IWC-connect.. pls no

That is certainly true. I am but a novice expressing some thoughts on this (for me) unexpected move from IWC.

/A

I would also say...NO ;(

I am going to wait for a lot more detail before I make up my mind. Could be cool/useful. Could be useless.

Does it have to worn on the watch strap? How about a lapel pin or a tie tac?Or, get a pair of them and make cuff links.

I do like the design. I'll wait to judge the functionality.

Hold on! I see a very useful function.
If it will be able to run diagnostics on the Watch to let me know amplitude, beat variances, timing accuracy etc and magnify the ticking so I could listen to it all the time and transmit all this information to my smartphone - heck I'm in :-)

It's just an accessory; and that makes it kind of "so what?" But I think some of the objection here is not just "why is IWC bothering with this particularly trendy and (most likely)soon to be useless item"; also is this another bothersome example of a brand that is/has lost its way? That is how I feel. It is increasingly looking like IWC will go after every loose dollar/euro/franc in any manner and with any gimmick available. And I don't get the reason. IWC makes some great watches; many great watches. It doesn't need to do this. Like others here and on other Fora are saying: leave it to Tag and Hublot and Constant and Breitling. Let those companies waste their money and resources chasing (and losing to) Apple and Samsung. IWC makes mechanical watches, not radio-wave/quantum mechanical devices.

Anybody know what BP reference that is in the marketing promo? Looks like a hybrid; 9 digit and triangle position of 5002, typeface and power reserve of 5009?
Matt

First time poster here :)

I personally really don't like this.

While I get that it's optional, and people can choose whether to get it or not, I worry about what it does to the overall IWC brand. I think this gimmick will simply devalue IWC and is bound to fail. If you want to compete with the Apple Watch (and IWC does NOT have to as they are 2 completely different products), then you have to produce something truly remarkable to compete properly. But this Connect seems like a knee-jerk reaction, and one that is out of tune with the IWC brand.

Plain and simple, IWC would be stupid not to pursue this. Never mind that diehard collectors like ourselves make up the most minuscule percentage of the brand's client base, to turn their back on progress and technology is professional suicide. Sure, if they were Lange or Patek, then I could understand giving the future the cold shoulder, but they're not. They're IWC, which is a brand that has always embraced said future, not run from it; if they aren't reacting to the marketplace, then they're dying. Period.

A trend? A fad? That's what you think wearable tech is? Really? Anyone who subscribes to this line of thought ought to be using a pocket watch.

Regards,
Adam

PS - And in no way does the mere presence of IWC Connect in any way detract from IWC's integrity as a manufacture. If you truly feel this way I'll buy your newly devalued watches off you cheap.

I would rather wait for the actual product for my final verdict.

However, I too do not think that the integrity of a watchmaker company will be compromised with the introduction of a little bit technology onto it.

Even many of the manufacturing process has already been computerized with CAD and 3D software, taking over traditional manufacturing process. So, where do you draw the line, really?

This device doesn't have to be a fitness tracker only, if there's any concern about stinking the BP with sweat. I can imagine many other functions that will be useful without strapping on another dorky looking smart watch on my other wrist. Travel, train and schedule reminder, map and GPS guide and even a health monitor comes to mind. Getting these information at a glance and not taking out the phone all the time seems sensible.

So what if it turns out to be a failure. It'll just go down in the history archives as of a company's attempt to embrace the future. A bit of flop here and there just makes the reading more interesting. I doubt this will tarnish the company's reputation in any way.

PS- I'll double of whatever Adam offers :)

What's going on with IWC recently ?
They seem to be so confused. My once favorite watch maker completely lost it. Now the only thing missing is IWC-connect limited edition.

Really,why all the dissent.These gadgets,if they can be called that,are made for watches functioning with a Quartz movement. The attachment to a watch strap would have no effect on the running of the BP,or any mechanical movement.

Could someone on the forum please tell me the production dates for the Ingenieur 322701.
Many thanks.
Kenneth.

No one knows where this smart watch concept will end up. For those who are not interested, don't get the add on and go back to staring at your iPhone or Galaxy 6.
If the smart strap concept catches on then there will be interesting ways to integrate the two. I don't see how IWC should be criticized for testing the concept and making it an option.

I'll wait for the le petit prince (LPP Connect), where the little prince dances on his asteroid while syncing up with your Laureus blue phone...

Alan, you beat me to a similar response I intended to make. +1

You would most probably applaud anything coming from Schaffhausen, and for that ability I admire you deeply. For some reason I care about certain values - and at the end of the day, buying a watch in this targeted luxury league essentially IS about the values - of course the ones that matter to me. And with this move of IWC again, those values are hurt.

100% agree.
It relates to competition on the wrist.
The wrist is the most convenient place to carry information, that is/was the time/date/moon,..., what we call a traditional watch. Think about the pocket watch that transferred into a wrist watch. Now we enter a new era that other information can be carried around the wrist. What would you do if you were IWC. Sit and wait? I admire their innovation to use a strap, instead of trying to bring a hybrid watch that loses value with each IT innovation. All values of IWC remain in the watch, while innovating the strap. I find it smart.

Eduard