LONDON — Wearables may have been the hot trend of 2015, but they were notable by their absence during men's fashion week in London.  Wrists previously adorned with Apple Watches were instead sporting something distinctly retro-tech. According to the word on the street, the smartwatch has been superseded by its handsome older brother: the analogue timepiece.  Why are people rejecting wearables and opting instead for traditional wrist wear?  "I don't wear any wearable tech," says Maj, who works for menswear brand Richard James.  "I'm not a fan of Apple Watches and that kind of stuff," he says. "I don't think I'd ever wear any tech stuff. It's more sophisticated to have a normal, classic watch. It sets off well with a suit."  Image: Jack Taylor / Mashable  While some criticisms touch on wearables' lack of aesthetic charm, others are underwhelmed by the functionality of what's currently on the market.  "I don’t wear any wearable tech," says fashion blogger Bryan Boy. "I haven't found anything that is super functional for my life or that looks really good."  "In order to find something that will be a hit, someone needs to create something that is really functional to fill a void that's missing out there," he continued.  Bryan Boy hasn't yet found a wearable that suits him.  Image: Jack Taylor / Mashable  Other criticisms centre on intrusiveness. For those who find themselves permanently attached to their smartphones, wearing a piece of technology could well be a bridge too far.  "With some wearables, it starts to feel as though you are being monitored," says architect Charlotte Skene Catling, who says she doesn't think she'll ever own any wearable tech.  "The way everyone is going, counting their steps, it just feels like you're being watched."  Charlotte Skene Catling doesn't like the idea of being surveilled by hi-tech devices.  Image: Jack Taylor / Mashable  Gustavo Antonioni, who heads up an entertainment company, also finds wearables too invasive.  "I don’t have an Apple Watch, but I have Apple everything else. I think wearable tech is way too intrusive for me right now and for my generation," he says.  For others like Sarah Flyn Jones, who works at Rake magazine, it's the old-school romance of a classic watch that keeps her away from wearables.  Sarah Flyn Jones likes classic watches with stories behind them.  Image: Jack Taylor / Mashable  "I would never wear any wearable tech ... I feel as though my phone is enough," she says. "I personally like to have a real watch with a great story behind it. I like to know where it comes from and all about the makers."  Flyn Jones sports a Michael Kors timepiece.  Image: Jack Taylor / Mashable  For fashionable types in London, wearable tech still has a long way to go before replacing the traditional wristwatch. Until then, analogue timepieces remain the firm favourite.  Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments.
Mashable hit the streets of London to find out why people are rejecting the wearable tech trend and opting instead for time-honoured traditional wristwear.