Should they have just sold a 40mm for gen 1?

[jabingla2810]

I kind of agree with the OP to some extent.

I see a lot of people on here with small wrists, but opting for the 42mm because it has "better battery," and the watch just looks stupid on them.

In my opinion of course.

You should definately pick the watch that will look best on you, purely on aesthetics, not on tech specs.

 

[kmj2318]

No I don't think so. The 42 and 38 are different enough. Only having 40 would be the worst of both worlds; too big for some and too small for others. Plus, I don't believe that the different sizes is the major problem with supply. I think it's the wide variety of bands.

Maybe Apple should have had less bands to start with. For example, have a few of the most popular models available on release day, and label others with "Available (some later date)." Then people wouldn't be left in the dark and Apple would be able to focus on fewer models for the quick ramp-up.

Or, as other people have suggested, sell the bands and watches separate. This would have worked but it's really inelegant. Maybe they could have done this for just launch models, and moved to watch+band packaging after a couple months if they had the foresight.

 

[Tycho24]

It's quite Apple-like if you look at history Variations come afterwards.

----------

Hmmmm....
Well, there would be a LOT less Android users if iPhone was available in multiple sizes about three generations sooner...
I still don't remotely get your point. What I'm hearing is this: "Apple has made the mistake before of being slow to respond to consumer demand for variations of size... since this has happened in the past, for some insane reason- I wish this was happening right now too! Companies shouldn't ever learn and adapt. I like seeing the same mistakes repeated!"
It's kinda a weird stance to have, bro.

 

[zmunkz]

No I don't think so. The 42 and 38 are different enough. Only having 40 would be the worst of both worlds; too big for some and too small for others. Plus, I don't believe that the different sizes is the major problem with supply. I think it's the wide variety of bands.

Maybe Apple should have had less bands to start with. For example, have a few of the most popular models available on release day, and label others with "Available (some later date)." Then people wouldn't be left in the dark and Apple would be able to focus on fewer models for the quick ramp-up.

Or, as other people have suggested, sell the bands and watches separate. This would have worked but it's really inelegant. Maybe they could have done this for just launch models, and moved to watch+band packaging after a couple months if they had the foresight.

Agree

 

[IllusionEntity]

Should they have just sold a 40mm for gen 1?

I would personally like a 44mm-46mm AW. I have bigger wrists and the 42mm looks a tad too small

 

[Varth Dader]

Hmmmm....
What I'm hearing is this: "Apple has made the mistake before of being slow to respond to consumer demand for variations of size... since this has happened in the past, for some insane reason- I wish this was happening right now too! Companies shouldn't ever learn and adapt. I like seeing the same mistakes repeated!"
It's kinda a weird stance to have, bro.

I don't have that stance, bro. So much presumption on your part as far as I can tell. I've heard of constructive writing but not constructive reading lol.

1. "Apple has made the mistake before of being slow to respond to consumer demand for variations of size..."

Never [said / implied / said anything that could be reasonable construed as...] it was a 'mistake' to release a single iconic version on category launch. Nor would I suggest Apple responds to consumer demand—they don't—they create demand.

2. "since this has happened in the past, for some insane reason- I wish this was happening right now too!"

Had you…(sorry it seems like there's no way to avoid saying it) read my words, you would realize I don't 'wish' anything of the sort. I have always couched the question in terms of what-if or a devil's advocate "maybe they should have done xyz like they usually do for 1st gen". For duck sake, I even said my opinion didn't mean anything in my first sentence. lols

As in "what if apple had used their traditional single form factor size at a category launch" and "what if Apple had sold the watch by itself and kept straps separate" as kind of conversation starters for those that are amused/bemused/saddened etc by the (arguably) prolonged order placed-to-delivery spans.

3. "Companies shouldn't ever learn and adapt."

I'm rotflmfao seriously. Really? That's what you got from the words I typed? Well...not much to say then. Did you want my personal Varth Dader opinion on this? Ok: If production times could have been better, I'm ok if they had released 3 sizes: 37, 41, 43 (ish) at once and twice as many band options. So what? As I said my opinion, oh nevermind you didn't read it the first time…

4. "I like seeing the same mistakes repeated!"
Yup. That's me.

Well, that was fun. Thanks everyone else for the great input I got a lot from it.

 

[its Dale]

many people convinced themselves that the 38 was the right choice. Mainly because they didnt have to wait as long for the 42. how can one say they didnt want the "smartwatch look"? I looks like a damn smart watch at both sizes

 

[flur]

many people convinced themselves that the 38 was the right choice. Mainly because they didnt have to wait as long for the 42. how can one say they didnt want the "smartwatch look"? I looks like a damn smart watch at both sizes

I disagree. I was in a Verizon store the other day, and while I was waiting for assistance I took a look at their selection of smartwatches. The AW looks a LOT more like a traditional watch than any of the smartwatches they had (which all had that "wrist computer" look - not attractive at all). Compared to those, my 38 looked tiny and very watch-like.

I've found people generally don't even notice that my AW *might* be a smartwatch until they see the screen light up. That draws the eye, and then I get questions. But I can sit at a meal with someone, chatting and eating, and get through to dessert before they even notice - they just assume it's a regular watch.

--

As to the OP's original question, no, I don't think they should have only had one size. 38 is about as big as I'd want to go. I have owned larger watches for sport, but I've no desire to wear anything bigger all day every day.

IMO choice is ALWAYS good. It's good that Apple is figuring that out. Too bad they still haven't figured out that while 2 size choices is nice, 3 is even better.

 

[Varth Dader]

But I can sit at a meal with someone, chatting and eating, and get through to dessert before they even notice - they just assume it's a regular watch

It's funny, as Tim Cook says the wrist is an interesting space and I feel that most of us (that are not originally watch enthusiasts) or at least the mainstream public will have a bit of a blind spot there and at first not be aware that there is anything there but a typical watch (bright sports bands notwithstanding perhaps). Sure, we all will get acclimated quickly but I think for a good year or so the public may not be "looking" for Apple watches on every wrist like *we* are now. might be for the best until Find My Watch (scratch that, Activation Lock) is enabled