Apple wearables have continued to win the hearts of consumers across the globe as the demand for fitness and healthy lifestyle gains prominence forcing fears that time may be running out for traditional watchmakers.
A combination of attractive design, user-friendly tech and sticky apps makes the Apple Watch increasingly popular. Although analog wristwatches remain popular among older consumers, younger buyers are tipping toward smartwatches and computerized wristwear.
According to new research from Strategic Analytics, a fact-based sales and marketing consulting company, in 2019, Apple watch was the toast of consumers as it outsold the entire Swiss watch industry by a huge margin. In 2019, Apple watch shipped a total of 31 million units worldwide, compared with 21 million for all Swiss watch brands combined.
The report noted that traditional Swiss watch makers, such as Swatch and Tissot, are gradually losing the smartwatch wars noting that Apple Watch is delivering a better product through deeper retail channels and appealing to younger consumers who increasingly want digital wristwear.
“The window for Swiss watch brands to make an impact in smartwatches is closing, time may be running out for Swatch, Tissot, TAG Heuer, and others,” the report said.
Analysis of Apple’s result shows it doesn’t break out shipment details for its products and Apple watch as specifics are further muddied as revenue for the product is bundled in Wearables, Home and Accessories which includes Apple watch, Airpods, accessories, beats products and Homepods
Apple’s Wearables business continues to grow substantially every quarter. During Q1 2020, Apple reported Wearables revenue of $10 billion, setting an all-time revenue record and surpassing the Mac for the first time.
The quarter also marks the first time that the wearable segment outperformed the Mac, which recorded $7.2billion for the company.
Six years after it released its first smartwatch, it has become a major product for the world’s largest technology company by revenue.
Although it has been the market leader in the smartwatch category for many years now, this is the first year the product has surpassed its analogue competitor, Swiss.
This is due to the fact that the Apple Watch continues to improve and provide additional relevant functions for consumers of the brand. This, in turn makes competing with Apple harder as the swiss watches do not evolve and introduce new features the way Apple does.
