Ben Clymer And Tony Fadell On The Future Of Horology – And Its Blindspots

Tony Fadell's Tech and Watch Journey

• 💡 Tony Fadell is a legendary figure, co-inventing the iPod (18 generations) and iPhone (one of five co-inventors), and founding Nest.
• 📌 He also became an investor and board member for Hodinkee, helping Ben Clymer raise capital and grow the company.
• 🚀 Fadell is an engineer and investor who approaches watches with a unique perspective, leading to his involvement in watch design and investment.

Engineering Meets Horology

• 🔬 Fadell was captivated by the Ressence Type 2 in 2011, particularly its oil-filled design that eliminated parallax, a problem he'd worked on in touchscreens.
• 🛠️ He later co-designed the Ressence Type 2 with Benoît Mintiens, creating a "robotic watch" that could self-set time and change time zones using a mechanical robot, solar panels, and a battery.
• ✨ Beyond Ressence, his collection includes traditional mechanical watches like Panerai, Audemars Piguet Royal Oaks, Patek Philippe 5208, and A. Lange & Söhne.

The Impact of Smartwatches

• 📈 The Apple Watch significantly disrupted the industry, initially an accessory but evolving into a full-function device with health features, becoming the number one selling watch globally.
• 🎯 It challenged lower-end fashion watches but ultimately brought more energy into the market, making people think of watches as valuable "real estate" on the wrist.
• 👏 The MoonSwatch also created a massive buzz, attracting new enthusiasts who previously had no interest in watches.

Digital Wellness and Future Trends

• ⚠️ Fadell has become a proponent against digital addiction, advocating for features like "screen time" to help users monitor their digital consumption.
• 🧠 He believes future AI tools will further assist in managing digital addiction for both children and adults.
• 🌱 Younger generations are showing interest in mechanical watches and are increasingly shunning digital devices, with some schools even banning smartphones.

Lab-Grown Diamonds and Luxury's Evolution

• 💎 As an investor in Diamond Foundry, Fadell highlights that lab-grown diamonds are identical to mined diamonds but are produced sustainably and affordably.
• 📊 Over 65% of US engagement rings now feature lab-grown diamonds, demonstrating a significant shift in consumer preference.
• 💰 Diamond Foundry also offers a "Bitcoin diamond," bundling a lab-grown diamond with Bitcoin to cover the price difference with natural diamonds, tying luxury to a growing asset.
• 🔮 While 3D printing isn't yet capable of replicating high-end watch quality, Fadell suggests future innovation in luxury materials and manufacturing will likely come from within the industry.