Apple Discontinues Gold Apple Watch Edition Models

[ob81]

I like the more realistic price of the ceramic version. I wish they would have kept the gold version around at least for the series 2. The original apple watch was very unresponsive at times and slow. Plus no waterproofing. No way to justify the cost. I can see myself with the ceramic version. I want to keep watches for years. If I am to have 1 more smart watch in my collection, it could be this. I could see handing it down later.

 

[Defender2010]

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.'

What makes you think he was embarrassed? Do you personally know him? Did he pop around for tea and confess his embarrassment to you? Stop making stuff up with nothing to back it up.

 

[imwoblin]

You cannot sell a $10,000 watch that is glued together and try to compare it to a high end Swiss. It's as simple as that..

 

[Mactendo]

Yaaaaaaay!!!

 

[Soccertess]

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.'

Form what I read about Steve, not sure he would have released something he didn't or was embarrassed to release. Obviously that is speculation...

True about the gold watches now being a collectors item, just like the Apple 1

 

[darkslide29]

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?

Don't know much about ceramic, but during the keynote they said it was 5x stronger (or did they say harder?) than the stainless steel. That blew my mind.

 

[ArisaemaDracont]

No doubt in 2-3 years Apple will offer gold models again. They will remain rare special editions and be sought after and retain value.

 

[FrozenInferno]

Don't know much about ceramic, but during the keynote they said it was 5x stronger (or did they say harder?) than the stainless steel. That blew my mind.

It could be harder in terms of scratch resistance, but still shatter into a million pieces when dropped because there is no "give" to the material to absorb shock. I would not want to drop one of these ceramic watches, unless Apple used some kind of chemistry to strengthen the material during manufacturing but they probably would have mentioned something like that.

 

[danielwsmithee]

It could be harder in terms of scratch resistance, but still shatter into a million pieces when dropped because there is no "give" to the material to absorb shock. I would not want to drop one of these ceramic watches, unless Apple used some kind of chemistry to strengthen the material during manufacturing but they probably would have mentioned something like that.

It is a valid concern and I'm surprised it was not addressed. The harder a material is, the more brittle it is and likely to shatter.

I wonder if Apple is going to create a new special edition watch with each release. Essentially make the high end watches collectors pieces....not a bad strategy if that is the case.

 

[44267547]

In curious to know what Apple does with the remaining Edition Watches they have in stock, if any. In any case, I'm sure Angela Ahrendts is upset the Edition Watch survived 18 months.

 

[bbbbbbb]

$17,000 Rolex ORRRRRR a $17,000 watch that looks like a $100 fitness band?

Yeah.

 

[5105973]

You mean there wasn't enough douche bags around to buy a $10,000 watch? Nooooooo.

So much for Apple high end fashion! Jonny is going to have to throw out all this crap now!

Is that Jony? He looks like Robin Thicke a little bit there...he's got that same smarmy expression Robin Thicke runs around in. Oh well at least he's smiling.

I like gold watches and thought the Apple ones were pretty. But I like the kind that aren't solid gold mugger magnets that cost almost as much as my car. That was a lot of bling for a smart watch. My gold watches by Seiko were just colored gold and weren't real gold.

The ceramic one is pretty and I could afford it...but I won't go there. I like the Sport just fine. I'll pick one up next summer in time for pool season. I'll continue to rock my stainless on the new OS. I gave my dinged up gold sport to the kid to wear around the house. It's wisely not permitted on school grounds.

 

[Larry-K]

Don't know much about ceramic, but during the keynote they said it was 5x stronger (or did they say harder?) than the stainless steel. That blew my mind.

Yeah, hit it with a steel hammer and see what happens.

 

[diddl14]

Now we know what material the "all new" iPhone 8 will be made of.

 

[gpat]

"According to accurate insider information, the sales were even inferior to the number of people bragging about it on MacRumors."

 

[jpeagle]

one way Apple can keep Edition live is to provide replacement service to replace the electronic part of Watch Edition. It will keep the luxury case and latest improvement of screen/cpu/battery/sensors.
I believe Apple would considered this approach, but due to sales volume is much lower than expectation, they decided to cancel the whole product line and remain WAE as a light luxury product.

 

[Wowereit]

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.

They will hold their "value" of >15k because of 800$ of materials?

Sorry, but Apple let down those buyers big time.
They've paid an astronomic amount of money for something with like 90% margin which got replaced a year later with an overall better model without any upgrade path left.

 

[JustThinkin']

What makes you think he was embarrassed? Do you personally know him? Did he pop around for tea and confess his embarrassment to you? Stop making stuff up with nothing to back it up.

Calm down - this site is called "MacRumors!"

I'm just going by what I've read, and what I heard and saw in his demeanor and body language.
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Form what I read about Steve, not sure he would have released something he didn't or was embarrassed to release. Obviously that is speculation...

True about the gold watches now being a collectors item, just like the Apple 1

I don't believe Steve would have either.

 

[hovscorpion12]

The Apple Watch Edition failed not because of the price, but because of lack of exclusives. Essentially anyone who has an edition is no different from someone who has the gold aluminum. Same design, same battery, same software. if you are going to release a a product at low cost as well as extreme high cost, give the buyer the incentive. Simply having gold and rose gold watch face color options will not make a difference. While the watch edition may not have been as successful as Apple planed. There are more gold plated Apple Watches in the wild then actual. Yes Rolex, omega, Beetling are among the high class watches sold at $60,000, but they also have watches prices at $2,000. The Rolex Submariner is a very nice black dial stainless for $6,500. Tag Heuer for $2,000. The editions will come back but not at the current price range.

 

[OneMike]

Not surprised at all.

 

[619alex]

Walmart is now selling some very nice looking 24k gold plated apple Watches for around 600... I just bought one and can't complain