While I absolutely agree that the Hermès Apple Watch is not at all a luxury watch, it definitely meets the definition of a luxury item. It doesn't really matter if it's disposable or not. Most luxury items do the exact same thing as lower priced equivalents. They simply have nicer materials in many cases.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Someone explain Hermes to me, and what the benefit is of getting it over regular SS AW?
- Thread starter ssledoux
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
just stumbled upon
thought it would fit the thread, seeing as it had derailed somewhat
thought it would fit the thread, seeing as it had derailed somewhat
as a dumb-watch looking similar to the AW? ?just stumbled upon
thought it would fit the thread, seeing as it had derailed somewhat
The irony of this thread is that probably 80% of the world population sees the ‚iPhone‘ (or any other Apple product in this regard) as an unnecessary and irrational luxury-item. In a forum where people spend four to five digits for tech-products, the idea of a 350$ upselling for a high-quality leather-band however is unthinkable.
It is just all about subjective perception of money and value. Apparently people can find different value at different aspects (who would have guessed)
Last edited:
You clearly know nothing about the Hermés brand, so just stop. The Hermés Apple Watch, obviously a collaboration between Apple and Hermés, is designed to give the Apple Watch an element of luxury. To give an elevated watch option to those of us who appreciate luxury and the quality, craftsmanship and materials that comes with luxury. Hermés leather is amongst the best in the world, and when I got my first band, I had to get two more. I will never use any of my other bands again. I probably spent more on all the other bands combined then on the three Hermés bands I bought. They were the waste of money, not the Hermés bands. I would have been better off just starting with Hermés bands.
Hermés is the No. 1 luxury brand in the world, and that’s not changing any time soon. Chanel is already making moves to try and move their brand closer to the level of Hermés and there are rumors Louis Vuitton is about to follow. Hermés has products at a variety of price points, although those prices start high. If you’re lucky enough to score a Birkin or Kelly bag today, you could sell it tomorrow and make a significant profit. People actually buy Birkin bags as a viable investment.
Dior, LV and YSL are my favorite brands, because they have high quality luxury at a fairly affordable price. If I could drop $14,000 on Birkin 40 I’d do so in a heart beat. Sadly, I cannot.
Wow. How many bands did you buy?! Were they leather, or did you try any metal link or Milano bands?
It is written Hermès.
We have a couple birkins, I don't get the fuss.
Alas, supply chain control and the aspiring chinese middle classes will sustain the price.
Cartier leather is better, they are beat by Hermès on stitching though.
Although I'm getting in the mood for purchasing one out of spite for myself... Ma foi, j'attendrai la prochaine génération avec ma swatch au poignet
.Could anyone provide a side by side comparison between the Noir Sidéral and the Graphite ?
Last edited:
Oh, this damn l'accent grave... sometimes it can tell who really knows a brand... ?
According to CommonCentsMom.com, right?
According to CommonCentsMom.com, right?
It’s not about other individuals ‘not appreciating luxury’ as you put it because we all do. It boils down to personal taste and what brands people appreciate. If someone says they are not really bothered about Hermès, it doesn’t mean they don’t appreciate luxury at all. You are saying this as someone who clearly has a big appreciation for that brand and that’s fine, but don’t assume those who don’t see the value in that particular Apple Watch don’t appreciate luxury because that is false.
Hermès is not the number one luxury brand in the world at all, it’s up there though. You say Louis Vuitton is about to follow them but in reality LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy) is officially the most profitable and prestigious luxury brand. Hermès is sixth funnily enough behind both Cartier, Chanel to name another two. Not that I have any real interest in these brands personally but I felt compelled to check after reading your claim.
A lot because I’m OCD. I have the metal link and the Milano. I have sports bands and cloth bands and leather bands. No single band has ever compared comfort wise, to mean, than the Hermés leather bands.
I do find it odd that if Hermès is about exclusivity and not selling to the masses, why on earth do they put their brand to what is essentially quite a cheap watch in luxury terms and a smartwatch at that? Is it a marketing gimmick to draw people to the more expensive things in their range? Doubtful if they don’t wish to appeal to the masses. It’s an anomaly really. As I say, I prefer high street brands and not into high end designer goods and my wife loves fashion but would never spend £2-8k on a bag. I’d probably divorce her if she did. I have just spend £2300 on a ring for her 40th, but that’s a special item for a milestone birthday. I could have bought her a Hermès AW, but she already has a series 4 AW and wouldn’t get Hermès at all lol.
Last edited by a moderator:
Your guess is as good as mine. I honestly have no idea why Hermés partnered with Apple on the watch. I would guess this partnership is in some way more beneficial to Hermés. But, of course, I don’t know. I am perplexed. I’m glad they did. I don’t think it has anything to do with drawing anyone to their brand. They really don’t need to do that, and much of their stuff is just unreachable to most of us. Here’s an interesting article about the brand, and yes, I think value is entirely subjective.
Hermès - The Strategy Insights Behind The Iconic Luxury Brand – Martin Roll
Hermès is an iconic luxury brand based on a business strategy of superior craftsmanship, quality, limited global retail distribution, exclusivity and controlled marketing programs
martinroll.com
It’s also interesting the lengths people will go to in order to score a Birkin or Kelly bag. It’s like some sick game. Check out this video, it’s quite amusing (talk about a rich person having no self-awareness) but this is a great example of the games people have to play to score these highly coveted items and they are willing to pay these insane prices:
Your guess is as good as mine. I honestly have no idea why Hermés partnered with Apple on the watch. I would guess this partnership is in some way more beneficial to Hermés. But, of course, I don’t know. I am perplexed. I’m glad they did. I don’t think it has anything to do with drawing anyone to their brand. They really don’t need to do that, and much of their stuff is just unreachable to most of us. Here’s an interesting article about the brand, and yes, I think value is entirely subjective.
Hermès - The Strategy Insights Behind The Iconic Luxury Brand – Martin Roll
Hermès is an iconic luxury brand based on a business strategy of superior craftsmanship, quality, limited global retail distribution, exclusivity and controlled marketing programs
It’s also interesting the lengths people will go to in order to score a Birkin or Kelly bag. It’s like some sick game. Check out this video, it’s quite amusing (talk about a rich person having no self-awareness) but this is a great example of the games people have to play to score these highly coveted items and they are willing to pay these insane prices:
Is that really a 1 hour video whinging about not being able to buy a bag!!?!
No matter how expensive or hard to get these Hermes bags are, the kinds of games you describe doesn't strike me as true luxury. Real luxury is shopping for one-of-a-kind, tailor made items, from a store where the manager serves you tea and cakes while you wait to be fitted, and even organizes special trips and parties for their most favored customers, where the customers can show off their wares to each other, and get inspired to make more purchases. ;p
Re: the poster who is claiming Hermes is the "most valuable" brand.
I'm not arguing that Hermes is one of the most well-known and well-regarded luxury brands. It obviously is that. I just got annoyed by the claim that it was "the most valuable" brand, like there was some objective, universally agreed on criteria for deciding which brand was the most valuable.
(edited to remove reference to deleted post)
I'm not arguing that Hermes is one of the most well-known and well-regarded luxury brands. It obviously is that. I just got annoyed by the claim that it was "the most valuable" brand, like there was some objective, universally agreed on criteria for deciding which brand was the most valuable.
(edited to remove reference to deleted post)
Last edited:
After accounting for the extra warranty, the cost of the leather Hermes band, and the fact that with Hermes AW you get a unique extra band, isn't the cost different b/w a plain SS and Hermes SS just $100?
Are we really splitting hairs over $100 here?! What am I missing?
My take: if you can afford it, go for the Hermes. I like the Hermes faces and $100 is a small price to pay. Add in the resale value for Hermes watches, to me it's a no-brainer.
Are we really splitting hairs over $100 here?! What am I missing?
My take: if you can afford it, go for the Hermes. I like the Hermes faces and $100 is a small price to pay. Add in the resale value for Hermes watches, to me it's a no-brainer.
It’s not just about being about to afford it though as has been discussed extensively in this thread. You’ve got to have an appreciation for Hermès as a brand, otherwise it’s not a no-brainer at all. Regardless of whether some can afford something, not everybody sees the need to spend £1100-1500 on an Apple Watch. Otherwise it would be a lot more popular than it is now.
Depends who you ask. In my opinion, the Hermes leather band is a significant upgrade in comfort, feel, quality and craftsmanship over any other Apple Watch leather band I’ve tried.
As it should be for the price it commands.
I must admit I keep coming back to this thread and we are going round in circles. Those that like (and maybe have) the Hermes will never convince those that have no wish to have one.
We are all different and it is a forum of opinions after all
I love the Hermes bands and the faces - to me the premium was worth it. My wife who has Chanel and Gucci bags thought it was a waste of money as she hates tech. I pointed out to her that I don't get the point of a Chanel bag when a high street one will do the same and she sort of saw what I was getting at. Each to their own.
What I don't get about this thread is the way that (both sides) imply a superior knowledge by falling on one side of the fence. There really is no correct response, it is just down to the individual and their wants and likes...not down to even status or wealth.
FWIW I don't care if people have aluminium, stainless, ceramic or titanium. I love that so many people get to enjoy the Apple Watch and realise it's benefits.
We are all different and it is a forum of opinions after all
I love the Hermes bands and the faces - to me the premium was worth it. My wife who has Chanel and Gucci bags thought it was a waste of money as she hates tech. I pointed out to her that I don't get the point of a Chanel bag when a high street one will do the same and she sort of saw what I was getting at. Each to their own.
What I don't get about this thread is the way that (both sides) imply a superior knowledge by falling on one side of the fence. There really is no correct response, it is just down to the individual and their wants and likes...not down to even status or wealth.
FWIW I don't care if people have aluminium, stainless, ceramic or titanium. I love that so many people get to enjoy the Apple Watch and realise it's benefits.
I must admit I keep coming back to this thread and we are going round in circles. Those that like (and maybe have) the Hermes will never convince those that have no wish to have one.
We are all different and it is a forum of opinions after all
I love the Hermes bands and the faces - to me the premium was worth it. My wife who has Chanel and Gucci bags thought it was a waste of money as she hates tech. I pointed out to her that I don't get the point of a Chanel bag when a high street one will do the same and she sort of saw what I was getting at. Each to their own.
What I don't get about this thread is the way that (both sides) imply a superior knowledge by falling on one side of the fence. There really is no correct response, it is just down to the individual and their wants and likes...not down to even status or wealth.
FWIW I don't care if people have aluminium, stainless, ceramic or titanium. I love that so many people get to enjoy the Apple Watch and realise it's benefits.
I’ve tried to maintain my stance in this thread that you have to be in to a brand to appreciate it. Some see the value in things and others don’t, there’s no correct choice because it is purely subjective.
you get a few custom watch faces, which i agree are elegant, along with a hermes band which i guess is supposed to be high fashion with the watch. none of it makes it worth the price for me at least, but i do agree the watch faces are nice.