Stainless Pricing out of line due to Ultra?

[DTphonehome]

I think everyone was shocked by the AWU's lower-than-expected price of $799. In my opinion, the Stainless models now seem abnormally priced in comparison.

The last titanium AW was the Series 7 Edition, which was $849 for 45mm, and otherwise identical in spec to all other Apple watches. So now we have a titanium watch with WAY more features, a larger size, and it comes in at $799... vs $749 for the 45mm Stainless. So previously an additional $100 got you a titanium case and nothing else, but now an additional $50 gets you a huge upgrade to a titanium case, larger screen, and all the other stuff that comes with the AWU (including a band which alone would cost $99 vs the $49 bands that come standard with the Stainless models, erasing any real price difference). So I'm thinking that Apple is now pricing the Stainless AW too high.

I'm thinking the pricing should be something like this :
AW Series 8 Aluminum 45mm - $429
AS Series 8 Stainless 45mm - $629
AW Ultra 49mm - $799

That puts a $170 delta between the high-end Series 8 (excluding the Hermes) and the AWU. I think that's a reasonable price to charge for the upgraded case and sapphire screen.

 

[Hunter5117]

Time will tell. I am sure Apple knows there is a market for a premium watch aka SS who don't necessarily want the behemoth of the Ultra on their wrist. Personally I have a gold SS S4 and a black SS S5. I like that both are somewhat dressy, classic AWs and after a good many years with each, they both look as good as the day I bought them. For me, and I guess many others, I would not wear the Ultra as my every day watch.

 

[DTphonehome]

Time will tell. I am sure Apple knows there is a market for a premium watch aka SS who don't necessarily want the behemoth of the Ultra on their wrist. Personally I have a gold SS S4 and a black SS S5. I like that both are somewhat dressy, classic AWs and after a good many years with each, they both look as good as the day I bought them. For me, and I guess many others, I would not wear the Ultra as my every day watch.

Totally agree... I have a Series 5 SS as my daily driver and the AWU would look terrible with my daily clothing. It just seems that the value proposition is skewed due to how much more you get for the UWU for virtually the same price as the SS.

 

[Hunter5117]

It just seems that the value proposition is skewed due to how much more you get for the UWU for virtually the same price as the SS.

I think they have different but possibly equal value propositions. One is classic, premium and enduring while the other is technical, specific but somewhat narrow features.

 

[ColdShadow]

I completely agree the SS is way overpriced.
It should be 150 more than aluminium.(tops)
It just makes no sense.
that being said,I personally can’t stand the look aluminium Apple watch unless it’s strictly for fitness/sport use or for a teen/kid.
I’ve had 3 and stopped using all after a while for this reason.they just don’t look like a real watch.
the SS (with link bracelet specifically) is night and day superior to any aluminium combo but definitely not worth the price.

The Ultra is not for everyone/ everyday use so you can’t really compare them directly.
I think the pricing of Ultra is realistic.

 

[DTphonehome]

I agree, the stainless is heads and shoulders above the aluminum if you want a premium, dressier watch. I do think $200 is reasonable as a price premium, given the quality of the case and the sapphire crystal.
And yes, the link bracelet is fantastic… I’m still using the one I got with my Series 0 on my Series 5, and intend to use it as long as Apple supports older bands on their newer watches.

 

[parseckadet]

I completely agree, which is another reason why I'm considering the refurb 45mm SS series 7 for $550.

 

[jz0309]

I agree that SS seems "overpriced", however, I also believe that the Ultra is offered at a "discount" initially and the price will go up next year ... I have th4e Ultra on order and compared to my Ti S7 it is a bargain

 

[Jackbequickly]

Hoping for a black DLC coated Ultra next year.

 

[ANTAWNM26]

Yes waaay out of line compared to a garmin which the ultra can’t come close to competing with

 

[jz0309]

Yes waaay out of line compared to a garmin which the ultra can’t come close to competing with

and what is the context to the original post/question with this response????

 

[MrMacintoshIII]

I have a wrist large enough to make the Ultra look Normal, so I’ll be selling my Stainless Silver S7 and the Ultra will be my daily driver, fashion be damned.

 

[Christopher Kim]

Agree as well. I was in that exact same position. The SS versions are now kind of in a weird spot and made me question whether I still wanted to get it. Funny how the only thing that changed is that a "better in many ways" version came out at nearly the same price! lol, but that's human psychology for you. Our happiness is so often relative!

I completely agree, which is another reason why I'm considering the refurb 45mm SS series 7 for $550.

And so I literally just did this too. Felt *bad* spending $749/$799 (to upgrade to Milanese loop), and so I got the Apple Refurb AW7 45mm Graphite SS for $550. It came with the Blue Abyss band but I was always going to use my current Graphite Milanese loop. I just got it a few days ago and I'm loving it. Basically saved $200-250 off a nearly identical version. Came mint, new battery with 100% health. Couldn't be happier! Highly recommend if you're on the fence!