Time becomes useful

The first “smart watches”

Long before the Apple Watch, some brands were already imagining watches that were capable of doing far more than telling the time. In 1983, Seiko launched the Data 2000, equipped with an LCD screen and an external keyboard for taking notes. Casio, for its part, introduced its famous calculator watches, followed by models featuring a calendar, currency converter, or infrared remote control.

These early generations, often bulky, expensive, and not very ergonomic, remained curiosities for enthusiasts. Yet they laid the foundations for a hybrid object at the crossroads of watchmaking and portable computing.

Apple sets the time

With the rise of smartphones, a new wave crashed onto the market. Google launched Android Wear in 2014, Samsung experimented with several models of Galaxy Gear, and Apple made a strong entry in 2015 with the Apple Watch, immediately perceived as the reference smartwatch.

However, despite the media buzz, adoption remained modest. For the general public, these watches often appeared as costly, redundant gadgets, less practical than the smartphone, and technological challenges persisted: limited battery life, limited apps, high prices.

The watch finds its territory

The turning point came a few years later, when manufacturers realized that the watch should not mimic the phone, but complement it. Its strength lies in allowing quick glances at information, enabling small, fast, discreet gestures, and continuously measuring personal data (“quantified self”).

Health and wellness features became the true “superpowers” of smartwatches: step counting, heart-rate monitoring, activity and sleep tracking, workout analysis, etc. The smartwatch transformed into a personal trainer on the wrist.

At the same time, it gained autonomy and simplicity thanks to optimized processors, more durable batteries, more legible screens, and improved ergonomics. Practical functions such as contactless payment, computer unlocking, or phone location further reinforced its daily usefulness.

The smartwatch thus ceased to be a mere gadget and became a discreet assistant, able to accompany the user without being intrusive.

Mainstream tech

Today, smartwatches are part of everyday life. They appeal to tech enthusiasts, sports lovers, and people who are concerned about their health.

Apple sells tens of millions every year, sharing this fast-growing market with Samsung, Garmin, Huawei, and Fitbit. According to forecasts, the global market is expected to reach $71.5 billion by 2030, with an average annual growth rate of 8.2 %. In some countries, smartwatch sales even surpass those of traditional watches.

The history of smartwatches reminds us of an essential truth: an innovation can take time to establish itself, and it prevails not through technology alone but through the use people make of it. It succeeds not because it is new but because it responds to concrete needs and integrates naturally into our daily lives.

An inspiring lesson for all inventions to come.