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Apple Watch Edition 'a huge mistake' at £8,000
- Thread starter OllyW
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Thanks for policing the forums in your spare time. We need you.
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I got a feeling the controversy would still be simmering in the Apple HQ. Yes, they got lots of publicity out of the Edition, but is it the kind they want? Did they really need to shock the world with this fad? Also, found it remarkable that they decided not to play the video for the Edition at the keynote. The whole presentation smelled a bit of embarrassment and hush hush.
Will be interesting what unfolds. If the Ive/Ahrendts team wins, get ready for further Virtuisation of Apple.
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Yeah, I thought Tim looked uncomfortable. Apple have always been thoughtful, practical and sincere. "Edition" is just frivolous nonsense.
Even the voiceover on the gold video starts off defensively with an explanation: "We wanted to appeal to a wide range of personal styles...".
I'd say that if a $17,000 model was genuinely on people's shopping lists, no explanation would be needed.
If you're complaining about the price of the 
Watch Edition you were never the target demographic.
If you're thinking that it's a waste of money, you're still not the target demographic.
The people who can easily throw down 10K plus on the watch, well that 10K was more spending money to them than anything else. That demographic will not be concerning itself with complaining posts on an internet forum or look to said posts for validation of said purchase.
Watch Edition you were never the target demographic.If you're thinking that it's a waste of money, you're still not the target demographic.
The people who can easily throw down 10K plus on the watch, well that 10K was more spending money to them than anything else. That demographic will not be concerning itself with complaining posts on an internet forum or look to said posts for validation of said purchase.
Thanks for the article, good read, and I very much agree with him.
Apple should have stopped at the watch edition.
Now that apple owes beats, maybe they felt they needed to make a watch for people with more money than class
I'm gonna give the SS model a try, hope the novelty does not wear off
Apple should have stopped at the watch edition.
Now that apple owes beats, maybe they felt they needed to make a watch for people with more money than class
I'm gonna give the SS model a try, hope the novelty does not wear off
Yes, we're talking and Apple is reading.
I was joking with a friend and said that the reason Apple wasn't doing preorders until 4 weeks after the announcement was to 1) let the buzz build; and 2) give all of us on the forums a chance to ask all manner of questions that Apple might not have considered yet. If the window from announcement to preorder is shorter, e.g., iPhone, we only have time to decide on size and color, speculate about how many days in advance to line up at a store, and decide whether to preorder online or do it at a store. By the time we finish those discussions, it is time to actually preorder, and then we spend the next 2 weeks boasting about how we were done by 3:17am, which provider's website crashed, and chasing tracking statuses - we stop talking about features.With this extra time we have covered the aesthetics of the Watch, moved on to the difference between water resistant and waterproof, speculated about battery life and battery replacement, raised warranty questions, asked if bands will come in XL... we are doing a lot of Apple's market research for them, and I think some of the ideas that have been posted here might be reflected and responded to in the products and the FAQs. All because we have way too much time (and not enough Watch) on our hands!
Personally I think he missed the point entirely. The Edition isn't for a revenue, so Apple doesn't care how many people buy it, Kayne West or whoever. It's limited after all.
The Edition is for the brand and marketing. For marketing it's to call attention. For the brand it's a showcase of absolute Apple product, all aspects of it.. the Watch, the case, the charger, how they designing the whole package etc.
This is just showing that John Gruber is right. He said last year that when Apple Wtach Edition pricing revealed, people will have a hissy fit. They wouldn't understand it. Looks like he's right after all.
If you're complaining about the price of the
If you're thinking that it's a waste of money, you're still not the target demographic.
The people who can easily throw down 10K plus on the watch, well that 10K was more spending money to them than anything else. That demographic will not be concerning itself with complaining posts on an internet forum or look to said posts for validation of said purchase.
And who is that demographic ?
People I know who can throw down 10k as if were spending money, don't buy 10k crap watches. They buy things that make the edition watch look like a Casio calculator
The only demographic I can think of is rich die hard apple fans, anyone else will have more class and common sense. And these people will probably want validation of thier purchases.
The question is, what's the negative impact of it?
How many people will decide not to buy an apple watch at all due to this?
Some may see it as apple giving their long loyal fans the finger.
I'm not trying to brag, but I am a person who can easily throw down 10k plus on a watch. I've done it many times. To me, every watch I own was well worth the price, and I can't even entertain the idea of doing the same with the Apple watch.
So now what?
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This has nothing to do with not understanding it and everything to do with understanding it. As a luxury item, it's not worth it. As a fashion statement, it's not worth it. As a tech device, it's not worth it. I'm not throwing a hissy fit, I'm just calling a spade a spade. Apple is trying to be something they aren't, and that's what people are reacting to.
The difference is, some of us aren't so blindly in love with Apple that we have to accept and love everything they do. The sport and watch versions are a good idea, even though I don't think it's been executed well. It's very much in line with what Apple does and it was entirely expected for them to do this. The Edition model is a swing and a miss.
So now what?
If you're complaining about the price of the
If you're thinking that it's a waste of money, you're still not the target demographic.
The people who can easily throw down 10K plus on the watch, well that 10K was more spending money to them than anything else. That demographic will not be concerning itself with complaining posts on an internet forum or look to said posts for validation of said purchase.
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This has nothing to do with not understanding it and everything to do with understanding it. As a luxury item, it's not worth it. As a fashion statement, it's not worth it. As a tech device, it's not worth it. I'm not throwing a hissy fit, I'm just calling a spade a spade. Apple is trying to be something they aren't, and that's what people are reacting to.
The difference is, some of us aren't so blindly in love with Apple that we have to accept and love everything they do. The sport and watch versions are a good idea, even though I don't think it's been executed well. It's very much in line with what Apple does and it was entirely expected for them to do this. The Edition model is a swing and a miss.
Most people don't seem to realize that the Edition isn't aimed towards them and serves other purposes than to sell millions.
I see now that if you wanted to get say a navy leather and a red band, you'd have a different color "digital crown". I hadn't noticed that at first. At $15,000 for the model I like, there's not a chance. I'd have to be a billionaire to drop that kind of money without thinking I could buy something else with those $$$$. I can see that Apple couldn't offer a fake gold one because then it wouldn't be a status symbol (or emblem of profligate spending).
If I were going to a get the Apple Watch though, I wouldn't mind the 38" stainless steel with navy leather strap. I would prefer the classic buckle though.
Maybe Apple is testing the waters before manufacturing and selling separate bands to mix and match?
I am going to get a new MacBook 12" but I'll wait on the watch. Someday it will have some gotta-have-it features.
To be fair, I spend 3000 AUD (The air ticket alone is equal to 1 stainless steel watch) for 2 weeks holiday every year. A watch that I can wear everyday instead of just 2 weeks for 20% (1/5) of my 2 weeks holiday expenses, is a no brainer.
Yes, we're talking and Apple is reading.
With this extra time we have covered the aesthetics of the Watch, moved on to the difference between water resistant and waterproof, speculated about battery life and battery replacement, raised warranty questions, asked if bands will come in XL... we are doing a lot of Apple's market research for them, and I think some of the ideas that have been posted here might be reflected and responded to in the products and the FAQs. All because we have way too much time (and not enough Watch) on our hands!
Thats funny. From my perception it seems like the majority of the discussions have been Milanese loops vs Classic buckle lol.
That is a good question actually. One that will need time to have an answer.
But it's clear that Apple is beginning to change. The core value, great products that enrich people's lives, is still there but it isn't shy or afraid to try something new beyond tech world anymore. The new Apple is emerging, and I guess many people might not very much like it, understandably. (one of the proof is ninethirty's post above
)
I think, ultimately, the Edition will be a mistake. Much of the focus is on the cost of the Edition, not on what the watch can do, or the fact that there are two other models. The stories seem to be along the lines of Apple offering a $10000 watch. It has taken the majority of the mainstream media headlines, and will in turn, turn off most of the mainstream market. I think Apple may have overstepped.
First off, yeah if you generally have to state "not trying to brag but" the odds are you don't actually have that level of cash. "Not trying to brag, but I'm Tony Stark", see how easy that was to type?
Again, you wouldn't be concerned with validation from forum users or even your peers. It's a status symbol, and if it's not one you want you won't buy it. This isn't something Apple just woke up and say "hey let's slap a 10K price tag on it just because", it was a calculated move.
If you can't see that it is 1) a calculated move, 2) less about the tech, more about the status, 3) not just a magic number, well I can only lead the horse to water not drink from it.
Well it was pretty clearly demonstrated to yourself above, so yeah there's your "now what".
I have zero issues with you justifying it, I'm all for you getting it. In fact I want you to get the edition. Cmon you can do it! It's only 8 years holidays worth
But what all I was saying is what I have heard when talking about it with friends and family. They don't understand it. Now if it where $350AUD, I'm sure a lot would just go ah **** it I'll check it out. $600 is a new phone or ipad.
To the market the Apple Watch Edition is aimed at, the cost is a drop in the ocean. Just have a look at #richkids on twitter, regularly posting photos of the new Rolex they picked up in the city they were in at the time. Spending 1000's on a watch is not remotely an issue.
The Chinese will be getting this model.
http://www.livetradingnews.com/chin...h-on-sale-at-32-50-now-99174.htm#.VQfwLkZZVb4
On a serious note. Apparently there does not seem to be a lot of interest in the watch in China at the moment.
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I am betting that we will never see any figures from Apple on sales for the Edition model.
You can put lipstick on a pig but it is still a pig. Apple is a mass market company and will always be a mass market company. The decision between a Rolex Submariner or an Apple Edition is always going to be an easy one.
I have no doubt that we will see a few Celebs wearing the Edition model. However, I suspect many of them will be gifts or loaners.
Sorry friend, but why would you think I'd be against Apple being successful in new markets? Historically, Apple's done pretty good with most if it's ideas, and yes, my life is certainly enriched by what they've done. I'll applaud any good idea they have, executed well. I personally don't think the watch is one of those ideas, but I have a feeling the watch and sport variations will sell well regardless.
Also, a "new Apple" isn't emerging. The watch is a tech product. You can want to call it anything else, but it's a gadget first and foremost. It just is.
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The way you misunderstand money guarantees you'll never have any.
Also, a "new Apple" isn't emerging. The watch is a tech product. You can want to call it anything else, but it's a gadget first and foremost. It just is.
That is a good question actually. One that will need time to have an answer.
But it's clear that Apple is beginning to change. The core value, great products that enrich people's lives, is still there but it isn't shy or afraid to try something new beyond tech world anymore. The new Apple is emerging, and I guess many people might not very much like it, understandably. (one of the proof is ninethirty's post above
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The way you misunderstand money guarantees you'll never have any.