,
Mr. Popeil's possible "brother from another mother" announced that, in
fact, smart or connected watches were, in fact, GOOD! Not only that,
his brand would be offering one! As I've said
before, the idea of a connected watch is not in and of itself not so
crazy. But it is a question of how many features can you actually use
(really use) in a smart watch? For better or worse, there are only so many features you can put into a wrist bound Tamagotchi -
Shamelessly borrowed from the world-wide info-net
How many features, realistically, are worth having in a connected watch? The Apple watch
has proven itself to be a bit of a unique outlier. Yes, it offers a ton
of different features that may, or may not work well in a
wrist-bound environment. But this is not what really drives the sales
of the Apple watch. What drives the sales of the Apple watch is Apple
itself. It is a strong aphrodisiac. It is why many people, including
me, will spend MORE for an iPhone, Mac or iPad than those in the Windows
tribe. I have tried an Apple watch, and it was not quite the
revelatory experience for me that it clearly has been for others. And I
LOVE Apple stuff. But for me it was just too much. As an experiment I
tried a Withings watch and found it to be too far in the other
direction - it was supposed to give time, a wake up alarm and a step
counter. The alarm did not work as advertised, the step counter did not
count correctly. It was a disappointment. And then we have
the watch world's two notable entries - Tag Heuer's connected watch, and
the offering from Frederique Constant / Alpina / Mondaine. While the
Tag Heuer offering provides all of the promise of the Apple watch, it is
significantly more expensive. And apart from the big displays at
BaselWorld, I have never seen a Tag Heuer connected watch "in the wild",
despite the exclamations of large sales numbers. And the same could be
said for the FC/Alpina/Mondaine offerings in terms of actual
visibility. More than
anything, regardless of what technology firm they partner with, the
watch brands are now competing in a different arena. And it is one with
a lot more price sensitivity, and a requirement to evolve and innovate
at a much faster pace than they are used to. So it becomes, and will
continue to be, a never ending game of catch-up. The brands that
keep the functionality actually functional have the best opportunity to
grab market share. BUT, and it is a big but, they have to put the price
of the watch at a level that the market will bear. What the Fit Bit
boom underscored is that there are functional aspects that people want
and will pay for. But when we delve into just how many features they
want on their wrist and just how much they will pay for it? Well that
becomes a different matter. This is another
case of less having the potential for being more. Find four or five
functions, stick with them, and make them perform perfectly. But in
addition, produce and sell it at a price point that the market will
bear. This is the other thing that Apple figured out that everyone else
is still struggling with. So we shall wait, and we shall see.
So as I continue to wear and enjoy the benefits of the NOWA connected watch, I just received the latest release from Montblanc, and to be honest, I think we have now reached a point where we have over-thought, over-developed, and dare I say it - over-engineered the idea of a watch.
Courtesy of Montblanc
My memaw Theo had an expression about differences of opinion, and how to voice an opinion without really voicing it (and hopefully avoid offending those in the opposite camp). I am of a few minds when it comes to Montblanc and their watches. I am in a weird place about it personally, because I count a guy who in many ways really blazed the trail for their watch making division as a personal friend. And hence I know what has gone into the real creation of Montblanc. And although I have been somewhat guilty of it in the past, I recently find that I no longer feel that a company or brand must "stay in its lane". In many ways Montblanc has done a great deal to grow beyond just pens. And I am currently saving up for this item to shepherd Tempus Fugit and New Romantics communications and dossiers -
Courtesy of Montblanc
So to be very clear, I think that Montblanc does have a very cool product selection, and has elegantly grown to a more expansive luxury brand. Having said that, this particular venture with a smart watch has perhaps outgrown the original idea.
Courtesy of Montblanc
At the heart of the idea of a smart watch, is the idea that it will give us vital information that might make our lives easier, or help us live better. Ways that a connected or smart watch can do this? Different time zones, GPS tracking systems that can be used for children or senior citizens, alarms, notifications of important messages, sleep tracking or steps (i.e. physical activity). But somewhere after the Apple Watch made its debut, there seemed to be a belief that your watch should be able to do everything except (perhaps) make toast and coffee. Now coffee for me is a very important part of every day life. Coffee, in many ways, is a personal ritual. It is also a social connector. So I was a bit curious as to why I would need a smart / connected watch to tell me that I have had too much coffee? Now, if there was an app in the phone that could ping me when I am in range of an awesome cafe? Now that I would pay for ; ) I guess my point is this, it is now, perhaps, too much information that we are trying to funnel through such a small portal. It is not a practical way to gather, store and disseminate. And to manage all of these functions in a meaningful way? It's going to take away (not add) several hours a week to your free time. Technology that is designed to improve your life should do just that. At this point, I have to question whether we have now over-shot the runway. Finally, it is expensive for an item (like a cell phone) that has obsolescence already factored into its lifespan. $995 US. This is not a watch that you will hand down to others. It will have a lifespan, then it will be consigned to landfill. And this is not unique to Montblanc, Tag, or Apple. It is just the reality of this type of watch. But as always, here are the pertinents straight from the source, and you can judge for yourself -
#StayAhead With Summit 2: Montblanc Redefines Connected Elegance With Its New Smartwatch
Bridging fine watchmaking and state-of-the-art technology
Brand new 42mm case designed for both men and women includes the new Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 3100 chipset and exciting new features
Summit 2 is the ultimate wearable built for work, leisure, fitness or travel, accompanying today’s achievers through their everyday adventures
Includes the new Timeshifter® app and watch face – an effective way to reduce jet lag Named after its ambition to be a wearable companion that keeps its owner ahead in all aspects of life, Summit 2 is a new digital interpretation of fine watchmaking that seamlessly brings together the Swiss design codes of traditional timepieces, premium materials and brand-new technology. First launched in 2017 as luxury smartwatch with a distinctively classic and vintage look, the latest edition of Montblanc’s signature smartwatch features a more compact unisex 42mm case size that delivers the feeling of a mechanical watch on its owner’s wrist while offering innovative new features. Powered by advanced technologies on the market, Summit 2 is the first luxury smartwatch to feature the Snapdragon Wear 3100 chipset by Qualcommfor enhanced performance, improved battery life and a weeklong time-only mode. The latest Wear OS by Google powers Summit 2 with iOS and Android smartphones.
“Built for travel, fitness or exploration, Summit 2 is a versatile companion created for urban explorers, business travellers and performance seekers looking to push boundaries in everything they do,” explains Nicolas Baretzki, Montblanc CEO. “These high achieving individuals want to be connected at all times with easy access to functional features and apps that allow them to always stay ahead and be productive on-the-go, while still enjoying the experience of wearing a fine timepiece. Whether work, leisure, fitness or travel, Summit 2 is built to seamlessly power them through their everyday adventures stylishly and reliably.” Inspired by the design codes of the Montblanc 1858 collection, the new iteration of Summit offers several design expressions, from the classic elegance of 1858 and the vintage sophistication of the Summit, from the feminine allure of Bohème Date and Bohème Classic variations to the sporty Energy and Fitness styles designed for peak performance and physical activity. With the built-in watch face configurator, over a thousand watch face combinations are possible by customizing indicators, background, hands and complications. The different case finishes – black DLC steel, stainless steel, bicolour steel and titanium Grade 2 – can be combined with 11 different interchangeable strap options including calfskin, Milanese steel, rubber sport and nylon, to create a total of over 70,000 individual looks across the Summit 2 assortment. Each timepiece is fitted with a rotating crown and two additional programmable pushers.
Montblanc Summit 2 | New Technologies
A Companion for Urban Exploration
With the help of the Google Assistant, users will get proactive, personalized assistance like their flight status or upcoming reservations. They can also use the watch's microphone, to ask for help or get directions or translations. The Google Assistant can also manage tasks like setting reminders or checking your heart rate.
All notifications – including incoming calls, messages, social media updates, calendar events, news and more - are directly synced to the Montblanc Summit 2 from a smartphone. When there isn’t time to start typing a reply on the smartphone, the Montblanc Summit 2 offers built-in smart replies and other quick ways to respond with handwriting, keyboard or voice dictation.
The always-on colour ambient mode allows for the watch faces to be visible at all times, while delivering a full day of battery life running Wear OS by Google. The battery life can be extended by an additional 3 - 5 days by deactivating smartwatch functionality while still showing the time at a flick of the wrist. Making Travel A Seamless Adventure
Summit 2’s exclusive travel functions include the new Timeshifter® app and watch face, providing personalized advice to minimize jet lag based on the traveller’s sleep pattern, chronotype, and flight plan. Used by astronauts and elite athletes, and based on the latest in sleep and circadian neuroscience, Timeshifter provides timely updates and instructions directly on the Summit 2 watch face, helping travellers to adjust fast to a new time zone.
The new Montblanc exclusive Travel Info app provides relevant local traveller information.
The practical voice-activated translator gives its user direct translations from a multitude of languages directly to the watch’s display, making travelling in foreign countries simpler than ever.
• With the addition of Google Pay, meals, tickets and new experiences can be purchased in a fast easy way, without cash. Reaching New Heights of Fitness
Achieving peak physical performance is a key function of Summit 2. The exclusive Montblanc Running Coach app, powered by scientific insight from the Firstbeat* analytics engine, enables runners to track fitness levels (based on VO2max) and specify a fitness goal which translates into a personalized training plan built around ideal efforts and recovery times.
The integrated live coach provides the right pace and intensity level during training to help users reach their fitness goals.
Summit 2 features an improved Heart Rate Algorithm and 5 ATM water-resistance making it resilient to swimming. The integrated GPS allows navigation and more precise fitness tracking when away from the phone. *Firstbeat is a registered trademark of Firstbeat Technologies Oy Summit 2 is available from October 15th 2018. For further information, visit www.montblanc.com/Summit2
A new smart/connected watch will be
hitting the market place in the next few weeks, and it looks set to be a
strong contender in a somewhat befuddled market space.
Courtesy of NOWA
And in fairness, a great deal of this
befuddlement has been down to over-promising and under-delivering on
features beyond the basics found in a Withings. Promising seemingly
exotic functions ceases to be relevant when said features and functions
don't work. So in fairness, as of right now? The choices are still
either getting a Apple/Android watch or getting a connected watch that
will give you sleep, steps, possibly a second time zone.
And it seems that more and more, that is what is realistic and also what is needed and wanted right now.
Courtesy of NOWA
NOWA
is going to try to push the envelope a bit further by offering a few
features found in other, more expensive connected watches, such as the
ability to take a selfie with a push of the crown, an alert to an
incoming call, and a feature to locate a lost phone. This last feature
was also promised by Kronaby, and in my test experience worked
initially, but following a few weeks it did not, and no amount of
contact to customer support was able to correct it.
Now to a certain extent, there are
several watches out there that will offer these features, but many will
come at a higher cost. And the ones that come in at, or under this
amount are somewhat lacking in the aesthetic department.
Courtesy of NOWA
One other thing that NOWA did that was a
few steps ahead of the others? They realized that the watch, in and of
itself, did not need to come in multiple sizes. Their take was simple
and to the point - one size fits all with a few variations. Without the
need to create multiple sizes and case designs, they have streamlined
their supply chain. You can have stainless, gold finish or black. And
the other smart idea (which is really simple when you think about it)?
Quick change straps.
The battery life is somewhat limited - 8 months when in use. But on the plus side, it does not require nightly recharging.
And the price might finally fit the ideal sweet spot -
Pre-orders will cost $149, and the proposed retail is $199 (for stainless), slightly higher for black or gold finish.
Here are the pertinents -
CASE SIZE
40 mm
CASE THICKNESS
9.75 mm
STRAP WIDTH & FITTING
20 mm (165 to 215 mm circumference)
WATER RESISTANCE
30 m (3 ATM)
BATTERY LIFE
Up to 8 months
MOVEMENT
Swiss Parts Ronda Quartz
CASE & CLASP
316L Stainless steel
COMFORTABLE STRAP
Full grain Italian leather with real nubuck lining
SCRATCH PROOF GLASS
Flat mineral with Sapphire coating
INDICES
Solid metal
BATTERY
Standard CR2025
BLUETOOTH LOW ENERGY
Connect wirelessly to your Smartphone
WORLD TIME UPDATES
Gives you exact time anywhere in the world
ACTIVITY TRACKING
Daily record of your steps, distance, calories burned
This originally ran back in 2015, and as we are now nearly 30
months down the line (think about that for a moment), it seems even
more relevant now than it was when I first pushed it out there. While
I realize that a certain "fortunate son" is assuring us that sales are
up, and the Swiss Federation numbers would, in theory, bolster that
notion with their export reports of the past two months, the retail
realities do not bear this notion out. Not yet at least. Brand managers continue to crow about their latest yacht, polo match, or celebrity "chum", so it seems that the lesson still has not sunk in. Think I'm full of it? The Grey Market and it's red-headed stepbrother the "Soft Grey" Market continue to offer brand new watches, in many instances directly supplied by the brands themselves, and in some instances even faster than the authorized retail stores can get them. And with that wonderfully sychophantic press/influencer element out there that (for the right fee) will continue to sing a brand's praises, it is easy to presume that everything is just great! While I can't think of anyone who does not genuinely want to see things rebound and improve (I mean, we all like money and steady employment, right?), the realities are still the same.
Retail has not returned to the same levels, advertising revenues are down for the majority of print and digital outlets with some long time employees being let go and not replaced. In other words, a lot of longtime industry professionals, retail lifers and media employees continue to find themselves surplus to requirements.
So here we go again -
Brand Managers and CEOs, Enter the "Carousel"...
This is the time of renewal.
With the slew of smart watches being now
literally flung out at an ever increasingly rapid pace just prior to
BaselWorld, the biggest question is about usefulness and functionality.
As I said previously, I do think that the solution that Frederique Constant, Alpina and Mondaine have come up with is far and away the best, most practical one available and I think it actually is functional.
Having said that, a few of us got to
thinking "outside the smart watch box", and theorized about what other
useful smart watch apps could be created.
I have often written and railed about
the now all-too common practice of what I will refer to as the 3 year
plan. In essence, a CEO, brand manager or rep is hired and if they are
lucky, they will last 3 years. If they are successful they will
probably be replaced because they will then be too
expensive. If they are not successful they will be let go for obvious
reasons. And it is generally in the second or third year that these
folks start getting really nervous, really anxious about their future.
This can be stressful, and your quality of life can really suffer as a
result. It is understandable. So in an effort to ease the pain, this
was a smart watch app that some of us felt was apt. The Life Clock App.
It is based on the "Life Clock" popularized in Logan's Run. For you millennialsout
there, Logan's Run was first a novel but more well known as the movie
with Michael York. In this futuristic society, nobody has to work,
everything is easy. You are pretty much free to literally "follow your
bliss".
The main problem with this being that this level of indolence
is not really sustainable as a "business model". Therefore you have to
sort of cull the herd to ensure that there will be enough to go around.
Essentially, you have until you turn 30, then your "Life Clock" will
light up letting you know that your time is up. When that happens you
are summoned to what is known as the Carousel where you and all of the other 30 year old folks in your group will be "surplussed" or more specifically, vaporized.
The belief being that you will then be "renewed".
Which brings us back to the tenuous and
all-too-often brief tenures currently being experienced by brand manages
and CEOs. How can we take some of the guesswork out of it? Well,
every problem has a solution - and it seems every solution has an App! So you download the Life Clock App on
your smart watch and sync it with your phone. Don't worry, it will
support both iOS and Android platforms. Then you start that new
position as CEO and hit GO. Your Life Clock App is now synced to your
current job and dutifully counting down the years, months, weeks and
days until you will need to update your resume and look for that next
position. Worried that you might not remember your work anniversary?
Don't be! The Life Clock App has got
you covered! It will give a red glowing signal as you are approaching
your 3 year anniversary. Then a stern, all knowing voice (my vote would
be James Earl Jones) will say: Enter the Career Builder Site. This is the time of renewal. For everyone out there still searching, stay positive, and stay away from the Sandmen!
Sometimes you need to shake things up a bit. When you get to be known for one thing, it can be a bit of a risk to step out of what is expected and do something completely different. But sometimes, that risk can pay off. And gentle reader, this is on of those times!
Courtesy of Bell & Ross
Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls, may I present-
The BR V2-92 GARDE-CÔTES!
41 millimeters of Swiss-Made, stainless steel goodness houses the calibre BR-CAL.302. Water resistant to 100 meters, designed for people who save lives for a living, and pretty amazing looking even for those of us are not professional practitioners of daring-do ; )
Courtesy of Bell & Ross
It was a bit of a gamble to do something different, but one that I think has really paid off for Bell & Ross.
Movement: calibre BR-CAL.302. Automatic mechanical. Functions: hours, minutes, central seconds and date. Case: 41 mm in diameter. Satin-polished steel. Rotating steel bezel with anodized black aluminum ring and 60-minute scale. Screw-down crown. Sapphire case-back. Dial: matte grey. Numerals and indices coated in white Superluminova®. Metal skeletonized Superluminova®-filled hour and minute hands. Crystal: ultra-curved sapphire with anti-reflective coating. Water-resistance: 100 meters. Bracelet or Strap: satin-polished steel or black rubber. Buckle: folding for metal bracelet. satin-polished steel pin for rubber strap.
PRICE: It is US $3,200 for the bracelet version, and $2,900 with the rubber strap.
Having tried a few smart or connected watches, I generally return to my favorite mechanical (or in the case of the Gavox Aurora, even quartz) watches before too long. More often than not, I tend to come to the same compromise - connected watch on my right wrist, preferred "real" watch on my left. The connected watches thus far have failed to live up to both the hype, and then the adjusted expectation level. In some instances the functions do not work as promised, in others the watch breaks down quite shortly after purchase, becoming a somewhat frustratingly expensive paper weight. The frustration level for the customer I suspect only increases when it seems that the brand is more intent on spending money on brand ambassadors and events and not worry too much about after sales support. Because if we're honest, if it doesn't work as advertised, as the customer you are more apt to abandon the whole idea and stop wearing the now apparently "not-so-smart" watch.
MMT offered up the E-Strap this past year, but if I am being completely honest, it is still a limiting solution as it requires you to purchase the entire strap. So this begs the question, what do you do when the strap is worn out, or if you would prefer to switch straps? More to the point (and I will gladly accept being corrected if I have gotten the wrong end of the stick) my understanding is that the MMT Smart Strap is strictly a "B to B" solution, meaning that as a consumer, you can't go out and buy one for yourself. You buy it from the watch brand as an OEM item. Which means, you guessed it, you're going to be dipping pretty deeply into your pocket for it, and as it is an OEM item, it is going to be as challenging as getting any other OEM item in the post sales environment. Meaning you will wait months, and frequently not be able to get it in a reasonable amount of time, and it is going to be expensive. So let's get down to brass tacks -
Courtesy of Gooseberry
As a reminder, this solution as proposed is a buckle with the smart technology component built into it.
Courtesy of Gooseberry
It offers what is pretty much the expected level of features currently found in the majority of connected watches -
Courtesy of Gooseberry
My understanding is that additional features will be forthcoming as they are created and stabilized to ensure their functionality, so I will be curious to see how this develops over time.
Courtesy of Gooseberry
The buckle itself is rechargeable and is reported to last on average 7 days presuming a usage level of 8 to 10 hours. The good news? Only 60 minutes (1 hour) to recharge. You can order the new Smart Buckle through Gooseberry's Kickstarter and save a good margin on the $99 US retail price point. I have not personally used one, but I can say that if it does perform as advertised, it could be a very interesting step in the evolution of the connected watch. I will keep you posted - stay tuned!
The next great idea in watches is not necessarily going to come from Switzerland. More importantly, it is not necessarily going to come exclusively from watch makers. At least not in the way we have come to think about it. Kronaby is made up of a decidedly different type of "watch brand" employee.
One of the founders is VP & CCO Sarandis Kalogeropulos. He was kind enough to spare me some time the day before Kronaby's big launch last week. So now, a few minutes with Sarandis Kalogeropulos -
Courtesy of Kronaby
Tempus Fugit - Okay, I have a "standard format" that I usually work with, but in fairness you are not the "standard" type of watch brand head. So we're going to mix it up a bit. Sarandis Kalogeropulos - Okay! TF - You come from a completely different industry background. What made you decide to get involved with watches? SK - It was a collective decision that four of us made together. We saw that there was a digital transition that was happening. Watches were becoming digital. But we didn't feel that they had truly become digital, at least not in terms of harnessing all of the possibilities. So the question for us was. how can we make a watch digital in a way that offers something truly unique, of value, and desirable?
Courtesy of Kronaby
TF - So again, you are not from the watch world (at least in terms of professional background). You and a lot of your team came from the mobile phone field, correct?
SK - Yes, many of us did come from the mobile phone industry, and we felt that as so many phone features were possible using the same hardware (the smart phone itself) why couldn't we make a connected watch using the same principle. When you update or add apps to your phone, you don't have to take the phone to the shop and change the hardware. Why shouldn't a connected watch be the same?
TF - And this was the "trigger" to step away from the mobile business and enter the connected watch market?
SK - It's important to say that I loved the mobile business, but phones had started to become a commodity, and not necessarily in a good way. Connected watches offered something different, so at Kronaby we wanted to see an evolution of this ongoing shift in the watch industry. We felt that the industry had tried (but not yet succeeded) in offering a truly connected watch, and based on this we decided to jump in. So let's say that was the logical side of the decision. The emotional side was a love of watches. Myself and my colleagues felt an emotional tie to watches. And so the die was cast. We started with 20 - 30 people in September 2015. And now a year later we are ready to introduce the world to our baby. TF - So tell us a little bit about you. SK - My parents are from Greece, and they came here when I was young. For the most part I was brought up here in Sweden. When I was still very young we went back to Greece, as a lot of Greek Swedes have also done, but my family returned pretty quickly. Sweden was sort of the "land of opportunity for my family. In many ways it has truly offered the best of both worlds for my family, and many families like mine. This is something that people don't realize about Sweden, it is a place where you really can have a chance to make a new start, and pursue your dreams.
TF - Where did you grow up?
SK - I grew up in Landskrona, which is near Malmo.
TF - As a boy, what did you want to be when you "grew up"?
SK - Believe it or not, I wanted to be an engineer. Even as a young boy, that was it. Not a fireman, or footballer, but an engineer. I was somewhat obsessed with creating technology, and new things. A very early project involved trying
to make an improved bicycle horn with my cousin.
TF - Well, please don't take this the wrong way, but you seem more like a marketing / sales guy. You are far more outgoing than the stereotypical engineer.
SK - Well, believe it or not I was very shy as a kid. From an early age I wore thick glasses, and as I said, I was shy. You know, kids are famous for being kind and friendly to other kids? (laughing)
But then I went from wearing glasses to contacts and things changed! Almost like Clark Kent becoming Superman by taking off his glasses. It really changed my life.
TF - What did you study? SK - I studied electrical engineering for 2 years. After that I studied physics, then nuclear physics.
TF - From nuclear physicist to watch brand VP & CCO?
SK - Well, not exactly! In the end I decided that I wanted to move away from academia, and I went to work at Ericcson (later Sony Ericcson) as a battery engineer in 1998. And I did pretty well there. After 3 years I was offered a manager's job, but I really wanted to be a specialist. Then after 2 years, 2 managers left and I became a manager of the battery group.
But a big turning point for me was when I was sent to the US to help implement part of Ericcson's battery design and manufacturing there. And I was not sent to Silicon Valley! No, it was North Carolina. And I discovered something pretty amazing and different about how people really communicate. I assumed that people would ask about you more as a courtesy, but the people I met were really interested in learning about me, and I became interested in learning about them. It really changed the way I viewed not only other people but myself.
TF - And then?
SK - And then, on August 18th, 2015 we launched Anima, which is the parent company of Kronaby.
SK - I think an easy way to answer that is to explain how the name would translate into English. What does Kronaby mean? It is a combination of two words - Krona is Swedish for crown, and By means village. A great deal of what drove our entry into the connected watch market was the belief that everyone in their heart has a "personal village" where time almost stops. People love fishing, sports, painting - i.e. a moment where you are in your own personal place. And while you are in your own space, you still want to be somewhat connected. In other words, you are in control of how connected you wish to be. Kronaby offers that type of personal connection.
TF - So what is Anima's role in all of this?
SK - We started with Anima - 2015 was the starting point. We felt that we wanted to have a watch brand. This started in December/January of 2016. Anima is at its heart a technology company. More than just technology, Anima has taken pains to have a diverse team. We can handle around 20 different languages right here in our office! Along with communication, customer service is very important. We therefore decided to hire customer service people BEFORE the product launch.
TF - Okay, onto the question that both customers and possible retailers will want answered - what kind of retailer do you see Kronaby in?
SK - We are not selling gadgets, not mere products. We want to sell something with soul and heart. So for us it is not all about numbers. Owing to this, we feel that there will probably be two streams - watch stores and lifestyle retail stores. But we do not feel that so-called consumer retail stores like Best Buys or mobile phone stores are where we should be either. This is not mere merchandise. With Kronaby, we feel that the retail partner is really selling something that is an expression about this "personal village" that I spoke about earlier. That takes something more. It takes passionate people who value and appreciate their connection with their customers. I like when a store can take the time to explain and really make it
personal. Some stores have too many choices, too many options. And ultimately, a store is just a store. It is the
people working in the store that really make things happen. In this sense, these people are more important than the store itself.
In addition, we will also be available through our own online shop, which we intend to staff with real human beings to ensure clear communication and support! TF - What are the biggest challenges facing Kronaby?
SK - How are we
going to penetrate the global market? How will people hear about us?
How can we communicate Kronaby in a meaningful way that people will
remember? I believe in our people, our product and our message. We are
a Swedish company, but not for Swedes only. We are a Swedish Company
in a Global Context. TF - What are Kronaby's opportunities?
SK - Kronaby's opportunities are closely related to Anima's opportunities. Our firm belief is that more and more there will be increasing digitization in our daily lives, but our goal is to offer that digitization in a way that improves your life. And improving your life does not mean radically changing it. In other words, the product should adapt to you, not the other way around. TF - Well, since were talking out life and how we live it, what do you like to do in your free time?
SK - More than anything I like to be with people. I am a big "social networker", but not only in the digital space. I truly enjoy spending time with my family. I love reading linkedin articles, and other short, quick articles. My personal life is really a "social network", with people constantly coming around, a house filled with friends and family. I think you could say that is part of my "Greek DNA".
TF - What advice to you have for the next Saranids Kalogeropulos out there?
SK - Be yourself, do what you believe in and always be nice. The more gentle you are the better it is.
The smart/connected watch revolution that everyone was talking about? The one that was supposed to threaten Rolex? The one that sent Tag-Heuer to a deep, dark world of "alternative facts"? Watch fan or no, the very honest answer is that the revolution went the way of other failed uprisings. And although the agitators were not marched off to the stockades, the soft sales results underscored the reality that although the world was ready for a connected / smart watch it was not totally satisfied with what was on offer.
The Apple and Samsung watches are basically tamagotchis for the wrist. A cute toy that needs your love and attention (and a frequent recharging) to remain alive.
The Frederique Constant, Alpina and Mondaine are very expensive (and as Mass Drop and Touch of Modern proved to us) very over-priced connected watches with functions not beyond what you would find in a Fit Bit.
And then Kronaby came along -
Courtesy of Kronaby
I was fortunate enough to attend the Kronaby launch this evening in Malmo, Sweden. And suffice it to say, the connected watch revolution has now officially started in earnest. Because Kronaby has come up with a connected watch that is actually smart.
Offered in four different versions, Kronaby has come up with a connected watch that actually allows and enables you to somewhat disconnect yourself from your phone and all of life's distractions while ensuring that you stay connected to the things that are important to you.
And there are some pretty striking options. And I PROMISE that I'll go into all sorts of detail over the coming days, but for now I thought it might be worth going into the features that are under the hood -
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Auto Time Zone – Always on time
No matter how many time zones the watch crosses, it automatically displays
the local time accurately.
Silent Alarm – A gentle
wake-up call
By switching on the silent alarm, the watch’s soundless vibrations will
only wake the user, letting those around carry on snoozing.
Filtered Notifications – Never miss what matters
There is a fine line between staying connected and being distracted. That is
why Kronaby lets users choose to be notified only by the people they care most
about.
Battery life – Never Charge
With a standard battery that lasts up to two-years (depending on use),
users will never again have to put their life on hold while searching for an
outlet to recharge.
Get Moving – Take a stand
Get up and get moving – there is increasing evidence that we need to spend
less time sitting to maintain a healthy physique. Kronaby can send a gentle
reminder when the user has been inactive for too long.
CROWN FEATURES
Additional Time Zone – In sync with the world
Kronaby keeps users continuously connected with the outside world by
letting them select an additional time zone to be displayed on the watch face.
Date – Stay up-to-date
Knowing the current date is a fundamental piece of information that is
readily available through the push of a button.
Daily Hundred – Every step counts
Statistics show that activity is key for a healthier life. Kronaby users
can set a step goal and track progress daily.
Timer – Keeping count
Proper time management is hard to achieve without the right tools. A timer
allows users to box chores and find their focus.
PUSHER FEATURES
Camera Remote – Picture perfect
The built-in camera remote lets users switch places, from always being the
person behind the camera to sharing the moment with friends in front of it.
Remember This Spot – You were here
Part of living is trying new things and experiencing unfamiliar places. To
make sure to find the way back, users can press the Geo Tag button.
Find Phone – Never lost again
Busy days make us all forget and misplace things. The clever pusher trigger
on the watch reveals the phone’s whereabouts.
Walk Me Home – Feel safe 24/7
Being free to move around safely should be everyone’s prerogative. The push
of a button sends a signal to a loved one, letting them respond and follow the user
every step. It’s like having someone walk you home, but from a distance.
Reject Call – Decline with a tap
In our connected world, prioritizing incoming phone calls is an inevitable
modern-day nuisance. Kronaby just made it less of a hassle through the Decline
Call button on the wrist.
Music Control – Immediate tunes
Kronaby give users instant access to their favorite music, whenever and
wherever they want by Press Play.
And here's the thing - YOU DECIDE which features YOU WANT! Moreover, if/when new features are available, you don't need to bring your watch in for an upgrade! Just as you update the apps on your phone, you update the features on your Kronaby!
I am seldom one go gush and lavish praise, and this might well be an exception. Up until now, smart watches have been pretty dumb. Up until now.
The revolution has truly begun. Long live the revolution!
Bluetooth Connectivity
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