I wore the $17,000 apple watch: impressions

[bruinsrme]

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.

Thank you for the correction. I just don't see how putting the same basic micro computer in 69 grams of 18k gold makes it high end.
I agree about apples and oranges. I see $800 shoes and often wonder why.

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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).

Silicon to precision gears, assembly and precision time keeping cant be compared.

 

[braddick]

In the early 2000's we had the Hitler/Nazi syndrome whereas if a thread lasted long enough one or both of those words would eventually get mentioned.

Today we have the, "more money than brains" comments in what comes off as a sad attempt to belittle those who have discretionary income and chose to spend in on whatever it is that pleases them. In this case, an expensive Apple watch.

 

[JSB1540]

Wrong the Lexus ES is the big cousin of the Toyota Camry not the Avalon. Most of the Lexus line don't have anything in common with Toyota.

The Lexus ES is the Avalon upgraded. Check any auto website, or google it. "Given that the Avalon and ES share the same chassis and many of the same parts" Lexus is made by Toyota.

 

[Bigboi]

The Lexus ES is the Avalon upgraded. Check any auto website, or google it. "Given that the Avalon and ES share the same chassis and many of the same parts" Lexus is made by Toyota.

you are right I'm wrong the Lexus does share the same platform as the Lexus

 

[SHNXX]

I really don't get it... Would rather a slightly preowned Audemars Piguet or Rolex.

The target market (celebs) for this watch already have a large collection of gold APs and diamond Rolexes.

 

[Mac 128]

Thank you for the correction. I just don't see how putting the same basic micro computer in 69 grams of 18k gold makes it high end.
I agree about apples and oranges. I see $800 shoes and often wonder why.

$800 shoes are manufactured by one designer. The style is exclusive to them. They invented the look, and are the first to bring it to market. They get to charge whatever they want, and the market will pay for it, assuming demand. The major fashion houses only produce so many, so demand usually outstrips supply, further justifying the cost. Let's call it reimbursement of development costs. Nevertheless, when the knock-off shoe makers copy the designs and create a counterfeit version of the product which sells for $50, the people who can and will pay $800 for the original designers shoes, will still pay $800 for the genuine article. Why? Ethics, bragging rights, self-satisfaction, honor, elitism? Take your pick. Those who want the exact look, right down to the original designers trademarks, will buy the illegal counterfeits. Those who are slightly more scrupulous, will buy the mass produced knock-offs by other shoe makers, that look like the designer shoes, but without the trademarks, so people don't think they're wearing the real thing. And that's the world of fashion.

The Watch is no different. Samsung will knock off the design, and the Chinese will flood the market with counterfeits. The big difference with Apple is that the competitors can't really duplicate the internal proprietary engineering or software and still undercut Apple. However, for those who want people to think they can afford the Edition, there's a guy selling electroplating of your stainless watch right here on these forums. Or maybe they just prefer to wear gold over silver, an affordable option which Apple hasn't offered yet. Take your pick. The wealthy will have the satisfaction of knowing that they have paid for an exclusive and limited edition that is fully authorized by Apple, and covered under warranty, crafted with a patented and proprietary process no one else will be wearing. And they are paying for the engineering that goes into that select and limited production. It's the price of exclusivity.

And here's one more for you -- unlike a Rolex, the Watch can be considered 100% a business expense that can be written off and depreciated on your taxes. So the $17K watch makes an excellent write off for the wealthy who otherwise would have to pay hefty taxes on that $17K. Apple's Sr. management is making it easy for their rich buddies to invest in the watch. Something luxury watchmakers can't do.

 

[robbie12345]

$800 shoes are manufactured by one designer. The style is exclusive to them. They invented the look, and are the first to bring it to market. They get to charge whatever they want, and the market will pay for it, assuming demand. The major fashion houses only produce so many, so demand usually outstrips supply, further justifying the cost. Let's call it reimbursement of development costs. Nevertheless, when the knock-off shoe makers copy the designs and create a counterfeit version of the product which sells for $50, the people who can and will pay $800 for the original designers shoes, will still pay $800 for the genuine article. Why? Ethics, bragging rights, self-satisfaction, honor, elitism? Take your pick. Those who want the exact look, right down to the original designers trademarks, will buy the illegal counterfeits. Those who are slightly more scrupulous, will buy the mass produced knock-offs by other shoe makers, that look like the designer shoes, but without the trademarks, so people don't think they're wearing the real thing. And that's the world of fashion.

The Watch is no different. Samsung will knock off the design, and the Chinese will flood the market with counterfeits. The big difference with Apple is that the competitors can't really duplicate the internal proprietary engineering or software and still undercut Apple. However, for those who want people to think they can afford the Edition, there's a guy selling electroplating of your stainless watch right here on these forums. Or maybe they just prefer to wear gold over silver, an affordable option which Apple hasn't offered yet. Take your pick. The wealthy will have the satisfaction of knowing that they have paid for an exclusive and limited edition that is fully authorized by Apple, and covered under warranty, crafted with a patented and proprietary process no one else will be wearing. And they are paying for the engineering that goes into that select and limited production. It's the price of exclusivity.

And here's one more for you -- unlike a Rolex, the Watch can be considered 100% a business expense that can be written off and depreciated on your taxes. So the $17K watch makes an excellent write off for the wealthy who otherwise would have to pay hefty taxes on that $17K. Apple's Sr. management is making it easy for their rich buddies to invest in the watch. Something luxury watchmakers can't do.

I agree with you, there are people who have a will buy the gold apple watch. But, those people likely just want to flaunt their wealth. Also, how is the apple watch a tax deduction? Just because my watch cost only $400 doesn't mean I couldn't use a nice deduction. Haha

 

[Eightyone]

I agree with you, there are people who have a will buy the gold apple watch. But, those people likely just want to flaunt their wealth. Also, how is the apple watch a tax deduction? Just because my watch cost only $400 doesn't mean I couldn't use a nice deduction. Haha

It falls under a computer or device, depreciated value ^_~

 

[rahulr]

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.

Do you have any idea who the Apple watch edition is for? Do you know what market will be Apple's largest in 2015? Have you studied the economic trends of Asia to know that the Chinese wealthy class has almost doubled in the past three years? Answer those questions and you will see that the watch edition, while silly for us Americans will be a boon to Apple in profit margins and will probably sell better in Asia than in the U.S.

By the way, none of those economic trends have anything to do with the luxury watch market. If you find a pure 18k watch for under $10k, let me know.

For the rest of us the sport and SS are more than enough.

 

[SHNXX]

Do you have any idea who the Apple watch edition is for? Do you know what market will be Apple's largest in 2015? Have you studied the economic trends of Asia to know that the Chinese wealthy class has almost doubled in the past three years? Answer those questions and you will see that the watch edition, while silly for us Americans will be a boon to Apple in profit margins and will probably sell better in Asia than in the U.S.



By the way, none of those economic trends have anything to do with the luxury watch market. If you find a pure 18k watch for under $10k, let me know.



For the rest of us the sport and SS are more than enough.

Oh I don't know.
I'm in China and there are plenty of luxury watch buyers around me (> $20000) and not a single one has or is interested in the Edition.
I suspect it's more for celebrities and the gold iPhone case buyers (an extreme minority) than any specific ethnic group.

 

[rahulr]

Oh I don't know.
I'm in China and there are plenty of luxury watch buyers around me (> $20000) and not a single one has or is interested in the Edition.
I suspect it's more for celebrities and the gold iPhone case buyers (an extreme minority) than any specific ethnic group.

Maybe they can't get their hands on one either http://www.businessinsider.com/apple-watch-edition-sold-out-in-china-2015-4

 

[bniu]

As long as the Watch Edition keeps my Apple Shares high, I'm happy!

The one thing I find interesting is that there's no option if you bought the $15,000 leather loop Edition model to buy a sport band with the gold clip. If I can throw down $15K for a watch, I darn sure would not mind throwing down another $1K for a sport band with gold, or even another $5K for a link bracelet in gold. Maybe Apple does sell those bands through a secret channel that only Edition buyers are privy to...

 

[ToroidalZeus]

They have everything in common. An Avalon is nothing more than a Lexus LS.

Lexus is the worst in my opinion for this upsale with really no added value between car companies in my opinion. I.e. (Acura/Honda, Nissan/Infiniti, Volkswagen/Audi, Chevrolet/GMC). I wouldn't buy any of the upscale partners, save maybe an Audi S7, but Lexus is by far the least attractive. All you're getting is leather that isn't even that nice.

1st your opinion is completely wrong. Acura & Infiniti are terrible when it comes to value added.

2nd your comparison is off. Apple Watch Sport would be like a 3 series and an Edition like that same 3 series with a gold rims and a Bentley price-tag.

So the $17K watch makes an excellent write off for the wealthy who otherwise would have to pay hefty taxes on that $17K. Apple's Sr. management is making it easy for their rich buddies to invest in the watch. Something luxury watchmakers can't do.

Who told you that? That's soo wrong.

Computers are listed property according to the IRS. In order to claim a deduction you'll need to the prove that "the use is required as a condition of your employment." Good luck with that. And even then you can only deduct the percent usage for your business.

in short no competent accountant would allow a Apple Watch deduction for risk of being audited.

 

[robbie12345]

Do you have any idea who the Apple watch edition is for? Do you know what market will be Apple's largest in 2015? Have you studied the economic trends of Asia to know that the Chinese wealthy class has almost doubled in the past three years? Answer those questions and you will see that the watch edition, while silly for us Americans will be a boon to Apple in profit margins and will probably sell better in Asia than in the U.S.

By the way, none of those economic trends have anything to do with the luxury watch market. If you find a pure 18k watch for under $10k, let me know.

For the rest of us the sport and SS are more than enough.

I don't understand the point of this comment and the other comments I have received on this thread saying that I have no clue about the luxury fashion market and it will sell well.

I never said it wouldn't sell well, it probably will. What I said is that you should be skeptical of buying one if you're in the market. Also, I think it is fairly dumb to spend so much money on a device like that.

 

[rahulr]

I don't understand the point of this comment and the other comments I have received on this thread saying that I have no clue about the luxury fashion market and it will sell well.

I never said it wouldn't sell well, it probably will. What I said is that you should be skeptical of buying one if you're in the market. Also, I think it is fairly dumb to spend so much money on a device like that.

This response goes in line with your original post to say why Apple would ever release a watch that was so expensive. Obviously you missed the gist of my response which is to say that maybe we aren't the experts in product marketing and the sales channels that Apple operates that we think we are.

 

[Aluminum213]

New thread title: I wore a watch I can't afford: impressions

 

[jjlannoo]

Wrong the Lexus ES is the big cousin of the Toyota Camry not the Avalon. Most of the Lexus line don't have anything in common with Toyota.

Except the fact that they are all Toyota's lol. Not a knock to them but they are Toyotas luxury line. No different then Honda's Acura.

 

[tivoboy]

how much gold!

I can't wait for ifixit to buy one and melt it down to find out just how much gold it contains!

 

[Apples n' Stone]

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

Some say, it is aimed at a different target audience... And that, what is expensive to you may be tuppence to a wealthy Arabian king.

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Ah look at that, comment 69. (Insert immature reference here). But seriously, this shows Apple transferring towards the category of a luxury brand. Good for business, but with the usual options for customers. They are broadening the target audience.

 

[AbsoluteMustard]

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

The difference is that watch is a high price due to the fine craftsman ship and design, not what it is made from. The Ikepod will also be useful after 10 years, while the Edition will be a suboptimal paperweight.

 

[whatos]

This is what I have been taking issue with throughout this thread. "Those fortunate who can purchase this watch" may well be concerned about price. Having money doesn't automatically make somebody profligate.

Excellent post, very well said!

If we're going to characterize the wealthy with broad strokes, there's those who inherited their money and those who've earned theirs. Next, within those groups are those who enjoy spending. If inherited, the benefactors are much more likely to spend frivolously. Those who've worked hard and smart for theirs are highly likely to be more discerning.

Apple Watch Edition is much more likely to be purchased by the first group since they buy with abandon and rarely know what they're buying. Failing to appreciate the value of a dollar, they also often fall into the category of recklessly spending until they're bankrupt.

Conversely the intelligent hard working entrepreneurs are astute buyers that choose luxury goods that have distinct style, exclusivity and are sought out by those who know enduring value. They avoid the product that's merely dripping in gold with nothing else unique. Falling in this latter category the Watch Edition will be the favorite of posers. Wannabe long term seekers of upper class status.

Apple Edition comes across as a rather last minute hastily conceived item designed to get headlines, appeal to the easily impressed, yet most certainly won't sell in the numbers a well thought out, uniquely designed Edition would be capable of. Wealthy earners are not easily hoodwinked.

 

[Bigboi]

Except the fact that they are all Toyota's lol. Not a knock to them but they are Toyotas luxury line. No different then Honda's Acura.

The SUVS are but the IS, GS, RC and LS don't share anything with a Toyota

 

[AFDoc]

thanks for the review.

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

Why would you care what another spends their money on? Get over yourself.

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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!

They post for the sake of seeking attention... this is 2015...... people take selfies while taking a dump.

If I were in the market for a gold apple watch I'd simply plate an SS model..... get the look for hella less.

 

[Banich2]

While the Edition is out of my price range and not even on my radar, I'm not convinced that it's over priced inasmuch as it's not hard to imagine an object made out of gold costing ten times the price of its counterpart made from stainless steel.

I don't understand why buying a gold watch automatically implies that you're trying to flaunt wealth. Some people just like gold, and would never consider wearing another type of metal because it doesn't match the rest of their jewelry, and you have to respect them for that.

I think we can all agree that Apple makes great computers, that they are the most expensive computers available to purchase. Does that automatically mean you bought your Mac to show it off? No.

And as far as everyone who says something, like, "I know plenty of millionaires and they would never spend 17k on a watch like this..." I'm not even sure what to say. While there are plenty of millionaires who live frugally (the rich don't get rich by blowing their money), there are many, many more who will only buy the most expensive of what there is to offer (walk into your local Ritz Carlton and take a look at steady stream of Louis Vuitton luggage [average price is $5k for one suitcase] flowing in and out the door and please point out at least one person who would bat an eyelash while buying an Edition watch). I'm sure these people would be just as pissed off at Apple for not offering a gold watch as you are at them for making one.

 

[Banich2]

I just don't see how putting the same basic micro computer in 69 grams of 18k gold makes it high end.


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Umm, hmm, how do we explain this...

Gold has been the most sought after precious metal since the beginning of recorded time...

It is the definition of "high end"