The connected watch market - France

The global market for connected watches has seen substantial growth, with a staggering 53.5% annual increase in volume. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, shipments of connected watches reached 14.3 million units in the first quarter of 2020, signifying not only sustained demand, but also health-centric technology adoption. This trend aligns with the growing use of e-health functionalities, which 92% of users worldwide now exploit.

Apple remains the market leader, with sales of its Apple Watch more than tripling from 12 million units to 38 million by 2021, eclipsing the Swiss watch industry. The adoption of connected watches has also been boosted by the diversification of the product range, from luxury tastes to sporting utility, with notable collaborations such as Apple x Nike and Fitbit x Adidas. Despite privacy concerns, demand remains strong, especially during the festive season when internet searches and sales explode.

Emerging brands are closing in on market share, as shown by Amazon France's bestseller list, indicating that consumers are moving towards a mix of high-end and moderately priced models. The Asia-Pacific region is expected to post significant growth, contributing to the market's expected expansion at a CAGR of 8.2% from 2022 to 2030.

The dynamic landscape of connected watch consumption in France

In the burgeoning market for connected watches, France has shown remarkable traction towards the adoption of these high-tech timepieces. Broadly defined as smartwatches with advanced communication functions ranging from call forwarding to health monitoring, the French market has seen significant growth. Growth rates indicate an impressive annual increase of over 50%, signalling French consumers' appetite for innovation in personal electronics.

The French connected watch sector reflects global trends, characterized by a wide diversity of players, from new entrants like Fitbit to the giants of consumer electronics.ants such as Apple and Samsung, and traditional watchmakers such as Hublot and TAG Heuer, who are moving into digital connectivity. Despite the wide range of models available, from luxury to fitness-oriented varieties, the French market is particularly fascinated by the health-related capabilities of these devices. This trend is all the more relevant as the aging population looks for devices that help them manage their health and prevent risks.

French interest in connected watches can be measured by sales, which show a robust trajectory. In the space of three years, sales have almost doubled from less than a million units to over 1.5 million, representing an annual growth rate of close to 20%. The value of the market has risen accordingly, to around 400 to 500 million euros. What's more, the appeal of connected watches goes beyond mere gadgetry. French consumers are increasingly exploring smartphone-like functions. Growth in demand for functionalities such as sim cards, voice control and contactless payment ranges from 50% to almost 200%, demonstrating the broadening horizon of usefulness of connected watches.

The sports segment is making a significant contribution to the burgeoning demand for connected watches, with around a fifth of the French population incorporating these devices into their fitness routines. As health and wellness awareness permeates daily life, connected watches are finding a growing space in the lifestyles of the French.

Despite this marked enthusiasm, consumer skepticism about data security persists. Revelations of data breaches in recent years have heightened privacy concerns, but the adoption of connected watches continues to grow. Even though two-thirds of French people express unease about the risks to their privacy, the market shows no signs of slowing down.

Among the broad range of consumer electronics on offer, connected watches have carved out a special place for themselves in France. The amalgamation of luxury, technology, health and sport in a compact, wrist-worn form has propelled these devices into the mainstream. Driven by technological advances and consumer sentiment, the French market for connected watches is booming.

The main players in the French connected watch market

The connected watch market has experienced remarkable growth over the years, thanks to technological advances and an evolution towards health-oriented functions. Several companies have taken the lead in this movement and positioned themselves as forerunners on the global stage, where they compete not only with each other, but also with traditional watchmakers and emerging brands.

• Apple - The Cupertino-based giant has remained at the forefront of the smartwatch industry with the iconic Apple Watch. Since its debut in 2015, Apple has continued to improve its smartwatch offering, capitalizing on the brand for stylish design and innovative functionalitys such as integrated ECG, fitness tracking and integration with the wider ecosystem of Apple products.
  
  
• Samsung - A major player in consumer electronics, Samsung has carved out a substantial market share with its Galaxy Watch series. These smartwatches stand out for their versatility, health and fitness functions and seamless integration with Samsung smartphones, offering a solid alternative to Apple's dominance.
  
  
• Huawei - Chinese technology conglomerate Huawei has made significant inroads into the connected watch market with its Huawei Watch series. Focusing on a luxurious design combined with long battery life and comprehensive fitness-tracking functions, Huawei continues to challenge its competitors with competitively priced offerings.
  
  
• Google - With the acquisition of Fitbit, Google has demonstrated its ambition to be a serious contender in the wearable technology segment focused on fitness and health. Although relatively new to the market, Google's extensive capabilities in data analysis and artificial intelligence position it as a potential innovator in this field.
  
  
• Xiaomi - Known for its value-for-money products, Xiaomi has made a name for itself in the connected watch market, notably with its affordable Mi Band range. Aimed at budget-conscious consumers looking for functionality without paying a premium price, Xiaomi's smartwatches offer basic health and fitness functions that appeal to a broad market segment.
  
  
• Withings - A French company distinguished by its resolutely health-focused approach, Withings offers a range of sophisticated products, including smartwatches that combine the aesthetics of a classic watch with modern health-tracking functions. Renowned for their medical-grade precision and elegant design, Withings devices appeal to health-conscious consumers who prefer a more traditional look.
  
  
• Garmin - Aimed at athletes and fitness enthusiasts, Garmin's range of smartwatches is renowned for its robustness and accurate activity tracking. From professional athletes to outdoor adventurers, Garmin wearables provide detailed information on performance measurements and physical activity results.

Inforamtion

• Number of pages : 30 pages
• Format : Digital and PDF versions
• Last update : 31/05/2021

Summary and extracts

List of charts

• Worldwide sales of Swiss watches
• Connected watch sales
• Sales trend for connected watches
• Connected watch sales in France
• Impact of COVID-19 on shipments of connected watches
• Percentage of French people who have purchased at least one connected object
• Connected objects acquired by people who answered "Yes" to the previous question
• The most in-demand connected watch features for 2019
• The most popular e-health uses for connected objects
• The health-related uses of connected watch users
• Percentage of French people who find connected objects interesting for ...
• The use of connected objects and mobile applications in sports practice
• Market share of leading manufacturers of connected watches
• Sales of Apple Watches vs Sales of Swiss Watches
• Seasonality of searches for "connected watch" on Google
• Trend in export share of the global connected watch market, by price range