Apple Begins Taking Orders for Standalone Modern Buckle Apple Watch Bands

[Rogifan]

That you even think those $30 metal bands (or even the sport band) are exactly the same, they're absolutely not, means you probably are not the target market for those bands since you can't appreciate the difference. As for "ripping off". Nobody forces you to buy those bands, or the watch; you realize Apple also has a very big margin on the watch? Are they ripping you off there too?

I'm always amused when people talk about margins. One can easily go to the SEC website and pull down Apple's quarterly financials to see what their gross margins and profit margins are. The way some talk here you'd think Apple's margins were 80-90%. It's absolutely not the case. The last time I ran the numbers gross margins were just shy of 40% and profit margins were around 23%, less than Microsoft.

 

[RickInHouston]

I'm glad I have no interest. This watch is a major SUCK on the wallet!

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

For some reason the modern buckle looks cheap to me. The adapter lugs are ugly. This is one of those things that for $250, you're better off just getting a good knockoff for $40.

There's no such thing as a good knockoff for the Modern Buckle (unlike the sport band and leather loop clones). Here's an example of what's supposed to be a third party modern buckle:

 

[Keirasplace]

Luxury fashion items all have huge markups. It's a great piece of engineering but not something I'd buy, especially since I consider any clothing-related item expensive if it's more than $20.

Yes, if you can ignore having women and children in dangerous sweat shop in south east Asia needed to get those prices and dubious workmanship because of lax quality control and constant pressure to work faster.... They're fantastic... (sic). People used to spend a lot more than that on good clothes not so long ago; people have turned clothes disposable and replaced replaced quality with quantity.

 

[imageWIS]

And it only took 4 months. Amazing...

Another winner from Angela Ahrendts

 

[Benjamin Frost]

I'm afraid I just don't like the design of the modern buckle.

It seems so bland and lacking in style. I can imagine the Apple Car looking just the same, alas. At least it's not shaped like a penis as the default sports band is.

Perhaps the modern buckle 2 will be a better effort.

 

[dBeats]

It's funny how people who don't own a Watch think battery life is a huge issue, but people who do own one actually praise the amazing battery life. I usually have 50% left at the end of the day after 15 hours of use. If I wanted to wear it for sleep tracking I would be able to do that as well. It charges very fast. If it's at 50% I could get it back to 100% in about a half hour.

This! The battery is a total non-issue. So is the waterproof-ness. Showers, light swimming in a pool...not a hiccup. Anyway, hater's gonna hate.

 

[djpraize]

There's no such thing as a good knockoff for the Modern Buckle (unlike the sport band and leather loop clones). Here's an example of what's supposed to be a third party modern buckle:

Agree 100%! I would buy a 3rd party Modern buckle in a second if a good one were available. I really wanted the modern buckle, and I expect it to be of high quality. I have bought a couple of 3rd party bands and the clasps fell apart. Sometime you get what you pay for.

 

[neutralguy]

How much more accessorize needs to be done to a black squarish box??

 

[AngusW]

I realize Modern Buckle is a bit on the feminine side but I really dig its magnetic closure. So I hope Apple will offer it in 42mm configuration as well.

I'm with you I'd love to see this come out for the 42MM. At this point I'd buy one from a 3rd party if only they'd make one too.

 

[Ca1i]

How much more accessorize needs to be done to a black squarish box??

A plain squarish box is *exactly* the kind of thing that begs for accessorizing!

 

[2457282]

How does this handle water / sweat? I like the band, but I wouldn't want it to blister with moisture (compared to my default rubber-ish band).

My wife has the pink leather band shown in the picture. She uses it all the time including when she does yoga (even hot yoga). So far, it seems to be holding up well. We originally planned to by the plastic band so she could wear when working out, but so far she has seen no reason to change the bands. I guess over time this could change, but for now, it take a licking and..... oops wrong comercial

 

[TXCherokee]

It's funny how people who don't own a Watch think battery life is a huge issue, but people who do own one actually praise the amazing battery life. I usually have 50% left at the end of the day after 15 hours of use. If I wanted to wear it for sleep tracking I would be able to do that as well. It charges very fast. If it's at 50% I could get it back to 100% in about a half hour.

For some reason the modern buckle looks cheap to me. The adapter lugs are ugly. This is one of those things that for $250, you're better off just getting a good knockoff for $40.

This and This.

Both my wife and I have between 40-60% battery at the end of the day, depending on whether we get to exercise or not. We both set our watches to charge late evening and by the time we are going to sleep they are back to 100%.

The watches are a great deal, if you have a use for the feature sets, but the bands are overpriced, IMHO. However, I've got a metal link band for me and a leather band for my wife. Both on Amazon for less than $60 for both.

 

[Urban Joe]

Wouldn't it be simpler to sell the watch and the bands separately from the get go?

 

[WilliamG]

For some reason the modern buckle looks cheap to me. The adapter lugs are ugly. This is one of those things that for $250, you're better off just getting a good knockoff for $40.

Yeah. No. You won't find one for $40 that's anywhere near the quality of Apple's. Don't get me wrong - I'm not saying the Modern Buckle isn't overpriced. I'm just saying it IS stunning. Every time my wife wears hers I'm a little jealous. The buckle itself is just a piece of art.

 

[Stiltz99]

It's funny how people who don't own a Watch think battery life is a huge issue, but people who do own one actually praise the amazing battery life. I usually have 50% left at the end of the day after 15 hours of use. If I wanted to wear it for sleep tracking I would be able to do that as well. It charges very fast. If it's at 50% I could get it back to 100% in about a half hour.

Agree, I will wake up @5am, wear it all day, & still have 25-30% left going to bed around 11-midnight. Never had an issue with battery.

 

[youradhere4222]

That you even think those $30 metal bands (or even the sport band) are exactly the same, they're absolutely not, means you probably are not the target market for those bands since you can't appreciate the difference. As for "ripping off". Nobody forces you to buy those bands, or the watch; you realize Apple also has a very big margin on the watch? Are they ripping you off there too?

There's obviously a difference between a $30 metal band and Apple's $450 variant, but when you're talking about something like the leather loop, I'd be willing to bet that the ones selling on Amazon for around $80 are just as good.

In my opinion, Apple should offer the watch bands at these prices.

Link: $249
Modern Buckle: $149
Milanese Loop: $149
Leather Loop: $99
Classic Buckle: $99
Sport: $29

These are prices that are actually inviting for people to purchase bands so that they can customize. The ability to easily change out bands for the watch is such a key feature but the prices make it difficult for most people to own more than one or two.

 

[zone23]

I really need to get a better job 250$ for a watch strap? Give me a break.

 

[azBoB]

They say that all bands are now available, but I still don't see the black link bracelet for sale anywhere on the website. Anyone heard if that's going to happen?

 

[Tech198]

I wish I could speak french

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

They say that all bands are now available, but I still don't see the black link bracelet for sale anywhere on the website. Anyone heard if that's going to happen?

All bands that are sold separately are now available. They're not going to make the Space Black link bracelet available as it's only sold with the Space Black watch.

 

[Dilster3k]

It's funny how people who don't own a Watch think battery life is a huge issue, but people who do own one actually praise the amazing battery life. I usually have 50% left at the end of the day after 15 hours of use. If I wanted to wear it for sleep tracking I would be able to do that as well. It charges very fast. If it's at 50% I could get it back to 100% in about a half hour.

You don't seem to get it. I don't want one day's worth of battery life. I don't want to think about charging the device for a whole week.

 

[bevsb2]

Finally got to order the black modern buckle today. My SS came with a pink modern buckle, but I wanted a black one also for variety. It's a beautiful band. I've had my watch a little over 2 months and wear it everyday. The pink modern buckle band is holding up great - just a little scratched on the buckle itself where it hits my laptop.

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

You don't seem to get it. I don't want one day's worth of battery life. I don't want to think about charging the device for a whole week.

Dumbphone users also criticized the iPhone and other smartphones for having one day's worth of battery life back in 2007 and didn't want to think about charging the device for a whole week. They got over it.

 

[cambox]

Eerrm the watch is still selling?? Blimey they must have a backlog of them!