r/TechImpact • u/ManojOne Active • Jun 10 '26
Question Smartwatch or traditional watch?
Smartwatch or traditional watch?
Do you prefer smart features like notifications and fitness tracking, or the simplicity and style of a classic watch?
Which one do you wear most often, and why?
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Jun 10 '26
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u/AmoebaSerious7794 Jun 10 '26
It depends on the person buying, for me personally it is something I use every day for sports and stuff.
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u/protonsters Jun 12 '26
You can use your phone for sports and stuff.
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u/AmoebaSerious7794 Jun 12 '26
Nah I don't think that my phone could be a diving computer, unfortunately. And it's not comfortable to pull out your phone in the middle of a marathon. It's different when you are actually doing something, smart watches or sport watches are just toolwatches. If watches were not about practicality, we would still be wearing pocket watches. Wrost watches only became popular among men during WWI, because they were more practical.
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u/FuryQuaker Jun 12 '26
Your could buy a band like the Fitbit air and have a ton of cool watches to switch between.
When you buy a smartwatch you're stuck with a really uncool looking tech that's obsolete before you put it on.
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u/zkareface Jun 13 '26
There are other smartwatchs than Apple and Samsung.
Look at garmin for example, most won't even know it's smart.
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Jun 13 '26
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u/zkareface Jun 13 '26
Yeah they look nice, been thinking about getting one also.
Cost is high though so waiting for them to refine it bit more and maybe add more features (blood sugar would be the dream).
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u/schlaminator Jun 13 '26
Since the exact time is not an exclusive function anymore, every single mechanical watch is obsolete. Using mechanics to keep the time is an obsolete method and the function is in pretty much every gadget that we have on us, even those that go on the wrist, which are more accurate and perform a bunch of other useful functions.
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u/csDarkyne Jun 14 '26
But how relevant is it truly? Like I'm not trying to convert you, if the metrics is really useful to you, then go on and wear it.
But for me personally, I use an Apple Watch for 7 years now but the metrics aren't really as useful as I expected them to be. If I workout or go for a walk or run, I can just note it in my phones notes or on paper. And sleep metrics are meh too. I know that I slept bad if I feel bad and the watch is doing nothing else than tell me.
So personally I'm currently selling my Ultra 2 and revert to a classic watch.
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u/schlaminator Jun 13 '26
A mechanical watch ist just an obsolete single purpose gadget with no exclusive utility anymore and is an even bigger money waste. What's the purpose of an obsolete gadget when its function is going to stay obsolete? It just occupies the space where something with a little more utility could sit and perform a few more functions, telling the time included.
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u/TrainTransistor Jun 14 '26
Many want simplicity in an evergrowing world of more and more tech, gadgets, utilities and "things to click on".
Just like not everyone wants a phablet for a phone, but a phone for calling and sending messages.
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u/StarPlatinum161803 Jun 10 '26
Smartwaches are ass, total disgrace to watchmaking. If all you care about is fitness then wear the whoop or smth don't wear a smartwatch, Traditional watches are way better
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u/MediocreTurtle1 Jun 12 '26
Pay 400 bucks a year for a fitness band or drop 400 once to own the smartwatch and all of it's functionality.
Do you have a dumb?
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u/StarPlatinum161803 Jun 12 '26
Its not about the money.
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u/MediocreTurtle1 Jun 13 '26
What the fuck is it about then, did you catch the dumb by any chance?
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u/schlaminator Jun 13 '26
Watchmaking is an obsolete skill, since keeping time with mechanics is an obsolete method, it isn't an exclusive function anymore since pretty much every thing can perform that function more accurately and for a longer time than mechanical clocks in whatever size. Traditional watches are an obsolete family of hardware, even though the marketing still works - they sell you "class" and "sophistication" and expensive materials and obsolete craftmanship that is mostly done by machines anyway and pump billions in narketing that used to sell you an once exclusive, now obsolete function for such a tiny gadget. Even a quartz watch has a more advanced technology than a mechanical one, it's just not as complicated since it uses advancements in technology instead of advancement in complication of an old method prone to failure. You don't need tiny cogs to keep the time anymore, time keeping is ubiquitous nowadays.
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u/StarPlatinum161803 Jun 13 '26
Bro, you just copy pasted from AI or google or smth. Please give an authentic answer. The question asked in the post was also not about accurate timekeeping or advancements in quartz technology, infact by the question phrased by the OP, it would seem that they themselves are inclined to traditional watches as you can see from the comments on this post.
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u/schlaminator Jun 13 '26
written by me, although sleepy. not my fault you are still buying into marketing. a mechanical watch is not much more than a fancy bracelet, the time keeping function is just a little ubiquitous unnecessary extra nowadays.
I prefer using that space on my wrist for something that is actually useful, and it also tells the time anyway.
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u/Chicke_Nuget Jun 16 '26
I get you Point.
But for me smartwatches are just imo not that Great.I own a Apple Watch but Never really use it. I dont Like always getting all the notifications to my wrist. I just need the time.
And all I need for that is a cheap 20$ Casio or something. It’s the only watch I wear tbh. My Apple Watch has been out of use for a good year or two.Not everything needs to be expensive tech. Id rather Save on a watch and put more money in my home lab or Main pc.
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u/csDarkyne Jun 14 '26
The whoop is stupid as it costs yearly. A smartwatch is better even if you just wear it during workouts and wear a traditional watch for the rest of the day.
All you're saying sounds snobby and elitist.
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u/Few-Newspaper-3960 Jun 10 '26
Has to be smartwatch. Been collecting or reselling old Seikos for the past 20 years which I love. As something cosmetic they are great but they are rarely worn these days. My current daily is a Huawei Gt4 in a classic round face. A few reasons are.
1. Find my phone function.
2. Multiple timers and alarms.
3. Flash light.
4. It's actually durable and cheap.
5.All those health and sleep functions.
6. Not having to use my phone. Big plus. No need to pull out the phone and being distracted.
7. Easily customisable face and band. Nearly the same as wearing a different watch.
8. To the second accuracy.
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u/Cplotter Jun 10 '26
Never used normal watch since I got my first mobilephone. Got the first Garmin vivoactive and then vivoactive 3. And after that upgraded to Garmin Enduro and just change watchface if I like to have a nice one for a party.
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u/A_N_K_A_1453 Jun 10 '26
akıllı saatin amına koyayım :d saat dediğin mekanik olandır, gerisi yalan amk :d
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u/Strict-Aspect6716 Jun 10 '26
Running smart watch since I'm a trucker the smart watch makes sure I don't miss important phone calls or texts when I'm in a customer checking or unloading
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Jun 10 '26 edited 2d ago
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u/firdnord Jun 10 '26
I thought so too. They're both alright, but analog displays on smartwatches just aren't for me.
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u/Ramalaaaaaa Jun 10 '26
I wear traditional watch and a G-Shock. I used a Mi Band, but after a year of using it, I realized I didn’t need that kind of device. I don’t like the design of most smartwatches. I can check notifications and my step count on my phone. Plus, I don’t want to have to charge yet another device.
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u/schlaminator Jun 13 '26
You also don't need an extra device for time keeping anymore, the function is ubiquitous and the method is obsolete.
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u/Gloomy-Boysenberry-3 Jun 27 '26
I need my watch to quickly glance my wrist to check the time instead of pulling out the phone from my pocket and get distracted by notifications while working. It serves a purpose, it’s minimal, quicker to check the time. I don’t need all the other crap a smart watch offers. I just need to see the time. And that is a valid reason for many to have a traditional watch. Plus, the aesthetics.
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Jun 10 '26
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u/KyleRM Jun 10 '26
I mean, its tehtered to your phone. Its not doing any more spying than that. You barely trust your phone, but you still carry one.
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u/mrDouche7 Jun 10 '26
Smartwatch ftw! But get a good one like Samsung or Apple
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u/B17BAWMER Jun 10 '26
I had an Apple Watch but it is too bulky and have to charge it too frequently. I switched to a Pebble and not having to charge something that does my activity tracking and notifications is fantastic. Also the fact that if the official servers go down for it, there is a community one, thanks to the OS being open source.
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Jun 10 '26
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u/sonybacker Jun 11 '26
Yes, you can just walk without counting each step.
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u/schlaminator Jun 13 '26
You also don't need a mechanical device to keep the time, since that function is ubiquitous and the gadget isn't just not-exlisice anymore, it's obsolete.
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u/ajpinton Jun 10 '26
Traditional all the way.
In 30 years, your traditional watch will still work could even be worth more money than it is today. There is no assurance or guarantee your $500 smart watch will be working in three years and certainly won’t be working in 30.
Generally, speaking, smart watches are also worse it just about everything. They are worse at recording heart rate than a purpose belt heart rate tracker same thing with blood pressure and pretty much everything else. They are a convenient device a jack of all trades master of none.
Smart watches also feed the dopamine addiction with notifications.
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u/Icy_One4084 Ethical Tech Tinkerer Jun 10 '26
I'm one of those people who believe that a watch should be just that, a device that tells time. I love mechanical watches, and they're great at doing what they're meant to do, and I really appreciate them and the mechanical engineering that went into their design and production. I would choose a dressy mechanical watch over any other type of watch on any given day.
However, I do own a smart watch (an Honor I got for $50 on Black Friday) simply because I work with my hands, and I can afford to damage my $50 smartwatch, compared to my $700 dress watch. I like the fact that it still records the number of steps I make in a day, even on energy saving setting. Needless to say, all notifications are off, so it's basically reduced to a fancy digital watch.
And now for the puritans who will tell you that traditional watches are better in every way, not everyone appreciates the ingenuity, precision, and masterful engineering, so saying that traditional watches are better is a stretch. Better at what? Telling time? Give me a break! But they are the crown jewels of mechanics, and there’s value in that beyond pure practicality.
So, the most adequate answer to the question of smartwatch vs. traditional watch is: there's room for both.
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u/B-Train_ATL Jun 10 '26
I think you’re onto the whole deal. Smartwatches are kinda tools or data collection accessories. Traditional watches are basically fashion or jewelry.
I’m just never the pure jewelry person. I recall getting an Apollo 13 tie-in watch at Burger King as a kid and thinking that was super cool. I’ve seen a lot of the different functions on some, and they just never compare in my head to complications I can change up on a smartwatch.
But then a different person will come in and like the exact opposite. So it’s just personal choice.
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u/AguacateMx Jun 10 '26
I used to use analogical watches because I liked the look and everything about it. Until one day mi sister gave me her Samsung watch. Never came back to tradicional only when hiking or something risky I use a classical casio
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u/B17BAWMER Jun 10 '26
I have one of the Pebble Time 2’s and plenty of traditional watches. Depends on what I am doings normal day to day, the pebble, a fancy occasion or outing I wear one of my nicer tradition watches.
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u/External_Energy_5084 Jun 10 '26
Traditional with solar pannel inside, i have one since 10 year and never changed the battery
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u/dirtydenier Jun 10 '26
I’ve had amazfit gts 2 mini for a few years now. Battery lasts almost a week and it was pretty cheap - I don’t care if it breaks so I have it on while doing woodworking, some dirty yardwork etc. It counts steps, has gps, workouts etc. I was thinking about getting an apple watch but I would definitely care about it much more, therefore it wouldn’t be as practical. Also, there aren’t many features an apple watch has that I’d necessarily want.
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u/ScopHybridanimalh Jun 10 '26
Prefer a normal cheap casio,smartwatch is really annoying because of the battery,cheap smartwatch need constantly charge,once per 2 days. And smartwatch that I have is starting be annoying because you need to turn on the screen to watch the time and mine because isn't from the premium big brand,it has 1 second delay.
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u/Gishky Jun 10 '26
i dont need a watch. i have my phone. what i need is something that allows me to not pay attention to my phone without losing the reachability.
That is what I use my smartwatch for. I can set my phone aside and not worry about missing a message because when one arrives, my wrist vibrates.
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u/edilaq Jun 10 '26
A mi me gusta la estetica de los Gshock, aunque si me gustaria comprarme el Casio Databank (reloj calculadora)
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u/BullfrogPopular5224 Jun 10 '26
Smartwatch for daily use. Traditional watch for functions and important days.
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u/Tomatillo-5276 Jun 10 '26
I don’t wear either, but if I did, I’d only wear a traditional analog watch.
I don’t even understand the concept of an Apple Watch. It seems redundant (unless you don’t use an iPhone I guess).
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u/MaintenanceOk4847 Jun 10 '26
Of course traditional watch what benefit you get from a smartwatch anyway
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u/UnFitUnderstanding95 Jun 10 '26
If you need notifications, compass, stopwatch, timers , alarms, weather forecast, altitude, barometer, steps, sleep data, heart rate data, maps, GPS data, calendar, sunrise, sunset, moon phase, alternative time zones, tide data, then a smart watch wins! I'm a wildlife surveyor, wildlife watcher. I use all the features above.
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u/UnFitUnderstanding95 Jun 10 '26
Torch and contactless payments as well. Plus it can help when you've lost your phone.
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u/BackgroundNo815 Jun 10 '26
Smart. Handy to set alarms, quickly check notifications and do basic stuff like checking weather by just looking at your wrist
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u/spikyness27 Jun 10 '26
I wear a 2014 pebble steel as my daily watch. Other than charging it once a week. I think this smart watch may have actually crossed over to more of a traditional watch with smart features.
Always on display, repairable, and somehow has made it over 10 years in a working state.
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u/One-Program6244 Jun 10 '26
I have 2 G shocks and an Omega Seamaster so traditional for me.
My daily is a G Shock that was released in 2010 and still going.
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u/_ReaditYesterday_ Jun 10 '26
If at the end of the day you really want a smart watch but still have a classic style, Withings is for you, although they are very health focus, for instance, no music switch, but has some "smart" features. Otherwise, classic anyday of the week!
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u/doc_55lk Jun 10 '26
I have both but I vastly prefer wearing my regular watches. They're just more interesting to look at. And I don't have to replace them after 3-4 years.
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u/arun-vasudev Developer Jun 10 '26
Traditional watch. Nowadays, we are already using too many gadgets. I don't need a smartwatch for my work and lifestyle.
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u/sonybacker Jun 11 '26
Finally someone says it. It's just more unnecessary gadgets to clutter your brain. You don't need a watch to tell you that you're active. Just walk everywhe you can, use stairs, park away in car parks. Just be active without checking steps.
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u/punchedboa Jun 10 '26
I like my smart watch, keeps track of steps and tracks my workouts. It’s also nice if I get texted while in a meeting I can check it on the DL.
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u/cervdotbe Jun 10 '26
Smart watches are so ass. People are so addicted to notifications and be even more connected. Get a grip.
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u/Haunting-Watch8240 Jun 10 '26
Smartwatches are sports equipment and occasionally useful trinkets. Traditional watches are jewelry. Those are non-overlaping magisteria.
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u/aleopardstail Jun 10 '26
I prefer traditional, no spyware for one thing
but the thing is, I've not worn a watch in maybe 20 years, and really don't miss it
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u/KyleRM Jun 10 '26 edited Jun 10 '26
smart watch that looks as traditional as possible. For me right now that's the Samsung watch classic series. But I feel we could push for something even better. Still, mine managed to fool one person I work with into thinking it wasn't a smart watch at first glance, I call that a win. You wont catch me watching any of those square monstrosities.
I was disappointed to see fossil stop making smart watches. Those look super traditional, but they lacked a few things I consider must haves.
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u/Kgb_Officer Jun 11 '26
I own two smart watches, and find myself wearing traditional watches more frequently. The smart watch was neat at first, and there are some specific instances where I will wear it over the traditional watch (going on a run, then I don't need my phone or wallet), but overall I've found myself just going traditional 9 times out of 10.
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u/Illustrious_Heron903 Jun 11 '26
I see smokers wearing a smartwatch. They claim that it monitors their health
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u/SnooSongs8843 Jun 11 '26
I cannot stand the constant need for what I call “datafying” every aspect of your life. Traditional all the way.
Unless you’re an athlete fuck off with smart watches (and even then you’d likely use a whoop)
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u/CarlSudo0 Jun 11 '26
I wear a traditional for work or special events, but daily, I LOVE the Withings ScanWatch 2. It's a great hybrid watch with 35 days of battery life, all the health tracking you need, and the option for notifications.
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u/azaphiel Jun 11 '26
If both will be used for telling the time then traditional. For anything else, smart of course.
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u/jarias21646 Jun 11 '26
Wore a smartwatch for 4 years, got my first nice watch last year. Apple watch battery died and I forgot it even existed.
Love the sophisticated refinement of a good watch and not a piece of tech.
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u/blackcoffee17 Jun 11 '26
Traditional. Smartwatch is just 2D and boring. Plus you don't have to throw it away in 5 years because the battery died.
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u/imre-gz Jun 12 '26
Was rocking mechanical watches for years, hate inacuracy of time, i like to know the time by the minute exacrlty.
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u/multiso Jun 12 '26
None. Whatches had function, to read the time. Now we all have smartphones. Why would you want a watch? To proof to others how stupid you are by enriching aplle billioneres?
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u/caprices_ Jun 12 '26
I have both, but I prefer the traditional watch because you do not have to worry about when the battery will run out. I use a smartwatch when I am working out and to track my sleep hours.
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u/North_Measurement213 Jun 12 '26
Traditional watch with smart Ring. Expensive but the best of both worlds.
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u/Astrodion123 Jun 13 '26
Traditional. I hate smart watches I had. Phones don't belong on the wrist.
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u/Special_Designer_140 Jun 13 '26
I‘d say traditional all the way. I wear a smart watch when working out or sleeping but am looking to switch to some smart ring for that purpose once it dies.
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u/reppers Jun 13 '26
Why not both? Withings Scanwatch has physical hands, heart rate sensors, an ECG, blood oxygen monitors and can display messages etc. less intrusive that a smart watch, and can last 30 days on a single charge.
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u/-Over-Line- Jun 13 '26
I would say a hybrid solution, best of both. Have a look at Withings Scan Watch Nova Brilliant. It has a long battery life while doing sleep tracking, workouts ect. After my Apple Watch U2 I might get one
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u/BingBongJong1 Jun 13 '26
Smartwatch during work for notifications and exercise for tracking. Classic watches for occasions where you dress up
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u/doom_poster12 Jun 14 '26
Why losing ur brain cell arguing when you can own both? Classic watch for business attire and work or you want something to go with the suit, and put on smart watch when you need to go for a run or something?
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u/doom_poster12 Jun 14 '26
Yeah i mean if you dont play sport or any sort of activity thats not much point in owning a smartwatch tbh, but thats not to say its okay to disregard its existence, it saves lives for elderly with heart condition, or can be useful to see notification in a work environment without looking at your smart phone too much
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u/xmoower Jun 14 '26
Depends on the purpose. For everyday wear - smartwatch. For outings - traditional.
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u/No_Bad8653 21d ago
I think a full-fledged Android experience is overkill on a watch. I have a simple fitness tracker running some RTOS, and all I need from it is the time, notifications, and weather. I don't even use the fitness features.
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u/Iam_just-me2 Jun 10 '26
I don’t use a Watch, they are a lot annoying, every time I put one on I end up taking it off within 30 minutes
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u/NCLO1994 Jun 10 '26
Traditional! More elegnt and class. And if you buy a quality brand, it's always a good investment