I successfully goldplated the applewatch!

[mightyjabba]

it hasn't even been established that these watches will carry any substantial resale value anyway.

Has there ever been an Apple product that didn't have substantial retail value a year or two after its release? Obviously we won't know what it'll be like until the next version comes out, but I can't believe there wouldn't be a demand. That said, as long as the gold finish holds up over time (which is definitely a big if) I would think the gold versions would actually be worth more than the normal ones on the secondary market, unless Apple comes out with their own plated versions. I wouldn't expect to get your $399 back though.

 

[Donstil-nl]

Has there ever been an Apple product that didn't have substantial retail value a year or two after its release? Obviously we won't know what it'll be like until the next version comes out, but I can't believe there wouldn't be a demand. That said, as long as the gold finish holds up over time (which is definitely a big if) I would think the gold versions would actually be worth more than the normal ones on the secondary market, unless Apple comes out with their own plated versions. I wouldn't expect to get your $399 back though.

You most defiantly getting your 399,- back.
Here in the Netherlands a Normal 42 MM SS version goes for $1200,- (its not out here yet) and last week a Gold Plated one Sold for $2500,- on the local Gragslist like site.

There is a marked for this kind of thing, i really not seeing why we cannot get our 399,- back in extra value. If the gold sticks that is, normal gold plated gold will last long if taken care of so i am not worried.

Not that i am replacing mine when a second version comes out btw, it's not that good of a device for that. just a Second screen for notifications, just like a Pebble.

 

[LiemTa]

I just ordered a gold Milanese loop from aliexpress!

http://bit.ly/1cvaS3I

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I hope you don't expect the band to come looking like that. Looks like they just took a stock photo and applied sepia to it.

 

[Donstil-nl]

Btw. Is the compartment behind the watch adapter also gold?

 

[BITEMEAPPLESIGN]

Send me a link when it hits eBay please

Already listed on eBay and sold!​

 

[BlueMoon63]

Already listed on eBay and sold!​

There is a 42mm SS Black Sport Band with Gold Plated on EBay right now with 2 1/2 days left. Current price is $1025. Right now, I think that is break even price.

 

[APPLE-FANATIC]

Hey Friends,

My wife loves the look of the gold apple watch, but could never justify spending 10k+ on one, so I gold plated her Stainless steel Milanese apple watch. Well, i actually plated 2! I was going to keep it, but I think i'm going to stick with my 42mm link when it finally arrives, so its hitting ebay. (apple won't accept the return)

Anyway, here are some pictures of the finished product:

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Damn! That looks awesome!! Im from Cali, but live in TX. Im in Cali every couple of months, I don't mind stopping by the shop, LOL. You can make some good $$$ doing this, great job 😎

 

[EdisEdward]

http://www.goldplating.com/star.htm

Looks like anyone can purchase a kit for less than $3000 and start their own gold plating business! This kit has enough gold to cover 1300 square inches of 10micro inches. So if I did my math correctly that is 1300/3/3*400= $57,777. So that is over $50k profit just from using this kit! Excluding labor cost

Assumptions for math
1) each watch is 3 square inches
2) three layers of 10micro inches
3) sell for $400



http://www.goldplating.com/Products/products-brushgold.htm

Looks like the gold sells for about $300 for a yield of 1200 square inches. Using formula above, that is 133 watches. $300/133= $2.25 worth of gold u r paying for.

Looks like the OP correctly estimated that the gold is worth approx $6, but he edited that to $60 days later for whatever reason.

When it comes to the end, I think the service looks great. But a little turned off by OP changing his facts about the costs

 

[zmunkz]

http://www.goldplating.com/star.htm

Looks like anyone can purchase a kit for less than $3000 and start their own gold plating business! This kit has enough gold to cover 1300 square inches of 10micro inches. So if I did my math correctly that is 1300/3/3*400= $57,777. So that is over $50k profit just from using this kit! Excluding labor cost

Assumptions for math
1) each watch is 3 square inches
2) three layers of 10micro inches
3) sell for $400



http://www.goldplating.com/Products/products-brushgold.htm

Looks like the gold sells for about $300 for a yield of 1200 square inches. Using formula above, that is 133 watches. $300/133= $2.25 worth of gold u r paying for.

Looks like the OP correctly estimated that the gold is worth approx $6, but he edited that to $60 days later for whatever reason.

When it comes to the end, I think the service looks great. But a little turned off by OP changing his facts about the costs

Thanks for working through this.

Yeah it is strange he changed the number... Maybe he felt like the markup was too much for people to swallow for $6 in gold... I am disappointed to hear he decided to fudge that. Also his responsiveness to PM's and emails has pretty much gone to nill, which is not very comforting. Hopefully these are just hiccups as he gets his new business setup.

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

Thanks for working through this.

Yeah it is strange he changed the number... Maybe he felt like the markup was too much for people to swallow for $6 in gold... I am disappointed to hear he decided to fudge that. Also his responsiveness to PM's and emails has pretty much gone to nill, which is not very comforting. Hopefully these are just hiccups as he gets his new business setup.

Keep in mind he recently updated his equipment and may now be using a more expensive kit.

 

[noobinator]

I was listening to a podcast last night and a guy doing this was on and said his cost per watch to do this is under $10. That's some good profit!

 

[macapple9]

It looks better in Gold. That should be an option although I doubt it.

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

It looks better in Gold. That should be an option although I doubt it.

It's already an option if you buy the Edition, but Apple will never resort to gold plating as long as they sell the Editon models.

 

[macapple9]

Thanks for letting me know that.

 

[user1337]

Any men get it done in rose gold? Trying to decide between gold and rose gold...

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

Any men get it done in rose gold? Trying to decide between gold and rose gold...

Jony Ive wears the Rose Gold with white sport band. Good enough?

 

[zmunkz]

Crossposting this, since I figure this is another thread where someone might have info:

* * *

Has anybody else taken advantage of this service and received their watch back?

I sent mine out a week ago and I haven't heard anything… I'm getting a little bit anxious, and I'm not getting replies to my emails. Either they are just so swamped with orders that they're behind schedule and don't have time to reply to all the messages.... or I got scammed. I am still reasonably sure it's the former scenario, although another couple days will change my opinion. In any event it would be reassuring to hear anyone else that's had success with this.

 

[tnguyen2301]

They received my 38mm SS w/Milanese loop Tuesday noon and said they will mail back to me this Friday. I was the first one to order their gold plated service (Order No. 00001)
Hope it come thru....

Watchplate.com finally shipped my plated watch with milanese loop. I should have it by Wed PM. Will post pictures and post my cmn....

I was the first one to order and send my watch in... 11 days waiting

 

[zmunkz]

Watchplate.com finally shipped my plated watch with milanese loop. I should have it by Wed PM. Will post pictures and post my cmn....

I was the first one to order and send my watch in... 11 days waiting

Nice! Did you have any trouble communicating with them during the process? Or did you just wait it out?

 

[tnguyen2301]

Nice! Did you have any trouble communicating with them during the process? Or did you just wait it out?

I had sent them a couple emails and Ryan Flynn did call me late yesterday afternoon and said that he will ship my watch next day air.
They stated free shipping both ways but it is FedEx ground....
I will post pictures when I have it tomorrow.

 

[dsa420]

I had sent them a couple emails and Ryan Flynn did call me late yesterday afternoon and said that he will ship my watch next day air.
They stated free shipping both ways but it is FedEx ground....
I will post pictures when I have it tomorrow.

Would you mind PM'ing me his phone number?

 

[zmunkz]

Would you mind PM'ing me his phone number?

Same. Considering he has my watch, I think I should be able to call him...

 

[flur]

I was listening to a podcast last night and a guy doing this was on and said his cost per watch to do this is under $10. That's some good profit!

The OP stated that the real cost here was the time to do it - I guess it's time-consuming to get it right. Man hours generally do cost more than supplies.

 

[RyanFlynn]

Hey Guys,

We shipped out almost every order that came in last week and upgraded everyone to overnight shipping free of charge to make up for some lost time. Starting a business and getting the attention of practically the entire world's media 12 hours after launching our website, gave us an unexpected boost of sales that required real expansion. I had to hire 3 people just to respond to emails (we are getting hundreds a day). We manufactured parts that didn't exist just days ago that are specific to plating the apple watch and her bands. We did have a bit of a delay with our initial orders, but after getting our system dialed in, we are good to go.

I couldn't be more grateful for the macrumors forum community and especially this thread. I've been working from about 7am to 3am every day for the last week and a half, but everything is coming together beautifully and the team at watchplate.com and I couldn't be more proud.

*highfives
Ryan

 

[Vgm1987]

Reading these 10 pages has given me great information about WatchPlate. I changed my order today from the sports version to SS just to get it goldplated.
I look forward to reading more comments and follong up with the turn around time of orders. Seems like they are getting pretty busy. I really hope they can keep up with demand and still provide good quality work.

I am wanting to get my watch and 2 bands plated.
Does anyone know the what they charge for an extra band?

I would be nice to see pictures of watchplate customers as they get their watches back!