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Apple Discontinues Gold Apple Watch Edition Models

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Apple today announced the debut of a new Ceramic Apple Watch, which is positioned as the high-end "Apple Watch Edition." With the introduction of the new glossy white Ceramic Apple Watch, Apple has discontinued the previous-generation 18-karat Gold and Rose Gold Apple Watch Edition models. Gold Apple Watch Edition models are no longer available for purchase from the Apple Online Store.

applewatchedition-1.jpg

Pricing on the original Apple Watch Edition collection started at $10,000 and went as high as $17,000, and the quiet discontinuation of the Gold and Rose Gold models suggest they did not sell well enough to justify keeping them in the lineup.

applewatcheditionceramic.jpg

The new Ceramic Apple Watch Edition is priced more affordably at $1,249 for the 38mm model and the $1,299 for the 42mm model. While the Gold and Rose Gold Apple Watch Edition models shipped with several band options, the Ceramic Apple Watch Edition is available with a single "Cloud White" Apple Watch Sport Band.

The Ceramic Apple Watch Edition will be available for pre-order alongside the other new Apple Watch Series 2 models on September 9.

Article Link: Apple Discontinues Gold Apple Watch Edition Models
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2016/09/07/apple-discontinues-apple-watch-edition-gold/
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Muh gold! In all seriousness, it was Jony's pet project. Apple knew it wasn't going to sell, they just want to keep him happy.
 
I really expected them to do some kind of a trade-in program to keep the high-paying customers happy. There goes $17K for a lot of people down the drain... I saw a handful of these in the wild around Seattle.
 
CarlosQG said:
That ceramic watch is beautiful and definitely not that expensive. Might consider it!
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I agree it's beautiful but did you misread the cost? $1250+taxes and you get a cheap, plain white rubber band. Seems ridiculously expensive to me. At least with gold everyone knows the worth of gold. The white looks cool, but also comes off as a bit of a toy.
 
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Going to miss the ultra-high end option in the Apple Watch lineup.
It was very cool that Apple considered such a range of materials, and those models are definitely collectors-pieces now. Love that they are retaining the Edition line with the new ceramic model.
 
Good. I think the custom ones they produce for events/charities/auctions will suffice for people that want something special. The regular models cost plenty once you option up.
 
0029937 said:
I agree it's beautiful but did you misread the cost? $1250+taxes and you get a cheap, plain white rubber band. Seems ridiculously expensive to me. At least with gold everyone knows the worth of gold. The white looks cool, but also comes off as a bit of a toy.
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Not that expensive in contrast of the gold.

Definitely can see the iPhone 8 in "Jet White" looking like this.
 
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JDHiro said:
I really expected them to do some kind of a trade-in program to keep the high-paying customers happy. There goes $17K for a lot of people down the drain... I saw a handful of these in the wild around Seattle.
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Ok anybody that can afford to spend 17k on an Apple Watch most likely spend way more on traditional time pieces. 17k to them is nothing.
 
haha, Shows how bad Apple judged the market regarding the gold watch.

Shows you that there is something seriously wrong with Apple...

Tim Cook doesn't have the leadership or the knowledge to know what are good products. He really needs to go!
 
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Soccertess said:
haha, Shows how bad Apple judged the market regarding the gold watch.

Shows you that there is something seriously wrong with Apple...

Tim Cook doesn't have the leadership or the knowledge to know what are good products. He really needs to go!
Click to expand...

Apple canceled products under Steve Jobs too. Remember the Motorola iPod/phone thing?
 
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0029937 said:
I agree it's beautiful but did you misread the cost? $1250+taxes and you get a cheap, plain white rubber band. Seems ridiculously expensive to me. At least with gold everyone knows the worth of gold. The white looks cool, but also comes off as a bit of a toy.
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$1,250 is really not that much in this market. An Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Diver or Rolex Yacht-Master are far more expensive and both come with plain rubber straps. $1,250 is also far below the price point of entry level mechanical watches. From a functional standpoint, the ceramic is much more practical, and honestly, it's what is hip right now. Both Rolex and Omega are using ceramic extensively (primarily for bezels, but also for cases), because it's highly scratch resistant. Apple may have realized that gold watches are not "in" anymore.
 
It isn't surprising in the least. Apple really touted the Gold edition as being a disruptive force in the luxury watch market when it was released. I remember many people here calling for the death of the companies in that market. However, anybody who knows that market, knew that edition would never appeal to many people looking at luxury watches.

Apple did the smart thing this time around and focused on fitness and price (offering the first edition for cheaper).
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Waxhead138 said:
The irony is, due to the discontinuation, these editions will end up more valuble in the long wrong as collectors pieces.
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They will hold their value because of the materials involved. It is doubtful the fact that it was discontinued will matter. An outdated Apple Watch in 10 years will not be that special but the materials will help keep the value.
 
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Soccertess said:
haha, Shows how bad Apple judged the market regarding the gold watch.

Shows you that there is something seriously wrong with Apple...

Tim Cook doesn't have the leadership or the knowledge to know what are good products. He really needs to go!
Click to expand...
I have to disagree with you on this one. I don't think Tim ever liked the idea of the gold Edition watches - in fact he may have been rather embarrassed.

This was smart to get out of the gold models and quietly bring in the ceramic - because it was embarrassing! Most of the people who could afford the Edition prudently bought a normally priced model instead. As others have mentioned, it may even benefit owners of the gold Edition in the long run, to have such unique (and possibly valuable) watches. The first generation could never have sustained its value based on remaining useful. I think the new Edition watch now looks desirable, and anyone who buys one will not be 'foolish.'
 
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I'm not familiar with ceramic. In my mind I'm thinking it's like porcelain, and I was shocked when I saw how expensive it is. Isn't ceramic likely to chip or shatter if it gets banged or dropped? What makes it high end?
 
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