How do these special watches retain their value in the face of the smartwatch trend?

Smartwatches are increasingly appearing on the wrists of users in Vietnam thanks to the popularity of many fitness and sports movements, as well as their convenience. These modern models also frequently change in design and type, offering users many options to customize the interface to suit their individual lifestyles or emotions.

Traditional watches have always held a special place in the market because of their uniqueness.

The smart wearable device market (including smartwatches, smart bracelets, etc.) in Vietnam has only developed in recent years, but its annual growth rate is considered much better than the average in Asia. According to a Herbalife survey, 83% of Vietnamese respondents have changed their health priorities after the Covid-19 pandemic, focusing more on a healthy lifestyle, exercise, and seeking more comprehensive health protection and monitoring methods.

The "Vietnamese Spirit - Japanese Essence" edition of Orient and Orient Start watches is specially crafted for the Vietnamese market to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the country's reunification.

Despite their rapid growth, smartwatches have yet to completely replace traditional watches in daily life. In fact, many people own entire collections of valuable traditional watches (often mechanical ones) while only using one or two smartwatches, indicating that the use of devices capable of tracking body metrics is only for specific needs.

LPD CEO Bui Tuan Minh shared details about the special collection at the launch event in Hanoi (November 28).

Sharing a common perspective on the uses of the two current types of watches, Mr. Bui Tuan Minh - CEO of LPD, a high-end watch distribution company - commented that young people are currently very fond of smartwatches, so it's undeniable that this device has a significant influence on consumer trends, as well as the traditional watch market, thanks to its convenience, fashionable appearance, and multi-functionality. At the same time, many users still prefer traditional watches, rather than a clear shift to completely switch from one type to the other.

Representatives from Orient and Orient Star, along with the CEO of LPD, introduced the new collection.

"Users still appreciate the simplicity of mechanical watches, traditional watches, or the sophisticated craftsmanship that has existed for centuries in mechanical timepieces. Moreover, each traditional watch suits different styles of clothing, so customers can own many designs to suit various occasions, " Mr. Bui Tuan Minh shared with VTC News on the sidelines of the launch event of the Orient Vietnam Special Edition 2025 - Vietnamese Spirit, Japanese Essence, held recently in Hanoi.

A close-up view of the OrientStar watch, a special edition commemorating the 50th anniversary of national reunification, exclusively for the Vietnamese market. Only 304 pieces are available worldwide.

This collection comprises four traditional watch models: one Orient Star and three Orient models, all featuring unique Vietnamese touches such as the "50th Anniversary of Unification" star symbol at the 3 o'clock position, and an image of the complete map of Vietnam including the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagos. Developed from the brand's most popular Classic Semi-Skeleton (partially exposed movement) product line, these models impress with their luxurious, classic, and captivating appearance.

A close-up of the number 50 with an embossed gold star - a special detail of the OrientStar in the Vietnamese Spirit edition.

One of the factors that users appreciate about traditional mechanical watches is the rarity of special editions, which also appears in the new collection. Specifically, the Orient Star model is limited to 304 pieces worldwide (representing the National Reunification Day on April 30th), inspired by the milestone of April 30th, 1975, with the model number printed on the case back.

The remaining three Orient models in the collection (following the Classic Sun and Moon design) will have a production run of 2025 pieces, corresponding to 2025 - the 50th anniversary of the reunification of the country.

Khanh Linh

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