Most people do not want a smartwatch (or don't know they want one). It is pretty much the nerdiest thing out there. To make it accepted and desired, you must make it fashionable, classic, and simple: hence the shape and band styles.
It can't be too cheap, or it will not reach the right demographics and will be seen as disposable. It can't be too expensive, or no one will buy it. It has to have different lines, but the same functionality so that no one will feel gyped. People expect to pay more for gold watches; at that point, it is jewelry, as most nice watches are anyways. Thus, Apple has three lines, with the same function, but clearly visible how much they cost. But, they all look nice and none are cheap.
And yes, the gold one costs as much as real gold watch. Whether its worth it is another topic (in my opinion, hell no).
The only way you will get the public to wear a smart watch AND buy one (since so few people wear watches) is to make it fashionable and desirable to have one. How do you do this? Give it to celebrities and fashion leaders. Make a halo model that is super blingy for mega stars to wear.
The gold apple watch is not meant to be a mass market model. It could have been gold plated; but its not, its solid. Do they care if rich people buy it? Probably not that much. But they care if rich people WEAR it. Which they will. Whether on loan, gifted, or purchased.
You can't buy advertising equal to Jay Z, Kanye, Karl Lagerfield, any celebrity etc wearing an Apple watch. And the easiest way to get them to wear it or buy it is to have a rare, super expensive model.
It can't be too cheap, or it will not reach the right demographics and will be seen as disposable. It can't be too expensive, or no one will buy it. It has to have different lines, but the same functionality so that no one will feel gyped. People expect to pay more for gold watches; at that point, it is jewelry, as most nice watches are anyways. Thus, Apple has three lines, with the same function, but clearly visible how much they cost. But, they all look nice and none are cheap.
And yes, the gold one costs as much as real gold watch. Whether its worth it is another topic (in my opinion, hell no).
The only way you will get the public to wear a smart watch AND buy one (since so few people wear watches) is to make it fashionable and desirable to have one. How do you do this? Give it to celebrities and fashion leaders. Make a halo model that is super blingy for mega stars to wear.
The gold apple watch is not meant to be a mass market model. It could have been gold plated; but its not, its solid. Do they care if rich people buy it? Probably not that much. But they care if rich people WEAR it. Which they will. Whether on loan, gifted, or purchased.
You can't buy advertising equal to Jay Z, Kanye, Karl Lagerfield, any celebrity etc wearing an Apple watch. And the easiest way to get them to wear it or buy it is to have a rare, super expensive model.
. So, I'm guessing Jobs would be all for it 
