Considering the Opportunity Cost of buying an AW S4

[Tapiture]

I currently have a preorder for a 44mm Stainless Steel Apple Watch Series 4 from B&H for $749. As I sit and perseverate, waiting for it to come off of backorder, the opportunity cost is starting to get to me. For around the same cost as this watch, one could buy...

iPhone Xr, Starting at $749

This Longines Conquest Automatic watch for $849, same price as AW + AppleCare+ or 1 year of carrier fees

Either the 10.5 iPad Pro with 100 extra dollars to throw around or the 12.9 inch for 50 dollars more

This stainless steel refrigerator

So my question is, am I crazy for buying this? Should I call it off? How do you justify it?

 

[JulesK]

It's not a great use of money if you don't appreciate/use its features. But if you do, multiple times a day, every day of the year, then it's easy to justify as a discretionary, luxury purchase. But, no, nobody needs an Apple watch. And that's coming from somebody who has owned every series of the Watch.

 

[lambertjohn]

I currently have a preorder for a 44mm Stainless Steel Apple Watch Series 4 from B&H for $749. As I sit and perseverate, waiting for it to come off of backorder, the opportunity cost is starting to get to me. For around the same cost as this watch, one could buy...

iPhone Xr, Starting at $749

This Longines Conquest Automatic watch for $849, same price as AW + AppleCare+ or 1 year of carrier fees

Either the 10.5 iPad Pro with 100 extra dollars to throw around or the 12.9 inch for 50 dollars more

This stainless steel refrigerator

So my question is, am I crazy for buying this? Should I call it off? How do you justify it?

Why not just buy an aluminum series 4 for $430 and put the money you save back in your bank account? Or better yet, buy some Apple stock, something that will actually grow in value. I mean seriously, ask yourself, how will I feel about my watch in two months. Will I have buyer's remorse? For $750, probably.

 

[Tapiture]

Why not just buy an aluminum series 4 for $430 and put the money you save back in your bank account? Or better yet, buy some Apple stock, something that will actually grow in value. I mean seriously, ask yourself, how will I feel about my watch in two months. Will I have buyer's remorse? For $750, probably.

I realize it’s a sunk cost but I have a Series 0 stainless model and all of the bands I own go with that finish. Also, the sapphire crystal and ability to polish out scratches make it the only watch I’d buy if I were to buy one at all for longevity.

 

[musicpenguy]

I care more about my watch then I do my phone. Still rocking an iPhone SE, partly because I love the size, but also because I’d rather spend my money on the watch which I get more value and utility out of than my phone.

 

[Tapiture]

I care more about my watch then I do my phone. Still rocking an iPhone SE, partly because I love the size, but also because I’d rather spend my money on the watch which I get more value and utility out of than my phone.

Kind of how I’m rationalizing it. I’m still carrying my 6s that I’ve had for 3 years because I’m also starting to value the watch and actually the iPad more and I’m finding that I’m using my phone less and less.

 

[44267547]

It depends how you prioritize your money what you want you want to spend it on. The Apple Watch started out as a very much superfluous device, it was really just an extension of the iPhone. Now, being that the fitness tracking, health sensors and the overall watch implementation has matured nicely, it’s becoming that much more personal for some even over there other tech products. Yes, it’s expensive, but it depends what you want from the Apple Watch and how it benefits _you_ [Everyones cases will be different). If you don’t find those expectations met from the Apple Watch from previous versions, then this model may not be for you either.

 

[brentc133]

In Canada, the Aluminum 44 GPS with AppleCare including taxes is $788 and the SS version is over $1000. This will be the first time I’m out as I just cannot justify the cost compared to other luxury items. Sucks because I really was excited about the reduced bezels. I’m staying with my Garmin Fenix 5 which has the sapphire screen. Doesn’t quite do all the cool Apple Watch stuff but the battery does go a couple weeks between charges. BTW I had series 0 and series 2 both in SS.

 

[caelius]

Well, I had the same feelings, too. But then I just thought yolo and shut my eyes while clicking on buy. The iPhone X was double the price of the watch and will be getting replaced sooner probably...

 

[KarimLeVallois]

Kind of how I’m rationalizing it. I’m still carrying my 6s that I’ve had for 3 years because I’m also starting to value the watch and actually the iPad more and I’m finding that I’m using my phone less and less.

Same, still rocking my iPhone 6s and much prefer upgrading watches now...

 

[tromboneaholic]

I realize it’s a sunk cost but I have a Series 0 stainless model and all of the bands I own go with that finish. Also, the sapphire crystal and ability to polish out scratches make it the only watch I’d buy if I were to buy one at all for longevity.

I think a Space Gray alum would go with most bands that would pair with "nude" stainless.

The other two points (Sapphire and polishing) are part of the value proposition that perhaps justifies the additional expense in your case.