It’s 2018, and cars are going to be driving themselves, clerks at grocery stores are being replaced by self-checkouts, and pretty much everything from your wedding dress to your groceries can be purchased online. Automation is changing the way we do basically everything, but it doesn’t mean the things we love are going to disappear.

Remember when everyone was terrified that books were going to become obsolete? I still love the feeling of walking into a bookstore and thumbing the pages of a brand new book. It seems like most people feel the same; when polled on Instagram, 93% of my audience said they still prefer books to e-readers.

So where does that leave the world of watches? Nowadays everyone has a smart phone in their pocket, which tells the time accurately, and effectively with no battery change required. So does this mean the death of the wristwatch? Many department stores have significantly decreased (or removed entirely!) their watch selection, and repair shops and jewelers are slashing prices on watch repairs due to lower demand. Does this mean we’re losing a valuable accessory forever? And what are the reasons to keep wearing a watch anyways?

The short answer it seems is that watch wearers are becoming more discerning, as the item becomes less of a necessity and more of a luxury. Watches won’t ever go away entirely, but the timepiece business may become less profitable for now. A watch should be a beautiful accessory that adds a touch of style to any outfit. Wearing a watch can also help maintain a certain level of professionalism when it’s a faux pas to be on your phone (like at a social outing or a service job). Checking the time on your phone could be misconstrued as checking a text or a Facebook notification.

I love this wood carved Cassia style from JORD watches. It’s unique, beautiful and rose gold! They are also engraveable, so they make for a perfect sentimental gift. (Holiday gift guide coming soon!) They also come in a beautiful wood box with a cleaning cloth and wood polish to keep it beautiful for years.

So I had to poll my followers about who still wears a watch, even though they own smart phones! The results still maintain that watches aren’t going away. Almost 60% of those polled said they still actively wear a wristwatch. They make for timeless gifts, and functional accessories. Perfect for quickly glancing at the time while sipping a glass of wine, and getting into a good, paper book.