The watch-making giant Rolex which belongs to the wrist wear industry has recently, and suddenly, entered the smart-watch segment of the market for the first time. This new watch called the ‘Rolex Oyster Perpetual SmartCrown’ is quite shocking as it breaks the mold of the mechanical watches that Rolex usually releases and enters a new era.

Called the SmartCrown, it was shown to the public at an event held in Geneva, and captures the spirit of the company’s design language while including futuristic features. On first sight one might mistake this timepiece for a regular Rolex adorned with the famous Oyster case and the magnifying Cyclops lens. But to be able to dig deeper, the real improvement will be clearly seen.

The timepiece options can be represented digitally as a standard clock, or high definition circle with the twist of the crown part. This is a specific aspect that enables the people who own a Rolex watch to embrace the classic looks of the timepiece but at the same time be able to incorporate smart features in their lifestyle using the watch.

SmartCrown is integrated using a standalone operating system that has been developed in collaboration with the leading tech giants by Rolex. This watch boasts of the functionalities such as; the health and fitness monitor, the capability to make payments as well as voice control. Another benefit which is worth mentioning is that it seems to have a hardware connection to other watches produced by Rolex thus enabling the users to quickly interchange between their devices while ensuring that the records and time being put into the scales are copiously recorded by the other Rolex watches they are in connection with.

Battery power is also a marvel of this device; SmartCrown. Drawing power from kinetic and solar, features the watch is capable to work up to 30 days on a single charge. This is an advantage on its side over the other smart watches in the market most of which need charging on a daily basis.

A challenge that usually arises with technological products has also been tackled by Rolex, and this is on obsolescence. The layout of SmartCrown is easily changeable although, each part of the watch would have upgradeable parts to make it always modern and advanced in the coming years. This is a strategy that complements Rolex’s brand that is famous for crafting watches to last for generations.

It is worth stating that the materials applied in the framework of the SmartCrown mirror the Rolex’s positioning as a brand of luxury and sturdiness. The case is made in Oystersteel of the brand and the window surrounded with a coating that is scratch resistant and features a sapphire crystal. The watch is waterproof to thirty three feet, as would be expected from Rolex watches.

As it has been noted, one of the major concerns during the design of the SmartCrown has been on issues of privacy and data security. About data protection, one cannot help but notice that Rolex uses enhanced encryption and allows the users full control over the data. The watch is capable of functioning in a completely offline mode that allows it to function like a regular watch at will.

The introduction of the SmartCrown has created controversy especially in the community of watches. While some consider it as something untraditional in terms of what Rolex is, others suppose that it is rather great of the brand to experiment. According to observers of the field, the steps may bring significant changes to the LV market and the overall luxury watch segment and to get the younger generation that is not interested in wearing such watches any more due to the emergence of products like smartwatches.

It is not only going to affect the smartwatch market, but also the tech market in general where Rolex is already set to compete. Pentagon smartwatches are prestigious and costly: this could improve the quality perception of smartwatches and create more competitors in that segment of smartwatch market.

The basic cost of the SmartCrown has been determined with an aim of branding it as a product of luxury. Compared to most smartwatches, it is much expensive but very reasonable when looked at in the light of other Rolex products. The company has since stated that only a certain number of units of the wristwatch will be manufactured making it even more appealing to collectors.

Rolex has also stressed on the sustainability features of the SmartCrown. Further, the watch utilizes the policy of sustainable materials procurement and production that involves the use of recycled products. Also, there is an apparent trade-in program wherein the customer may exchange their future SmartCrowns for a higher model while promoting the proper recycling of the older generation of SmartCrowns.

The launch of the Rolex Oyster Perpetual SmartCrown can be regarded as a breakthrough in the development integrated horological history. I think it redefines what such smartwatch can be, what a luxury timepiece is today and can be. As the first batch of SmartCrowns hits the shelves, everyone will be expecting a new Rolex to come out and show everyone how this risky approach will consequently revolutionize not only the high-end watch market but also the market of wearable technologies.