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Apple Watch Launches April 24, Price Ranges From $349 to Over $10,000

rwsimon said:
Spending $500-1000 on a watch is a lot, but isn't that unusual. However, spending $500-1000 on a watch that will be out of date and therefore have minimal resale value in a year or two is unprecedented. I had really hoped that Apple was going to lay out an upgrade policy that would allow you to have the latest version of the watch without spending that kind of money every year or two. Who would want to do that?

I suppose that if the overpriced bands can be used on future versions it would dull the pain a bit, but they haven't even said they will sell you a watch without a band so it might not even be possible to reduce the price of upgrading.

I am very surprised that they have not addressed this very obvious issue in any way.
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Keep in mind that the watch is only $300/$350 for the sport, $500/$550 for the watch, and $9,950 for the Edition when subtracting the $50 cost of the band. The band is what drives up the price on the non-Edition models.

So, I could buy the $999 stainless steel with link bracelet this year, and next year I'll only have to buy the $599 stainless with sport bracelet (or - probably wishful thinking but - $549 for stainless with no band) and slip my link bracelet into the new watch. So It's not really $1000, it's $350-$600.

That being said, Apple products hold value well. If I buy the $999 stainless with link this year, I can probably buy the $599 stainless with sport band next year, and slide the sport band into my one year old stainless and re-sell it for $350, cutting my "upgrade" price down to $250... Much like upgrading an iPhone every year.
 
jmorrison0722 said:
So, if you wanted the smaller rose gold Apple Watch Edition with the sport band, you'll drop $10K. If you want the modern clasp band, it's an extra $7K? Seriously, and extra $7K for a band?
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Would you buy it if the band was only $2500 extra?
 
I found some entertainment value and laughs during the presentation today.

It's hard to imagine that Tim hasn't seen the environment true luxury watches from all over the world are sold in. The Apple "special table" as he called it is truly sad. Reminded me of a cheap pool table littered with watches.

They're missing the boat here. What are they thinking?

Oh sure they'll sell, Apple can create a convincing story line and the illusion of high demand and short supply. That's an Apple tried and true marketing strategy. Only Apple with endless cash to keep this going will be able to sustain the product.
 
technosix said:
When one of its highlighted advantages is to retain your boarding pass info, I burst out laughing... Apple was reaching out a long ways to find "reasons" why this watch is useful.
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I used that feature on Delta's Android Wear app. Because the barcode was small, the scanner had trouble reading it, so I took out my phone anyway.
 
ZCT said:
Er probably because some people want the functionality of a watch with some apps, rather than just a watch or just a phone.



Just because you don't want one, does not mean that anyone who does is a moron.



People said that about the iPhone 6 and '#bendgate' yet they sold 750m of them.



Not a single one of these watches is trying to compare to your Tag Heuer. For one thing, good luck finding a Tag that sells new for $349. And for another if your Tag is a mechanical watch, then this Apple Watch is thousands of times more accurate. If you have a quartz watch, then your Tag is still nowhere near as accurate, and you paid hundreds of dollars for a movement that is worth about $50 tops.

Beyond that, the Apple Watch has hundreds of other utilities, whereas your watch can tell time, less accurately.
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You have NO clue. Trust me, its gonna fail so hard people will be laughing for yrs.
 
jrswizzle said:
as if anything Apple has done has flopped

It's Apple - have they failed recently?
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You must have not been around for the 90's. Apple has had a ton of failures. For your "recently" argument they all have one thing in common. Steve Jobs. Do you know what recent device doesn't share that? Apple watch. Besides that the argument that they haven't failed recently must mean they won't ever is very idiotic regardless.
 
As much as I want the Apple Watch to succeed, I'm waiting for the industry to go "nope". $449 for a watch band? I understand the machining process, but the market will dictate what they can charge and get away with. I suspect after poor sales, they will come to their senses and lower prices, or offer an alternative for less.

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rwilliams said:
They still haven't mentioned if or how this watch can be updated when subsequent generations are released.
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They want you to buy this version. Makes no business sense to tell you about the next revision as the first is released. Give it 6 months.
 
chairguru22 said:
Pricing is on par with designer fashion watches. Gold one is obviously for people who don't have to know what price it is.
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but those who buy into such watches buy very specific names and nearly one off watches because exclusivity is most important. why buy an apple watch which merely is a gold version of something everyone else has
 
tibi08 said:
So Gruber was basically right....
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Nunyabinez said:
So are all those posters who said his prediction was ridiculous and that he is just another analyst with a spotty record going to jump in here and eat crow? The image that comes to my mind is the sound of crickets chirping.
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sorry nope.

I ascertained the correct price for the SS and he did it w the ridiculous price for gold, so no one won?
 
jrswizzle said:
I love people like you who are so sure.....as if anything Apple has done has flopped.

Same things were said of the iPod, iPhone, iPad....ya, you're probably right. Apple's grasping at straws here :rolleyes:

If that's the actual size on the sizing sheet, I may actually go for the 38mm. Will have to see in person. I'm a little miffed the only way to get the space black ss one is to pay for bands I don't want.

I was originally thinking of just going with a sport model for the first gen. But the pricing on the ss isn't too much more so that's in play now. I'll have to see them in person.

Also, I'm still not convinced these devices will follow smartphone or even tablet upgrade cycles. It's a different category. Open your minds and stop trying to force new product into existing category paradigms.

It's Apple - have they failed recently?
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Ping
The U2 iPod (premium iPod)
iPod Shuffle 3rd Generation
Apple Tv aka the new hobby
Maps
HealthKit utterly broken at launch
IOS update that broken the phone part of the iPhone
Apple G4 Cube
 
$449 for a steel link bracelet, quality made and supported by a manufacturer, sold by an authorized dealer, and guaranteed to be a perfect fit for a watch is on the low end of the pricing in the market. Check out the price for a legitimate Panerai bracelet to fit one of their watches, for example, or the premium on a non-luxury but quality brand like a Sinn. (A quick google of Sinn watch bracelets will take you directly to a page). The prices of straps fits well with the lower-end of the non-disposable watch market.

That being said, I expect a watch to last a lifetime, so a bracelet that costs a few bucks has lasting value to me with the watch. I've had some of my mechanical watches now for 20 years (with occasional service required), so I don't mind the expense for the right stuff to go with it. But, what guarantee do I have that this bracelet isn't a curiosity that 'used to fit Apple watches before Gen2?'

That's the rub, I can't think of this peripheral as a watch. Not the watches I've grown up with and collected. It seems weird to me that they are trying to put this device in the category of jewelry or the watches that I've owned and collected for most of my life.

I love Apple and I want to make the leap - I just can't find a way. I'm really trying.

$399 42mm entry level is a possibility to experience with reselling when I'm done with it. The options and premiums on other models just seem like they think they are making a WATCH and not a small iPhone extension.

norrismantooth said:
As much as I want the Apple Watch to succeed, I'm waiting for the industry to go "nope". $449 for a watch band? I understand the machining process, but the market will dictate what they can charge and get away with. I suspect after poor sales, they will come to their senses and lower prices, or offer an alternative for less.

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They want you to buy this version. Makes no business sense to tell you about the next revision as the first is released. Give it 6 months.
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Gunga Din said:
Why would anyone buy one of these if they have an iPhone ? lol

You know, when I first heard about the iWatch , i thought it was a joke to get samsung and the other idiots to make smart watches. Now, i can't even believe what moron would buy one of these things lol.

These watches will be the greatest fail in electronic history. I'd sell stock now.

Oh, btw, not a single one of those watches can compare to my Tag Heuer.
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Here's the thing... Your Tag Heuer and mine aren't much different than a $30 time piece/knock off that you can get from China Town here in NY in terms of functionality and design... at least to most people.

While the Apple Watch design might be controversial (mostly because it's so different from traditional designs), it is/will be instantly recognizable to the avg person. I'd certainly notice it before I could spot a Tag or a Rolex. And it's a million times more functional.

I will be getting a SS Apple Watch and my Tag Heuer may see daylight a couple of times per year... but I doubt it. I think the future has arrived and I don't have space on my wrist for jewelry that does nothing more than tell time.
 
Karma*Police said:
I will be getting a SS Apple Watch and my Tag Heuer may see daylight a couple of times per year... but I doubt it. I think the future has arrived and I don't have space on my wrist for jewelry that does nothing more than tell time.
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I'm a little curious as to why you bought your Tag in the first place then.
 
PJWilkin said:
Only devoted Apple Fans will consider anything other than the Sports version
the prices are at least $150 too expensive

I suspect a lot of people will now opt for the Pebble Time Steel instead of an Apple Watch

Whoever advised Tim on the pricing issue should be kicked, they should have started them at $199

I was considering one, but now given the prices I'll look at the Pebble range

The Apple watch may have some nice features, but I believe it's too expensive given the competition
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No, the majority of people will opt not to have a watch because - you know - they are useless for most people.
 
This takes me back to the early 2000s Jobs-era. The way the watch looks is very reminiscent of the earliest iPod with the bulkiness. No idea if this is a good thing or a bad thing in 2015 lol.

I still kind of want one, but buying into any of the models over 500 dollars is most-likely tremendous mistake as it's the first generation product and in two years they will look far different and way better all around.
 
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