Apple Watch First Impressions From Watch Experts, Fashion Sites

[Bahroo]

You sound mad. Did you buy a galaxy gear by mistake?

lol i think he means Moto got it right with the Moto 360 that uses a 4 year old 45 nm SoC TI OMAP 3 series SoC LOL

 

[shanson27]

I'm in love, really beautiful

 

[topmounter]

I am familiar with component design and as a chip guy I doubt it will be ground shaking in design.

I design chips and the engineering that goes into a watch is phenomenal.

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Gold is not a good investment.
Ask those that bought gold at $1600-1800 when the prices spiked.

There are plenty of watches made from 18K gold.

"Buy high" is problematic regardless of the investment vehicle.

 

[SusanK]

Thinness?

Apple is obsessed with thin products. What happened to the watch?

 

[fortysomegeek]

Here is another tweet from a partisan nerd.

J.J. Abrams. He is the Director of the new Star Wars Episode 7. He posted this as a teaser for his fans. It is a hint of the new Death Star and a note

The Twitter analytics and trending is going in positive direction.

 

[TTile]

Oh wait, wait. Have you thought of taking it off when in the water?

He seemed to indicate that he needed a watch while he surfed. I agree, just have the Apple Watch and take it off before you go into the water (if it ends up not being extremely water resistant).

 

[rovolo]

It's an attempt to make people think of Apple whenever they hear such a common word. Like calling a windowing system, "Windows"

Tom: "Hey, I just bought a new watch."
Jane: "Do you mean an Apple Watch??"

My guess is: legal problems. Probably couldn't secure the rights in enough countries (or maybe not in a few key markets).

 

[spinedoc77]

I share your opinion. I prefer a Rolex Sub type too. However, I already own a Sub and I don't want a replacement. And it goes back to the design constraints.

Ives is not designing for you or me who have very specific taste. His job is to design something with the broadest appeal. Given that context, no one else has shown me something with a more universal appeal.

People went ga ga over the mock-up with the Speedmaster Chronograph case. I, too, love my Speedmaster but I know lots of people don't want all that clutter of the Tachymeter ring which serves no purpose whatsoever on a smartwatch.

The variety of straps, in my opinion, dramatically changes the personalities of the Apple watch. This, is why it succeeds in that regards. A Chronograph/Diver's case (Speedmaster/Submariner) would not be able to have that level of configurability with straps. You can't add a white rubber strap on a sub. It looks silly. So does the mesh Milanese bracelet or red leather strap with deployant. Those straps work with specific watches. I can see a mesh bracelet on an Omega Constellation type Swiss watch but not on a Breitling.

Yet, here, Ives nails it.

It's interesting how varied opinion can be, after all we are human beings. Even in the luxury watch segment there is a lot of variation. I do agree that the straps are neat, and I do respect the quick release strap design that Apple has come up with.

It's still not my cup of tea though, but I haven't held one in my hands or actually seen what it looks like when worn. We've had the prior debate on the moto 360 and while we disagree on its looks I think we agree more on the heft and quality feeling of it, or the lack of it. If the apple watch can give a nice quality heft to it, which I think the aluminum and sapphire might, then that would factor into my decision. Whenever I don't wear my Rolex for a while, then put it on it always amazes and pleases me with its weight, coldness, etc. I know it may sound silly, but as a watch guy I'm sure you understand.

 

[nando87]

I agree with you (also as a watch collector). The Apple Watch is not for me but I can see the appeal for others.

I am also having a greater appreciation for Ives; considering the design constraints and target goals of this project. The Moto 360 is simply too divisive of a design; regardless if it appeals to you. It does not account for the other half of the population - woman. Also all the pre-Apple mockups I've seen like the Chronograph case does not work for many people. Again, as they are tailored specifically at a specific genre and profile.

Seems like this post was lifted from a post I made earlier. I saw all the Fashionista responses in my trending Twitter and Instagram.
Their opinion is what the general public will go with. Nerds on tech forums do not represent the majority opinion.

The Milanese bracelet is sublime. I was very much in shock with the attention to detail. The sapphire is slightly elevated with a 1 mm chamfer. Theere is also a chamfer around the crown.
The matte grain weave of the SS bracelet is very well done. The Milanese bracelet simply wow. Omega sold a similar bracelet for $600 back when I was looking.
I said it before and I'll say it again. Apple is not competing against Google/Motorola/Samsung here. Nor are they competing Polaris and Garmin.

They're targeting the mid range premium "mall watches" The ones in the department stores from the $300-$1200 price point.
Those watches are driven bases on fashion and brand cachet. The Michael Kors, Movados, Burberry, Armani, Calvin Klein. These brands, like Apple, have zero horological pedigree.
They sell $50 watches for $400-1000 and reap insane profits. This is the "premium" market. It doesn't compete with the luxury market - Rolex, Blancpain, IWC.
In the Premium market, fit-n-finish and presentation is everything. There is no doubt, Apple nailed it in terms of build quality.
There is also a premium market for accessories. Panerai's straps are a cottage industry into itself where people pay up to $300 for just a leather strap.

If Angela (I don't know her name) does her job, I can see where she can pull her connections to have one-offs and collab pieces in just straps. Burberry Apple Wear straps are coming. They already make iPhone cases.

Fashionista Sarah Collette already gave her approval and she has lot of weight in the Fashion circles. From her Instagram.
Image

This watch crushes any offer from those brands, no doubt about that. I can see this being a best seller, the only fault I see is that it depends on the iPhone so the market is much smaller.

As a curiosity, talking about Panerai, one of my favourite brands, believe it or not straps can go up to 1000$ (check out Ted Su's), really crazy stuff made from 1904 military leather items. And this is talking about cow leather, if you want to order an one-off exotic leather strap then there is an specialist in Paris (abp-paris). If you become eccentric then the only limit is the sky...

 

[Piggie]

I'm in love, really beautiful

I still think it's a dam shame they did not fit a larger screen inside it.

Such a waste of space having the case one size, then a dead black border all the way round and THEN the display.

Everything it small enough, without wasting dead area on a dam bezel.
The new android phones don't need such a wide area wasted. I wish Apple had done the same and made the most of the size of the device's actual face

Perhaps they will fix this next year?

 

[fortysomegeek]

I Whenever I don't wear my Rolex for a while, then put it on it always amazes and pleases me with its weight, coldness, etc. I know it may sound silly, but as a watch guy I'm sure you understand.

I,too, am a watch lover. I guess you'll get a kick of this video.
Only a WIS will get it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z66SKl_oASs

However, on the topic of this Apple Watch. The physical design itself isn't what I am interested in. It is more of the entire R&D, engineering design and execution of a new product category. It is also the business logistics of how Apple flex's it's new executive bench (all the luxury hires) to carve a new market and how they succeed. That, to me, is the more interesting story. I understand the trade-offs and the I see the constraints. I'm just wondering what I would do if I was in that scenario; running a project like that.

For example, given the size constraints, I can totally see why they didn't go the 360 route. I see why they chose to use a crown for navigation on a 38mm. I wonder if many of us would reach similar conclusions if we had to design it ourselves.

 

[garcastle]

just like it was with the iphone and the ipad, the first generation is just not quite there yet.

but that's okey. i can wait.

Heh, I dunno, my iPad 1 is still holding it's charge for days and I'm happy it's still around when my wife falls asleep reading from it and I hear it hit the hardwood floor. I'm not sure our iPad 5 would survive so many impacts.

Even if it isn't a perfect piece of tech, it will put serious pressure on Samsung and others to raise their game and WE will all benefit from that. So that's pretty killer (LOL anyone else pick up on how many times one of the VPs in the 2-hour'ish video forced in the word "killer"?)

Cheers,
G.

 

[CairnsRock]

And what exactly is it? Besides an auxiliary screen for the phone you already have in your hand?

It's targeted for people who wear a wrist watch and a pocket watch, belt and suspenders etc. Even the fitness crowd hate because you need to carry your iPhone and it's not waterproof.

When you are really interested in your body readings you are usually exercising which means sweating profusely. Can this thing handle the sweat?

 

[tknelson]

The complexity of these watches far exceeds that of the apple watch which is just a chip and a few smartphone components. And I am willing my entire life on this that no business man would ever choose an apple watch over a classic swiss watch.

What a moronic statement. With all due respect to Swiss timepieces, there is more "complexity" in a square millimeter of the "just a chip" in this watch than an entire mechanical Swiss watch. 21st century complexity vs. 19th century complexity...

 

[sracer]

Perhaps my metaphor was too cryptic. The iPod Nano is to "Apple Watch" as iPod Classic is to iPod Touch.

The form factor, shape, and basic aesthetic is the same, while significantly improving fit and finish, not to mention a quantum leap in functionality. Its not a stretch to see it:

I much prefer the iPad Nano. It remains to be seen just how much functionality the aWatch has when not tethered to an iPhone. It was mentioned that music playback is capable independent of the iPhone, but I don't recall any mention of how much onboard memory there is or how music is synced to the device itself.

In fairness, they may have presented that information but the live stream was so flakey I missed bits and pieces of it and had to strain to hear the presenters over the translator.

 

[cleirac]

So sexy and beautiful!

Helped me decide on the color and what iPhone 6 to get.

a Silver iPhone 6+ and Watch with a Milanese strap, baby!

 

[CairnsRock]

I can't wait to see the watch in person, but I have I good idea of the size already. The photos of people wearing the watch show that the watch looks like the right size when viewed straight on, however they don't show the thickness well. The thickness is the one factor that will keep me from wearing it consistently and comfortably. They are the right size in width (38 and 42mm), but too thick. The side view photo shows the unwieldy proportions between thickness and width. The thickness proportion is a bit too large, but I realize it is the best Apple can do with the technology today. I'm sure in the next few iterations they will keep getting thinner.

But my point is that the hardware technology is not ready for my purposes. The device won't replace many current watches because of the thickness factor.

At the bottom of the article:
Hodinkee also points out a few flaws with the device, including the fact that it doesn't fit under a shirt cuff because of its bulk, and that it is "not as cool as a mechanical watch, to real people."

40 years ago watches were prized for their slimness. Current fashion watches are frequently 12mm thick. There is no reason whatsoever that they need to be this thick as digital movements are tiny. But, fashion rules and current fashionistas are all running around with gigantic watches on their arms. So Apple really isn't that much out of step in the thickness wars.

 

[cleirac]

I'm in love, really beautiful

Me too! *insert pulsing heart image*

 

[Moto G]

Looks like Jony Ive isn't such a bad designer after all.... I think the pictures they showed were very misleading. Its really only fair to judge it after you've played with it in person.

What do you mean "after all"? That he is an exceptionaldesigner was never in question, except by the ranting goons who just wanted someone to berate over iOS 7. We KNOW he "isn't such a bad designer after all".

Gosh, people think the tides turn on their mighty opinions, don't they

 

[ttexxan]

Couple of things on the watch...I think it has potential. I would have seen something more curved and not like the old nano. However, Apple Watch is night and day better over the Samsung in functionality. I owned a Samsung watch for a month and was done. Its was a great novilty but didnt come close to doing what the Apple watch has in store. Im stoked over the Apple Pay function. To actually see maps and show directions can be handy. Lots of things going on which is going to kill Samsung.

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Funny thing as well----------------------At the end of the day it will sell and break all kinds of selling charts. Why?????????? Its Apple!! Simple as that----Everyone will want it. Generations and Generations of followers and one uppers-------Just look at all the Ice Bucket Challenges---Need I say more

 

[satcomer]

I can't wait until developers get their hands to make new watch faces!

 

[macjunk(ie)]

yup

Forget what Fashion experts say, the Watch is fat, chubby and just an ugly square lump.

The only thing great about the design is the ability to customise the straps, but when you look at the actual device itself, it looks hideous. I think Motorola got it right with the 360.

on the money....All this is just the Apple hype machine at work.
The straps are good quality but I just cannot understand how these fashion designers suddenly find a chubby, squarish watch sexy ? Pretty sure we gentle folk are being brainwashed...."There is no bad design here....These aren't the droids you looking for" (waves hand)

 

[D.T.]

It's a pity they won't be available at Christmas.

Half the family uses iPhones, and naturally these would be great gifts.

Ah well, maybe a gift certificate for one, instead.

Maybe Apple just didn't want to commit to making them until they saw the reaction from the press

What do you bet that the design gets tweaked between now and sale time?

Yeah, this would’ve been a nice gift for the wife (me too )

I’m really wondering about whether the physical design might be tweaked. I’m sure there are modular components in the fab machinery that could be swapped out easy enough to make a change to the case (and obviously the related software/tooling data/etc.)

Clearly they’ll be doing a lot of refinement to the OS, apps, SDK - probably getting great feedback from the 3rd parties who have already had time with it.

How thick is this thing?

Compared to what? An automatic Brietling ? Smart Watch? TAG?

I am still wondering since it’s not spec’ed, and I haven’t seen anyone post data from using a caliper My loose estimate, based on the case height in pictures, is that it’s about 10.5-11mm thick. So about the same ± 2mm as many high[er] end watches especially diver style.

I'm a real watch collector. My thoughts are these:

Great post, another collector posted some of the same thoughts earlier ... wait, here he is now

Seems like this post was lifted from a post I made earlier. I saw all the Fashionista responses in my trending Twitter and Instagram.
Their opinion is what the general public will go with. Nerds on tech forums do not represent the majority opinion.

I honestly thought you might have written the article! Yeah, very close to your earlier analysis (based on social trending, etc.)

 

[Jungo]

The fashionistas have spoken - So Mote it be

 

[MH01]

Water resistance is in no way correlated to price. It is in fact the other way around. The cheaper the watch the higher the chance it is water resistant.

The most likely reason why the apple watch is not waterproof is due to the fact that it has speakers, a microphone and a touchscreen.

The most likely reason is that they decided they did not care (rushed or lacked experienced) about putting in seals and making it water resistant.

If competitors can make thier phones water resistant, its alot easier to make a watch water resistant than a Mobile phone!

Not going to argue about price points and water resistance, though a basic requirement of a watch is protection from water, its made to be worn on your wrist...... in some countries it rains alot

Being told you have to remove it in the show is piss weak.