You're suggesting the motivations have everything to do with symbols of status. Well, let's be honest, $17k can buy MUCH better symbols of status than an Apple watch. And despite what everyone around here thinks about people of wealth, they're very much aware of this.
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This is not a typical 1st Gen, don't expect early upgrade
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It's in the eye of the beholder. The main advantage of the stainless steel over aluminum Watch is appearance, which can justify an extra $200-$700 for a lot of people. The Edition has an appearance advantage over the stainless steel Watch, but not $9,000-$16,000 more for most people.
The red leather version seems primed for sale to nouveau riche in China. The rose gray leather version seems geared to rich men looking to buy something for their wives or significant others (or for rich women to purchase for themselves). Sure there are other things to spend $10,000-$17,000 on, but why not this? It's not as if there aren't other watches in this price range. We aren't just talking fine Swiss heirloom timepieces. Burberry has quartz watches with 18kt gold cases and leather straps for around $14,000.
I happen to think a new one appear after one year. Still better then the 4 months it took my ipad 3 to be updated. I still use my ipad everyday though. Just because a newer version is out, it doesn't suddenly make the old model obselete.
I will still buy the Apple watch it though.
I will still buy the Apple watch it though.
I'm hoping at least 2 years. I don't know about the rest of you but I have to work hard for the money I get. Also reading this thread you would think some of you have been using the apple watch for some time now? it has not been released yet, and will not for another month. I personally will wait for its release to see how it works, and saying it will be great, awesome, and etc. just because Apple makes it is like saying that just because I owned a Ford Falcon and it was a great car, then because Ford made the Pinto it must be great also! This is some thing new for Apple and all though Apple hasn't let me down yet, this is a product I am going to buy. I have no stake in it except what this product can do for me!
Why not this? Because it's from Apple. Apple isn't haute couture and simply pricing a product as if it is isn't going to make it so. As you said yourself, the only difference between this and the $349 aluminum model is the build material, and even then, it's worth approx $1100. If the design or the name were to make up the difference, then that doesn't explain the aluminum model being as cheap as it is.
Apple is certainly perceived as premium, if not haute couture. In China many Western brands are held in higher regard than they are in their native markets. Hilton Hotels is one such brand. I believe China leads the world in gold consumption. Why assume that the Edition is aimed primarily at the U.S. or European markets?
The $349 model is the "functional" model for tech-oriented people and casual buyers. The $549-$1099 models are for people looking for a more professional look, who may already be wearing or once wore similarly priced watches in the past.
Whether or not the Edition sells depends on whether there are enough people who disagree with you and are willing to pay top dollar for the exclusivity. The price of jewelry bears little relationship to the cost. The $14,000 gold Burberry watch has the same relationship to the $3,000 gold-plated and $1000 stainless steel models that Burberry sells. Burberry has no horological tradition, either.
I'm sure F1 World Champion and lover of gold bling Lewis Hamilton would be the target audience for the Edition. Pity his team is sponsored by IWC and Blackberry. 
I agree. I do eventually believe the wearable will be the LTE source and the larger device will be your iPad or Macbook
maybe in 2020When Apple upgrades the Watch may depend on how many they sell this year. If it's a blockbuster and surpasses everyone's expectations, including Apple themselves, I doubt they would rush to get a new one out fall of 2016.
Introducing an Iphone 6S with further capabilities than even the 6 for the Watch should push sales even further. My guess is if it's above 20 or 30 million units this year alone, and supply is short with high deamand, they'll have no desire to upgrade from a sales standpoint. However, if it falters and there's a low adoption rate, Apple will need to put something new out relatively soon to keep the momemtum going.
It still leaves me the decision to go with either the sport or the stainless steel with the metal loop strap. Guess I'll decide when I try them on.
Introducing an Iphone 6S with further capabilities than even the 6 for the Watch should push sales even further. My guess is if it's above 20 or 30 million units this year alone, and supply is short with high deamand, they'll have no desire to upgrade from a sales standpoint. However, if it falters and there's a low adoption rate, Apple will need to put something new out relatively soon to keep the momemtum going.
It still leaves me the decision to go with either the sport or the stainless steel with the metal loop strap. Guess I'll decide when I try them on.
Even if they release a new model in Fall of 2016, thats two years since it was announced and 18 months since its release. As a 1st gen user I wouldn't be upset
I do agree that a yearly cycle on these watches is probably not likely.
I don't see any big breakthroughs happening in lithium ion that won't be outrageously priced.
However, if there were a way to charge the watch in under 1 minute, battery life suddenly would be much of a problem.
I'm starting to wonder if there will be a new version next year, or if they'll have a weird cycle. Watches are an entirely different industry. Apple could also save money if they play a longer game like they do with iPod/iPod Touch and keep the same model around for a longer time with cheaper internals. To be clear, I'm not saying the S1 is cheap, but the same S1 in 2016 will be cheaper than an S2 in 2016 which would need engineers to develop, new tooling and higher-end parts. Or they might add new case materials, new straps, or maybe more storage options and a higher capacity battery. More like a bump.
I have no idea, but would guess more sensors, better battery life, thinner, lighter, faster and more untethered functionality (such as calling) are all ways the watch could be improved
Apple may not upgrade their 'physical' Watch often (I assume it's likely a min of 2 years cycle), but they will likely upgrade the software at the end of this year (version 2.0).
Nonetheless, when the next gen Watch released does not really matter. The watch that you own does not necessarily became obsolete. You may keep it forever or give it away to relative/friend or sale it in eBay, the value will not drop drastically just because Apple release a new gen Watch. All the functions will still be there, it may be a bit worn off, but it would remind you that it had been a faithful companion for these past few years.
Nonetheless, when the next gen Watch released does not really matter. The watch that you own does not necessarily became obsolete. You may keep it forever or give it away to relative/friend or sale it in eBay, the value will not drop drastically just because Apple release a new gen Watch. All the functions will still be there, it may be a bit worn off, but it would remind you that it had been a faithful companion for these past few years.
I'm not going to speculate about the hardware refresh cycle, because I can see both sides of the coin. Additional sensors will be important as time goes on.
What I will say is that I believe software is the bigger play here. There are an infinite number of tweaks and features that they can slowly leak out over time. That, in conjunction with 3rd party apps, is going to be the real innovation of the watch.
I'm not sure why they didn't promote this angle more in the keynotes. Just as they explained that one of the killer features of the iPhone was that it could change over time or contextually via software, the Watch is in the same boat. You cannot add complications and features to a standard watch over time. That is one of the Aces they have with this device.
What I will say is that I believe software is the bigger play here. There are an infinite number of tweaks and features that they can slowly leak out over time. That, in conjunction with 3rd party apps, is going to be the real innovation of the watch.
I'm not sure why they didn't promote this angle more in the keynotes. Just as they explained that one of the killer features of the iPhone was that it could change over time or contextually via software, the Watch is in the same boat. You cannot add complications and features to a standard watch over time. That is one of the Aces they have with this device.
There are actually a lot of different scenarios that could play out.
First, you have the standard yearly upgrade cycle. This is the most likely, in my opinion. Apple releases new hardware, although there may not be a significant (or any) change to the physical form factor of the device on a yearly basis. We see this with the iPhone (hardware annually, form factor biennially), but the iPad sees changes to the overall form factor on a yearly basis. This would allow for new sensors and other hardware features to be implemented more quickly.
Second, you have a long upgrade cycle with more frequent software updates. The Apple Watch has a fairly impressive computer inside of it, meaning that we may not yet know the full capabilities of the device. The biggest constraint is going to be the battery, but we already know that this will be serviceable. So what could end up happening is Apple offering paid upgrades to the battery while the rest of the internals remain unchanged.
Third, you have the "seasonal" upgrade approach. Apple Watch debuts in Spring 2015 with Aluminum, Stainless Steel, and Gold options. Apple could then release new case materials in the Fall (such as a Platinum Edition collection) that go one of two ways:
1. The exact same design and internals as the existing Apple Watch lineup.
2. Introducing new hardware that won't be added to the existing Apple Watch lineup until the following spring.
I honestly don't know where Apple is going to go with this device. There are a lot of options open to them, either playing into the fact that this is a computing device that needs to be upgraded somewhat frequently or a piece of jewelry that needs to be visually distinctive with each successive generation. I think the rumor that Apple is experimenting with other materials for the casing is especially telling: Apple could release entirely new "collections" at any point to drive sales and upgrades.
First, you have the standard yearly upgrade cycle. This is the most likely, in my opinion. Apple releases new hardware, although there may not be a significant (or any) change to the physical form factor of the device on a yearly basis. We see this with the iPhone (hardware annually, form factor biennially), but the iPad sees changes to the overall form factor on a yearly basis. This would allow for new sensors and other hardware features to be implemented more quickly.
Second, you have a long upgrade cycle with more frequent software updates. The Apple Watch has a fairly impressive computer inside of it, meaning that we may not yet know the full capabilities of the device. The biggest constraint is going to be the battery, but we already know that this will be serviceable. So what could end up happening is Apple offering paid upgrades to the battery while the rest of the internals remain unchanged.
Third, you have the "seasonal" upgrade approach. Apple Watch debuts in Spring 2015 with Aluminum, Stainless Steel, and Gold options. Apple could then release new case materials in the Fall (such as a Platinum Edition collection) that go one of two ways:
1. The exact same design and internals as the existing Apple Watch lineup.
2. Introducing new hardware that won't be added to the existing Apple Watch lineup until the following spring.
I honestly don't know where Apple is going to go with this device. There are a lot of options open to them, either playing into the fact that this is a computing device that needs to be upgraded somewhat frequently or a piece of jewelry that needs to be visually distinctive with each successive generation. I think the rumor that Apple is experimenting with other materials for the casing is especially telling: Apple could release entirely new "collections" at any point to drive sales and upgrades.
Nothing really, unless you count a few trade-offs that Apple Watch have to take.
1. Apple Watch as FitBit: health tracker devices but FitBit lacks the smartwatch functions
2. Apple Watch as SmartWatch: notifications and better Apps designed with more functions but Android versions now is lacking in many areas
3. Apple Watch as Pebble: also for health/running/sport with notifications (same with FitBit, still lacking better screen but it has more battery life)
4. Apple Watch as itself: tight integration with iPhone, lots more Apps, Tactile communication, Visual communication, Siri, etc.
Basically AppleWatch is a combination of all of above plus more.
I generally agree except that I really do not like yellow gold over stainless. But, YES the yellow gold will definitely be noted as more expensive. I am thankful they have the Stainless Steel available because I do not like the look of the aluminum. I will eventually get the SS Link band but that will probably depend (FOR ME) on ship date versus price. Of course, that thread with real SS pictures messed me up. The black sports band on the SS is nicer looking than I expected.
Just remember there is a cost associated with new technology, and it takes massive economies of scale to get it as cheap as the current technology.
I think Apple is one of few companies who could get graphene to go mainstream. Or they could own the entire market.
Every time one of us answers our phone with the watch and talks at it someone will be converted.
I won't post what me and many people I (at least) know will think of people who are answering their phones with the watch and having a conversation.
"Cool" isn't remotely close.
I haven't thought of something like this but would personally really like if they went that route.