Apple Watch clones beat the real thing to market

Copycat versions of Apple Inc's smartwatch are already available on Taobao.com, a shopping website owned by e-commerce giant Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. (Photo: China Daily/Wang Zhuangfei)

Weeks before Apple Inc's first smartwatch hit the stores, Chinese resellers are already selling cheap resemblances online.

Selling at around 300 yuan ($47.9) on Taobao, a vibrant shopping website owned by e-commerce giant Alibaba Group Holding Ltd, the "D Watch" has become an instant popular gadget for Chinese buyers.

The device has most of the features of the Apple product, including step tracks, calendar and Bluetooth-enabled remote camera control. It is also equipped with a square glass screen that is identical to the Apple Watch.

But the differences are obvious too. The D Watch has a unique user interface because it uses Google Inc's Android operating system instead of Apple's own iOS. The resolution of the screen also lags far behind that of the real Apple Watch.

Shenzhen, Guangdong-based YQT Electronic Technology Co Ltd is the manufacturer of the smartwatches.

Zheng Yi, chief executive of YQT, said the D Watch is targeting buyers who see the product as a fashion accessory.

"It is a cool device although the overall performance is not as good as the Apple Watch," Zheng said, adding the company is producing 20,000 to 30,000 Apple Watch look-alikes each month.

"We made some changes in design (on the smartwatch) and applied for a patent for the product," he said. "We have been making smartwatches and fitness bands for eight years. We know what we are doing."

YQT, which employs about 100 people, was an original equipment manufacturer that made gadgets for overseas brands. Up to 70 percent of its products are sold outside China.

But the important question is if these copycat versions represent a threat to the California-based company.

Neil Shah, a technology analyst at Counterpoint Research, said: "There should not be any impact on the sales of the Apple Watch from the knockoffs as the consumers looking to buy cheap copies are not Apple's target consumers anyway."

From smartphones to luxury items, there will always be knockoffs. It is a form of compliment. This proves that products are popular. But they will not have much effect on Apple's revenue, said Kenneth Liew, senior research manager at IDC Asia.

In fact, there are very few brands like Apple that have a loyal customer base. Apple is the most valuable brand in the world, according to a list that Forbes publishes every year.

John Fang, business analyst at China Market Research Group, said: "The vast majority of consumers would still buy Apple products from a trustworthy channel, such as the Apple Store and from big merchants such as JD.com and Suning, due to concerns on product quality." Apple officials, when contacted, declined to comment on the development.