Gift Guide 2015

Monday, December 14, 2015 ONLINE AT WWW.DAILYJOURNALONLINE.COM Daily Journal    PAGE 7A

Gift Guide 2015

A supplement to the Daily Journal

All About the Watch Whether they’re eyeing a shiny new Apple Watch or one that doesn’t require Wi-Fi, the timepiece is a timeless holiday gift they’ll always cherish. Here’s how to shop for one now

Shinola

By NOLA SARKISIAN-MILLER CTW Features

With the time of day listed everywhere from smartphone displays to laptops to our car dashboards, the need for a watch to tell time isn’t as pressing as it was even just a few years ago. Instead, watch brands are adding features to compel shoppers to want watches, from creating more functional gadgets that track stock quotes or the number of calories burned to transforming the watch itself into a fashion accessory. The launch of the Apple Watch (from $349) has made the smartwatch – and its apps galore – an appealing alternative to analog watches. That allure is siphoning shoppers away from traditional fashion brands with sales down in dollar volume about 5 percent in July compared to the year prior. “While Apple’s [sales] figures aren’t crystal clear it’s hard not to draw conclusions that there’s some cannibalism in the market,” says Fred Levin, president of the luxury practice at NPD Group. A bump now, but in the long term Apple’s grand entrance in the timepiece sector will prove to be a boon for all of the business, as the tech giant draws in customers who previously shunned watches, especially the younger millennial market. “A very significant amount of

Apple watches are being purchased by people who don’t wear watches today, representing about 40 percent of sales, ” says Levin, citing research figures from CivicScience Inc. “Once people get into the habit of wearing the accessory, they’ll likely add fine watches, Swiss watches and even lift the fine-watch market.” In preparation, some watch companies are rethinking strategies or pumping up their technology offerings. TAG Heuer, the 155-year-old Swiss watchmaker is partnering with Intel and Google to create a

mechanical watch with tech features. Intel also teamed up with Fossil Group last year to create wearable connected devices in time for the holidays. Bulgari is adding a smartwatch to its lineup that eventually will help the wearer automate calls, open doors and transmit payments. Traditional brands like Seiko are utilizing technologies to be better stewards of the environment. The Seiko Coutura ($495), redesigned

See WATCHES / Page 3

Apple Watch

Seiko

Hello Kitty

Tommy Bahama

Garmin

Tory Burch

Armitron Classic