TAG Heuer Sales Director Patrick Pruniaux Joins Apple in Run-Up to iWatch Launch [Updated]

[goobot]

Seriously? The iPod touch is using 3 year old technology. A new smart watch designed from the ground up will be using the absolute newest technologies available. There is no way it will cost less than an iPod.

You honestly think it will being using hardware on par with the iPhone XD. The iPod touch is also going to get an update when the watch is released anyway so that point is completely moot.

You have already described most current watches. Many can run you several hundreds of dollars, if not thousands of dollars like a Rolex.

Yes because they are covered in gold and diamond, completely non comparable.

 

[MarkusL]

Regardless do you think it will really add up to the other things i noted it won't have? It would be pretty on par so i don't understand these 2000$ predictions.

For $2000 I expect an iWatch Pro in the shape of a black trash can.

 

[sk1wbw]

Can someone PLEASE explain to companies that employees are not property? Employees are free to work for whomever the **** they want to work for. Stop you ***** aching and try to keep your employees by treating them better or paying them more.

 

[apophazz]

_IF_ the watch is released this year, I doubt that he will have any major influence in its design. These things (as seen numerous times with the iPhone) are designed many months before their release.

 

[richman555]

I think Apple is doing the right thing by recognizing that a watch is largely about fashion. Hiring people from that industry seem to point in this direction.

Specs, operating systems, sensors etc will only be one small reason people will buy these watches.

 

[MarkusL]

So you are banking on 2015. No new products (besides the two iPhone sizes) for 2014. I want to believe that, though pressure is on already especially after Tim's words.

Seeing how disappointing everything else has turned out, it must mean that the 2014 Mac Mini will be super awesome to make up for it all!

 

[brendu]

You honestly think it will being using hardware on par with the iPhone XD. The iPod touch is also going to get an update when the watch is released anyway so that point is completely moot.

You have absolutely no evidence to support that claim. I would bet the iPod touch does not see an update this year... The watch is rumored to have many new sensors as well as possibly some new wireless charging tech and possibly even solar or motion charging. There is a huge amount of R&D costs that need to be made up from this device. Also apple doesn't price their products simply on the components. If they did, all their products would cost way less. They charge what the market is willing to pay, and people have proven they will pay large sums of money for a good watch.

 

[dabotsonline]

You never know how much someone (Biver) said and how much the reporter filled out from his own assumptions. Most reporters nowadays cannot be trusted. On the other hand, it could have been Biver making an assumption why Apple wants to hire their sales director. That sale director might be responsible for improving iPod sales, for all we know.

In the video, Biver himself says that the Tag Heuer Sales Director (does anyone know his or her name?) left for Apple to launch the iWatch. It may be the case, of course, that the Sales Director hadn't said specifically what he'd be working on and that Biver made that assumption.

 

[BvizioN]

It would be hilarious if the iWatch was a huge trolling campaign by Apple and they're actually not planning on releasing anything remotely similar.

It would but but very unlikely.

 

[OllyW]

This hire is apparently a sales executive. Probably will be involved with sales and marketing.

There's also a chance Apple will want to sell the iWatch in jewellery shops alongside traditional watches, especially if they are going to be selling an high end model.

 

[goobot]

You have absolutely no evidence to support that claim. I would bet the iPod touch does not see an update this year... The watch is rumored to have many new sensors as well as possibly some new wireless charging tech and possibly even solar or motion charging. There is a huge amount of R&D costs that need to be made up from this device. Also apple doesn't price their products simply on the components. If they did, all their products would cost way less. They charge what the market is willing to pay, and people have proven they will pay large sums of money for a good watch.

Please, the chances of an iWatch being release are soooo much more less likely than an iPod touch since apple releases a new one every 2 years. If you honestly believe it will have solar charging and such than LMAO to you. Lastly the sensors will cost as much as the components it won't have that the touch does. And if you last point is true then why isn't apple raising the price of all their devices since they obviously can?

 

[richman555]

Yes because they are covered in gold and diamond, completely non comparable.

In my opinion, I would have to disagree a bit. In anything like jewelry, clothing, and even watches there is a considerable markup. None of it relates to any true cost and much of it is perceived value.

If pricing of these items were based on their true value, it would be a much different world.

That being said, what stops Apple from releasing a gold iWatch with diamonds?

 

[whiteonline]

Apple is doubling down in marketing.

 

[pythagorasuk]

If you believe the iWatch is going to be a mechanical self-winding luxury watch I think you're the one who is out of touch....

It doesnt have to be mechanical luxury watch to take over that segment. An iPad isn't a netbook and analysts said that the iPad wouldn't be a threat to netbooks. Looked what happened to netbooks.

http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9176932/Netbook_sellers_need_not_fear_the_iPad_says_analyst

 

[Mac Fly (film)]

Biver said the watchmaker's sales director left as recently as last week, "to take a contract with Apple" in order to launch the iWatch. LVMH owns Swiss watchmakers TAG Heuer, Hublot and Zenith

Does it mean Biver just confirmed Apple is launching an iWatch?

No, but that's a safe assumption at this point.

 

[iMcLovin]

Great! I hope this will be a really great looking, classic design and expensive product which will be actually useful for more than showing time and be annoyed by notifications!. Of course a cheap and amazing product would be cool, but cheap usually isn't great... And name drops like tag heuer, Burberry and YSL...and not least apple, usually doesn't reflect cheap.


What I fear the most is battery time. We are used to watches lasting forever... And if the iPhone is any representation of battery achievements, this thing won't last a day... If that's the case, that will make me not buying it....no matter if it's the most amazing product invented.

 

[iamPro]

It doesnt have to be mechanical luxury watch to take over that segment. An iPad isn't a netbook and analysts said that the iPad wouldn't be a threat to netbooks. Looked what happened to netbooks.

http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9176932/Netbook_sellers_need_not_fear_the_iPad_says_analyst

So a tag heuer compares to a netbook??

 

[Pilgrim1099]

I don't think so. Rather, I think this gentleman sees the writing on the wall that his company and industry will soon be superceded by Apple's innovation. So he's happy that at least his sales manager was able to exit the sinking ship successfully.

Oh really? Then why do we see Jonathan Ive wear a luxury watch in some photos and video clips of him? Such as this:

http://www.businessinsider.com/jony-ive-watch-2014-3

Or this: http://9to5mac.com/2013/03/04/apple-executives-and-a-long-history-with-watches/

To attempt to luxuriate a watch with digital parts with gold or any kind of high value metal isn't wise when the product is software driven and be obsolete in a couple years. Just like an iPod or iPhone. I've seen photos of iPhones covered in custom diamonds that cost close to 5 or 10k.

There is NO value in selling the phone when the OS will be obsolete in a few years except for the diamonds. All it's gonna do is "sit pretty" and do nothing.

Electronic devices go obsolete in short time but an iwatch to put luxury watch makers out of business?

You're out of your mind. Imagine getting an iwatch and trying to pawn it off for a thousand dollars or abouts a few years or so after it's software or OS is rendered useless.

Now if it's mechanical only, that's a different story. It's going to be functional band/watch with monitoring features tied with the phone or mac to record and save data which is very likely and it'll be quite like what you see coming out from Samsung, Google, Microsoft and such.

And by then, they'll release a new version the following year or so with new industrial design or software update.

It's like trying to dip a disposable electronic device in actual gold.

 

[fortysomegeek]

A few note of context for those who are un-familiar with Biver/LVMH and the watch industry.

LVMH = Louis Vuitton Money Hennesey.
Their direct competitor is the Swatch Group.

Both companies own a range of low-end mall watches like Longine and Tag to high end brands like Breguet,Blancpain,Zenith.

Tag Heuer, on the scale of things fall into to the low-end mall watch category.
Having said that, LVMH is a marketing muscle. Biver is not a person to reckon with.
In the 80s, he pretty much bought the rights of old dead Swiss companies like Blancpain and helped revived the Swiss haute renaissance.
Blancpain was his darling and in one of the top tiers. Some watches go over 100K.

This exec probably had extensive experience in the LMVH food chain despite working under the "low-end" Tag brand.
His experience is probably due to retail and distribution channels as LMVH is good at working with hundres of high end retailers all over the world.
E.G. the Bloomingdale equivalents in Dubai, Tapeie, to Japan. They also have all the Airport retail locked up.

Biver doesn't see Apple as a direct threat nor do I. His quote is from a person with experience. I guess he preferred the employee
didn't go to Swatch, Rolex or any of the last remaining independent.

LMVH owns more than just watch brands - the famous person line, the wines/spirits, the pens, and other luxe items.

Apple is positioning to go into the Luxe segment. Not necessarily to compete w/ Swatch Group and LMVH.

 

[MarkusL]

It doesnt have to be mechanical luxury watch to take over that segment. An iPad isn't a netbook and analysts said that the iPad wouldn't be a threat to netbooks. Looked what happened to netbooks.

http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9176932/Netbook_sellers_need_not_fear_the_iPad_says_analyst

The netbook vs iPad comparison is not a valid analogy. Those products are much closer than a regular luxury watch and an electronic smartwatch. Those are two very different products.

Those same analysts might say that the Segway is not going to take over Harley Davidson's market segment. And you know what? They'd be right...

 

[gnasher729]

In my opinion, I would have to disagree a bit. In anything like jewelry, clothing, and even watches there is a considerable markup. None of it relates to any true cost and much of it is perceived value.

If pricing of these items were based on their true value, it would be a much different world.

That being said, what stops Apple from releasing a gold iWatch with diamonds?

If they have the former sales director of TAG Heuer on board, _and_ the iWatch sells, a company like TAG Heuer might be convinced to create an iTAG Heuer watch Armband, case etc. made by TAG Heuer, insides by Apple, and a selection of existing TAG Heuer face designs available on that watch only.

 

[brendu]

Please, the chances of an iWatch being release are soooo much more less likely than an iPod touch since apple releases a new one every 2 years. If you honestly believe it will have solar charging and such than LMAO to you. Lastly the sensors will cost as much as the components it won't have that the touch does. And if you last point is true then why isn't apple raising the price of all their devices since they obviously can?

You don't understand business or economics. There is no reason to update the iPod touch this fall. Is a very small market right now, if they update it they will make less money per sale or have to raise the price of the iPod. Since it is basically a kids gadget now, raising the price makes no sense. They just "refreshed" the iPod touch too so it would be more appealing. Why would they update it again just a few months later?

There is an iwatch coming. It will have new technology (sure solar charging is unlikely but it's possible). You have no idea what the sensors used in it will cost, or what the R&D costs that went into making it were. It will cost more than $200 because of that. If you don't realize that you are absolutely going to be disappointed when it comes out.

 

[thasan]

Less hardware but more engineering time spent on it.

The iPod Touch is just a stripped down iPhone, vastly reducing the amount of time spent on it.

plus, the bling

 

[Trapezoid]

I'm really not sure what to make of this iWatch thing. I mean, I know it's going to be successful, I know other companies are going to copy it as soon as it comes out, and I know that Apple will essentially create a new market, but I just don't think I can get into wearables. I don't wear a watch and it'll take something pretty impressive for me to wear one.

Who knows, I'll try one out and maybe I'll change my mind (I'll make sure I don't let anyone here know though, because I'll be accused of flip-flopping if I like it )

 

[redmotion]

Looking forward to seeing the wall of secondhand/unopened iWatches for sale in CEX after Christmas.