I remember a time when a Rolex was The status symbol — if you had one, you'd made it. Rolexes were given as college graduation gifts, for big promotions, and as retirement gifts. Although this era wasn't too long ago, and Rolexes still carry an air of prosperity, more and more gadgets are becoming status symbols in their own rite. The iPod, the latest cell phones, and Blackberrys have all had a period when it was fashionable to be seen with one. More than fashionable, it was cool to be seen with one.
The main difference I find between the two is the time each one has in the limelight. As the pace of new technology introductions gets faster and faster, the period that these elite new gadgets will be "cool" will get smaller and smaller in contrast to the staying power of the Rolex. That said, when was the last time you were out in public and gazed in envy at someone who had the latest must-have gadget out in the open? As geekery and technology savvy spread due to work demands and as more and more people use computers, will it become common enough for any random person to know what the latest gadget is?
It remains to be seen whether the rise in computer use will result in a broader population of technology-aware consumers, but in an age where fashion labels like Dolce & Gabbana release special-edition gold RAZRs, is the idea that the latest tech-goodie could replace the venerable time piece as a status symbol that hard a concept to imagine? I think not.
