$350 is a lot to pay when you have really great fitness trackers, with watch faces, for less than half the cost. This alone is enough to call the Apple Watch a luxury item. But then you claim that it has basic usefulness by not having to pull out a phone to check messages and communicate... LMAO that you really don't see how that is a luxury feature.
You're better off buying skins and custom watch bands for the Apple Watch than slapping on a case, but who knows, maybe there will be good-looking, useful cases.
Of course not all watches are luxury items. Duh! But the Apple Watch, even the Sports Edition, is a luxury item. Apple wants it to be. It is priced to be. It is designed to be.
I suppose it's luxury to some and simply a tool to others!
The Watch is the cheapest stainless steel watch I've bought in 20 years. I don't see it as luxury in any way!