Anyone in here buying the edition Apple watch?

[Newtons Apple]

If you know where I can find people like that, let me know. I could use some "pocket change" lol

You do not find people like that. They tend to travel with others like themselves.

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My point was that if you're seeing heavy advertising it's because demand is low.

No business has an unlimited advertising budget. And no company spends money it doesn't have to. If demand was high already, running more ads would simply lead to product shortages and frustrate customers. Better to save the advertising spend until demand drops off in a month or two.

You advertising advice is great for the average company but not Apple. Apple's budget IS unlimited if you compare to any other company.

I still bet that Apple knows more than you when it comes to marketing, a lot more. Maybe you should email them with your suggestions.

The watch will sell quite well.

 

[kingofwale]

Called my apple business rep
and jokingly told him I wanted to order 20 of the edition watches all gold for my business. He didn't laugh. I said" hey i was just joking"
He said he has had many serious inquires like that for people who actually want several. That' s why he didn't laugh. The interest is off the charts based on the number of phone call they have been getting. I personally going with space grey, I think those who think the watch will not be a huge sales hit are going to be very surprised!!

he didn't laugh because you think this is the first time someone called in and made fun of Apple Edition's pricing??

What was he supposed to say? "you'd be stupid to pay that much"??

 

[Wallabe]

I've picked up 10 gold maple leaf coins when spot was $1150, which is well over 10k. For spare change, I still have time to think about either the aluminum or stainless steel, or whether I want to get one at all.

So I've already got the gold, I just have yet to get the watch.

But the gold Apple Edition? That's a waste of money. In a year or two, it will be obsolete (except for the case), and a newer, shinier, thinner, and faster model will come out.

For the questions about the rich browsing forums like this, why wouldn't they? Some practical advice and good discussions can be found on various forums. It would be foolish not to have discussions among other people before making decisions, particularly those who are within their realm of expertise (i.e. Talk to business lawyers if you want advice on business laws). I should distinguish the difference between middle class and the rich. Middle class people buy Omega and Rolex to simulate looking rich. Rich people generally don't make these purchases, unless they're making these purchases with the intent to make money off of it, or perhaps to preserve their wealth.

The Apple Watch is a liability, but if you like having it, there's nothing wrong with having one for yourself to enjoy. Donald Trump may have nice exotic cars because he enjoys it. His business is real estate, hospitality, and residential cashflow.

It's OK to spoil yourself once a while, but if you're worried that you can't make rent because of it, you need to readjust your priorities.

Do rich people play musical instruments? Or is that for non-rich people? If you enjoy it, then get it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5CneuiHdq4

 

[Arran]

You advertising advice is great for the average company but not Apple. Apple's budget IS unlimited if you compare to any other company.

I wasn't really offering any advice. It's simple business 101.

Put it another way: Does a farmer water his crops right after a rainstorm? Or does he wait until a dry spell?

 

[kingofwale]

I've picked up 10 gold maple leaf coins when spot was $1150, which is well over 10k. For spare change, I still have time to think about either the aluminum or stainless steel, or whether I want to get one at all.

So I've already got the gold, just have yet to get the watch.

But the gold Apple Edition? That's a waste of money. In a year or two, it will be obsolete, and a newer, shinier, thinner, and faster model will come out.

keep in mind gold maple leafs is 99.99% gold (depending on year, it could be higher), not some 18K rubbish.

 

[Wallabe]

keep in mind gold maple leafs is 99.99% gold (depending on year, it could be higher), not some 18K rubbish.

Yes, they're 2015, with the radial design and laser maple leaf security etch. I don't think gold will be obsolete anytime soon.

If you don't hold it, you don't own it.

 

[Wallabe]

You do not find people like that. They tend to travel with others like themselves.

You are right about that. Poor people tend to be around poor people. Middle class people tend to be around middle class people. Rich people tend to be around rich people.

A rich person won't take advice from a poor person. Generally, a productive person who is rich got their wealth by being productive, and help other people become wealthier (or at least better off than before) in the process.

The internet is a mix of all kinds. You just have to sort it out. Once a while, sometimes you get great ideas from reading other people's opinions and preferences.

I'm not here to bash poor people and put rich people on the pedestal. If you're a jerk without money, you will still be a jerk, even if you have a billion dollars.

 

[TallManNY]

All Rolex watches are pretty expensive, the cheapest I can find in a quick internet search being over £3,000.

Apple are selling less than 69 grams of gold for more than five times it's actual worth, and they are selling the same product in a different metal for a fraction of the price.

"It won't even be obsolete in a year". I'm not sure what world you're living in, but I'm quite sure the Apple watch will become defunct before any Rolex.




As I said it's a rough model, and as a jeweller, I was just interested in how much gold you would actually be getting for £13,500.

Turns out it is even less than I initially thought.

The funny thing is that the Rolex might be the one that is obsolete once the AWatch comes out.
I have a group of friends who all wear nice watches that all cost more than a thousand and some might cost more than $20,000. We all have apple products, macs at home, iPads and iPhone 6. It will be interesting if any of us turn in our automatics (I'm the poorest of the bunch and have a Hamilton) for an AWatch.

 

[ninethirty]

The only thing that's funny is that you think Rolex might be in trouble. They aren't.

The funny thing is that the Rolex might be the one that is obsolete once the AWatch comes out.
I have a group of friends who all wear nice watches that all cost more than a thousand and some might cost more than $20,000. We all have apple products, macs at home, iPads and iPhone 6. It will be interesting if any of us turn in our automatics (I'm the poorest of the bunch and have a Hamilton) for an AWatch.

 

[chris975d]

The only thing that's funny is that you think Rolex might be in trouble. They aren't.

Glad you took that one. It's getting old dealing with the cluelessness in some of these posts.

 

[ninethirty]

Yes it does Hey, you might appreciate this, but I decided on a Panerai 512 to add to the collection today!

Glad you took that one. It's getting old dealing with the cluelessness in some of these posts.

 

[chris975d]

Yes it does Hey, you might appreciate this, but I decided on a Panerai 512 to add to the collection today!

Good watch. Had one last year (along with the 514). The Radiomir 1940 case is my favorite PAM by far. I just ended up flipping it for another Rolex. Can't seem to leave Rolex alone for some reason.

 

[ninethirty]

Didn't you hear? They're on their way out. Apple's in town now.

Good watch. Had one last year (along with the 514). The Radiomir 1940 case is my favorite PAM by far. I just ended up flipping it for another Rolex. Can't seem to leave Rolex alone for some reason.

 

[kdarling]

So have I missed it?

Has anyone in this thread said they're buying an Edition?

 

[TallManNY]

The only thing that's funny is that you think Rolex might be in trouble. They aren't.

Glad you took that one. It's getting old dealing with the cluelessness in some of these posts.

It really depends on how useful smart watches are. And not the first generation of smart watch. Rolex needs to sell automatics every year for the foreseeable future. Rolex has to compete with smart watch version 10, just like Kodak had to compete with digital camera version 10 and Canon's point and click digitals cameras have to compete with the iPhone camera.

We aren't going to develop more arms. And I don't think folks will start wearing two watches. So if the wrist becomes a place where you put a small computer, then it won't be where we put an automatic watch. So yes, I think Rolex might be in trouble.

Personally, I really like the way my Hamilton looks. And I really think automatic movement is cool. I think AWatch will look a bit worse and much less cool. But if the usefulness is as high as I think it is going to prove to be, I might switch. I'm a bit sad about it in some way.

If I start wearing a smart watch, then I'm probably never upgrading to a better automatic than what I have now (about an $800 watch, which I overpaid for at the Tourneau store (live and learn)). I'm not really in the Rolex target demographic (and even if I wanted to spend a full paycheck on a nice watch, it wouldn't be a Rolex (I'd want something with a reputation for better movement)), but I'm sure there are folks like me who make up a good chunk of Rolex's sales. My friends have nice watches. They are part of the luxury watch demographics. At least I think they are. Maybe the luxury watch companies can just sell to an increasingly smaller group of folks as long as those folks acquire ever increasing collections of watches. We shall see.

And in some respects, it doesn't matter. According to Wikipedia:

"Forbes ranked Rolex No.57 on its 2012 list of the world's most powerful global brands.[4] Rolex is the largest single luxury watch brand, producing about 2,000 watches per day,[2] with estimated 2012 revenues of US$7.4 billion."

That isn't that much revenue when you think about it. It is a niche. You guys are probably right. It can continue to do just fine. Its margins are probably huge on that revenue. It can probably do just fine selling half as many watches.

 

[chris975d]

It really depends on how useful smart watches are. And not the first generation of smart watch. Rolex needs to sell automatics every year for the foreseeable future. Rolex has to compete with smart watch version 10, just like Kodak had to compete with digital camera version 10 and Canon's point and click digitals cameras have to compete with the iPhone camera.

We aren't going to develop more arms. And I don't think folks will start wearing two watches. So if the wrist becomes a place where you put a small computer, then it won't be where we put an automatic watch. So yes, I think Rolex might be in trouble.

Personally, I really like the way my Hamilton looks. And I really think automatic movement is cool. I think AWatch will look a bit worse and much less cool. But if the usefulness is as high as I think it is going to prove to be, I might switch. I'm a bit sad about it in some way.

If I start wearing a smart watch, then I'm probably never upgrading to a better automatic than what I have now (about an $800 watch, which I overpaid for at the Tourneau store (live and learn)). I'm not really in the Rolex target demographic (and even if I wanted to spend a full paycheck on a nice watch, it wouldn't be a Rolex (I'd want something with a reputation for better movement)), but I'm sure there are folks like me who make up a good chunk of Rolex's sales. My friends have nice watches. They are part of the luxury watch demographics. At least I think they are. Maybe the luxury watch companies can just sell to an increasingly smaller group of folks as long as those folks acquire ever increasing collections of watches. We shall see.

And in some respects, it doesn't matter. According to Wikipedia:

"Forbes ranked Rolex No.57 on its 2012 list of the world's most powerful global brands.[4] Rolex is the largest single luxury watch brand, producing about 2,000 watches per day,[2] with estimated 2012 revenues of US$7.4 billion."

That isn't that much revenue when you think about it. It is a niche. You guys are probably right. It can continue to do just fine. Its margins are probably huge on that revenue. It can probably do just fine selling half as many watches.

I don't really foresee Rolex's sales dropping. They've actually increased sales each year since those 2012 numbers you quoted (if a Rolex rep for my Rolex dealer can be believed). In the watch world, approaching 1 million watches sold per year is a big deal. Especially when your cheapest model is still $5000. Many Rolex customers own more than one piece (I know a few guys with over 20 different Rolexes), and really aren't the type to wear a smart watch full time. MAYBE as a workout piece. But Apple is going to have to gain the prestige/clout/recognition in the watch world before MOST Rolex customers would ever even consider it.

And for those of you that know very little about Rolex, you have to understand that Rolex is the most advanced watch maker in the world. Their manufacturing abilities and R&D dept and technology (manufacturing) rival Apples, actually. They are more than capable of adapting to the smart watch trend...IF it ever poses a threat. I would venture a good bet that they are already throwing ideas around in their R&D dept for their "lower cost" Tudor brand. That's where they usually test out new ideas before they consider bringing them to the Rolex lineup. As I saw an article say the other day, "Rolex was Apple before Apple was Apple". Taken from here if you're interested in seeing just how advanced Rolex is.

http://www.hodinkee.com/blog/inside-rolex

So I personally see very little threat to Rolex in particular from the Apple watch. And if it ever did come, I think they could be ready, if anyone could. Look what they did when the Quartz craze of the '70s almost killed the Swiss industry. What'd Rolex do? Oh...just foresaw it earlier than anyone and started developing (and patenting) their own Quartz tech in the '50s. Almost 20 years before the Quartz threat arrived.

 

[kingofwale]

The funny thing is that the Rolex might be the one that is obsolete once the AWatch comes out.
I have a group of friends who all wear nice watches that all cost more than a thousand and some might cost more than $20,000. We all have apple products, macs at home, iPads and iPhone 6. It will be interesting if any of us turn in our automatics (I'm the poorest of the bunch and have a Hamilton) for an AWatch.

clearly you don't know much about watch and those who collect them.

let me put it this way, I love Lord of the Ring movies, but I saw Whiplash yesterday and love that. Does this mean I am going to throw away my LotR Blu-Rays?

many have stated (in fact, right above me) that those people who collect watches like to have more than one. (in fact, I have 4), I will get an apple watch, it doesn't mean I will all the sudden only love 1 watches.

 

[Wallabe]

So have I missed it?

Has anyone in this thread said they're buying an Edition?

*crickets*

I'm sure there will be buyers, but it's not the same as a traditional mechanical watch. It can't be resold or passed on to the next generation and can't be considered a heirloom. The electronics will give up sooner or later. At these price point, I would consider a Rolex or Omega over a watch with electronics in them. I've owned an Omega before.

I wouldn't imagine Apple having a warranty or battery replacement program 20 years from now, say in the year 2035, because you passed your Apple Edition watch to your son and he wants to start wearing it again. By then, the iPhone and iPads are probably replaced with something else, and are considered obsolete, like the Sony Walkman.

Rolex and Omega can and do repair or clean decades old watches that they've made.

But on the other side of the coin, younger people generally don't wear watches as often as the previous generations. Anyone who owns a modern day cellphone already has a built-in pocket watch. A regular watch will just be another accessory, while cellphones are trying to reduce accessories. But I can see that Apple is reviving that market and at the same time, opening a whole new market of their own.

Perhaps this is a repeat of the Blackberry in the post-iPhone era. It's either adapt, or die.

 

[MisterMe]

clearly you don't know much about watch and those who collect them.

let me put it this way, I love Lord of the Ring movies, but I saw Whiplash yesterday and love that. Does this mean I am going to throw away my LotR Blu-Rays?

many have stated (in fact, right above me) that those people who collect watches like to have more than one. (in fact, I have 4), I will get an apple watch, it doesn't mean I will all the sudden only love 1 watches.

You are trying to explain to TallManNY the nature of today's watch market. TallManNY explained how the Watch will change the watch market.

It is interesting that you mentioned Blu-ray. Yes, you still buy, watch, and collect Blu-ray discs. However, this is also clearly not the direction that entertainment video is going. Entertainment video is going toward streaming video. If you want long-term success in the market, then you skate to where the puck will be. In video, the puck is going to streaming video. In wearables, the Watch appears to be where the puck is headed.

 

[chris975d]

You are trying to explain to TallManNY the nature of today's watch market. TallManNY explained how the Watch will change the watch market.

It is interesting that you mentioned Blu-ray. Yes, you still buy, watch, and collect Blu-ray discs. However, this is also clearly not the direction that entertainment video is going. Entertainment video is going toward streaming video. If you want long-term success in the market, then you skate to where the puck will be. In video, the puck is going to streaming video. In wearables, the Watch appears to be where the puck is headed.

Let's fine tune that just a bit more. "In lower-end (relative to luxury mechanical watches) wearables/watches, the Watch MAY be where the puck is headed." Time will tell. I'm sure they will sell plenty of $350 aluminum models, if for no other reason than the fact it's an Apple (buyers will figure out if they actually will USE it later). That's relatively cheap. Maybe a good bit of stainless models too. But again, still not priced ridiculously. But let's wait a few years and see what happens above that price.

 

[Wallabe]

You are trying to explain to TallManNY the nature of today's watch market. TallManNY explained how the Watch will change the watch market.

It is interesting that you mentioned Blu-ray. Yes, you still buy, watch, and collect Blu-ray discs. However, this is also clearly not the direction that entertainment video is going. Entertainment video is going toward streaming video. If you want long-term success in the market, then you skate to where the puck will be. In video, the puck is going to streaming video. In wearables, the Watch appears to be where the puck is headed.

I've never bought a Blu-ray disc in my life. When HD-DVD vs Blu-Ray was going on, it didn't matter to me who won. I was already downloading or streaming movies. I was worried about not having enough storage space on my hard drive.

 

[Newtons Apple]

I wasn't really offering any advice. It's simple business 101.

Put it another way: Does a farmer water his crops right after a rainstorm? Or does he wait until a dry spell?

A farmer that has plenty of water will water as required and not wait till the crops were dry for optimum results. Business 101 does not always apply to companies like Apple. If so they likely would have never had the balls to introduce a product like the watch.

 

[AnthonyHarris]

The funny thing is that the Rolex might be the one that is obsolete once the AWatch comes out.
I have a group of friends who all wear nice watches that all cost more than a thousand and some might cost more than $20,000. We all have apple products, macs at home, iPads and iPhone 6. It will be interesting if any of us turn in our automatics (I'm the poorest of the bunch and have a Hamilton) for an AWatch.

If you take away the iPhone, the Apple Watch is just an expensive digital watch with bad battery life.

It, like its other smart watch counterparts, is just an extension of/extra screen for a mobile telephone, and the gold one, much like the less expensive version is tech in an expensive case that will get replaced and overlooked a few years down the line. A Rolex is, well, a Rolex.

Don't get me wrong. I've bought into Apple. I sit here on my Macbook Pro writing to you now and my iPhone is on the table in front of me. My iPad is in my bag. I mean, there is no denying Apple make great things.

This, for me, just isn't one of them.

 

[ninethirty]

My thoughts exactly. I don't view the Apple Watch as anything special, and saying so translates to "I'm opposed to the Apple Watch existing" to most anyone around here. Yes, I like my mechanical watches, and in all honesty, I was a little afraid that Apple might announce something so amazing that I'd be forced to spend less time with my Rolex, but that didn't happen. I do think that a lot of people will buy and use the sport and watch models. I don't think Edition has a future. Saying this will also elicit rage around here. These people NEED to believe that Apple now owns the luxury jewelry market, and that they've destroyed the Swiss Watch industry. I don't know why it comforts them to falsely believe this, but it does.

If you take away the iPhone, the Apple Watch is just an expensive digital watch with bad battery life.

It, like its other smart watch counterparts, is just an extension of/extra screen for a mobile telephone, and the gold one, much like the less expensive version is tech in an expensive case that will get replaced and overlooked a few years down the line. A Rolex is, well, a Rolex.

Don't get me wrong. I've bought into Apple. I sit here on my Macbook Pro writing to you now and my iPhone is on the table in front of me. My iPad is in my bag. I mean, there is no denying Apple make great things.

This, for me, just isn't one of them.

 

[chris975d]

My thoughts exactly. I don't view the Apple Watch as anything special, and saying so translates to "I'm opposed to the Apple Watch existing" to most anyone around here. Yes, I like my mechanical watches, and in all honesty, I was a little afraid that Apple might announce something so amazing that I'd be forced to spend less time with my Rolex, but that didn't happen. I do think that a lot of people will buy and use the sport and watch models. I don't think Edition has a future. Saying this will also elicit rage around here. These people NEED to believe that Apple now owns the luxury jewelry market, and that they've destroyed the Swiss Watch industry. I don't know why it comforts them to falsely believe this, but it does.

These are my thoughts as well, to a "t". Apple is one of my favorite companies, but I'm not so blind as to see when they may not be able to dominate every market they try to enter, and/or their product might not be a "game changer" like they hype it to be.