With it with wearables

There was a huge selection of wristwatch-like devices with the ability to monitor biometrics, mostly designed for people who wanted to maintain or keep track of a certain level of activity. While these wearable tech devices will possibly hold great interest to those involved in professional athletics or who just want to track their workouts, I question this technology’s appeal to a broad consumer base, barring one particular noteworthy exception.

No discussion about smartwatches can exclude Apple. Although the company did not exhibit at CES, its introduction last fall of the Apple Watch created huge buzz. This device—which at the time of this article’s writing had yet to be released—combines many functions, including timekeeping, biometrics, and communications technology, all in a highly customizable format. With news Apple was implementing jewellery store-like security features, such as custom safes, not to mention hiring former Burberry chief executive officer (CEO) Angela Ahrendts as its new senior vice-president of Apple Retail, it is clear the tech company is entering new territory with its line of 18-karat gold watches. That said, I’m not sure a gold Apple Watch will overwhelm a very established fine watch industry. Allowing for some overlap, there are different market segments at play here, and only time will tell whether consumers will grow tired of recharging a timepiece every day or find they cannot imagine what life was like pre-Apple Watch.

All manner of headphone and sound transmission devices, including one company promoting bone-conduction headphones worn forward of the ears, were abundant at CES. On the face of it, these devices do not seem to be directly related to the jewellery industry, but perhaps they are. Most of these objects are manufactured for functionality and not form. As such, there exists opportunity for a clever designer to create what might emerge as a new category within the jewellery realm. Think iPhone case here. If, for example, a particular headphone brand or style becomes dominant, it would be possible to quite rapidly prototype and manufacture customized coverings for this item as a personal accessory.”¨ Why couldn’t they be made of a more traditional jewellery material, such as a silver or gold alloy? With additive manufacturing, it is entirely possible to quickly bring these new concepts to market.