Apple to Sell Hermès Apple Watch Collection Online Starting Friday

[Night Spring]

I just want that double loop band to wear as a bracelet, without any watch. I tried it on (with watch) at Hermes, and it's really beautiful and comfortable. There's just something about fine craftsmanship that needs to be seen and held in person to appreciate it. Sure, the metal link band might last longer, but the craftsmanship is nowhere near the level of Hermes leather.

 

[DblHelix]

I guess I am one of the few thinking about buying this. Love the look of the light brown single tour band and watch face and really it is only a few hundred dollars more than the other Apple Watch I am thinking about buying. Other watch I am considering is the Tag Heuer Connected for a bit more, but with it you can upgrade and for an extra 1500 get a mechanical upgrade. Both are similar price to my Hamilton.

 

[Zwhaler]

Looks ugly and overpriced, but that's just my opinion.

 

[KPOM]

I guess I am one of the few thinking about buying this. Love the look of the light brown single tour band and watch face and really it is only a few hundred dollars more than the other Apple Watch I am thinking about buying. Other watch I am considering is the Tag Heuer Connected for a bit more, but with it you can upgrade and for an extra 1500 get a mechanical upgrade. Both are similar price to my Hamilton.

I've had one since October (I got it in NYC - one of the last before they sold out). Unless you are holding out for the Watch 2, I'd say go for it. The quality of the band is significantly higher than the Classic Band.

 

[BornAgainMac]

If there are long lines at launch day including Chinese scalpers, I'll eat my hat. As a technical watch, I think it is ok. But luxury... once the screen goes black it looses some of that illusion. You just have a fancy band with a electronic gadget on it.

 

[HenryDJP]

I just love the people here who are saying buyers of this watch and band are suckers. Or a "fool and his money are soon parted"....
Here's the thing. EVERYBODY here, no doubt, has bought something that someone else may feel they were a sucker for wasting their money on it. All that matters is if the buyer is happy and nobody has a right to pass judgement on the way people spend their money.

 

[KPOM]

If there are long lines at launch day including Chinese scalpers, I'll eat my hat. As a technical watch, I think it is ok. But luxury... once the screen goes black it looses some of that illusion. You just have a fancy band with a electronic gadget on it.

There actually was a line at the Hermes and Apple Stores in October, though it was because they were making everyone go through a try-on session (they had very little stock and would have sold out in about 5 seconds otherwise).

 

[Denmac1]

I think Apple is being ridiculous trying to make the watch a "fashion piece". It's a gadget. Not a luxury watch. There are A LOT of luxury watches that look A LOT nicer than the Apple Watch. Don't get me wrong, I think it's important that it's sleek and nice looking. Apple, for the most part, is very good at that. But, they're trying too hard to market the watch as something it's not. The Apple Watch is for people who want access to their phone on their wrist. People who want to control their Apple TV, or thermostat, or lights....with Siri, right there on their wrist. It's for people who like using technology. From a fashion standpoint, it doesn't hold a candle to a high quality timepiece. But that's just me.

It's an Angela 'thing'..

Can I get my iMac in Rose Gold please...Oh, and make that in the 'Unsoldered' Edition.

And waiting for the comments from the people that who were told they had to buy from an exclusive location. 'Oh, My! You can buy it online...how uncouth'

 

[Arran]

Apologies for the embarrassing error, it's been fixed!...

No worries. Many of the nerds here probably thought it was just a bunch of "dead-pixels" over the "e"!

... most likely taken their iPads back for an exchange already

 

[MNJohn]

Starting on Friday, January 22, both Apple and Hermès will begin offering the special edition Apple Watch Hermès via their online storefronts, reports Fashionista. Since its October debut, the Apple Watch Hermès collection has only been available for purchase in select boutique and Apple retail locations in major cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Toronto, Milan, Paris, London, Tokyo, and Beijing.

First introduced at Apple's September iPhone-centric event, the Hermès collection was made possible through a partnership between Apple and luxury brand Hermès. The collection consists of three strap options -- the Single Tour, Double Tour, and Cuff -- along with a stainless steel Apple Watch casing and a unique Hermès watch face.

There are ten Hermès models in total, split between the three bands. Priced at $1,250, the leather Double Tour, which wraps twice around the wrist, includes a 38mm stainless steel watch case. It's available in four colors: Fauve, Etain, Capucine, and Bleu Jean.

The Single Tour is a more classic design that includes a 38 or 42mm stainless steel Apple Watch at prices that start at $1,100. It too comes in several colors, including Fauve, Noir, and Capucine (38mm only). The Cuff, a thicker cuff-style band, is priced at $1,500 and ships with a 42mm stainless steel Apple watch. It's available only in Fauve.

Both Apple.com and Hermes.com will be offering the full Hermès Apple Watch collection on their respective sites starting on January 22. The bands will continue to be sold as a set with a stainless steel Apple Watch and not on a standalone basis.

Article Link: Apple to Sell Hermès Apple Watch Collection Online Starting Friday

Is it designed to wear on your wrist or ankle (in which case it could double as a fashion-forward ankle monitor)?

 

[Santabean2000]

It's amusing the opinion some people have towards fashion. They wouldn't dare say the same thing about Architecture or design or art. If they knew the craftsmanship that goes into Hermès products, their workman study in Paris for years to learn techniques of crafting the finest leather.
Of course the product is for the rich. I can't afford the strap (I don't even own an Apple watch and I'd only buy timeless Hermès goods) but in the press conference when they announced the straps, I knew it was Hermès even before they revealed the brand by the stitching of the bracelets.
There will be knockoffs, and I've seen decent ones online if you want the "double tour" or cuff strap style and it will look very similar from afar (or even up close) but someone who appreciates design will see the difference (and appreciate the design and craftsmanship including the testing that went into making the double tour design work with Apple watch).

You have sooooooo missed the point. The problem is not fashion, but rather that people think they are 'fashionable' by wearing a particular name/brand.

I'm not saying that these don't look good, or not of a quality design. But if you take pride in overpaying just to get a name, then yes, you are a sucker.

Too many people too concerned with themselves and how they appear to others...

 

[AxoNeuron]

After Steve Jobs died, I would never have thought they would waste billions of dollars buying up Beats and selling ridiculous $20K gold watches. And people wonder why Apple is STILL so dependent on the iPhone to produce most of their profits...they haven't actually done anything new or interesting since. They're making the same mistake they made in the late 80s, they've got too many product lines and they're not killing off unsuccessful ones.

There's so many fascinating things Apple could be investing their money in (artificial intelligence, quantum computing enabled cloud services, carbon nanotube computing, neural network sensor integration), but instead they're wasting it on gaudy watches and online radio, and skimming pennies by keeping the base model iPhone gimped with 2010 era storage. Some time soon, Apple is gonna realize that it has squandered every advantage it had after Steve Jobs passed.

 

[AppleScruff1]

"Suckers" "fools"...every Watch thread is full of people being jerks.

You mean every thread here.

 

[steve knight]

I'm aware this is my opinion, but you're getting more bang for your $1200 bucks buying a black stainless link watch than a Hermes one. Leather is nice and all, but won't last wearing it often. Metal might get scratched, but is much more durable and the engineering and design that went into it is pretty compelling

last longer then a apple watch.

 

[Michaelgtrusa]

Glad to see this move.

 

[coolfactor]

Apologies for the embarrassing error, it's been fixed! Thanks for the heads up. Also, re: Nerds, I didn't see the comment on that until now (sometimes it gets busy so I miss a comment here and there), but I've changed the wording. BTW, if you see us make little accidental mistakes like this, quickest way to let us know is to shoot us an email. I can always be reached at juli@macrumors.com and I really appreciate it when you guys let me know about something that got overlooked.

Juli,

I just want to say... way to keep a cool head!

 

[Rigby]

The Macrumors techie demographic is not one that cares much (or appreciates) high fashion.

Well, I have a feeling that the high fashion demographic is not one that cares much about geeky smart watches (unless Apple pays them to be seen with one).

 

[coolfactor]

I think Apple is being ridiculous trying to make the watch a "fashion piece". It's a gadget. Not a luxury watch. There are A LOT of luxury watches that look A LOT nicer than the Apple Watch. Don't get me wrong, I think it's important that it's sleek and nice looking. Apple, for the most part, is very good at that. But, they're trying too hard to market the watch as something it's not. The Apple Watch is for people who want access to their phone on their wrist. People who want to control their Apple TV, or thermostat, or lights....with Siri, right there on their wrist. It's for people who like using technology. From a fashion standpoint, it doesn't hold a candle to a high quality timepiece. But that's just me.

But Apple is a master at changing the world. So the world you are describing will no longer exist in 5 years. The Apple Watch will also be 10x more powerful by then, too.

Just give it some "time" and you will see.

 

[DUCKofD3ATH]

Starting on Friday, January 22, both Apple and Hermès will begin offering the special edition Apple Watch Hermès via their online storefronts, reports Fashionista. Since its October debut, the Apple Watch Hermès collection has only been available for purchase in select boutique and Apple retail locations in major cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Toronto, Milan, Paris, London, Tokyo, and Beijing.

First introduced at Apple's September iPhone-centric event, the Hermès collection was made possible through a partnership between Apple and luxury brand Hermès. The collection consists of three strap options -- the Single Tour, Double Tour, and Cuff -- along with a stainless steel Apple Watch casing and a unique Hermès watch face.

There are ten Hermès models in total, split between the three bands. Priced at $1,250, the leather Double Tour, which wraps twice around the wrist, includes a 38mm stainless steel watch case. It's available in four colors: Fauve, Etain, Capucine, and Bleu Jean.

The Single Tour is a more classic design that includes a 38 or 42mm stainless steel Apple Watch at prices that start at $1,100. It too comes in several colors, including Fauve, Noir, and Capucine (38mm only). The Cuff, a thicker cuff-style band, is priced at $1,500 and ships with a 42mm stainless steel Apple watch. It's available only in Fauve.

Both Apple.com and Hermes.com will be offering the full Hermès Apple Watch collection on their respective sites starting on January 22. The bands will continue to be sold as a set with a stainless steel Apple Watch and not on a standalone basis.

Article Link: Apple to Sell Hermès Apple Watch Collection Online Starting Friday

Ugh. I remember these design disasters from an article MacRumors posted a few months ago. Each watch face uses a different font and all of them are ugly. Evidently for the Hermès and Apple designers their taste is in their mouths.

 

[mcdj]

Giorgio Armani famously, and brilliantly, noted that "Price is part of the design." This applies perfectly to the Apple Watch. Never mind that the straps are exquisitely crafted by one of the finest leather houses in the world, and the faces designed exclusively for them; the biggest fashion design feature of the Hermes collaborations is the price.

To call someone who buys one of these watches "stupid" is just plain naive. For someone with the means to buy one who happens to be in the fashion industry, or who by profession, is called on to dress to impress, buying a standard Apple Watch might actually be the "stupid" choice.

As a long time watch collector, and as someone in the advertising/fashion industry, I can tell you with certainty that many a business relationship have been started over a conversation about a wristwatch.

 

[venom600]

Looks ugly and overpriced, but that's just my opinion.

Alright then, how much should it cost? What's your rationale for choosing that price?

 

[FightTheFuture]

They may be jerks, but it doesn't make them wrong.

Being highly opinionated doesn't make them right.

I think Apple is being ridiculous trying to make the watch a "fashion piece". It's a gadget. Not a luxury watch. There are A LOT of luxury watches that look A LOT nicer than the Apple Watch. Don't get me wrong, I think it's important that it's sleek and nice looking. Apple, for the most part, is very good at that. But, they're trying too hard to market the watch as something it's not. The Apple Watch is for people who want access to their phone on their wrist. People who want to control their Apple TV, or thermostat, or lights....with Siri, right there on their wrist. It's for people who like using technology. From a fashion standpoint, it doesn't hold a candle to a high quality timepiece. But that's just me.

Some of the direction of wearables is right there in your post. All our devices will be connected to the Internet or fit into the digital hub. Our thermostats, cars, weight scales, light bulbs will all be "smart" and controllable at some level. This is where watches are going and it's going to spread out through the rest of our devices and accessories. Why not market it as a watch that will replace your watch?

 

[cuhulin]

I think Apple is being ridiculous trying to make the watch a "fashion piece". It's a gadget. Not a luxury watch. There are A LOT of luxury watches that look A LOT nicer than the Apple Watch. Don't get me wrong, I think it's important that it's sleek and nice looking. Apple, for the most part, is very good at that. But, they're trying too hard to market the watch as something it's not. The Apple Watch is for people who want access to their phone on their wrist. People who want to control their Apple TV, or thermostat, or lights....with Siri, right there on their wrist. It's for people who like using technology. From a fashion standpoint, it doesn't hold a candle to a high quality timepiece. But that's just me.

I have several "fashion" watches from known fashion brands. I wear my Apple Watch. There isn't anything wrong with it as a fashion watch if it has the right band - it's really rather beautiful - and I have seven bands. However, there is no reason to buy a second Apple watch, simply for the band. I would pay a substantial premium for two of the bands, but it would be nonsensical to buy another version 1 watch just to do that.

 

[Hellenek]

After Steve Jobs died, I would never have thought they would waste billions of dollars buying up Beats and selling ridiculous $20K gold watches. And people wonder why Apple is STILL so dependent on the iPhone to produce most of their profits...they haven't actually done anything new or interesting since. They're making the same mistake they made in the late 80s, they've got too many product lines and they're not killing off unsuccessful ones.

There's so many fascinating things Apple could be investing their money in (artificial intelligence, quantum computing enabled cloud services, carbon nanotube computing, neural network sensor integration), but instead they're wasting it on gaudy watches and online radio, and skimming pennies by keeping the base model iPhone gimped with 2010 era storage. Some time soon, Apple is gonna realize that it has squandered every advantage it had after Steve Jobs passed.

Are you privy to all the investments Apple is making? It continues to innovate and other tech companies continue to copy. It continues to introduce new products and in the process widens its customer base - some of whom don't even know (or care) who Steve Jobs was.

If there's an Apple product you don't like, it doesn't mean that Apple's losing the plot. Nobody is forced to buy and like every single product Apple releases. Enjoy the Apple products you like/can afford and let Steve Jobs RIP.

 

[8692574]

Sounds to mee the Apple Watch 2 is not around the corner....new special edition for new year in China now this special edition avaiable on their store... why would they do that and piss new customer in a month?