Jony Ive Says Apple Watch Hermès Doesn't Make Apple 'Exclusive'

[jamesbar2]

If you look at it in terms of buying from Hermes directly, one of their watches would cost $2,900 (http://usa.hermes.com/watches/cape-cod/cape-cod-gm-17402.html) with the same/similar band. In that light, the Apple Watch with Hermes is a steal. But yes, it amounts to just a silly leather strap, and a new skin for a watch face.

 

[ENduro]

It's exclusive to the Hermès Apple Watch

The word exclusive makes me and Jony very uncomfortable.

 

[MacFather]

Deleted.

 

[rdlink]

No, because Apple has always been exclusive

They've sold hundreds of millions of iPhones in the last year. They continue to be a leader in PC sales, and the leader in tablet sales. So I guess there is more than 1% who can afford exclusive?

 

[rdlink]

I disagree. I think they look great and would be a reason for me to buy the Apple Watch. I just wish it wasn't $1500. Can't any other third party manufacturers make something that looks/feels similarly great?

They will. Hold tight.

 

[ENduro]

I actually like the straps a lot but really how "Hermes" is the watch face when it's just a skin on top of the normal Apple Watch? I like wearing a watch and would rather wear a real Seiko than a fake Rolex, this just seems like it would scream fake to it's target audience.

 

[rdlink]

If you have moolah and want to spend it, go for it! It is not my money!

Very healthy attitude. Thank you for being reasonable.

 

[Four oF NINE]

He is right. That $1K Hermés watch is exactly the same as my $349 sport watch except for the band and branding. In some ways this could be Apple's most egalitarian product as the functionality is the same where the you spend $349 or thousands.

Incorrect. It's the stainless steel Apple Watch, not the Sport version.

I just wish they made a double tour band for the 42mm version

 

[ENduro]

It's called "luxury"—one of the many pleasurable rewards of hard work and living well. More should try it.

Spoken like someone who never broke a sweat to make a buck.

 

[AdonisSMU]

Can I get these bracelets by themselves?

 

[Aluminum213]

Must...have...Hermes exclusive....watch face....

 

[Thunderhawks]

I disagree. I think they look great and would be a reason for me to buy the Apple Watch. I just wish it wasn't $1500. Can't any other third party manufacturers make something that looks/feels similarly great?

Yes, will be copied within 4 weeks. $ 29.99 coming to a flea market near you.

 

[Heltik]

It's basically a mechanism for detecting idiots: buy the exact same watch, with the exact same features, manufactured at the exact same factory in China, for $1000 more, and get a Hermes wallpaper, and a leather strap made by a Frenchman.

For anyone horologically inclined, a decent replacement strap usually costs $200 and one would expect to replace it every couple of years. Of course one can forego this hassle as the watch shall be deprecated by then.

 

[Daalseth]

I'm not a customer for an Apple Watch. Just not my thing. But this version has pushed me farther away. Putting the price aside for the moment, I hate the design. A strap that goes around twice? I cannot think of any watch band that would be less comfortable or functional than that. It looks awkward and clumsy. The next one looks like something kids in my junior high would have worn in '1975. Overdone leather and studs. The last is a simple black band that looked nice...on the Timex watch I owned in the '80s. There is Form over Function, and then there's this. Form at the expense of function. To me they say "look at me I have enough money to wear something uncomfortable because I can afford it".

 

[wakinghour]

It's basically a mechanism for detecting idiots: buy the exact same watch, with the exact same features, manufactured at the exact same factory in China, for $1000 more, and get a Hermes wallpaper, and a leather strap made by a Frenchman.

For anyone horologically inclined, a decent replacement strap usually costs $200 and one would expect to replace it every couple of years. Of course one can forego this hassle as the watch shall be deprecated by then.

You can also say "for $1000 less, you can get the exact same watch with a plastic band" Everyone gets the same user experience, and those with money can pay more for a little luxury. Apple isn't putting a barrier to entry for regular people.

 

[Rogifan]

Incorrect. It's the stainless steel Apple Watch, not the Sport version.

I just wish they made a double tour band for the 42mm version

I meant from a technology standpoint. The expensive watches don't do anything different than then Sport versions.

 

[nando87]

You can buy a really one off hand made top end su misura strap for less than 400 euros. That+Apple watch=1000 or so euros. And it's much more high end than some hermes/LV boring stuff.

http://www.abp-paris.com

 

[doboy]

I might get one for my wife then get one myself with Watch version 2.

 

[Rogifan]

I actually like the straps a lot but really how "Hermes" is the watch face when it's just a skin on top of the normal Apple Watch? I like wearing a watch and would rather wear a real Seiko than a fake Rolex, this just seems like it would scream fake to it's target audience.

Er, that's why it's called Watch Hermés collection. It's still an Apple watch just with Hermés bands and branding.

 

[japanime]

That Hermes double-strap thing is the closest yet to the much-anticipated the Apple Watch Bondage Edition.

 

[doboy]

That Hermes double-strap thing is the closest thing yet to the much-anticipated the Apple Watch Bondage Edition.

Your username explains your thinking. haha

 

[japanime]

Your username explains your thinking. haha

Excuse me, "doboy"?

 

[Analog Kid]

That Hermes double-strap thing is the closest yet to the much-anticipated the Apple Watch Bondage Edition.

Is that the mode where your "move goal" is 0?

 

[KPOM]

I like the single loop version. Too bad this wasn't available at the initial launch. Apple's move is smart. They are basically telling the high-end watch makers that there is an alternative to losing sales to smartwatches and going with Android Wear.

 

[Lucky736]

Sounds like Ive's ego is finally starting to get the best of him.