I wore the $17,000 apple watch: impressions

[robbie12345]

Hi all, just wanted to share my experience after my apple watch edition try on today. I did not order an edition nor do I claim to so please do not bash me for that, these are solely my initial impressions with the appearance and appeal of the device.

So I was near an Apple Store that held the edition today so I figured what the heck I would try it on, my sg bsb ships at the end of May, but I wanted to see what the hype about the edition model is. I went to my appointment and they brought out the models guarded by security personnel.

First, the box the watch comes with is blue leather, but feels cheap. It isn't heavy at all, and the magnet holding the two sides together wasnt that strong. The box felt like an apple leather iPhone case if you want an impression. The charger itself was shiny black similar to the bezel on the black iPhone five.

Now onto the watches:

The watch was light. Very light. There was no considerable heft to the gold. It was as heavy as the standard (or so it seemed) and not more so. The watch also felt like a gold-standard watch, the leather band seemed to be made by the cheap machine made leather as the normal leather loops. There was no stitching on the bands. The clasps were identical to the normal leather bands, albeit gold. I don't understand why they carry such a premium, they aren't very nice.

The model with the sports band felt cheap. Just as the sport model does, however you can't be content with knowing it was cheap. It was interesting to me apple would even sell the watch with the sport band, considering it felt like a stupid pairing, a luxury watch with a cheap sport band.

The yellow gold looked ok, the rose gold is more matte, but neither really appealed to me. If you're going to show off a $20k watch do yourself a favor and get a solid gold band.

Anyways, i have no clue who would buy this thing as it felt really cheap for what it is. Also, I would feel like an idiot wearing it having people know I spent $15k on a first-gen product. You guys and myself included can feel content knowing that your sport and ss watches do the same thing and were money better spent.

 

[bidwalj]

If you are doing an analysis like that, it was never meant for you in the first place. You aren't the target market for that product.

 

[samiznaetekto]

I think Edition is the stupidest thing Apple has ever done. Makes me wonder if Guinness Book of Records 2015 will feature this.

 

[John90976]

Call the sport band what you want (Too Bright, Too expensive) but it doesn't feel cheap. It's very comfortable. Otherwise, I agreed with most of what you said, if that matters any

 

[dacreativeguy]

$17k really isn't that much for a high end watch. There was just a story of a guy who lost his $100k diamond covered watch at TSA.. an actually got it back. People with money to burn spend it freely.

 

[bunnicula]

The Edition is heavier than the SS, which is heavier than the Sport.

I like the Edition watches. Not enough to buy one, but they're attractive. Which is all they need to be to sell to their travel demographic.

 

[RedDamme]

It sounds like you're new to luxury watches!
Marc Newson, designer who works on Apple Watch, was once in charge of a watch called Ikepod Horizon which starts at $15,000, not even in gold but titanium, and features a rubber band which looks pretty much exactly like the sports band. Edition, in gold, with a. Sports band, is $10k

 

[FrancoRumors]

Cool story bro. ##

I respect everyone's opinions. Your feelings a no better or worse than anyone else's...

However. IMO - no one seems to be getting the point... The edition is just a version with a huge price tag for people who have the wealth to afford it and the desire to flaunt it. The target demographic probably already owns one or more high end watches - buying an edition allows them to get an apple time piece without feelin like they are wearing a cheap watch in comparison to what they already own.

No one needs to spend 10k plus on a watch or even 400 for that matter. People spend what they have. Money is meant to be spent. You can't take it with you when you die. If I had the cash I would get the platinum edition if they ever make one... I'm not a gold "person". I do like the renderings of the gold edition with the BCB, not sure if it looks as good in real life.

I think they sell the edition with a sport band pairing because it lends itself to the whole idea of the watch being a health and fitness device. It would he kind of silly to pay 10k and not have a band to wear when exercising etc.

You also made a comment about the lack of stiching on the band. I think this is just a design choice. It makes the watch have a cleaner design aesthetic. I don't think leather watch bands need stitching to be designated as high quality.

One more thing.. Not spending money on something because it's a first generation product had less to do with the overall price tag. It's more about how you feel about being an early adopter.

Thanks for your review. Most people probably don't have the stones to go in and ask to try on the edition.

Cheers.

 

[malreynolds]

I think Edition is the stupidest thing Apple has ever done. Makes me wonder if Guinness Book of Records 2015 will feature this.

And yet... they're totally sold out. Stupidest?

 

[bushido]

And yet... they're totally sold out. Stupidest?

sold out? more like not shipping yet unless your name is Yeezzus

 

[zmunkz]

Cool story bro. ##

I respect everyone's opinions. Your feelings a no better or worse than anyone else's...

However. IMO - no one seems to be getting the point... The edition is just a version with a huge price tag for people who have the wealth to afford it and the desire to flaunt it. The target demographic probably already owns one or more high end watches - buying an edition allows them to get an apple time piece without feelin like they are wearing a cheap watch in comparison to what they already own.

No one needs to spend 10k plus on a watch or even 400 for that matter. People spend what they have. Money is meant to be spent. You can't take it with you when you die. If I had the cash I would get the platinum edition if they ever make one... I'm not a gold "person". I do like the renderings of the gold edition with the BCB, not sure if it looks as good in real life.

I think they sell the edition with a sport band pairing because it lends itself to the whole idea of the watch being a health and fitness device. It would he kind of silly to pay 10k and not have a band to wear when exercising etc.

You also made a comment about the lack of stiching on the band. I think this is just a design choice. It makes the watch have a cleaner design aesthetic. I don't think leather watch bands need stitching to be designated as high quality.

One more thing.. Not spending money on something because it's a first generation product had less to do with the overall price tag. It's more about how you feel about being an early adopter.

Thanks for your review. Most people probably don't have the stones to go in and ask to try on the edition.

Cheers.

100% agree

 

[dannyyankou]

So you wasted an employee's time to wear a watch that you probably can't afford. Cool.

 

[roddenshaw]

So you wasted an employee's time to wear a watch that you probably can't afford. Cool.

Apple know that will happen, and they don't seem to care. So long as they sell devices as a result they'll be happy.

 

[kingofwale]

thanks for the review.

it's exactly what I expect, an overpriced watch for those who has more money than brain (or sense).

 

[akonikui]

I also tried the Edition on and I disagree on the weight.
The Edition - even the 38mm - felt MUCH heavier than the SS. It was immediately noticeable, and I'm used to wearing a watch.

 

[Mac 128]

And yet when the Edition finally starts shipping, despite the price tag it will probably sell for twice as much on eBay from scampers who picked one up at Maxfield before anyone one else can get theirs. It's not only exclusive, it's limited.

Anyone who views the Edition as a first gen product is missing the point. So really nothing else to be said, they will never understand.

There's a reason Apple didn't release a gold clad watch in the $1-2K range, a preference many if not most people prefer who won't wear silver jewelry and accessories, and that's to give the Edition a more prominent release. This Fall we'll see a cheaper gold watch for the masses, and likely a Platinum Edition for the elite -- with the 18K gold limited Edition likely sold out, and only available for huge markups on eBay.

 

[bruinsrme]

$17k really isn't that much for a high end watch. There was just a story of a guy who lost his $100k diamond covered watch at TSA.. an actually got it back. People with money to burn spend it freely.

High end watch?
If I gold plated a iPad mini 3 would that make it high end?

 

[roddenshaw]

High end watch?
If I gold plated a iPad mini 3 would that make it high end?

Apples and oranges. Tablets are generally functional, and fashion is at best a secondary concern. Many people buy watches purely as a fashion item, or as a status symbol. To my mind the gold Apple watches are obscene, but if one is comparing them to a Tag Heur/Omega/Rolex/Cartier/etc the price is 'reasonable' (in a purely relative sense).

 

[DavidLynch]

Apples and oranges. Tablets are generally functional, and fashion is at best a secondary concern. Many people buy watches purely as a fashion item, or as a status symbol. To my mind the gold Apple watches are obscene, but if one is comparing them to a Tag Heur/Omega/Rolex/Cartier/etc the price is 'reasonable' (in a purely relative sense).

Apples and oranges, yes, but if Apple released an $8,000 gold plated iPad I can almost guarantee we'd see the same celebrities using them with their Edition watches.

 

[roddenshaw]

Apples and oranges, yes, but if Apple released an $8,000 gold plated iPad I can almost guarantee we'd see the same celebrities using them with their Edition watches.

If Apple adopted the same strategy of gifting them to high profile people in return for publicity I daresay we would. That wouldn't necessarily cause others to buy them, whereas the (small) market for the gold watch is readily identifiable.

 

[cmChimera]

High end watch?
If I gold plated a iPad mini 3 would that make it high end?

The Edition isn't gold-plated, it's solid gold, and comparing high end technology to high end fashion is a apples to oranges comparison.

 

[Tom G.]

The people who will buy the Edition Watch are the same ones who will pay thousands of dollars to buy the diamond encrusted gold cases for their iPhones and iPads. Or who own diamond incrusted sports cars and charge the hoi paloi common masses, like me, a thousand dollars just to touch it. Although I don't have any desire to touch it.

If you look at the graphs of the Laws of Supply and Demand you will notice that they are open ended. This is because there are those people who will spend any amount to buy a product. Apple is very wise to accommodate them.

 

[robbie12345]

Cool story bro. ##

I respect everyone's opinions. Your feelings a no better or worse than anyone else's...

However. IMO - no one seems to be getting the point... The edition is just a version with a huge price tag for people who have the wealth to afford it and the desire to flaunt it. The target demographic probably already owns one or more high end watches - buying an edition allows them to get an apple time piece without feelin like they are wearing a cheap watch in comparison to what they already own.

No one needs to spend 10k plus on a watch or even 400 for that matter. People spend what they have. Money is meant to be spent. You can't take it with you when you die. If I had the cash I would get the platinum edition if they ever make one... I'm not a gold "person". I do like the renderings of the gold edition with the BCB, not sure if it looks as good in real life.

I think they sell the edition with a sport band pairing because it lends itself to the whole idea of the watch being a health and fitness device. It would he kind of silly to pay 10k and not have a band to wear when exercising etc.

You also made a comment about the lack of stiching on the band. I think this is just a design choice. It makes the watch have a cleaner design aesthetic. I don't think leather watch bands need stitching to be designated as high quality.

One more thing.. Not spending money on something because it's a first generation product had less to do with the overall price tag. It's more about how you feel about being an early adopter.

Thanks for your review. Most people probably don't have the stones to go in and ask to try on the edition.

Cheers.

Thanks for the reply, glad you understand I was only sharing my personal opinions of the device after actually wearing it vs speculation based on pictures and videos.

I know many people who would be in the market for a watch of this caliber, and it isn't that I personally couldn't afford the watch, I would just never waste so much money on it no matter how much I had. The watch is intended to flaunt wealth which is why I thought it was interesting apple didnt offer a gold band. You can hardly tell the watch is gold from afar as the stainless reflects light giving it an almost yellow tinge. If one was interested in showing it off, it won't be that easy to show off.

Also, the reason why I mentioned the sports band is that you can't actually buy individual bands for the watch. So, whichever band you buy initially is what you're stuck with. I didnt mean that the sports band felt cheap necessarily, I meant it felt cheap in context of a $12,000 product. If you are buying that caliber of watch, you would definitely want a leather or solid gold band.

I personally am not an expert on leather bands, I only have read online about determining the quality of the band, as stitches prove it was hand-made. Without stitches, it could have been molded in a factory by apple.

Personally, Im not sure if people buying the gold watch would do it to be an early-adopter. But who knows.

Thanks for your reply,

Robbie.

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The people who will buy the Edition Watch are the same ones who will pay thousands of dollars to buy the diamond encrusted gold cases for their iPhones and iPads. Or who own diamond incrusted sports cars and charge the hoi paloi common masses, like me, a thousand dollars just to touch it. Although I don't have any desire to touch it.

If you look at the graphs of the Laws of Supply and Demand you will notice that they are open ended. This is because there are those people who will spend any amount to buy a product. Apple is very wise to accommodate them.

In terms of economic utility it may be wise to read up on the law of diminishing returns. Especially considering the dozens of other watches these people have and that you can buy one with the same functionality for substantially cheaper.

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If you are doing an analysis like that, it was never meant for you in the first place. You aren't the target market for that product.

This is the same analysis people do when purchasing a rolex or a swatch, people are rich but not as rich as some think. Also, the purpose of this thread was just to share opinions with others, I never claimed to have bought it or considered buying it.

 

[zmunkz]

In terms of economic utility it may be wise to read up on the law of diminishing returns. Especially considering the dozens of other watches these people have and that you can buy one with the same functionality for substantially cheaper.

That statement is true of any designer watch, and it clearly doesn't stop people from shelling out money when they can afford it.

 

[imaginex20]

What a stupid post.

It's like saying, hey I went and test drove a Mercedes S63 AMG and I don't know why someone would pay 150K for this car when I can buy a Toyota Avalon for 50K with the same features for a lot less! I had no intentions of buying the Mercedes but they let me test drive it!