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

IJ Reilly said:
Apple is crossing over into the world of fashion with this product, so they are certainly hoping to appeal to people to whom being seen to have conspicuously spent more is a feature. You and I don't have to get it, just know it's out there.
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Apple selling a gold watch doesn't bother me as much as their artificial differentiation to upsell you into a more expensive product. And they're currently doing that with products that are supposedly "for everyone". Some people will buy the gold watch because they prefer the look of it and they can afford it. I couldn't care less.
 
Rogifan said:
Why do you care, especially if you have no interest in buying one? Sure we'll probably see ads for the Edition watch in fashion mags but it will be the aluminum and SS ones that Apple pushes in large quantities.
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Because I'm curious, and this is MR :D
 
New Gruber follow-up ends with the line...

"From what I’m hearing, I guessed pretty good last week: about $1,000 for Apple Watch, and $10,000+ for Edition. (I’m still thinking $749 starting price for the steel Apple Watch with Sport Band — exactly twice the price of the aluminum Sport model.)"

Was really hoping the standard Watch would start out less than a grand.
 
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NewtypeCJ said:
New Gruber follow-up ends with the line...

"From what I’m hearing, I guessed pretty good last week: about $1,000 for Apple Watch, and $10,000+ for Edition. (I’m still thinking $749 starting price for the steel Apple Watch with Sport Band — exactly twice the price of the aluminum Sport model.)"

Was really hoping the standard Watch would start out less than a grand.
Click to expand...

Well if he's got good sources and those numbers are right then Apple isn't planning on selling many Edition watches. And they just made it because they could. But with those prices I still feel like there's a missing piece of the puzzle, around upgrading, financing, something. If not then I guess Apple really is expecting to sell mostly Sport watches. I'd still love to know how Schiller gets up on stage and announces a $10K watch.
 
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Rogifan said:
Well if he's got good sources and those numbers are right then Apple isn't planning on selling many Edition watches. And they just made it because they could. But with those prices I still feel like there's a missing piece of the puzzle, around upgrading, financing, something. If not then I guess Apple really is expecting to sell mostly Sport watches. I'd still love to know how Schiller gets up on stage and announces a $10K watch.
Click to expand...

He'll do his presentation, then say, " I know what you're wondering. How much does it cost? I'm happy to say that the Edition Watch starts at only $9999." This will be followed by wild cheering and a standing ovation from all in attendance. Then the MR forums will be ablaze with people wildly bragging how much money will be making on the watch and how they can't wait for pre orders to start so they can buy one for every member of the family.
 
Blakjack said:
I don't expect the Apple watch to get a device upgrade every year. Not with those prices
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If the Apple Watch doesn't get a device upgrade every year, sales will drop off to the point where Apple will discontinue it. I do see Apple getting rid of the gold edition at some point as the novelty wears off and even rich people realize how foolish they are with their money.
 
Yeap.
This is why I always say Gruber just takes guesses on what is most likely the correct answer to simply questions on apple devices.

Since he is out of the loop 100% we can see his guesses are really just as good as other analysts.
 
Rogifan said:
Apple selling a gold watch doesn't bother me as much as their artificial differentiation to upsell you into a more expensive product. And they're currently doing that with products that are supposedly "for everyone". Some people will buy the gold watch because they prefer the look of it and they can afford it. I couldn't care less.
Click to expand...

Upselling is far more the rule in retailing than the exception, even for Apple's current product line. Do you really think it costs them anywhere close to $100 in manufacturing to add 16gb to an iPhone or iPad? No but that is what they charge because that is what customers are willing to pay. Inducing people to pay more than they planned is one of the retailing arts.

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Rogifan said:
Well if he's got good sources and those numbers are right then Apple isn't planning on selling many Edition watches. And they just made it because they could. But with those prices I still feel like there's a missing piece of the puzzle, around upgrading, financing, something. If not then I guess Apple really is expecting to sell mostly Sport watches. I'd still love to know how Schiller gets up on stage and announces a $10K watch.
Click to expand...

I'm skeptical on this price for the Apple Watch, if only for the reason that it is not good upselling from the Sport. For $100 or so extra many will be tempted to buy the upgraded model, but not for almost three times as much.
 
0092762 said:
How about a band that has batteries inside? That would be worth it imo.
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This was my immediate thought a few years ago when wearables started appearing. Why not use all the space in the band for batteries. Each link could contain a small battery and they would all be connected together.
 
SlCKB0Y said:
This was my immediate thought a few years ago when wearables started appearing. Why not use all the space in the band for batteries. Each link could contain a small battery and they would all be connected together.
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I think that such tiny elements would be very difficult to produce, very expensive and very little efficient.

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NewtypeCJ said:
New Gruber follow-up ends with the line...

"From what I’m hearing, I guessed pretty good last week: about $1,000 for Apple Watch, and $10,000+ for Edition. (I’m still thinking $749 starting price for the steel Apple Watch with Sport Band — exactly twice the price of the aluminum Sport model.)"

Was really hoping the standard Watch would start out less than a grand.
Click to expand...
749$ is an huge amount of money for a smartwatch ! :eek:

I was thinking about 499/549$ (38/42mm) as a starting price for the :apple: Watch.

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Carlanga said:
Yeap.
This is why I always say Gruber just takes guesses on what is most likely the correct answer to simply questions on apple devices.

Since he is out of the loop 100% we can see his guesses are really just as good as other analysts.
Click to expand...

You are under the assumption he's out of the loop.
His follow-up started with "from what I'm hearing...". Maybe he's not.
 
IJ Reilly said:
I'm skeptical on this price for the Apple Watch, if only for the reason that it is not good upselling from the Sport. For $100 or so extra many will be tempted to buy the upgraded model, but not for almost three times as much.
Click to expand...

I'd be curious to know who was involved in pricing decisions. I struggle to see how Apple will get people to pay $300-$400 more for the SS watch with sport band. And as you say it makes upselling harder. Especially when I'm sure the stainless steel bands will be expensive enough.
 
NewtypeCJ said:
New Gruber follow-up ends with the line...

"From what I’m hearing, I guessed pretty good last week: about $1,000 for Apple Watch, and $10,000+ for Edition. (I’m still thinking $749 starting price for the steel Apple Watch with Sport Band — exactly twice the price of the aluminum Sport model.)"

Was really hoping the standard Watch would start out less than a grand.
Click to expand...

Twice $349 is $698, not $749.

Ah, I see that Gruber has changed "exactly" to "roughly" since he was quoted here.
 
Rogifan said:
I'd be curious to know who was involved in pricing decisions. I struggle to see how Apple will get people to pay $300-$400 more for the SS watch with sport band. And as you say it makes upselling harder. Especially when I'm sure the stainless steel bands will be expensive enough.
Click to expand...

I think pricing is both an economics and marketing decision.
Apple got people to pay $100 to pass from 16 Gb to 32 Gb on an iPhone, in the past.
 
Rogifan said:
I'd be curious to know who was involved in pricing decisions. I struggle to see how Apple will get people to pay $300-$400 more for the SS watch with sport band. And as you say it makes upselling harder. Especially when I'm sure the stainless steel bands will be expensive enough.
Click to expand...

That responsibility at Apple is now the domain of Angela Ahrents. They brought her on board to overhaul Apple's retail operations in general, and presumably to retail the Apple Watch specifically. Her experience with retail is decidedly high-end.

If we are to take what we've heard seriously, the $1,000 price tag on Apple Watch could represent the top end: 42mm with the link bracelet. No way they charge a $650 premium for Apple Watch with a Sport band over the Sport watch with the same band. Further, the lack of any band choices on the Sport model other than the Sport bands tells me that the upsell is to the lower end of the Apple Watch with the Sport band, and from there to the Apple Watch with leather, etc., in perhaps $100 increments. With five band styles that gets you to around $1,000 at the top end.

All of this of course assumes my a la carte theory is wrong. Probably it is, but I still like it.
 
Max(IT) said:
So it's not related to the Apple watch commercialization
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I don't know what "commercialization" means to you.

My suggestion that Apple would treat its Edition Watch customers differently using a "concierge" service was in response to this:
imwoblin said:
Prior posters have mentioned that Apple may have a "recycle" service built into the $10k watches to keep them current. Can you imagine making an appointment at the genius bar for "recycling" service on you're $10k fine watch piece / smart watch! Boggles the mind...
Click to expand...
 
doelcm82 said:
I don't know what "commercialization" means to you.

My suggestion that Apple would treat its Edition Watch customers differently using a "concierge" service was in response to this:
Click to expand...

But then, you brought up the new "coincerge" service for the Genius Bar. Which I don't think has anything to do with your suggestion about possible special treatment for Edition customers, other than happening to have the same name.
 
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