Does Anyone Else Find it Hard to Justify $150+ for a Band?

[wbitsky]

I ordered a 42mm sport, (in silver specifically so I could buy other bands). I like the sport bands, but I want something else for more formal occasions. The next cheapest bands are the leather loop and and the Milanese loop, each $150.

Is it just me, or is it ridiculous that they are charging that much for a band? I understand that it is Apple, but come on, it's nearly half the price of the watch itself. Is this the norm for regular watch bands, or what?

 

[chillg8r]

IMO, a cheap version of that band would cost $50-$75 but this band is top of the line quality. Akin to what you would find on a top of the line watch. If you bought a $500+ watch with a band like this and needed to replace it it would cost as much or more than what Apple is charging.

Premium watches are expensive and this watch is made as well as $500-$1,000 swiss watches.

This is a different industry than what we are used to from Apple and we have to **** our perspective a bit. It doesn't mean that you "should" do or buy anything, I just mean that the playing field for watches is different than the playing field for phones or even computers. Apple is not trying to compete with Pebble, they are trying to compete with expensive watches. JMO.

 

[cmChimera]

I ordered a 42mm sport, (in silver specifically so I could buy other bands). I like the sport bands, but I want something else for more formal occasions. The next cheapest bands are the leather loop and and the Milanese loop, each $150.

Is it just me, or is it ridiculous that they are charging that much for a band? I understand that it is Apple, but come on, it's nearly half the price of the watch itself. Is this the norm for regular watch bands, or what?

I bought the 42mm Space Black Watch and Link Band. So no.

 

[Lucifer666]

Welcome to Apple.

Just wait for the knock offs.

Bands will be huge. Quality stuff for $10 US. I guarantee it.

 

[nasa25]

I'd never pay that much for an extra band

I lold at the $600 CAD they want for the link band

 

[wbitsky]

IMO, a cheap version of that band would cost $50-$75 but this band is top of the line quality. Akin to what you would find on a top of the line watch. If you bought a $500+ watch with a band like this and needed to replace it it would cost as much or more than what Apple is charging.

Premium watches are expensive and this watch is made as well as $500-$1,000 swiss watches.

This is a different industry than what we are used to from Apple and we have to **** our perspective a bit. It doesn't mean that you "should" do or buy anything, I just mean that the playing field for watches is different than the playing field for phones or even computers. Apple is not trying to compete with Pebble, they are trying to compete with expensive watches. JMO.

Thanks for sharing. When I felt the leather loop in person, it felt somewhat like plastic. Is that what high end leather feels like (I wouldn't know). IMO it definitely doesn't feel like top of the line...

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I bought the 42mm Space Black Watch and Link Band. So no.

What does that have to do with a leather band? Sure it isn't the most expensive band they sell, but it still is awfully expedjve

 

[itsMacTonight]

Compared to some bands these are not overly expensive. I'm still not sure about the quality of every band Apple makes, but compared to some bands I've seen that are probably in the same class as Apple's, the price of Apple's is equitable if not less in some cases. There are less expensive bands, but I believe Apple's are superior in quality to most this comparison group.

 

[wit4breakfast]

The leather bands are extraordinarily overpriced. I have some high end timepieces and the leather is completely different.

I'll be waiting for adaptors and grab a nice alligator leather band.

 

[melman101]

My wife is getting the $250 modern buckle.

Just the price of a nice watch.

We both got SS watches.

 

[Sodner]

NOTHING Apple sales is cheap. Remember when folks thought the plastic 5c was gonna be inexpensive? It wasn't.

 

[chillg8r]

Thanks for sharing. When I felt the leather loop in person, it felt somewhat like plastic. Is that what high end leather feels like (I wouldn't know). IMO it definitely doesn't feel like top of the line...

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Here is a quote from a reputable high end WATCH reviewer: "The leather is super soft, super high quality. It is much nicer than any leather strap I've ever felt on a $350 analog watch. Then, look at the buckle. It looks like a normal tang, but notice that the tang itself doesn't simply sit on top of the crossbar – it's actually integrated into the buckle itself."

He then goes on about the Milanese bracelet: "But for me, it's all about the Milanese bracelet, baby. The fact that Apple even knows what this is is remarkable. I promise you not a single other tech company in the world would've spent the time to make this admittedly outdated looking option. But I absolutely love it.

I love it because it's so comfortable, so different than a traditional link bracelet. I love it because it's so 1950s and '60s. I actually wear a Milanese-style bracelet on my 1957 Omega Speedmaster (ref. 2915-2 for you nerds) and I get more compliments on it than just about anything I own, because of the bracelet. This "loop" style bracelet is just fantastic, and unlike the bracelet on my Omega, it just works. It's magnetized and you can close it at any size. It is light to wear, but substantial, and feels fantastic on the wrist. How does it compare to this nice Tissot with a similar bracelet? Switzerland, you don't want to know.

Again, Apple has paid excruciating attention to detail in the design and wearability of the Apple Watch. In many cases, its offerings make what is coming out of Switzerland (or Asia) look amateurish. "

http://www.hodinkee.com/blog/hodinkee-apple-watch-review

Of course your mileage may vary......

 

[Jessica Lares]

There will be even more expensive ones. Lots and lots of money to be made here.

 

[frumpy16]

Yes all of the band prices are ludicrous. $50 for a rubber band is borderline insulting and it only gets worse from there. But I'm a proud Click backer

 

[heeloliver]

Actually, no. These bands are top notch stuff. I'm not paying for crap here.

 

[alia]

If you wear something every day, comfort becomes worth a good amount of money for some people (myself included). I just don't see some of these cheap knockoffs providing the same comfort as the Apple bands, but I'm certainly interested to see what people put out there.

 

[Aces2412]

Like anything else there will be plenty of knock offs out there if your looking for cheaper.

 

[AdonisSMU]

No I justified it after I tried them on. I bought a sport and a leather in addition to the milanese loop. I am tempted to get a link band as well.

 

[JFazYankees]

Nope, I found it easy to justify $450 for a band, simply because the link bracelet is absolutely gorgeous

 

[Armen]

I ordered a 42mm sport, (in silver specifically so I could buy other bands). I like the sport bands, but I want something else for more formal occasions. The next cheapest bands are the leather loop and and the Milanese loop, each $150.

Is it just me, or is it ridiculous that they are charging that much for a band? I understand that it is Apple, but come on, it's nearly half the price of the watch itself. Is this the norm for regular watch bands, or what?

Each link on my Omega band is $80.00.

 

[cloudspy]

I ordered a 42mm sport, (in silver specifically so I could buy other bands). I like the sport bands, but I want something else for more formal occasions. The next cheapest bands are the leather loop and and the Milanese loop, each $150.



Is it just me, or is it ridiculous that they are charging that much for a band? I understand that it is Apple, but come on, it's nearly half the price of the watch itself. Is this the norm for regular watch bands, or what?

It would cost me about half that for a decent watch band. So no it isn't that bad compared to other high end watches.

 

[VirtualRain]

I ordered a 42mm sport, (in silver specifically so I could buy other bands). I like the sport bands, but I want something else for more formal occasions. The next cheapest bands are the leather loop and and the Milanese loop, each $150.

Is it just me, or is it ridiculous that they are charging that much for a band? I understand that it is Apple, but come on, it's nearly half the price of the watch itself. Is this the norm for regular watch bands, or what?

Based on having inspected the bands first hand last night, I'd say they are way over-priced. The leather loop feels like plastic. The Milanese band is like silver fabric. The link bracelet looks like it belongs on a $25 Timex from 1980. I was very disappointed with Apple's bands.

I'm sure aftermarket watch band manufacturers are salivating over the price Apple is charging... bands they're normally selling for $50 will easily fetch $200 now with an Apple Watch connection since Apple has set quality bar so low and the price so high.

Check this out... I bet this $60 band will sell for $200 with an Apple Watch connection on it and sadly, it's probably vastly superior to any of Apple's own straps.

 

[GrimmsGirl]

My personal opinion is that the price is high. I am debating getting the soft pink modern buckle when they become available. I am also having difficulty swallowing the price, not knowing how long I'll be able to keep it. If AW2 - 4 all allow for the current bands to be used, I'd buy whichever bands I wanted. Not so much if future AW (if there are future AW) won't work with the current bands.

As for how the prices stack up against higher end offerings for analog watches, here are a few comparisons I found. Up to the individual to determine how they stack up in quality.

Rubbber:
http://www.shinola.com/shop/watch-straps/24mm-black-rubber-strap.html
http://www.thestrapsmith.com/rubber_silicone/1565

Leather:
http://www.thestrapsmith.com/leather_straps/1596
http://www.shinola.com/shop/watch-straps/24mm-black-nato-latigo-gbs-strap.html
http://www.dalucastraps.com/clementiguer/

 

[Supermallet]

Thanks for sharing. When I felt the leather loop in person, it felt somewhat like plastic. Is that what high end leather feels like (I wouldn't know). IMO it definitely doesn't feel like top of the line...

----------

Here is a quote from a reputable high end WATCH reviewer: "The leather is super soft, super high quality. It is much nicer than any leather strap I've ever felt on a $350 analog watch. Then, look at the buckle. It looks like a normal tang, but notice that the tang itself doesn't simply sit on top of the crossbar – it's actually integrated into the buckle itself."

He then goes on about the Milanese bracelet: "But for me, it's all about the Milanese bracelet, baby. The fact that Apple even knows what this is is remarkable. I promise you not a single other tech company in the world would've spent the time to make this admittedly outdated looking option. But I absolutely love it.

I love it because it's so comfortable, so different than a traditional link bracelet. I love it because it's so 1950s and '60s. I actually wear a Milanese-style bracelet on my 1957 Omega Speedmaster (ref. 2915-2 for you nerds) and I get more compliments on it than just about anything I own, because of the bracelet. This "loop" style bracelet is just fantastic, and unlike the bracelet on my Omega, it just works. It's magnetized and you can close it at any size. It is light to wear, but substantial, and feels fantastic on the wrist. How does it compare to this nice Tissot with a similar bracelet? Switzerland, you don't want to know.

Again, Apple has paid excruciating attention to detail in the design and wearability of the Apple Watch. In many cases, its offerings make what is coming out of Switzerland (or Asia) look amateurish. "

http://www.hodinkee.com/blog/hodinkee-apple-watch-review

Of course your mileage may vary......

The member you were quoting was discussing the leather loop, the hodinkee article was discussing the classic buckle. I agree that the leather loop bands feel cheap.

 

[JerryCooke]

Prices are pretty high, I'm pretty taken with the leather loop though; those magnets are pretty nifty. I'll stick with the sport band for now and consider buying more later, they're hardly going to stop selling them.

I've ordered a Click too, purely for fascination really, if their adapters work, I'll be happy with all the free bands they're sending, but if not, meh, I'll pay Apple's prices, hehe.

 

[AdonisSMU]

Based on having inspected the bands first hand last night, I'd say they are way over-priced. The leather loop feels like plastic. The Milanese band is like silver fabric. The link bracelet looks like it belongs on a $25 Timex from 1980. I was very disappointed with Apple's bands.

I'm sure aftermarket watch band manufacturers are salivating over the price Apple is charging... bands they're normally selling for $50 will easily fetch $200 now with an Apple Watch connection since Apple has set quality bar so low and the price so high.

Check this out... I bet this $60 band will sell for $200 with an Apple Watch connection on it and sadly, it's probably vastly superior to any of Apple's own straps.

The experts would have to actually get one and review it before I bought one. I want quality. I don't want an expensive watch face with a cheap band. Sorry...