Someone explain Hermes to me, and what the benefit is of getting it over regular SS AW?

[Ulenspiegel]

The Hermes AW is a nice smartwatch.

Nevertheless, it has nothing to do with status symbol.

Last but not least, business is made not by the watch you wear but the actual capital behind you.

Bill Gates and a lot of other billionaires would have never made a single business transaction if were judged by the watch they wear.

 

[satchmo]

For some, buying an Apple Hermès watch is where they choose to spend their money. Some find spending $1K on a AW ridiculous but will turn around and drop that much on a pair of sneakers. It’s subjective and frankly a first-world problem.

It does underscore the brand prowess of both Apple and Hermès. But this discussion can be summed up by where you place your values and ultimately what makes you happy.

 

[ericwn]

It’s just luxury. Very hard to appreciate things you can’t really afford because you’ve never had exposure to them growing up.

It’s easy to appreciate things whose value is obvious on the other hand.

 

[ericwn]

It does not offend my sensibilities. All I keep thinking is the kind of gentry who would, either while mingling about or at the table, zone in and zoom in on a person's watch jutting out or hiding around a cuff and judge the wearer on the basis of aluminum or stainless instead of, maybe, doing more important things such as conducting business or whatever the setting is about.

I too wonder especially with social distancing and all in place what profession would dare to spend time and effort analysing the case material of my Apple Watch. As if that mattered.

 

[Itinj24]

Your first post is so generically typical that it’s relatively amusing… I love the comparison that the aluminum vs SS and up is like somebody showing up in shoddy clothes, a beat up car and a Casio watch vs somebody showing up with designer everything. As if any of the watches are somehow a barebones type purchase… $399 isn’t super expensive (particularly probably for those on this forum), but it’s absolutely not the same as this childlike description.

Also love ‘showing up to make a deal with a top corporation’ - what does that even mean? Hurr durr it’s me Tom here from mom and pop shop, gonna do a big old deal with Google and they're gonna bite because I got my fancy duds on and my titanium Apple Watch… also I drive a BMW so they
know I’m good for it. Yeah, ok buddy.

And I’ve committed the sin of continuing the derailing… whoops - just couldn’t help myself. It’s so irritating constantly reading these ‘if you’re going into a business deal’ posts which sound like they’re written by somebody whose idea of business comes from the movies or something. They make no sense and sound incredibly dumb - and then the defense is usually ‘lol you’re triggered’ - no, you’re just not capable of making a coherent argument.

To actually contribute, I’ve only ever gotten aluminum myself - mainly because I’ve bought them every year so it’s been a bit disposable and I’m not quite flush enough to do that with the SS! I do have an SSBS band that I use on occasion, which I love, but it’s been aluminum to this point for me. Perhaps if the 8 is in fact a significant redesign, it’ll be time to make the switch.

Happy you got that off your chest and I was able to inspire you to write such a long, heartfelt, emotional post.

To actually contribute, though? The OP specifically asked about Hermes vs SS. Why even bother rambling about your aluminum models?

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

I think the OP's question has been comprehensively answered by everybody, including those of us who don't personally own a Hermes Apple Watch but are mentally equipped to list the key differences of the product by employing common sense and finely tuned reading skills. Also, those people who own Hermes Apple Watches have very kindly provided an owners insight into the joys of owning such a product. From the personal appreciation of its manufactiring prowess and fine leather, down to the business clinching power it has when flashed across the table in a FTSE 100 company boardroom.

So to recap and to put the answer into a basic formula:

Anything I have missed, please add

 

[1CaesaR1]

I think the OP's question has been comprehensively answered by everybody, including those of us who don't personally own a Hermes Apple Watch but are mentally equipped to list the key differences of the product by employing common sense and finely tuned reading skills. Also, those people who own Hermes Apple Watches have very kindly provided an owners insight into the joys of owning such a product. From the personal appreciation of its manufactiring prowess and fine leather, down to the business clinching power it has when flashed across the table in a FTSE 100 company boardroom.

So to recap and to put the answer into a basic formula:

View attachment 1938643

Anything I have missed, please add

You missed the "business clinching power when flashed across the table in a FTSE 100 company boardroom" in the bottom right "What you get" box.

 

[Itinj24]

The chart is missing some things:
1. Exclusivity to Space Black Stainless Steel for models since the S6 (The main reason I bought it).
2. All the Aluminum Apple Watch owners telling you you’re an idiot for buying an overpriced piece of tech and you just want to show off (Conveniently left out but it’s been going since page one of this thread)
3. Having the power to tell Aluminum Watch Owners they’re broke, cheap and/or jealous (relax, it’s just sarcasm).


I challenge anyone here to go back in this thread and point out where exactly I said that, specifically, an Hermes Apple Watch is required to make business deals as many of you have twisted my words around. I did say you’re being judged by what you wear and drive and I’m standing by that. That applies everywhere and not just in a business environment. Refer to page one of this thread and so on. You can agree or not, I don’t care. It’s a natural human and mostly subconscious thought process. No need to be self righteous about it.

 

[Night Spring]

It’s apparent you are not in business. Yes, you are being judged from the car you pull up in to the clothes you’re wearing to the Watch or jewelry you have on. If you look cheap, then you look like a failure and people will be reluctant to do business with you. That’s just the way it is.

I challenge anyone here to go back in this thread and point out where exactly I said that, specifically, an Hermes Apple Watch is required to make business deals as many of you have twisted my words around. I did say you’re being judged by what you wear and drive and I’m standing by that.

Sorry, I can't figure out how to reverse the order of the two quotes above.

But you are right that what you originally posted was that if you "look cheap" you may have trouble getting business deals, not that a Hermes Apple watch is required to do business.

That said, am I wrong in thinking you meant that wearing a Hermes watch could be part of achieving the "not cheap" look? Isn't that a reasonable interpretation, seeing how the topic of this thread is "what are the benefits of a Hermes Apple watch?"

 

[Itinj24]

Sorry, I can't figure out how to reverse the order of the two quotes above.

But you are right that what you originally posted was that if you "look cheap" you may have trouble getting business deals, not that a Hermes Apple watch is required to do business.

That said, am I wrong in thinking you meant that wearing a Hermes watch could be part of achieving the "not cheap" look? Isn't that a reasonable interpretation, seeing how the topic of this thread is "what are the benefits of a Hermes Apple watch?"

I mean sure, everything is up for interpretation, but then again, the title of the thread was specifically about Hermes vs regular SS. A lot of posts in this thread went off on a tangent. The first few of them and many thereafter could even be considered demeaning to Hermes owners and somehow I became the ultimate enemy. Yeah I took a bit of a defensive posture but who doesn’t with their purchases. Pretty evident in this entire thread, across the board. Judging people is a natural human thought process. I just pointed that out and got bashed for it. Like I said, a lot of my words were twisted in this thread and it doesn’t matter how many times I tried to convey what I meant, the bashing just continued. I do appreciate you being tactful, though.

Truth be told, if the IonX glass wasn’t so easily prone to scratching and Apple didn’t stray away from the Space Gray option, I’d probably still be opting for the Aluminum model. I do love the SBSS since my S5 and was bummed when Hermes was the only one to offer it with the S6. Got the SBTi for the S6 but never fell in love with it. My wife is a huge fan of Hermes and she kinda talked me into it as well. Totality of the circumstances I guess.

I never by any means considered the Aluminum Apple Watch to be cheap, especially for conducting business. What I had in mind when making that comment was one of those old Casio calculator or plain digital watches lol.

I’m sure I was blocked too all over a big misunderstanding.

 

[xraydoc]

There’s a lot pages on this thread, but the bottom line is that a Hermes watch (not Apple Watch) isn’t much different from a Timex with the exception of the band & case fit and finish, and materials (gold) on the more expensive models. It’s mostly a difference in appearance and branding. Both Hermes and Timex use quartz internal mechanisms.

The difference between an Apple Watch and an Apple Watch Hermes Edition is mostly the same difference in appearance and branding - band fit and finish, and watch face appearance. Same internal mechanism.

You either care and buy the Hermes for an up charge, or you don’t and buy the “Timex”. There’s no way to “justify” other than your own personal wants.

FWIW, I’ve owned two original model Apple Watches, an S3, an S4, an S5, and a Hermes S7. I like the exclusive watch faces and the Bleu Lin band and was willing to pay the upcharge for them. I think very few people (people of good character, at least) would look down on someone who did not think those differences are worth the premium price.

 

[Night Spring]

I never by any means considered the Aluminum Apple Watch to be cheap, especially for conducting business. What I had in mind when making that comment was one of those old Casio calculator or plain digital watches

I think someone at some point did make comments to the effect that aluminum Apple watches look cheap in contrast to the steel models, and your views may have become blended in with that other poster's. It's a long thread! I'm sorry if you took flak for something you didn't say.

And looking at the Casio website, it seems they make some fairly decent watches now, lol. But I do remember the toy-like Casio from back when I was young. I don't know if a cheap Casio watch alone would ruin you from making a professional impression, though. A watch is just one item that makes up your whole public persona, right?

 

[Itinj24]

I think someone at some point did make comments to the effect that aluminum Apple watches look cheap in contrast to the steel models, and your views may have become blended in with that other poster's. It's a long thread! I'm sorry if you took flak for something you didn't say.

And looking at the Casio website, it seems they make some fairly decent watches now, lol. But I do remember the toy-like Casio from back when I was young. I don't know if a cheap Casio watch alone would ruin you from making a professional impression, though. A watch is just one item that makes up your whole public persona, right?

My favorite was the one that turns into a robot… when I was in about second grade lol.

I’m not and never was a watch connoisseur. I’m talking more about about the totality of the appearance. Everyone has a subconscious bias and judgement towards someone else’s appearance. Some are even conscious about it. It’s human nature. I was trained on and studied this. You can have your folks that say judgement doesn’t exist but I’m not going into a potential deal looking like I just crawled out of a dumpster lol (using an extreme for effect). I’m going to look as successful as possible and that includes putting on my best suit, wearing my nicest jewelry and even maybe slap on the Hermes band on my watch which I never wear (still in the box actually). I can see where the misunderstanding occurred being this is an Apple Watch thread. I won’t be wearing this though, that’s for sure lol ??

 

[Night Spring]

My favorite was the one that turns into a robot… when I was in about second grade lol.

Wow, a transformer watch, lol! That could be a great conversation starter, I'll certainly be intrigued if I met someone wearing that.

 

[Howard2k]

My favorite was the one that turns into a robot… when I was in about second grade lol.

I’m not and never was a watch connoisseur. I’m talking more about about the totality of the appearance. Everyone has a subconscious bias and judgement towards someone else’s appearance. Some are even conscious about it. It’s human nature. I was trained on and studied this. You can have your folks that say judgement doesn’t exist but I’m not going into a potential deal looking like I just crawled out of a dumpster lol (using an extreme for effect). I’m going to look as successful as possible and that includes putting on my best suit, wearing my nicest jewelry and even maybe slap on the Hermes band on my watch which I never wear (still in the box actually). I can see where the misunderstanding occurred being this is an Apple Watch thread. I won’t be wearing this though, that’s for sure lol ??

View attachment 1938988

I had that watch!

 

[Itinj24]

I had that watch!

It was the best! I remember my teacher taking it away and I needed a signed note from my parents to get it back. I was playing when I should’ve been learning lol. This was around 1984ish.

 

[JahBoolean]

The absolute state of consumer culture when an upgrade in glass material and non-precious casing "upgrade", what surely amounts to less than 10$ in manufacturing costs, is perceived to warrant a twofold price upgrade ... And that is for the regular SS AW. This is more telling of the excellent product segmentation going on at Apple than the "qualities" of any of their products on their own.

Hermès is rapidly wearing down of the goodwill built as the sloane-ranger/bcbg brand of the late yuppie years.

Their brand has been so diluted that it rapidly is taking the appeal out [https://www.hermes.com/ch/fr/product/accessoire-de-sac-apple-airtag-hermes-H0005431v3400/] although I do still have tremendous respect for their limited series furniture and objects d'arts [https://www.hermes.com/ch/fr/product/tasse-a-the-et-soucoupe-voyage-en-ikat-P036016P/] and impeccable in-Store and after-Sale service.

Buying an Hermès AW, although a very nice object and the peak of what is currenlty offered in the smartwatch segment, is merely the proof of disposable income and not taste. You'd be better served by a Timex in that regard.

The most exquisite trick has been the formatting of the consumer to evaluate technology through it's aesthetics.

 

[the future]

when an upgrade in glass material and non-precious casing "upgrade", what surely amounts to less than 10$ in manufacturing costs,

I like it when folks just pull numbers like this out of thin air.

is perceived to warrant a twofold price upgrade ... And that is for the regular SS AW.

The regular SS AW is nowhere near twice the price of the Aluminium version. But why stop with the speculative/plain wrong numbers once you started, right.

Hermès is rapidly wearing down of the goodwill built as the sloane-ranger/bcbg brand of the late yuppie years. Their brand has been so diluted that it rapidly taking the appeal out of it

According to whom? You? Or do you have any sources that prove that the Hermès brand isn't what it used to be?

Buying an Hermès AW, although a very nice object and the peak of what is currenlty offered in the smartwatch segment, is merely the proof of disposable income and not taste. You'd be better served by a Timex in that regard.

Or maybe taste is subjective? To me, an Hermès Apple Watch looks much more minimal and modern than any Timex. Also, with the ever-increasing usefulness of smart watches, for many people wearing a dumb watch is just inconceivable now (and will get ever more inconceivable as even more functions are added). If that is the case, why not get the best looking one (if you can afford it)?

The most exquisite trick has been the formatting of the consumer to evaluate technology through it's aesthetics.

Wearables are not just technology. Every single item people wear on their body is evaluated by its looks/aesthetics.

 

[JahBoolean]

I like it when folks just pull numbers like this out of thin air.

The Apple Watch Sport Only Costs $83.70 To Make

The Apple Watch may cost consumers anywhere from $349 to $17,000 depending on how much gold they want, and it looks like Apple will be making a nice margin off the new product. In a teardown of a 38mm Apple Watch Sport, the research firm IHS said it costs an estimated $83.70 to build. That's [...]

www.forbes.com

Considering what has been said in the above article, we have at least 50$ of that cost that has been attributed, if we attribute the 33.70 to case design for the sake of argument. Even-though Steel is more difficult to machine if we compare commodity value the price uptick is only warranted by feature pigeon-holding and subjectivity as it pertains to the perception of materials.

This point was driven by my amusement at the newfound consensus on the desirability of steel over aluminum. I would have thought that steel had seen it's day with the Eiffel-tower and the great works of the late-industrial era, although your refined palate must associate the sheer added weight with an increase in quality .

The regular SS AW is nowhere near twice the price of the Aluminium version. But why stop with the speculative/plain wrong numbers once you started, right.

Aluminium: [https://www.apple.com/shop/buy-watc...AM/A&preSelect=false&product=Z0YQ&step=detail] 449.-

SS: [https://www.apple.com/shop/buy-watc...AM/A&preSelect=false&product=Z0YQ&step=detail] 749.-

749/399 = 1.87719298246 == Almost (okay ) twofold

According to whom? You? Or do you have any sources that prove that the Hermès brand isn't what it used to be?

I do not need sources when discussing matter of taste, but it would stand to reason to anyone that when a luxury brand poised on exclusivity starts to adorn the arm of anyone with 1k $ to spare, it lost it's luster.

Or maybe taste is subjective? To me, an Hermès Apple Watch looks much more minimal and modern than any Timex. Also, with the ever-increasing usefulness of smart watches, for many people wearing a dumb watch is just inconceivable now (and will get ever more inconceivable as even more functions are added). If that is the case, why not get the best looking one (if you can afford it)?

Again, commodity value and production value. Some of us find the charm of some objects in their pure and unadulterated utilitarism, and parse our aesthetics free from the open market.

I refer you to the end of my post “the peak of what is currenlty offered in the smartwatch segment” , I am not diminishing that it is the "best" apple watch available.

Simply poking fun at the Phantasmagoria unfolding before my eyes.

Wearables are not just technology. Every single item people wear on their body is evaluated by its looks/aesthetics.

This fact does not make any of it more sensible .

A reminder that the OP inquired about the objective benefits of the Hermès version of this product.

TL;DR : If you need to have the best of the apple Watch segment or want to associate yourself with the diluted Hermès brand, it is for you. If you want to factor in the actual incremental value recieved in that package, it is quite poor, although not as much as the increment from aluminum to steel.

 

[the future]

Considering what has been said in the above article,

These „cost-of-parts-used“ analyses don‘t even begin to cover the real cost.

Almost (okay ) twofold

No. The 41 alu (if we want to use the smaller one because it helps your point) starts at 399, the steel one at 699. Ratio 1.75, but not just for „an upgrade in glass material and non-precious casing“ because you disregard the cellular function. If you really want to compare the price of just „an upgrade in glass material and non-precious casing“, you have to compare the cellular versions at 499 vs. 699, ratio 1.4, i.e. nowhere near twice.

I do not need sources when discussing matter of taste

Claiming that the Hermès brand is declining is not a „matter of taste“. So provide a source or stop claiming such things.

Some of us find the charm of some objects in their pure and unadulterated utilitarism.

So? Doesn‘t change the fact that it‘s ridiculous to claim that anyone with „taste“ would better choose a Timex. Choose (and speak) for yourself and not for others.

This fact does not make any of it more sensible.

What? You think people shouldn‘t evaluate things they wear on their body by how these things look? Interesting …

A reminder that the OP inquired about the objective benefits of the Hermès version of this product.

The exlusive watch faces are an objective benefit as they do make the Watch look better.

associate yourself with the diluted Hermès brand

Diluted again, lol. Source? Actually, don‘t bother, I know you don‘t have one and the only source is your own impeccable sense of taste and real luxury.

 

[JahBoolean]

These „cost-of-parts-used“ analyses don‘t even begin to cover the real cost.



No. The 41 alu (if we want to use the smaller one because it helps your point) starts at 399, the steel one at 699. Ratio 1.75, but not just for „an upgrade in glass material and non-precious casing“ because you disregard the cellular function. If you really want to compare the price of just „an upgrade in glass material and non-precious casing“, you have to compare the cellular versions at 499 vs. 699, ratio 1.4, i.e. nowhere near twice.

I may have been mistaken then, as for the rest, I won't bother as you have taken the liberty of inserting meaning alien to my answers.

Have a great weekend !

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

The exlusive watch faces are an objective benefit as they do make the Watch look better.

They make the Watch look better ‘if’ you like the style of those exclusive faces. If you find them bland or lacking in quick on the wrist info, then exclusive or not, you’re not going to see them as a bonus feature.

 

[Howard2k]

The absolute state of consumer culture when an upgrade in glass material and non-precious casing "upgrade", what surely amounts to less than 10$ in manufacturing costs, is perceived to warrant a twofold price upgrade ... And that is for the regular SS AW. This is more telling of the excellent product segmentation going on at Apple than the "qualities" of any of their products on their own.

Hermès is rapidly wearing down of the goodwill built as the sloane-ranger/bcbg brand of the late yuppie years.

Their brand has been so diluted that it rapidly is taking the appeal out [https://www.hermes.com/ch/fr/product/accessoire-de-sac-apple-airtag-hermes-H0005431v3400/] although I do still have tremendous respect for their limited series furniture and objects d'arts [https://www.hermes.com/ch/fr/product/tasse-a-the-et-soucoupe-voyage-en-ikat-P036016P/] and impeccable in-Store and after-Sale service.

Buying an Hermès AW, although a very nice object and the peak of what is currenlty offered in the smartwatch segment, is merely the proof of disposable income and not taste. You'd be better served by a Timex in that regard.

The most exquisite trick has been the formatting of the consumer to evaluate technology through it's aesthetics.

That’s not really how economics works though. Luxury goods are not sold on a cost+ basis. The $10 is irrelevant, whether it’s true or not.

 

[JahBoolean]

That’s not really how economics works though. Luxury goods are not sold on a cost+ basis. The $10 is irrelevant, whether it’s true or not.

You are completely right, I was merely poking fun at this pecularity of luxury goods (blabbing Marxist Critical theory) but I may have gone off handle, and for that I apologize to you all. Luxury goods pricing has always been very esoteric to me anyways.

To those that value the watch, hats off to you.

To the others, all the same.

That's what the free market is all about.

 

[rMBP2013]

There are 4 Hermės faces that are highly customizable.

Hermės Circuit H
Hermės Ciculaire
Hermės Noir
Hermės (numbered face)

Within each face they are very customizable and the look of each changes depens on the customization being used. Here is my Space Black Series 7 (Circulaire face) with the Series 6 grey band that came with the Black titanium Apple Watch.

View attachment 1917206

That is an extremely rare look (watch & band). You might be the only one in the entire world rocking this.