Today, with the overwhelming prevalence of cell phones, people look at their mobile devices to determine what time it is rather than referring to a wrist watch. As a result, watches are on the decline. And so are their sales. Of course, there is always a place on the arm for the pricey watches, such as a Rolex. Other designers also occupy that same stratosphere and space -- Breitling, Cartier, Tag Heuer, Movado, Omega, plus the big daddies -- Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin, Girard-Perregaux -- all of which are more for status and show than they are for telling time (which, thankfully, they still do). But for many young people, the cell does the job for them, and the time is told digitally, which is easier than looking at the second hand on the 8 and trying to remember that it's 20 of, or something-40.
Wrists these days are for bracelets, Livestrong or similar affiliations, tattoos and the occasional handcuff. And that spells trouble ahead for makers of watches, unless the focus is on making them as stylish and modestly affordable as possible. So welcome to the timepiece as a fashion statement. It isn't as powerful as the cell phone has become in terms of the accessories being offered -- do I get a covering? clear-coat my face? add more apps? -- but having a unique watch can definitely make someone stand out or at the least, serve as a conversation piece. And that may help continue their success so they don't become obsolete. Like so many other things. But that's a story for another day.
