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

[iSee]

...
That turns it from a Watch into a Bracelet. Might aswell just melt it down for the gold at that point.

But what do I know, maybe Apple will sell tons of them regardless.

Or simply have the battery replaced.

 

[macUser2007]

Wrong....the likelihood is that a luxury "gold" watch has a hand-made Swiss mechanical movement, whereas as its cheaper sibling will more than likely have a Japanese.../QUOTE]

First, I'd probably go for a Japanese-made mechanism, since the last mid-tier Omega I had lasted 8 month before being sent for repairs, and then sent back again....

Second, most of the Swiss-made movements are done by a couple of suppliers, regardless of brand (once you get to the $50k+ range you start seeing custom movements, but they are not necessarily great either, and a cheap Casio will keep better time).

Apple needs to clearly differentiate its watch from the pile of Android offerings, many of which are in their third generation and offer better battery life than the paltry less than a day performance the leaks say the Apple Watch has.

Otherwise, it looks like a well-designed dud at a higher price than the competition (which doesn't sell well either).

 

[Donoban]

Wrong....the likelihood is that a luxury "gold" watch has a hand-made Swiss mechanical movement, whereas as its cheaper sibling will more than likely have a Japanese.../QUOTE]

First, I'd probably go for a Japanese-made mechanism, since the last mid-tier Omega I had lasted 8 month before being sent for repairs, and then sent back again....

Second, most of the Swiss-made movements are done by a couple of suppliers, regardless of brand (once you get to the $50k+ range you start seeing custom movements, but they are not necessarily great either, and a cheap Casio will keep better time).

Apple needs to clearly differentiate its watch from the pile of Android offerings, many of which are in their third generation and offer better battery life than the paltry less than a day performance the leaks say the Apple Watch has.

Otherwise, it looks like a well-designed dud at a higher price than the competition (which doesn't sell well either).

This man knows what he's talking about. Time will tell on how the Apple Watch performs.

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20 000$ for an Apple Watch?
Yeah right...

I agree. I can't pin the exact period it happened but this trend of writing speculative articles in a manner that gives it some authority is getting my jimmies rustled. It must be to generate clicks/revenue.

 

[Quu]

Or simply have the battery replaced.

By who? You think Apple will even maker batteries for that thing after 10 years?

And okay lets say 3rd parties make batteries for it, you think it's going to work with the iPhone sold in 10 years from now? Cause I don't.

 

[Tech198]

for a moment, i thought the title read "...and potential hacking..."

Don't worry foaks, this will be next on the list Every kid will soon be JB'ing their smart-watch.

 

[aawil]

I'm really hoping they don't price the stainless one around $1000. If that's the case I'll just get a sport model and wait for V2 and keep the sport as a beater watch.

 

[samcraig]

Apple needs to clearly differentiate its watch from the pile of Android offerings, many of which are in their third generation and offer better battery life than the paltry less than a day performance the leaks say the Apple Watch has.

Otherwise, it looks like a well-designed dud at a higher price than the competition (which doesn't sell well either).

To a point. Apple Watch won't run on Android and Android Wear doesn't work on iOS... so while the ecosystems are rivals - smart watches a little less so.

I do wonder how many people would actually switch to one platform because of the watch vs the phone

 

[newdeal]

Rumors said the iPad would cost around $1000-1200. Then Jobs got on stage and announced that the starting price will be $500.

and Jobs referenced the rumours when announcing the pricing as well saying that he heard people were expecting it to cost a grand

 

[iSee]

By who? You think Apple will even maker batteries for that thing after 10 years?

And okay lets say 3rd parties make batteries for it, you think it's going to work with the iPhone sold in 10 years from now? Cause I don't.

Someone will make batteries for as long as there's someone else who wants to buy them.

 

[FelixAng]

I doubt many of the participants in this thread would have ever guessed 20k USD for the gold watch before this Gruber grabber came along. His nonsense regarding limitations with the various watch-strap configurations sounds asinine, and complicated beyond Apple's typical arrangements. However, i imagine the bracelets will be pricy and might price the, say, Milanese Loop on par with the higher end watches (as in non-Sport versions).

Apple is looking at maximum profit, which means maximum shipments. This has the potential to be a hot item. I think if the Stainless Steel is priced beyond 679 USD most consumers will be stuck with the Sport edition...non-sexy.

There's no FaceTime camera; it could be thinner; and probably a lot more we can expect in 2nd generation.

Some writers on this thread think multi-millionaires will flock to buy the rose watch even at 10-20k USD, and I don't think there are that many frivolous millionaires out there. The people buying jewelry in the 5-6 figure range want classic European names. However, Apple might well have cracked the tech as jewelry opposition.

 

[medazinol]

Of man, if the prices do end up going that high, and there's no reason why not, the Apple haters and media are going to have a field day with it...

Haters gonna hate....

 

[RnSK]

I'm stealing this...

Crack. You are on.

Great for meetings and tags for insane work emails:

"Crack. You are on." - Tiltasauras

Thanks!

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To a point. Apple Watch won't run on Android and Android Wear doesn't work on iOS... so while the ecosystems are rivals - smart watches a little less so.

I do wonder how many people would actually switch to one platform because of the watch vs the phone

This i don't know, but as a dev I can tell you this: even with WatchKit as it exists right now, you can do a LOT more with it than you can with Wear. Not as much as some would like, but far, far more capable stuff is possible.

Also, I wouldn't worry about the battery life. The way they've engineered the solution I think most people will be getting thru the day just fine.

This is going to be an interesting product launch, on many fronts.

 

[megadon]

Basically, the Edition is not for you, me, or the other people shocked as to why someone would spend that much money on a watch or gadget. It will be targeted at the sort of people who already buy expensive watches and jewelry and will necessarily be expensive, in the case of the gold watch, because gold.

They'll need to introduce some kind of tradein/upgrade process along with it, though. Whether swappable innards or simply a partial refund on returning your Edition so the gold can be reclaimed and reused. An expensive Swiss watch just keeps on working, but a smartwatch will become obsolete, its battery will become less effective—all the technology hurdles we know well.

why would I drop 20k on apple junk when I can drop another 30k and get an AP?

Buy this logic, Apple should sell a solid gold case iPhone with exact same specs for 30k

That's like me dropping 1 million on a gold Honda civic instead of something like a P1 that will increase in value.

Apple marketing can only go so far.

I can see them giving them away for free to celebrities, but the sales are gonna be horrible and we'll never know because apple doesn't break down sales like that in their quarterlies.

 

[bbeagle]

Why can't they standardize the "guts" of the watch to be swappable? Like why couldn't you update this watch with new guts? Why are we assuming you can't, like at the genius bar? Sapphire crystal has been around for years, I don't think the watch face needs to evolve, but why can't the battery and processor be standardized into a "disk" that gets replaced every year or two?

I have a Panerai 00 model I've had for years. It's pretty thick. I don't ever think to myself, "Man I hope Panerai updates this model to make it thinner and lighter next year." It is what it is. I love the size and shape. And I buy new bands and get it tuned up every now and then. Why couldn't that tune up be new internals installed at a genius bar?

I think everyone is missing the mark on having to own this exact watch's internals forever.

I agree completely with you.

Apple is already advertising that this watch is all on one chip. Apple will announce that the watch can be upgraded by just buying the core of it in the next iteration.

This totally makes sense. Whatever version you buy can be upgraded next year for $200-300.

This will make the watch last longer, which is what people want, and totally change the game. You'll get people to buy the more expensive exterior, buy more bands, knowing this will last a long time. This is Apple's path to more money - increasing the selling of high margin bands, and coaxing people to the higher end watches. Apple wants people to keep spending money, and releasing a watch that is obsolete in 1 year is not the way to do it for watches. Apple knows this, haters don't.

And the prices will be $349, $499 and $1099. This will increase the upgrades. With bands between $29 and $2000. That's where Apple will make the money - on the bands, not the watch.

 

[goobot]

I agree completely with you.

Apple is already advertising that this watch is all on one chip. Apple will announce that the watch can be upgraded by just buying the core of it in the next iteration.

This totally makes sense. Whatever version you buy can be upgraded next year for $200-300.

This will make the watch last longer, which is what people want, and totally change the game. You'll get people to buy the more expensive exterior, buy more bands, knowing this will last a long time. This is Apple's path to more money - increasing the selling of high margin bands, and coaxing people to the higher end watches. Apple wants people to keep spending money, and releasing a watch that is obsolete in 1 year is not the way to do it for watches. Apple knows this, haters don't.

And the prices will be $349, $499 and $1099. This will increase the upgrades. With bands between $29 and $2000. That's where Apple will make the money - on the bands, not the watch.

The all in one chip was done to maximize space for the battery.

 

[iBreatheApple]

Okay, listen. Nothing about any version of the Apple Watch is worth $10,000, or even $5,000, for that matter. Subjective? Perhaps. But let's be frank. A Rolex has the potential of lasting you a lifetime. This is an electronic device. In a decade this version will hardly be functional due to the fact that it has software and is obligated to the iPhone. A luxury timepiece, whether or not one feels $15k/$20k (or however much) is justifiable to spend on a watch, doesn't become 'outdated' per se. It just isn't the same with a Smart-watch. It's a damn good thing I actually want the Sport.

 

[MoreAwesomeDanU]

why would I drop 20k on apple junk when I can drop another 30k and get an AP?

Buy this logic, Apple should sell a solid gold case iPhone with exact same specs for 30k

That's like me dropping 1 million on a gold Honda civic instead of something like a P1 that will increase in value.

Apple marketing can only go so far.

I can see them giving them away for free to celebrities, but the sales are gonna be horrible and we'll never know because apple doesn't break down sales like that in their quarterlies.

Yep. This is exactly the problem with a gold apple watch. It will have as big of a market as the aftermarket gold iphones.

Luxury items are suppose to last a really long time. You can own multiple different ones sure (handbags, expensive coats, watches), but you would never just throw the old ones away. They hold value.

The minute you put a piece of technology into it, the "value holding" aspect is out of the window. It's as gimmicky as a modded civic to sound like a ferrari.

And that's the bigger problem with the apple watch as a whole, the thing is SO gimmicky. I can tap heart beats to my friend? I can use it as a walkie talkie? I can use it as a Apple TV remote??? Seriously, WHO WEARS A WATCH WHEN THEY ARE HOME WATCHING TV???

Apple couldn't even figure out a use case for it so they just threw in everything and the kitchen sink as a feature. All i can say is, good luck.

 

[Night Spring]

Apple is already advertising that this watch is all on one chip. Apple will announce that the watch can be upgraded by just buying the core of it in the next iteration.

This totally makes sense. Whatever version you buy can be upgraded next year for $200-300.

Changing the chip only does so much. What if next year, there is a better heart rate sensor, maybe one or two of the other sensors that didn't make the first gen make it in next year, maybe there is a better screen / speaker / mike, maybe there is a FaceTime camera?

All sorts of possible hardware improvements that can't be added by just changing the chip.

So, no, changing the chip doesn't protect against technological obsolescence, at all.

 

[amirite]

I initially expected $3-5k but Guber has me thinking up to $20k is possible... probably at several different arbitrary price points. However, if it turns out to be 3k I may consider the Edition line, whereas I never would have considered it before. I think Guber's justifications for the high price convinced me of its higher value...

I also now expect the standard Watch to be $499/599 starting price, but I'm sure I'll still pay it. I now see more clearly where the two models stand in comparison to each other and an extra $150-250 makes sense.

Stainless Steel Watch with black sports strap

 

[Night Spring]

Seriously, WHO WEARS A WATCH WHEN THEY ARE HOME WATCHING TV???

Those people who are complaining about not being able to shower with the Apple watch, maybe? I'm guessing if they don't take off their watch while showering, they don't take it off to watch TV.

But seriously, I haven't worn a watch in a while, but when I wore one, I often didn't take it off until I was going to bed, so yes, I wore them while watching TV. And if the AppleWatch saves me from having to search for the TV remote, I'd gladly start wearing it while watching TV, even if I wasn't in the habit of doing that before. Of course, YMMV, but don't assume that because you won't do it, everyone else wouldn't do it.

 

[bbeagle]

Changing the chip only does so much. What if next year, there is a better heart rate sensor, maybe one or two of the other sensors that didn't make the first gen make it in next year, maybe there is a better screen / speaker / mike, maybe there is a FaceTime camera?

All sorts of possible hardware improvements that can't be added by just changing the chip.

So, no, changing the chip doesn't protect against technological obsolescence, at all.

Yes, changing the processor only does so much... But it doesn't stop Apple from offering this option. Additionally, Apple could offer an upgrade to sensors for less than the price of a new watch if users chose to do this.

People won't like paying for a brand new watch every year at full price, but if Apple offers discounts for parts being replaced, users will be more willing to continue with Apple. Apple knows what it's doing.

 

[Seanthesheep]

While some people will argue that the 10k+ figure is due to the watch being gold and a fashion accessory that people are willing to invest in, it still does not make sense:

1. This watch will be replaced in 2 years time when the next Apple Watch comes out. Thus losing value and creating a need to get the latest one, especially since there are many improvements to be made to the watch such as battery power.

2. If people want to have something stylish/expensive around their wrist they would go for a Rolex or something. I think the Apple watch is actually a tad bit on the ugly side, for a start it is square and does not look all that attractive and slapping gold onto it won't help much.

3. Even if I was filthy rich, I still don't think I would buy the 10k+ Apple watch as I'm not crazy about it at all.

TLDR: The 10k+ Apple watch is for people with more money than sense.

 

[bbeagle]

Those people who are complaining about not being able to shower with the Apple watch, maybe? I'm guessing if they don't take off their watch while showering, they don't take it off to watch TV.

But seriously, I haven't worn a watch in a while, but when I wore one, I often didn't take it off until I was going to bed, so yes, I wore them while watching TV. And if the AppleWatch saves me from having to search for the TV remote, I'd gladly start wearing it while watching TV, even if I wasn't in the habit of doing that before. Of course, YMMV, but don't assume that because you won't do it, everyone else wouldn't do it.

Watches smell badly if you wear them in the shower. Your wrist gets wet under the watch, and yuck! That's one of the reasons I don't put my watch on in the morning until after I take my shower. But go ahead - make that a reason why you won't get a watch, that you NEED to put it on first thing in the morning and not wait until you're done in the shower. I'm sure you put on your rings before showering, right?

 

[Andrei90]

Short version: I know nothing, so I'll just randomly guess with no real logic behind it.

Remember back when people were SWEARING up and down that the iPad would be $1200 to start? They ended up looking like total fools.

I remember those rumors and they ended up being true. The iPad does cost like 1000 if you want 4G and maximum storage.

 

[Night Spring]

Watches smell badly if you wear them in the shower. Your wrist gets wet under the watch, and yuck! That's one of the reasons I don't put my watch on in the morning until after I take my shower. But go ahead - make that a reason why you won't get a watch, that you NEED to put it on first thing in the morning and not wait until you're done in the shower. I'm sure you put on your rings before showering, right?

I didn't say *I* wore watches while showering. Only that there are people who apparently does that. As far as I can tell, those people also wear their watches in bed -- that is, they never take them off. Apparently. I'm just reporting what I've read in other posts in the Apple watch subforum.