The watch COULD contain $2,000 worth of gold if the case is 2oz. The case might actually be closer to 0.5 oz, with the parts inside adding 1.5oz to the weight. This would only be about $500 worth of gold, even with a solid gold case.
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An In-Depth Look at Apple Watch Band Options and Potential Pricing
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The watch COULD contain $2,000 worth of gold if the case is 2oz. The case might actually be closer to 0.5 oz, with the parts inside adding 1.5oz to the weight. This would only be about $500 worth of gold, even with a solid gold case.
That's easy... you have too much money and you want to show off that you can... status symbol.
I cannot.
That's easy... you have too much money and you want to show off that you can... status symbol.
I cannot.
There's not even a visible Apple logo on the watch. I don't think anyone would buy it for a 'status symbol'.
I'll third that. It's one thing to be aspirational, which Apple products are, compared to other smart phones, laptops, desktops, tablets, but those that aspire to own a great watch are not likely (as in no way in hell) to have an Apple Watch on their list. They may spend more to buy a gold Apple Watch, but there is zero way it would be priced anywhere in 5 digit territory. People aspire to own fine Swiss timepieces because they were fine timepieces a hundred years ago and they'll be fine timepieces a hundred years from now.
Apple's Watch may be a curiosity in 10 years, let alone if it even still works. My Seiko automatic hasn't missed a beat in 9 years I've owned it, and it's been on my wrist almost every day, through ocean, lake, river (including rough whitewater rafting), cutting firewood, working on my car, showering, running, etc. The case and band are scratched, but sapphire looks brand new.
Apple isn't anywhere close to offering a watch that will last for more than a couple of years and it certainly won't take the abuse that many fine Swiss and Japanese timepieces will.
I have an impossibly hard time thinking Apple will even get close to $5k for the gold model, unless they're making it from REALLY thick 18 karat gold, as the band and electronics cannot be worth more than $500, so at $4500 (assuming a $5k retail for the gold version), you'd have 3.75 ounces worth of gold in the watch.
Then Gruber suggests 4 times that amount - there is no way, none, zip, zero that there is almost a pound of gold in the watch, even if you value the electronics at $1000 of the $20k price. And no one can suggest that something that is cranked out by the millions has some far out value beyond the weight of gold, knowing that the internals are effectively the same.
Ludicrous thinking and I'm guessing Apple is going to benefit from all this hype when they release the Watch with significantly lower price points.
I would deem your preference irrelevant unless $7,000 is a very casual spend for you. The Apple Watch Edition pricing is not intended for people who are looking for an heirloom/long term purchase. It's for people who want a nice, gold cutting edge tech that will probably be replaced in a year or two.
It's like spending thousands more on a first class flight ticket-- If you have to question the price, it's probably not for you.
Ummm, not quite. Your Rolex will require servicing every few years which will cost upwards of $500 each time.
You people are sooo off
All you people decide to just throw numbers like 20K is a good number to say the gold apple watch could be?? Ives latest New Yorker column exactly stated " A watch would be for the masses" not the High-class, Rich-only masses.. I predict the gold apple watch to land at around $1449.. Ill explain why ... Recently there was an article that said, that in gold alone apple's cost would be around $795 for the edition model. if you factor just a 20% profit it would calculate to $159. well over the iPhone's current profit margins gentleman. lets then calculate at the high end if we put the iPhone 6 on your wrist which is a more developed, time consuming , elaborate and hardware intensive device. what would that cost?? One would have to pay $695 for the iPhone 6. calculate $795 + $159 + $695 = $1649. lets say apple does some great marketing trickery.. They'll land at a beautiful number like $1449 for the entry level edition watch. That's my best guess.. Stop all you idiots saying 20k.. You don't belong on these comments... Get off now!!! Your welcome...
All you people decide to just throw numbers like 20K is a good number to say the gold apple watch could be?? Ives latest New Yorker column exactly stated " A watch would be for the masses" not the High-class, Rich-only masses.. I predict the gold apple watch to land at around $1449.. Ill explain why ... Recently there was an article that said, that in gold alone apple's cost would be around $795 for the edition model. if you factor just a 20% profit it would calculate to $159. well over the iPhone's current profit margins gentleman. lets then calculate at the high end if we put the iPhone 6 on your wrist which is a more developed, time consuming , elaborate and hardware intensive device. what would that cost?? One would have to pay $695 for the iPhone 6. calculate $795 + $159 + $695 = $1649. lets say apple does some great marketing trickery.. They'll land at a beautiful number like $1449 for the entry level edition watch. That's my best guess.. Stop all you idiots saying 20k.. You don't belong on these comments... Get off now!!! Your welcome...
you can't compare a designer clothing, or even designer watches to a tech gadget for its long term usage.
sure, fashion can go out of style. but your clothing will still continue to operate exactly the same way it always did...
The fear with the Apple Watch, especially the "edition" version, is that in 2 years time, Apple is going to release iOS 10.0.2 and V3 of the watch and dictate that V1.0 is no longer compatible with iOS 10 and if you upgrade your phone, you lose functionality.
its one thing to have a price point of a few hundred for this sort of tech, but thousands of dollars? your average tech geek isn't going to spend that sort of money on a disposable piece of jewellery.
HobeSoundDarryl
macrumors G5
Because it's hard to strap a Mac to your wrist.
And harder to carry it around all day on your wrist.
Beyond that, it's perspective. Some people make so much money that thousands are like nickels to the average Joe. This weekend, we're going to see millionaires throw a rubber ball through a hoop. Some of them make upwards of $200K or more each game (about $55K/day or about $2200/hr (for all 24 hours in a day)). If you could spend 2 hours pay to get a golden Apple anything, would you? From that perspective, thousands for a watch can look like buying a candy bar for the average Joe.
And then it's prestige or perceived prestige... more than being "first" but also showing you can own one early and own a higher-priced one. Rolex has watches that cost much less than prices often slung around for Rolex watches. BUT, that doesn't stop people who can... or those who crave to show they can... from buying the ones that cost much, much more.
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Just like how iPhone, iPads, and MacBooks have easily user-replaceable components?
With every report I like the 
Watch less and less. I mean, maybe they'll wow me next week... but I'm kind of more excited about what Pebble is announcing in 4 days. They have a count down clock on their site and it's rumored to be their new watch... one that won't be ridiculously priced. I'm not saying "over priced"... it might be worth it. But it's priced way out of my budget at $350 to start... I believe my 8gb first gen iPod Touch was cheaper...
Watch less and less. I mean, maybe they'll wow me next week... but I'm kind of more excited about what Pebble is announcing in 4 days. They have a count down clock on their site and it's rumored to be their new watch... one that won't be ridiculously priced. I'm not saying "over priced"... it might be worth it. But it's priced way out of my budget at $350 to start... I believe my 8gb first gen iPod Touch was cheaper...
I don't think Apple will let you buy a watch without a band, so the open question is if they allow you to pick any combination you want or if they limit it to the models within each collection as shown on their website.
From a very ill-informed person even. He clearly states that he doesn't know anything about the world of watches but that's not the problem. The problem is that he is drawing the wrong conclusions, a very bad job doing his homework.
One needs to understand one thing about watches: it has to last and it has to be mechanical (a minority doesn't mind quartz watches, most will spend huge amounts of money on mechanical watches). The problem with the Apple Watch: it's neither. The Apple Watch is nothing but a little computer that you wear on your wrist. Plus smartwatches in general are still very gimmicky. Ordinary people consider 349 to be quite steap, watch lovers won't buy something gimmicky for 5k (or even 1k). Only the filthy rich who like overspending because they have boatloads of money might buy something like that. Unfortunately Apple has a lot of competition in this area since there are quite a few companies that will bring out Apple devices in gold and put diamonds everywhere.
The pricing Gruber talks about is very unrealistic, it renders the Apple Watch unsellable. His story also contradicts Jony Ives story regarding the amount of choices that consumers need to have when it comes to something like a watch to make it more personal. You can't get it right each and every time...
You can't find an 18k watch for under $20k?
Here is Tiffany 18k watch for $6,700 (and all their gold watches are under $10k)
http://www.tiffany.com/Shopping/Ite...-pp+0+2&search=0&origin=browse&searchkeyword=
Cartier has 18k watches starting even cheaper ($5k)
Lots of other fashion designers have gold watches well under $10k.
Here is Tiffany 18k watch for $6,700 (and all their gold watches are under $10k)
http://www.tiffany.com/Shopping/Ite...-pp+0+2&search=0&origin=browse&searchkeyword=
Cartier has 18k watches starting even cheaper ($5k)
Lots of other fashion designers have gold watches well under $10k.
I'm pretty sure their profit margin is going to be more than just 20%. Everything I've read says the iPhone is well in the 30-40%+ profit margin. Even in their earnings they stated they're [company as a whole] 39.5% gross profit margin.
I'd venture a guess that those armchair posters don't make a living off their claims, analysis or blog. They don't have to be held to a higher standard. And personally, I think it would be petty to hold a poster to his/her claims on this forum. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNGZo5gn_tc
Gruber doubling down on his pricing predictions opens the door to speculation and doubt on his writing(s). All I can do is wait for official word from Apple. But I do know if I spend 5 figures on a watch, it's not going to be an Apple watch.
I agree. Although the Apple Watch effectively only lasting just one year is incredibly harsh. Somebody above me posted an interesting point, what if you could swap out the internals?
I guess what is really scary is that if they are priced that high Apple thinks there are enough people in the world with that much disposable income it's worthwhile to manufacture, stock and sell these. It's concerning that there is so much inequality in the world, time for a revolution the pitchforks are on their way.
When they sell to the luxury market, they don't markup by 20%. For example a pair of 'luxury' $800 jeans, may cost roughly the same price as a regular pair of jeans to make.
My point is that Apple may make 20% on the low end watches, but there is nothing to stop them from a markup 500-1000% on the high end.
...And HOW MUCH does an original, working, Apple 1 auction for? $666 ?? I think its a little higher than that.
I'd consider a 1st Gen Apple Watch Edition an investment and consider getting one just to leave it sealed in its original packaging.
But we know it ********. Its just a way for manufacturer to get some more money from you. Just like with cars. My grandfather has a watch on a chain. Its swiss made i think, but there are no signs to tell for sure, but its very old, because he got it from his father. As far as he knows it was not even open. Its as precise as a watch can be. without any service.