Can you believe that 2016 is already here? I’m sure you agree that 2015 just went by way too fast! Let’s start with a big Happy New Year from all of us here at First Class Watches and we hope you had a great year… and haven’t broken any of your new years resolutions just yet!
Today’s article will run through some of the exciting developments in the watch world to look forward to in 2016. So sit back and read through the First Class Watches guide to watches 2016!
The Smartwatch Revolution Continues!
2015 had to be the breakout year for smartwatches – and not just for the reason that most people think. Yes, Apple joined the game, fashionably late as usual! But they weren’t the only company to jump on the smartwatch bandwagon.
A group of top Swiss watch developers banded together to produce the “Swiss Horological Smartwatch”. Mondane, Frederique Constant and Alpina released the first Swiss smartwatches in 2015. They were swiftly followed by TAG Hauer, who announced their first steps into the smartwatch game in conjunction with Google at Baselworld 2015 and released their smartwatch in November.
In 2016 we expect to see the release of the Apple Watch 2, which is due to be announced at the next Apple event around March/April time. We will also see Casio releasing their first Android smartwatch which is due to be released in March. You can expect follow ups from the Swiss Horological Smartwatch manufacturers as well as other smartwatch manufactrers like Samsung and Sony who will not be done with their search for smartwatch supremacy just yet!
The First Class Watches guide to watches 2016 concludes that this year will be very interesting for fans of smartwatches. If you’ve been considering getting in on the wearable technology craze, this might just be the year to do it as there is more choice than ever – and the design of the watches is starting to become as impressive as what they can do.
Baselworld 2016
No guide to watches 2016 would be complete without a look at Baselworld. Baselworld is a date highly anticipated every single year and 2016 is no different. Despite 2015 being overshadowed by the upcoming release of the Apple Watch, Baselworld still managed to excite watch and jewellery lovers worldwide. With exciting watches covered in diamonds, to Arnold Schwarzenegger’s watch collection, to the first Fabergé Egg in 99 years – Baselworld 2015 more than lived up to it’s billing.
Baselworld 2016 takes place from the 17th – 24th of March 2016 and this year is as exciting as ever. Without the focus being directed towards Apple this year – and with the Swiss watch market not being as damaged by the Apple Watch as originally feared – there will be a lot to look forward to. 1,500 brands were on display at Baselworld 2015 and you can expect a similar number of brands at this years event. Here on First Class Watches we will keep you up to date once again with all of the news coming out of the most exciting date on any watch enthusiasts calendar.
Sports Watches in 2016
2016 is set to be a very exciting year for watch brands linked with sports teams, players and events. With Euro 2016 and the Olympics just around the corner watch brands will be looking to put their watches in front of everyone watching the events at home. In 2015, Tag Hauer released a special CR7 watch in conjunction with Christiano Ronaldo and Bulova released an exciting Manchester United club watch.
The First Class Watches guide to watches 2016 predicts that this year will be even more exciting for fans of sports watches. Omega will serve as timekeepers for the Olympics taking place in Rio De Janeiro and Hublot are set to serve as timekeepers for Euro 2016. Keep an eye out for other watch manufacturers serving as timekeepers across the different sporting competitions which will excite and delight sports fans throughout 2016.
Movie Watches in 2016
Jurrassic World and Terminator were two of the huge blockbuster movies released in 2016. Not only did they provide excitement for moviegoers, they also provided a lot of excitement for wristwatch lovers everywhere. Movie tie-in watches seem to be appearing for every big blockbuster that hits the big screen and 2016 has a lot of blockbusters set to hit the big screen.
Four of the big movies to look forward to this year are: Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice, Friday the 13th, X-Men Apocalypse and Independence Day 2. Expect to see awesome wristwatches released to tie-in with these exciting movies.
If you’re looking forward for some movies to take your kids to see then Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2, Angry Birds, the Jungle Book, Finding Dory and Ice Age 5 are all due for release this year. Chances are that watches for kids will come out alongside these movies too and they would make awesome Christmas and Birthday presents!
The Usual Suspects in 2016
And of course, watch manufacturers from Switzerland and Japan will be fighting for dominance throughout 2016 as usual. Citizen and Seiko will be bringing top quality watches to the market throughout this year and they will be up against the likes of Mondaine and Victorinox over the next 12 months.
Who will win this battle for the space on your wrist this year? Technological developments such as GPS location and even fitness tracking may have an impact on the manufacturers you choose to buy from this year. You may also see some manufacturers joining the growing number of smartwatch developers this year, too. Will this sway your purchasing decisions?
Who knows, but it is certain to make for a very exciting year and one that is worth looking forward to!
Conclusion
2016 is certainly shaping up to be a very exciting year for anyone with even a passing interest in wrist watches. Smartwatches, sports watches and movie watches will be worth keeping an eye out for this year. But in the near future, it’s worth looking out for the exciting announcements and displays at Baselworld 2016. We will be following it right here on First Class Watches and we look forward to having you with us for another exciting year!
