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

[BigGuy219]

Yes, really. Most people don't care and for all they know, that PP watch is a $50 knock off from Chinatown. Most watches look the same and it doesn't cost much to make watches that look expensive.

It's not any different than a woman carrying around a $20,000 handbag. Most people wouldn't know or care.

Why do they still sell if that's the case? No one ever said humans were logical.

There was a time when people would take expensive nails and hammer them into their front door as a way of showing off their ability to purchase the nails.

It's a competitive society, and these types of products exist for that precisely that reason.

Buying something simply because someone else can't has always been a huge motive behind certain purchases.

 

[MagnusVonMagnum]

WTF makes this more than just a leather strap? Does that Apple Watch do something the rest of them don't do? How is a small leather strap make it worth almost $1k more??? Ridiculous. Those straps are hideous to boot. I guess I have no fashion sense (Yosemite is ugly too!)

 

[BigGuy219]

WTF makes this more than just a leather strap? Does that Apple Watch do something the rest of them don't do? How is a small leather strap make it worth almost $1k more??? Ridiculous. Those straps are hideous to boot. I guess I have no fashion sense (Yosemite is ugly too!)

First of all the strap isn't $1,000. Based off the pricing of a 38mm SS and a 38mm Single Tour AWH the strap is $550. Only $100 more than the existing stainless steel link band from Apple.

The leather strap from Hermès is of a much higher quality than the existing leather bands Apple offers. It will age better, there is visible hand stitching, and then you have the pedigree of a company that has been synonymous with quality leather goods for nearly 180 years.

For only a small upcharge over SS with link band, it really is quite reasonable. Before the pricing was announced I expected it to be much higher.

 

[CFreymarc]

If this lunch was done where I think in Paris, that was one very pricey lunch with those in earshot biting their tongue.

 

[firewood]

So.. wait a minute.. how much exactly does one of those leather straps cost?

How much does a circuit board and the ICs in an Apple I cost? How much do people pay at auction for one? Same thing.

 

[firewood]

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

There are plenty of people who broke a sweat to make a buck, kept going, and eventually made so much more they now spend it on toys that cost more than their 3rd vacation home. Not everybody who makes over 2X minimum wage gives the rest to charity.

 

[CFreymarc]

How much does a circuit board and the ICs in an Apple I cost? How much do people pay at auction for one? Same thing.

There are Apple I reproduction kits you can buy on line and even download the ROMs. There are also simulators out the an authentic Apple I can go anywhere from 100K to 500K considering condition and serial number.

 

[MacAddict1978]

So basically you have to really like that watch face, otherwise you're paying for a leather strap....

you are just paying for the leather strap.... and you get the extra option for the watch face...

It's high end leather straps, which do have a very different processing method but at the end of the day, it's a prestige piece and nothing more.

I am amused at the disconnect tech people have with fashion. However, fashion or furniture, there is some really great high end leather out there (processing methods are different, feel and durability change and that is what you pay for plus the animal skin etc... cheap leather is usually pig, higher end is cow, and then there are bonded leathers where it's part leather and part vinyl bonded together). The average person isn't every buying this version. The average person also probably has pig leather for a sofa because it was affordable and they really couldn't tell the difference.

 

[Abazigal]

Interesting coverage on this topic.
http://www.ablogtowatch.com/apple-watch-hermes/
One point of note:

Hermes leather is among the finest in the industry, with some people saying that it even beats leather from other luxury houses such as Louis Vuitton.

And

Apple has further wanted to replicate the look of the Hermes "double strap" with the Double Tour which is a now common fashion trend where the strap goes around (mostly women's wrists) two or more times.

So I guess Apple does know what they are doing? All I can say is that we are not the target market here.

 

[sudo1996]

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

I highly doubt there is much enjoyment to gain out of a designer leather strap (vs a regular one). There are people who care a lot about these things, and I assume they are missing something in their social or family lives. Then there are the equally pitiful people who are so proud of NOT having luxury. Like it matters.

 

[sudo1996]

hahahahhaha

Laugh if you want, but it's one of the things Steve Jobs always said. Good design appeals universally.

 

[Aluminum213]

Laugh if you want, but it's one of the things Steve Jobs always said. Good design appeals universally.

I hate to break your heart, but if Steve Jobs says 2+2=5, it doesn't equal 5

 

[TheLondonFella]

I wish Apple wouldn't work with Hermes.

Such an unscrupulous company.

This is how they "acquire" their materials.

As is usual with PETA it will be difficult to watch, but important to see ...

 

[jicon]

I don't think any smartwatch will be widely seen as fashionable or luxury. From my time last week in Monte Carlo, I saw a lot of gold, big watch faces, with unique looks. Each watch I had seen likely was a one of a kind. I would suppose you wouldn't want to wear what someone else is wearing. Not a single smartwatch. The ones I have seen, I don't see the appeal. The device itself still is too thick compared to a standard watch. Put any band on an iWatch, but it will still come off bland. If you are not using the watch it is a rather large 42mm black void on your wrist.

 

[Mac 128]

I don't think any smartwatch will be widely seen as fashionable or luxury. From my time last week in Monte Carlo, I saw a lot of gold, big watch faces, with unique looks. Each watch I had seen likely was a one of a kind. I would suppose you wouldn't want to wear what someone else is wearing. Not a single smartwatch. The ones I have seen, I don't see the appeal. The device itself still is too thick compared to a standard watch. Put any band on an iWatch, but it will still come off bland. If you are not using the watch it is a rather large 42mm black void on your wrist.

Exactly. The watch itself looks like every other Watch. Without the Hermes band, it's just another Watch -- despite the fact "Hermes" is etched into the case. Doesn't matter that there's a custom watch face since 99% of the time the only person who is going to see it is the user. These marketing shots are disingenuous since few will ever see the watches as shown -- the faces are clearly photoshopped onto those watch cases. Until the "always on" watch face becomes the standard, I think you're right ... Designer bands will only go so far to satisfy customers. Multiple finishes were mandatory. But I also think they're going to have to add a wider variety of styles, including round as an option. And now that Apple has proven they are serious about fashion with this Hermes partnership, it's virtually guaranteed that Apple will offer a round watch as an aesthetic fashion choice, without necessarily having another practical purpose ... And then they can partner with Movado, and continue courting luxury fashion watch customers with high end imitations of luxury watch brands with wider variety.

 

[sudo1996]

I hate to break your heart, but if Steve Jobs says 2+2=5, it doesn't equal 5

Except he didn't say something like "2+2=5". What he said makes sense to me. Considering that he invested so much thought in design and led Apple to become the most valuable company in the world partially by appealing using design, you should at least consider his opinion and think about why he had it.

 

[Soccertess]

First of all the strap isn't $1,000. Based off the pricing of a 38mm SS and a 38mm Single Tour AWH the strap is $550. Only $100 more than the existing stainless steel link band from Apple.

The leather strap from Hermès is of a much higher quality than the existing leather bands Apple offers. It will age better, there is visible hand stitching, and then you have the pedigree of a company that has been synonymous with quality leather goods for nearly 180 years.

For only a small upcharge over SS with link band, it really is quite reasonable. Before the pricing was announced I expected it to be much higher.

I think the band is beautiful, and you are right that's the cost of quality leather. Too bad the watch it has on it is a bit of a lame duck right now. I really hope second generation changes things, because LG's watch has peaked my interest. Apple was really on to something making it a health accessory... Too bad things changed.

 

[NameLess2756683]

I don't think any smartwatch will be widely seen as fashionable or luxury. From my time last week in Monte Carlo, I saw a lot of gold, big watch faces, with unique looks. Each watch I had seen likely was a one of a kind. I would suppose you wouldn't want to wear what someone else is wearing. Not a single smartwatch. The ones I have seen, I don't see the appeal. The device itself still is too thick compared to a standard watch. Put any band on an iWatch, but it will still come off bland. If you are not using the watch it is a rather large 42mm black void on your wrist.

A $1100-$1500 watch to anyone in Monte Carlo is not going to be fashionable or luxurious, that's the top .5% whose tastes can hardly be seen as representative of the target market which are middle to upper middle class.

First of all we need to separate fashionable and luxurious as these are uniquely different qualities.

Now whether a product is fashionable or not will not be determined by individuals on a forum but rather the target populations reaction to said product in terms of unit sales, because a watch in the end is an accessory and because of this less people will be willing to put a un-fashionable watch on their wrist which directly affects unit sales. In terms of unit sales the Apple Watch is forecasted to be around 8M annually, whichis massive in smartwatch terms but equally huge when you compare to 24M annual sales of all Swiss watches. Plus Hermes are willing to put their name all over this product which does hurt the fashionable case.

Now whether a watch is a luxury item or not is determined by its price (when considering the target market) and quality of construction so in terms of the Watch Edition (10k, 24K Gold) and Hermes (Hermes Leather Straps, Hermes Exclusive Watch Face, Stainless Steel and Sapphire Screen) these are luxury items.

 

[MagnusVonMagnum]

First of all the strap isn't $1,000. Based off the pricing of a 38mm SS and a 38mm Single Tour AWH the strap is $550. Only $100 more than the existing stainless steel link band from Apple.

The leather strap from Hermès is of a much higher quality than the existing leather bands Apple offers. It will age better, there is visible hand stitching, and then you have the pedigree of a company that has been synonymous with quality leather goods for nearly 180 years.

For only a small upcharge over SS with link band, it really is quite reasonable. Before the pricing was announced I expected it to be much higher.

Quite reasonable, eh? What does the "aging" matter when the shelf life of this product is less than a year (with V2.0 already in the works)? Honestly, I'd rather have a top notch 6th Gen iPod Touch and a nice Surf & Turf dinner than what just the watch band costs on this thing. Frankly, for the total cost, you're looking at a Macbook Pro or a marginally useful watch.... Oh to have money to burn.

you are just paying for the leather strap.... and you get the extra option for the watch face...

It's high end leather straps, which do have a very different processing method but at the end of the day, it's a prestige piece and nothing more.

I'm no fan of PETA (self-righteous egotists that should stay out of other people's lives, IMO) so I couldn't care less how many killer Crocs they wipe from the face of the Earth and I like my beef just fine, but at the end of the day, in my humble opinion, a tiny piece of cow hide really shouldn't cost $550. It's just a watch band. you could make one out of spider silk and that would be far more interesting in terms of a material than the stuff my Brooks shoes are made of (and they only cost $120 for a size 14 pair).

As for the prestige factor, well I once heard that the definition of prestige is "People who think their crap smells better than other people's crap because the ingredients cost more." I have better things to do with my money, personally. I believe in function over form.

 

[BigGuy219]

Quite reasonable, eh? What does the "aging" matter when the shelf life of this product is less than a year (with V2.0 already in the works)? Honestly, I'd rather have a top notch 6th Gen iPod Touch and a nice Surf & Turf dinner than what just the watch band costs on this thing. Frankly, for the total cost, you're looking at a Macbook Pro or a marginally useful watch.... Oh to have money to burn.

I don't mean this with any disrespect, but based on that response, I don't think you're the target audience when it comes to this particular product.

Leather is different than most materials in that it was once living tissue and therefore ages differently than some of the materials you may encounter in the normal course of your daily routine. Things as simple as touching it with the natural oils of your skin affect it, as does sweat, and anything you might put upon your wrist such as lotion. Fine quality leather, like this, respond better to the rigors of daily life than cheap, processed leathers. It also smells a heck of a lot better. So even if you're just going to use it for 6 months it'll still be preferable to the basic leather straps available, and honestly for not a whole lot more.

Do you buy the most comfortable, durable pair of shoes? Or, do you buy a more expensive pair, that while are less comfortable, are more attractive?

Do you buy a Prius and save on gas and contribute to the environment? Or, do you buy a Mercedes G-Wagon and pump in massive amounts of Diesel and drive real slow through public areas so everyone can see you?

It's all about lifestyle.

For example, if you walk into a bar and try to show you off your Apple Watch to a young woman, she's going to roll her eyes and be incredibly bored, similar if you tried to talk to her about the voice control of an Xbox One. Nerd alert.

But when if you're sporting a Hermès, a brand that many women have been bred to covet and desire, their ears will perk and they'll be enamored with it. Honestly, if you have a wife or a girlfriend that uses Apple, pick up a 38mm Double Tour and stash it for Christmas and you are a hero.

But of course now I'm going to hear how none of you would be interested in a partner that shallow, but it's a losing argument. Either you get the appeal of products like Hermès or you don't - can't change opinions on a forum.

 

[MagnusVonMagnum]

I don't mean this with any disrespect, but based on that response, I don't think you're the target audience when it comes to this particular product.

Well, that much appears to be a given at this point.

Do you buy the most comfortable, durable pair of shoes? Or, do you buy a more expensive pair, that while are less comfortable, are more attractive?

Only comfort matter when it comes to shoes (well that and it has to be made of leather). If a $40 pair of New Balance got me through the day without foot pain, I'd still buy them. At the moment, I get Brooks (~$120-140 a pair) because they're more comfortable and oddly last 4x as long (better made). New Balance makes $130 pair shoes (Made in the USA even), but they're just as crappy as the $40 ones for my feet. I'd pay $500 a pair if it meant no foot pain. You can't put a price on getting rid of misery, IMO.

Do you buy a Prius and save on gas and contribute to the environment? Or, do you buy a Mercedes G-Wagon and pump in massive amounts of Diesel and drive real slow through public areas so everyone can see you?

I don't get either. I went for power + safety at a reasonable price (i.e. Subaru WRX). My last WRX even had leather seats! (no not by Hermes) My new Forester XT has faux leather seats. I really don't notice the difference much. I do notice how well it goes through the snow in the winter, though (either vehicle).

For example, if you walk into a bar and try to show you off your Apple Watch to a young woman, she's going to roll her eyes and be incredibly bored, similar if you tried to talk to her about the voice control of an Xbox One. Nerd alert.

But when if you're sporting a Hermès, a brand that many women have been bred to covet and desire, their ears will perk and they'll be enamored with it. Honestly, if you have a wife or a girlfriend that uses Apple, pick up a 38mm Double Tour and stash it for Christmas and you are a hero.

Yeah, I don't buy that a woman gives a flying you know what about an Apple watch no matter WTF the watch band looks like. It's not a Rolex (and even there it's the ASSUMPTION that you are RICH that gets the attention, not the watch itself. So if you enjoy gold diggers, by all means, buy that high-end designer crap. You will find your Ivana Trump who will trump you all the way to the bank in the end.

 

[BigGuy219]

Well, that much appears to be a given at this point.



Only comfort matter when it comes to shoes (well that and it has to be made of leather). If a $40 pair of New Balance got me through the day without foot pain, I'd still buy them. At the moment, I get Brooks (~$120-140 a pair) because they're more comfortable and oddly last 4x as long (better made). New Balance makes $130 pair shoes (Made in the USA even), but they're just as crappy as the $40 ones for my feet. I'd pay $500 a pair if it meant no foot pain. You can't put a price on getting rid of misery, IMO.



I don't get either. I went for power + safety at a reasonable price (i.e. Subaru WRX). My last WRX even had leather seats! (no not by Hermes) My new Forester XT has faux leather seats. I really don't notice the difference much. I do notice how well it goes through the snow in the winter, though (either vehicle).



Yeah, I don't buy that a woman gives a flying you know what about an Apple watch no matter WTF the watch band looks like. It's not a Rolex (and even there it's the ASSUMPTION that you are RICH that gets the attention, not the watch itself. So if you enjoy gold diggers, by all means, buy that high-end designer crap. You will find your Ivana Trump who will trump you all the way to the bank in the end.

Based on the above answers you're never going to get the appeal of a product like this. The question I ask when I buy anything is, "will this get me laid?" Not, how long will it last, how comfortable is it, how much does it cost? None of that. Everything about this watch is about lifestyle and conveying an image to the public at large about who I am and attempting to make that as appealing and desirable to others as possible.

The bottom line on Apple Watch Hermès is this.

You can get yourself a 42mm SBSS with Space Black link band for $1100. Or, you can get yourself a 42mm Hermès with a high quality leather band and designer watch faces for $1150.

We're talking about *only* a $50 increase over the current most expensive SS, and for that you get what many consider to be the best band and the best face currently available for the product.

If you just want a device on your wrist giving health updates - then you weren't going to buy either of these anyway. And working out with a leather band - Apple or Hermès - is a good way to sweat all over it and ruin it so I'd agree with you.

I know nothing about the internal workings of this product - or any Apple product for that matter. This is a lifestyle purchase - not a tech purchase.

 

[RnSK]

Just because Hermes is a premiere fashion house, and ATT is a despised utility, doesn't change what's happening. There would be no iPhone without ATT. The fact is the iPhone was an exclusive ATT offered product for several years. ATT had far more claim to co-brand the phone with Apple as Hermes does putting their name anywhere on the Watch.

And don't distort what I wrote. Of course Apple is doing this with the full co-operation of Hermes, money likely changed hands. And I couldn't care less whether the casual Hermes customer thinks the internals of the Watch were designed by them (however unlikely), I'm more concerned about the obvious externals, specifically the case of the watch that has the hermes trademark etched into it, when Hermes had absolutely nothing to do with that. What Apple is doing is trying to pass off the Watch as an authorized Hermes knock-off of the classic Cape Cod design. And while I don't have a problem with Apple doing it, I do think it marks a turning point in Apple's marketing policies, one that puts a fashion brand above their own. And this is absolutely no different than what the other smartwatch makers have been derided for doing.

OR...OR...OR...

What actually happened was, knowing that what they were going to do would have the "classic" watchmakers and fashion brands going "ehhh...this..this is not a *real* watch" initially, then 45 days later all of them announcing they *they* would be making their own 'smartwatches' with sup-par tech, Apple talked to Hermes and said "instead of being one of those guys, why not let us bring your brand to the 21st Century with our technology...since we will without question be making the best one of these on the market"...and Hermes was like "fantastique!"

See...because that's what we're looking at...an Hermes Watch built with Apple Technology. They will sell every. single. one. they. make.

I just hope I'll be able to get one for my wife for Xmas. She loves this stuff and will enjoy wearing it *more* than the Apple Watch w/Modern Buckle she already has.

Because that's what's up.

-K

 

[RnSK]

Real jewelry rarely has a shelf life of 1 year. Even if jewelry is faddish and gets outdated eventually, it doesn't run out of battery life, or suddenly no longer be upgraded to the latest Operating System.

Heheheh. It's a Watch. No matter how many OS updates Apple does, it will still tell time until the battery dies. then, you get another one. It's cool.

I mean, for reasons I still cannot fathom...and I write iOS stuff for a living...Apple is *still* keeping hope alive with the *4s*...a device that should have died in a fire 2 cycles ago

-K

 

[RnSK]

Mac SE/30, Powerbook 100, Newton(!), iPod, iPod Touch, iPhone 4, iPhone 5, iPad 2, iPad Air, MacBook (white), MacBook Pro Retina, AppleTV, MacMini. I think that's it. Stuff yourself. I bought Apple products because they were good, but if you need to queue up for your showy watchband, go ahead.

There's a reason many Apple fans are called names.

Your weak Appeal to Authority aside by listing a bunch of products (I will not embarrass you with my version of "Big Bank Takes Little Bank" but rest assured my list bests yours) it appears that you are not a *recent* Apple Customer so your 'authority' is suspect at best.

I never thought I'd see the day where Our Own Kind would be attacking each other because they are *buying Apple products*...it's a new kind of crazy.

-K