An In-Depth Look at Apple Watch Band Options and Potential Pricing

[/dev/toaster]

Eh, I think he is way off on the pricing guesses for the unit it self. I could see the SS version going for $599 and up (with the bands every wants starting at $199)

As far as the edition model, I would say starting at $1799. Depending on the band I could see it going over $2499.

I don't think prices will go over $4,000. The reason I suggest that is the ordering supply. At extreme prices, I can't see Apple selling a few million edition models in the first round of sales.

Now maybe the edition watch it self could go for $1799 and the band them selves sky rocket the price quickly. I could see that happening because to my knowledge there hasn't been any leaks on order number for bands.

Don't get me wrong, I know it's a fashion item not a tech item but even that has limits.

 

[apolloa]

The one which has no suffix. The Apple Watch.

They have given no upper ceiling on price, merely a “starting at” price.

The iPhone “starts at” $450 unlocked (or $0 with a plan). This is for an 8GB 5c. Think of that in a similar way to the Apple Watch sport. Using less premium materials, a smaller storage size etc.

The upper ceiling of the iPhone is $949. That gets you everything and the kitchen sink. OIS, 5’5” screen, aluminium body, NFC, Touch ID etc.

I know the price will start at $349. I also know I will be paying more than that. I’m interested to know what the maximum I will pay is. I’ve budgeted around $780, with the aim of getting an Apple Watch with black classic buckle and maybe a fluroelastomer strap too.

So, as your from the UK like me, ignoring the dollars what do you think it will relate to in pounds? Is it going to start from around £250 or £300 or the worst case £350?

 

[firedept]

Not sure why people believe it'll be obsolete in a year. Like a car, it'll be obsolete once you drive it off the lot!

Seriously, it's not an iPhone. It should work just fine after a year.

I do not believe it will be obsolete in a year. But technology does move along at a very fast pace. You can not believe they will last more than possibly 3-4 years at best though.

Even at that pace, it would be nice if they could make these so that the internals could be upgraded instead of having to replace the watch completely. A simple open up the back, pull the internals, put the new ones in and away you go. Would certainly be a lot cheaper for the consumer. But not nearly as profitable for Apple. But that is only wishful thinking on my part.

I will never be a fan of a throwaway watch at the prices believed rumored that these are to fetch.

 

[Rogifan]

By models do you mean straps? Perhaps it would be awkward to picture every possible combination of watches and straps, so they are picturing only a few combinations that photograph best?

The only appearance they've made in public to my knowledge was at the announcement event, and this was strictly look but no touch. Doubtful that this display has much to do with the way they will be marketed to paying customers.

Worth mentioning at this point that Angela Ahrents will be heavily involved with this retail rollout. It's safe to say that we don't really know WWAD but it's going to be somewhat different than what we've seen from Apple in the past for that reason alone.

This is what I mean:

 

[apolloa]

Most of the discussion around pricing is in comparison to high-end luxury watches. To which the typical response is that high end watches are not frequently replaced.

IF Apple is somewhat aiming for the luxury market isn't it somewhat conceivable that there would be an upgradability component to the watch? Apple makes a big deal about the S1 being an entire computer on a single chip and calling it an "industry first".

Image

Yeah yeah I know Apple and upgradability or an oxymoron. But Watch is unlike any product they've ever released before. We didn't just get an aluminum watch with a couple colored rubber band options. We got 3 collections with 6 bands in different materials and colors and 2 sizes. Also this is the first new product from Apple to debut with a retina display. Apple is playing up the customization and how easily interchangeable the bands are. Again not typical Apple. There are also rumors that Apple is planning stand alone stores or store-within-a-store just for Watch. Is it not possible then that Apple would offer some type of upgradability where you could take your watch in to be "serviced" and get the battery and even perhaps the SiP replaced?

I'm just having a real hard time with the notion that Apple will price the edition watch at $10-$20K and then expect you to buy a brand new one 2 years later. It just seems like there is a missing piece of the puzzle and without that piece nothing else makes much sense.

I think it makes perfect sense, and that is that this is BS and Apple are not going to charge anywhere near 10 to 20K for it. Because to make a totally brand new product and enter a totally new market, and then price it at the premium of premium end of that market is just daft.

This is like if Apple do make a car, for the top model they charge you 1 MILLION $ as that is the top top end of hyper cars these day's, taking on Bugatti etc!

 

[imola.zhp]

This might be the dumbest thing I've read all day.

Why speculate? Just wait for the facts to be released, do we not have anything better to do?

 

[burtba]

This article is a joke. WTF is Gruber on about. $10,000 your a frigin tripper. Apple gear is higher priced than it needs to be due to their margins being higher than most other companies out their. Their gear is GOOD and they know it, so they take the piss to make $$ (oh sorry thast right it's not about making $$ it's about servicing the customer) but those prices would be REALLY taking the piss. Sure we will buy it because they make good Sh.t but Gruber is taking the piss in this article. Cheap shot for some attention.

 

[TommyA6]

Eh, I think he is way off on the pricing guesses for the unit it self. I could see the SS version going for $599 and up (with the bands every wants starting at $199)

As far as the edition model, I would say starting at $1799. Depending on the band I could see it going over $2499.

I don't think prices will go over $4,000. The reason I suggest that is the ordering supply. At extreme prices, I can't see Apple selling a few million edition models in the first round of sales.

Now maybe the edition watch it self could go for $1799 and the band them selves sky rocket the price quickly. I could see that happening because to my knowledge there hasn't been any leaks on order number for bands.

Don't get me wrong, I know it's a fashion item not a tech item but even that has limits.

iPhone's cost $200 in parts, yet Apple sells them for $649+(3x its cost in parts) , and sells tens of millions of them.

Watch Edition probably has at least 1 oz of gold in it (Probably more, especially with a band). That's $1000 at least, in gold only (not counting electronics, sapphire, bands etc.). At $1799 or $2499 Apple would be losing money or making ridiculously small amounts with each sale, and that ain't gonna happen , especially considering the limited market for high end, expensive watches.

 

[Exile714]

Lots of people here think there's a larger market for $20k Apple Watches than there really is.

Let's just talk about the US for a second. There are 300 million or so people in the US. That means there are 3 million in the "1%" and if one third of them buy the Edition that's 1 million sales. But you only need to make $389k per year to be in the "1%." When you've got a mortgage on a nice home that $389k earners should have, and two nice cars, and friggin private school for your two kids because public schools are inadequate, plus vacations and other niceties, that doesn't leave you nearly enough to justify $20k on a gold Apple Watch. I'd actually say $5k is probably too high for a 1%er. For a 1/10%er, the numbers are very different, but that's only 300k people.

"Of course, there's a huge luxury market in China!" you say. Ok, but how many people in China can afford $20k luxuries? Worldwide we're talking maybe 1 million people.

So, speculate away. Just keep in mind this rule: one overestimates the number of the wealthy, but underestimates their wealth, while one underestimates the number of the poor, and overestimates their ability to overcome poverty through hard work.

 

[SolarShane]

fad

Everything's a fad until Apple does it, remember?

 

[Even Longer]

Right, Apple, but please do us all a favour and fix Yosemite first!
At last!

You freaking buch of ignorant bastards.




...Sorry. Couldn't resist...

 

[69Mustang]

Gold is much denser than steel, plastic or whatever those other watches are made of, so you cannot compare those numbers just like that.

You've fallen for the old logic problem: Which weighs more? A pound of gold or a pound of feathers? The weight is the same.

The density of gold means nothing in the context of the weight of the watch. If the watch has 1 oz of gold, plastic, or steel, it's still 1 oz. So the numbers can only be compared like that.

An ounce, pound, gram, or kilo doesn't change based on material.

 

[bobob]

Most of the discussion around pricing is in comparison to high-end luxury watches. To which the typical response is that high end watches are not frequently replaced.

IF Apple is somewhat aiming for the luxury market isn't it somewhat conceivable that there would be an upgradability component to the watch? Apple makes a big deal about the S1 being an entire computer on a single chip and calling it an "industry first".

Yeah yeah I know Apple and upgradability or an oxymoron. But Watch is unlike any product they've ever released before. We didn't just get an aluminum watch with a couple colored rubber band options. We got 3 collections with 6 bands in different materials and colors and 2 sizes. Also this is the first new product from Apple to debut with a retina display. Apple is playing up the customization and how easily interchangeable the bands are. Again not typical Apple. There are also rumors that Apple is planning stand alone stores or store-within-a-store just for Watch. Is it not possible then that Apple would offer some type of upgradability where you could take your watch in to be "serviced" and get the battery and even perhaps the SiP replaced?

I'm just having a real hard time with the notion that Apple will price the edition watch at $10-$20K and then expect you to buy a brand new one 2 years later. It just seems like there is a missing piece of the puzzle and without that piece nothing else makes much sense.

The real surprise will come when Apple announces the S1 processor chips are user swappable.

----------

You've fallen for the old logic problem: Which weighs more? A pound of gold or a pound of feathers? The weight is the same.

The density of gold means nothing in the context of the weight of the watch. If the watch has 1 oz of gold, plastic, or steel, it's still 1 oz. So the numbers can only be compared like that.

An ounce, pound, gram, or kilo doesn't change based on material.

I believe you are the one who has fallen for the old logic problem - - volume is the variable metric in question.

 

[Keirasplace]

75% pure means 25% something else. Alloy.
Rose Gold: 75% gold, 22.25% copper, 2.75% silver
White, red, pink, green, purple, or blue gold have varying percentages of different metals to achieve the color and characteristics desired by the metallurgist.

You based your calculation on the average 2 oz weight of a smart watch. Your calculation didn't subtract the weight of the internals. There could be as little as .5 oz of gold in the case.



Not sure what you're actually saying here. Apologies.

The Ipod nano, with its case and everything weights 1.1 ounce. So, the big watch internals probably weights about 1 ounce (they are very similar in size).

So, how much gold there is depends how how much the whole watch weights.

----------

The real surprise will come when Apple announces the S1 processor chips are user swappable.

----------



I believe you are the one who has fallen for the old logic problem - - volume is the variable metric in question.

I believe they will swappable, but not eternally swappable. Sensors are in the casing, so eventually they'll have to replace that too. If they are swappable for 3-4 years that would mean the watch would probably up to date for at least 5-6 years. Not bad at all if updating the internals costs just $100-150 dollars.

 

[cdm283813]

If Apple do announce a $20K price tag I think the moderators are going to be very busy.

I would be banned in less than 5 post.

 

[CFreymarc]

Rarely bet against Apple but I am on this one.

My prediction, quick sales to the fanatics but after that, sales get quite cold.

Will pick one up for development and bragging right but I do not see it as a regular wear.

----------

Who would have guessed that Apple's most expensive product in 2015 was going to be a... watch.

Forbes magazine had it down in spades.

 

[TommyA6]

You've fallen for the old logic problem: Which weighs more? A pound of gold or a pound of feathers? The weight is the same.

The density of gold means nothing in the context of the weight of the watch. If the watch has 1 oz of gold, plastic, or steel, it's still 1 oz. So the numbers can only be compared like that.

An ounce, pound, gram, or kilo doesn't change based on material.

Lol, you misunderstood what I said. I know plenty about density, mass, weight etc.
I didn't say that a 2 oz golden watch is heavier than a 2 oz plastic one. What I said was that without knowing the exact mass of the golden Watch, any comparisons with the objects of the similar size (and known mass) are useless.

 

[Fenez]

I think if they can get 20k for it, then why not charge as much as you can? As far as the internals being upgradable, never happen, they would never risk locking themselves into that form factor especially with the market moving as fast as it is. Who knows what may come out in a year to make the current crop of wearables look outdated?

 

[pdaholic]

I'd just spray paint my metal watch to look gold. Da hell w/ $20K for a smartwatch.

I'm guessing if its 20K, then you receive the next three year models, for FREE?

I was thinking of this same thing. Instant balla! I'm sure there will eventually be gold "skins" that can be applied and cheap Chinese high-end band knockoffs for <$10 on Amazon.

 

[gotluck]

The real surprise will come when Apple announces the S1 processor chips are user swappable.

----------



I believe you are the one who has fallen for the old logic problem - - volume is the variable metric in question.

An upgradeable Apple product!! I will be in complete shock!

No friggin way

 

[AppleScruff1]

Why are people getting upset about this? Even if it is $20k for the top of the line model, you can still buy the exact same functionality for $349. Buy the model that you like and can afford. Chevy sells a ZR1 for over $120k, I don't think the people who are buying the Cruze are in uproar over it. It should be even less so with the Apple watch, all you're basically getting for the extra money is bling.

 

[rowspaxe]

an interesting addendum to this though is by stocking these watches the average apple store will indeed need to step up their security even during normal business hours. perhaps even adding an armed guard at the door. this added cost of business and risk to employees necessitates higher margins. would be curious what the additional training is for these employees in handling of these watches. as it stands their in store protocol is pretty slack. this should change the in store dynamics considerably. will it feel as friendly anymore?

even without the higher ticket merchandise--I have long thought the watch will destroy the friendly tech vibe of the apple store. The watch thing will be more like a department store: overentitled customers and beaten down "associates". Also--the returns are going to be astromomical as percent of sales

 

[AppleScruff1]

An upgradeable Apple product!! I will be in complete shock!

That will happen right after iOS becomes open source.

 

[Keirasplace]

An upgradeable Apple product!! I will be in complete shock!

No friggin way

It won't be surprising if it increase upgrade cycles and don't plan on changing the externals often... Its a watch... Don't think there's much that changes until battery tech improves. So, I think external case format should last at least 3-4 years between changes. If they want people that already have watches upgrade they must have a hook.

 

[Rogifan]

even without the higher ticket merchandise--I have long thought the watch will destroy the friendly tech vibe of the apple store. The watch thing will be more like a department store: overentitled customers and beaten down "associates". Also--the returns are going to be astromomical as percent of sales

And you know this how?