Apple to Take Reservations for Trying On Apple Watch, Considered Platinum Model

[brdeveloper]

Gold and platinum don't mix with consumer and disposable devices. When your Watch becomes obsolete, what will you do? Send your watch for melting?

 

[GLS]

So, about that gold....

I wouldn't be a bit surprised if an iPhone in the near future would be made of it as well. Cost would probably be staggering, but meh. If Vertu can make a go of it, Apple could as well.

 

[Doctor Q]

I'm curious to learn how Apple Stores will display the Apple Watch. Under glass like a jewelry store, to make the sales experience more personal and convey the luxury aspect? Or on open tables like the computers, phones, and tablets (with a tethering cable) so people can hold and test the watches before asking for a salesperson's help?

 

[Mr. Gates]

While you're amusing yourself with your own version of comedy....I'm sure Apple won't be displaying watches for people to try on that aren't available for months.

Hmmm, I seem to remember the 6 Plus being back ordered in different models for months at the beginning. Pretty sure that's what OP is referring to.

 

[DempaX]

I'll wait

I have an original pebble which makes a good job with the notifications. So I will try to wait for the second Apple Watch at least where I hope more something more exiting. But then again, I did not want to jump on the first iPad and then I bought two...and six more versions since..

 

[Attonine]

So? You buy it for the fact that it never tarnishes, not because flawless platinum looks the same as flawless aluminum. The difference is that the flawless platinum will still be flawless in 100 years. The aluminum will have flaws within a year.

But how long will the utility of the watch last? Lets say 5 years until upgrades are required for some of the new iOS functions to work, so a new model needed, and lets say after 10 years, even if it is still chugging along, will be useless and a really dated design needing another 20 years before it's in vogue again. Then you're just left with a lump of gold. For precious metals better to get a more traditional watch I think.

 

[Shanley]

Finally!

Finally rumors for the second version!

I have been anxiously awaiting rumors on the next version.

 

[Glideslope]

It could be a new formulation, however. Metallurgy is an ongoing science. They did get a patent last December.

Correct. People forget Apple's R&D with Alloys (Liquid Metal?) Current devices already use many different types of alloys based on Liquid Metal Metallurgy. Apple simply does not disclose them. While Apple in this case is using a Ceramic Particle, as opposed to , say, copper, there is more to it. There is nothing new about using Ceramics in alloys. IMO, it is in the way the Ceramic bonds with the Gold based on the patent. Apple has been very secretive about their alloy developments. Transparent Aluminum anyone? 😉

 

[brdeveloper]

So? You buy it for the fact that it never tarnishes, not because flawless platinum looks the same as flawless aluminum. The difference is that the flawless platinum will still be flawless in 100 years. The aluminum will have flaws within a year.

Who would want an intact Apple Watch in 2115?

 

[CalWizrd]

Platinum would be to polished aluminum what Sapphire would have been to Gorilla Glass: visually unnoticeable while dinging the wallet in a very noticeable way. Both would look silver and require you to verbally tell people that it's the platinum edition if you want to distinguish your watch from the multitudes of cheaper aluminum versions in the wild.

Gold will at least be obviously not aluminum, though, even there, gold electroplating the cheaper model would yield a visual effect very close to if not unnoticeable to the "real" gold model. I expect to see shops pop up offering to electroplate the aluminum version right away (much like the shops that can make Macbook aluminum pretty much any color you want)...

Image

It's quite sad to me that your thoughts go to having to announce to other people that you have the more expensive model.

Purchasing any item should be justified by your own desire to own it... not by whether others will perceive it as an "expensive" model rather than a "cheaper" one that looks similar.

Really sad.

 

[filmantopia]

Good luck Specialists, you poor bastards.

I used to be a specialist, and know launch days can be really rough. The watch seems particularly draining because of how long it will take for people to decide which watch and band they want. Be super kind to your Apple specialist!!

 

[brdeveloper]

It's quite sad to me that your thoughts go to having to announce to other people that you have the more expensive model.

Purchasing any item should be justified by your own desire to own it... not by whether others will perceive it as an "expensive" model rather than a "cheaper" one that looks similar.

Really sad.

"Hey, take a look into my watch! Wait... the battery is depleted. But who cares, it's gorgeous!"

 

[apolloa]

It's funny Apple is trying to be some sort of exclusive jewellers, but I also have to think how are buyers going to react to a very expensive watch that isn't made from pure gold? Because I thought every other high end watch was made from pure 18 or 24 caret gold?

 

[Aniseedvan]

I can just envisage the little barriers outside to queue up for trying on the watch - ugh.
I reserved my iPhone6 the day after release and I remember the guy trying to make me wait outside the store in the special line in a queue of 1 until they brought it out... Er, no thanks!

 

[Attonine]

It's quite sad to me that your thoughts go to having to announce to other people that you have the more expensive model.

Purchasing any item should be justified by your own desire to own it... not by whether others will perceive it as an "expensive" model rather than a "cheaper" one that looks similar.

Really sad.

This is exactly correct. Those in the market for platinum watches are not really interested in going round telling people what it's made of.

I did hear a story once, how true it is I don't know, of someone who had a platinum Rolex President. They returned it because friends made fun of them saying it was only a steel watch!

 

[BJMRamage]

I hope they put the Apple Watch far from the Genius Bar.
s
Maybe you'll see Cash 4 Gold shops next to Apple Stores next year after Apple Watch II

 

[HenryDJP]

Hmmm, I seem to remember the 6 Plus being back ordered in different models for months at the beginning. Pretty sure that's what OP is referring to.

Isn't this article about "trying on" watches? My point was I don't think Apple employees are going to have customers trying on watches, wait until the customer says, "I love it, it does what I need and fits my lifestyle"....then the Apple employee says, "Sorry, we don't have any for months". That's what the other poster was saying. If anything, Apple will inform people upfront what's available and what isn't available. Also that other poster was not the OP. It's not his thread, this an MR article, hello???

 

[bushido]

It's quite sad to me that your thoughts go to having to announce to other people that you have the more expensive model.

Purchasing any item should be justified by your own desire to own it... not by whether others will perceive it as an "expensive" model rather than a "cheaper" one that looks similar.

Really sad.

isn't that why people buy watches? "mine is more expensive than yours" "oh u wear an Hublot watch? feel free to use the VIP entrance into P1"

 

[2499723]

While you're amusing yourself with your own version of comedy....I'm sure Apple won't be displaying watches for people to try on that aren't available for months.

Ouch. That was a bit harsh.

 

[AndyUnderscoreR]

So, about that gold....

I wouldn't be a bit surprised if an iPhone in the near future would be made of it as well. Cost would probably be staggering, but meh. If Vertu can make a go of it, Apple could as well.

Perhaps we'll see an 'iPhone Edition' in ceramic rose gold or rose gold in a few hours?

 

[Popeye206]

I love how some Apple sites announced Apple's invention of a new type of gold... It's an alloy folks, something jewelers have been doing for years.

I agree... I'm so sick of the internet media. They will either exploit anything to make it sound controversial, when in reality, it's nothing — or — many of those types of articles are backed by competitive companies who are trying to plant doubts about potentially hot products.

 

[Mr. Gates]

I won't be getting a Smart-watch until it has F/F Camera and I can make video calls on it.
That's the future. Everything else is BS

 

[HenryDJP]

Ouch. That was a bit harsh.

Please grow some thick skin (oh, I bet that was harsh too huh?). It was just typical forum banter.

 

[Aldaris]

"Ok great yes I decided I like this 42mm with this bracelet in this color. I'll take it"

-----

"Ok sir that model is on backorder for 6 weeks, and that strap is on backorder for 2 months"

-----------

"uhhhh"

Yes!!! Unfortunately how most of our experiences will be!

 

[Attonine]

isn't that why people buy watches? "mine is more expensive than yours" "oh u wear an Hublot watch? feel free to use the VIP entrance into P1"

Not really. When you are in the market of Patinum/white Gold watches, you usually have more watches than you can count anyway.