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Apple Watch Launches April 24, Price Ranges From $349 to Over $10,000
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Realy are they still around ? Thought the feds raided those canal st vendors and they went underground instead ?
Lol. You can get a two-tone steel and gold Sub for $12,000. A solid gold Sub starts around $32,000 new.
To the people saying the the Edition precious metals aren't intended for the average person, they are correct. But, Apple obviously didn't intend these for the high end luxury watch people, either. I'm in that category, and would never, in a million years, buy that. Watch enthusiasts like myself buy watches of that calibre due to the fact that they are tiny works of art that, at least to this point, historically hold value and even appreciate greatly over time (average Rolex appreciation over time has been about 5-7% per year, over the past 30 or so years, depending on model). This precious metal by Apple will never do that, and isn't something I/we could ever pass down to future generations, or even use in 3-5 years.
Also, to those shocked by the standalone watch band prices, don't be. If Apple is truly trying to enter the premium watch market, these prices are actually decent for accessory bands/bracelets. Just the clasp alone on my favorite watch I wear is $1100, and it's all stainless steel. One part of this hobby that I think is insane.
I bought it a long time ago. Don't get me wrong, it looks great, but the average observer wouldn't know if it was a $30 Chrolex (Chinese Rolex) a $500 watch or a $5,000 watch... and it only tells time.
IMO, the Apple watch looks great, has a very distinctive design and has far more functionality than any mechanical watch which is why it would be hard for me to justify wearing a mechanical watch going forward.. it has the jewelry aspect to it along with a host of other benefits.
Will I need to upgrade every few years? Yup, but I do that now with my phone, laptop, iPad, clothes and the most expensive gadget of all, my car. Doing the same with my watch won't be any different.
That's likely true, but that argument along with the heirloom argument is just trying to rationalize an irrational purchase. If people really cared about appreciation, they'd invest that money in the S&P index fund.
For the vast majority of people who drop $10K+ on a watch, it's an emotional purchase... ie, irrational. And that's ok, most people make irrational purchases/decisions. It just seems more irrational when the stakes are higher, but for the wealthy, it's no different than people buying the aluminum Apple Watch.
Moreover, even a bottom of the line $10,000 Vertu comes with a year of 24/7 Concierge service included, accessible via a dedicated button. And we're talking quality concierge, too.
I'll keep my Panerai, thanks.
Yes, I know the Apple Watch can do a "million" more things but in this case, less is more IMHO.
This product seems to add more redundancy since it needs to be paired with an iPhone for almost all functions. Why read messages on a tiny screen where we have 5" and 5.5" screens the masses were calling for?
I know a lot of people will love it but for me personally, it doesn't fit into my lifestyle. I'm happy with taking a few extra seconds getting my phone out of my pocket.
Yes, I know the Apple Watch can do a "million" more things but in this case, less is more IMHO.
This product seems to add more redundancy since it needs to be paired with an iPhone for almost all functions. Why read messages on a tiny screen where we have 5" and 5.5" screens the masses were calling for?
I know a lot of people will love it but for me personally, it doesn't fit into my lifestyle. I'm happy with taking a few extra seconds getting my phone out of my pocket.
Euro has gone down significantly against the dollar. There are people predicting the euro will be worth less than the dollar in the future.
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Finally, a solid 18K gold watch for the rest of us!
I'm wondering about continued usability of the straps. If they stay compatible with future watch releases, then maybe that's no so bad. Though that's a really big IF.
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
It's Apple - have they failed recently?
?? I didn't say it would flop. All I said is it's not a "designer watch". It's an expensive watch, but not a designer watch in the classical sense that can warrant such a high price point (for the mid range and up models). It's not designed by a fashion icon. It's not handmade. It's not going to last 20+ years. It's not even on trend (unless the squished marshmallow look is popular where you live). It's just not a designer watch; it's a gadget.
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I wonder if Gruber is going to expand on his thoughts here:
http://daringfireball.net/2014/09/apple_watch
It really doesn't seem like Apple is too far ahead of the competition at all. I was hoping there would be more to it but it doesn't seem like it to me.
http://daringfireball.net/2014/09/apple_watch
It really doesn't seem like Apple is too far ahead of the competition at all. I was hoping there would be more to it but it doesn't seem like it to me.
I've been with Apple since the Newton, and the Sport excluded, the Watch reminds me a lot of the Twentieth Anniversary Macintosh. Was the Macintosh a failure? Not at all. Was the TAM a hit? Hardly.
Despite a huge advertising push, people just thought, for all its style and unique form-factor, it was too expensive. The Mac didn't really come into its own until a couple years later with the iMac.
I think the Apple Watch will see eventual success as a clever gadget that happens to look fashionable (eventually), not as a fashion piece that happens to be a clever gadget. The latter is how they're trying to position it within their Reality Distortion Field. Regina George has some words for them:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pubd-spHN-0
Despite a huge advertising push, people just thought, for all its style and unique form-factor, it was too expensive. The Mac didn't really come into its own until a couple years later with the iMac.
I think the Apple Watch will see eventual success as a clever gadget that happens to look fashionable (eventually), not as a fashion piece that happens to be a clever gadget. The latter is how they're trying to position it within their Reality Distortion Field. Regina George has some words for them:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pubd-spHN-0
There will be athletes, celebrities and other well to people who will probably spend 17K. It will be a very niche product.
Oh how I love hitting the MR forums on days like today; brings all of the wannabe pundits out of the woodworks.
Here's the thing.....
The price points for the Apple Watch Sport and Apple Watch are spot on. If you can't afford one, I get that and I'm not being a smart ass. .....just don't come to the boards and say the price is too high; because it's not. Have you ever fooled around with a $249 Moto 360? I have. I owned one for about a month and I can already tell that the Apple Watch is light years ahead in terms of form and function all for a hundred bucks more (Apple Watch Sport). The Apple Watch is IMO for those that work in a more professional environment and/or get out on the town regularly and an entry level price of $549 is extremely reasonable. When was the last time *you* shopped for a nice watch? Hell. I think I paid about that amount for a Seiko back in the early 80's! The Apple Watch Edition is crazy expensive but it will sell remarkably well and if you think I'm crazy expect to eat a healthy portion of crow pie this time next year. It's obvious that Apple has done their research and covered all bases. Apple Watch Sport for guys that are out-and-about and physically active like myself, Apple Watch for the suits and Apple Watch Edition for the uber fashionable with the uber checkbook balance. Brilliant. ....and they all do the same thing. Even more brilliant.
So, don't tell me Apple is "stupid" or the watch is "too expensive" cause it doesn't make you look smart. It makes you look like a tool.
On a side note, I'll give it *maybe* 6 months before companies offer to make your Apple Watch Sport look like an Apple Watch Edition for around $199. Mind you, I'm one of those kinda guys that thinks the vast majority of gold jewelry looks gaudy but each to their own.
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Here's the thing.....
The price points for the Apple Watch Sport and Apple Watch are spot on. If you can't afford one, I get that and I'm not being a smart ass. .....just don't come to the boards and say the price is too high; because it's not. Have you ever fooled around with a $249 Moto 360? I have. I owned one for about a month and I can already tell that the Apple Watch is light years ahead in terms of form and function all for a hundred bucks more (Apple Watch Sport). The Apple Watch is IMO for those that work in a more professional environment and/or get out on the town regularly and an entry level price of $549 is extremely reasonable. When was the last time *you* shopped for a nice watch? Hell. I think I paid about that amount for a Seiko back in the early 80's! The Apple Watch Edition is crazy expensive but it will sell remarkably well and if you think I'm crazy expect to eat a healthy portion of crow pie this time next year. It's obvious that Apple has done their research and covered all bases. Apple Watch Sport for guys that are out-and-about and physically active like myself, Apple Watch for the suits and Apple Watch Edition for the uber fashionable with the uber checkbook balance. Brilliant. ....and they all do the same thing. Even more brilliant.
So, don't tell me Apple is "stupid" or the watch is "too expensive" cause it doesn't make you look smart. It makes you look like a tool.
On a side note, I'll give it *maybe* 6 months before companies offer to make your Apple Watch Sport look like an Apple Watch Edition for around $199. Mind you, I'm one of those kinda guys that thinks the vast majority of gold jewelry looks gaudy but each to their own.
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*Sigh* When I read posts like this I realize there are a lot of people that just-don't-get-it.
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I think this comment might be the comment of the day! Well played, sir!
Oh, and the only reason i have a watch is because I bought it in 1992. A relative passed away, left me 1k and i wanted something to remember them by. NO watch purchase since 1992.
LOL, i only wear a watch to weddings. Who the hell wears a watch when they have an iPhone at this pt? In a society that likes to wear less, now we need to wear more BS? The watch is a joke. I love my Apple products, but this one is dumb.
While I enjoy being an optimistic person, I believe your optimism may be over the top. As a long time collector of ultra luxury hand made timepieces, in the run up to the Apple Watch I've had countless conversations with other collectors regarding this Apple Watch. Not one person placed long term appreciation as a possibility. Its but a Tech gadget no matter how much gold it contains. Not to mention that yellow gold isn't the most sought after, nor has it been in the two decades I've been a very serious collector. Apple will manipulate the dialog around this product to control it's image, but outside of the cult like Apple crowd its simply a curiosity.
The fact that you worked for Apple says you were a cog in a wheel; nothing more and nothing less. "This thing is a joke." Nice job of bringing some substance to the discussion.
I agree with you on price, it's in the right range to return the margins Apple thrives off of.
The potential problem is simply public acceptance. Those who can easily afford one may have little interest. Celebrities, Pro Athletes, and the Power Brokers of which their are tens of thousands, buy statement watches, jewelry and the like.
From 15 feet away this watch is distinctly bland, conventional in outer appearance and will go completely unnoticed. Not what the rich and beautiful people are interested in.
If it doesn't draw admiring glances (and it won't) only the wanna be's will be desperate for one. I don't care how limited the Gold Edition might or might not be.
Apple is funding this product and may continue to do so to save face.