SORRY, THERE’S JUST NO SPARK

IN ADDITION TO being a bit of a car nut, I’m a watch nerd. Are there parallels? Perhaps. I’ve been pondering the history of electronic vs mechanical watches and whether there might be lessons to be learned for the auto industry.

The introduction of a battery-operated quartz movement almost killed the Swiss watch making industry. It provided a cheap and incredibly accurate alternative to expensive mechanical movements. But the mechanical watch did not die. In fact, it has flourished.

Mechanical watch movements are not about telling the time (your phone does that). They are about telling a story, a history and their legacy. They are about precision and wonder at how up to 2000 intricate parts can be assembled into a beautifully crafted form. They have… a soul. There is passion for them.

EVs will provide transport in a pretty efficient way, like a good appliance should, but they will not engage and excite. No quickening pulse (or even desire) to head out for a Sunday punt. No senses heightened – fake noise or not. Soulless.

Manufacturers should focus their EV efforts on the suburban commute, but for those of us who want to drive, there is no substitute and there will be no lack of demand for the satisfaction of being in control of an internalcombustion engine (and a box of gears).

Brian Wood, via email

Our Tesla Model 3 feature drive on page 70 attempts to dissect this issue, Brian. So, can you lust for both an Apple watch and an IWC Big Pilot? – Ed