To Rolex, Panerai, luxury watch owners: AW expensive?

[Serban]

I will get the all stainless steel watch. I always had this. Leather you have to echanged it every year if you wear it daily.
So yes i have two swiss rolex and tag and from pure curiosity i ll take the full stainless steel
This it will be the future in 10 years

 

[rjlawrencejr]

For $350, the aluminum 38" sport (crappy band) is WAY overpriced. The one I would want is a SS 42" with a SS band, that cost $599. I consider that overpriced for a gadget, I don't consider any smart watch a REAL watch, basically just a toy/gadget. You'r basically getting a quartz watch (a watch with a battery is a quartz watch) that you have to charge. I refuse to buy a quartz watch for over $200, the prices that Apple is charging is in automatic watch territory. Automatic watches are more prestigious because there is a lot of craftsmanship that go into good ones, even ones that cost $350. AND, you never need a battery.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but a lower end automatic does not have a lot of craftsmanship (or womanship for that matter), however just like AW they are well marketed with a mythology all their own.

 

[kalex]

IMHO I think it's priced OK, I'm a breitling guy so I really don't care about depreciation.

hahaha. so true. here is mine big bird. had them since 2000.

 

[JCT1212]

My dad has a Rolex and tells me the AW is too expensive. Maybe it's because I'm 17. But he doesn't appreciate the beauty. I wear an old Tag of his that is ok, but it just sits on my wrist. While a Rolex feels beautifully and meticulously made, I'd much rather have a functional Apple Watch, than supposed art that just tells the time

 

[kalex]

That's a great point. I don't think people who don't own a luxury watch realize it's not maintenance free & has to be periodically sent back to Swizterland to be cleaned internally and some times rebuilt to remain functional, & neither are inexpensive.

They rarely go to switzerland and you can find alot of independent watch repairs that will do as good if not better job at fraction of the cost.

My breitling emergency gets its overhaul in Danbury CT. It costs about $450 and has to be don every 3-4 years. During overhaul they replace everything on it. it comes back as good as new.

Automatic watches usually can run for a long time without needing service. My rule of thumb is to send them in if there is a problem. Otherwise I just wear them. I recently got 3 of my watches overhauled by one guy in the diamond district in manhattan and I paid 3rd of the cost if I were to send them to manufacturers. Watches came back in fully working condition.

 

[adammull]

Forget the cost. Once I get used to the Apple Watch and all the notifications and ease I may find my Panerai sitting collecting dust.

I'm buying the Sport simply because I already have a Panerai and a Tudor Chronograph and because I want to use it for exercise.

It will be interesting to see how it changes my life. We may find that we never wear non-smart watches again.

 

[bmac4]

So I have been saying this since Apple announced the prices of these watches. They are just too pricy for what they are. I know Swiss watch owners are saying that the Sport and SS are priced nicely, but then they say how there Tags, Rolex, or Panerai will last years to come. You can't say that about the Apple watch. Yes the materials used are great, but what makes the watch run will be outdated in 2 years. Aren't the inside parts most of the cost of luxury watches? That is where the craftsmanship is right? We are not getting that with the AW. Most of what makes the AW run is being done by the iPhone it's connected to. That is way I think ever single edition of the AW is overpriced.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

They rarely go to switzerland and you can find alot of independent watch repairs that will do as good if not better job at fraction of the cost.

My breitling emergency gets its overhaul in Danbury CT. It costs about $450 and has to be don every 3-4 years. During overhaul they replace everything on it. it comes back as good as new.

Automatic watches usually can run for a long time without needing service. My rule of thumb is to send them in if there is a problem. Otherwise I just wear them. I recently got 3 of my watches overhauled by one guy in the diamond district in manhattan and I paid 3rd of the cost if I were to send them to manufacturers. Watches came back in fully working condition.

Regardless of where you choose to have it sent it requires regular maintenance -- my central point. My Baume-Mercier requires service at 3 and 5 year intervals. But I just do a "complete" service every 4 years instead. The cost is more than a brand new Apple Sport edition.

 

[Switchback666]

hahaha. so true. here is mine big bird. had them since 2000.
Image

Love yellow dials! When I saw the updated superoceans I had to get the one with the yellow inner here it is.

 

[scott99]

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but a lower end automatic does not have a lot of craftsmanship (or womanship for that matter), however just like AW they are well marketed with a mythology all their own.

I disagree with that, since I've seen it first hand, no myth there. Esecially in Switzerland. Is there a ridiculous mark up in the prices of Swiss made Automatics ? Hell yeah. But what you're saying is like saying "who cares if it's a German made car, a Volkswagen Jetta is just as good as a Mercedes E-350, German made is just a myth." As long as a lower priced automatic watch has a swiss made movement in it, for instance an automatic ETA 2824 movement, these are well made swiss movements, compared to the seiko nh-25 automatic movement (still a good movement). The Swiss made automatics are valued more by collectors. Just like the Mercerdes is valued more for car buyers.

 

[MisterMe]

I'm getting the $349 version as I see it being outdated in a year or two. If the Apple watch matures to a point where I see it being useful for 5 years, then I'll splurge on the fancier ones. Or if the resale value proves high enough.

Here is the thing: The internals of each 38 mm Watch are identical to the internals of every other 38 mm Watch. The internals of each 42 mm Watch are identical to the internals of every other 42 mm Watch. This is true whether you pay $349 or $17,000 for the device. The black stainless steel link bracelet comes in a $450--$100 more than the base Watch Sport.

It is amazing to me that so few people seem to understand that Apple's business model for the Watch is dramatically different than that of the iPhone and worlds away from the MacBook or iMac. Expensive watches are heirlooms that parents pass down to their children. I doubt that many $349 Watch Sports will be subject to probate litigation, but it is entirely possible that grand dad's $17,000 Watch Edition could be.

Part of Apple's strategy for the Watch is to persuade owners to treat the device as a platform. Buy multiple bracelets for all occasions. The Watch is not designed to be tossed in a year or two. In the case of the iPhone, your investment in accessories is limited to a protective case and an additional charger. You should easily get away with paying about $50 for all of your iPhone accessories. In the case of the Watch, even a single extra bracelet will be an investment of $450. Buy a new iPhone? Don't worry about your old iPhone accessories. Buy a new Watch, your old Watch accessories cannot be ignored.

I cannot envision a scenario in which this will be an issue. It is axiomatically true that the Watch sold in April 2015 will be obsolete in April 2016. It will most certainly be obsolete in April 2017. However, the entire device will not be obsolete. The part that will be obsolete will be the electronic internals--the least expensive components of the device. Do you toss your gold Watch Edition because its least expensive component is obsolete? No. You purchase updated electronic internals which will update your old Watch to the functionality of the latest retail offering.

 

[imwoblin]

I wear a Rolex Submariner 16610 circa 1988 with a 3135 COSC movement, 904L stainless steel & sapphire crystal. This watch has been on my wrist for over 25 years, through 2 wars and countless dives and looks brand new. It's been serviced 2 times in 25 years at $350 a pop and is still very accurate (4 seconds a day). The watch is also worth more now than when I originally purchased it..

I'm still pulling the trigger on the 42 Sport version mainly for the health/fitness apps that Apple baked in but also 3rd party future apps.

If you want to see how a Rolex or other fine Swiss watch works, check out all the vids of Rolex watch servicing on YouTube. The complexity of a fine Swiss watch is truly amazing..

 

[rjlawrencejr]

I disagree with that, since I've seen it first hand, no myth there. Esecially in Switzerland. Is there a ridiculous mark up in the prices of Swiss made Automatics ? Hell yeah. But what you're saying is like saying "who cares if it's a German made car, a Volkswagen Jetta is just as good as a Mercedes E-350, German made is just a myth." As long as a lower priced automatic watch has a swiss made movement in it, for instance an automatic ETA 2824 movement, these are well made swiss movements, compared to the seiko nh-25 automatic movement (still a good movement). The Swiss made automatics are valued more by collectors. Just like the Mercerdes is valued more for car buyers.

When I say mythology, I mean there is a story behind it that people buy into. If an automatic was made with exact same level craftsmanship in China vs Switzerland it wouldn't be worth as much to collectors because there is no history. For the same reason when the Lexus LS first came on the scene in 1989 they could not ask S-class prices because (however that ceases to be true today). In essence we may be partially agreeing.

 

[LadyX]

Here is the thing, how many of you are going to not upgrade in 1-2 years to the Watch 2 or 3? Your Rolex or Breitling (my fav) you have had for years because they don't change as much over time. This is an electronic computer device which will degrade in value and performance over time.

Exactly. I own a Rolex watch and this is my opinion as well. I can afford an Apple Watch but why would I waste money on it? I mean, I've bought a lot of tech products that I don't use anymore, if I get an Apple Watch (which I won't as I'm not interested) I'll wear it for a couple of months and be bored with it.

 

[Fireproof!]

I love watches. I have had a lot over the years, from various G-Shocks to "cheap" fashion watches, to Rolex.

The ones I wear the most are my Rolexes (a platinum Yacht-Master and a GMT Master II).

But I'm also a gadget geek - I like to play with new technology and see how their use fits into my lifestyle. So even though I'll miss my Rolex on my wrist, I am excited to see how the Apple Watch works for me in real life and especially the new functionality or use cases that haven't even been thought of yet.

But out of the gate, there are many things I'm looking forward to:
- Phone and text notification
- Dictated replies to text through Siri
- Things to-do list at a glance on my wrist
- AA flight information on my wrist (I travel almost weekly)
- Music to my earbuds without my phone so I don't have to take my phone to the gym or out by the pool. (Incidentally in my backyard - my Wifi reaches everywhere so I can monitor texts and notifications to see if I need to go inside and address anything important)
- Basic fitness tracking (I'm not a runner or cyclist so I just need basic step counting and such.)
- And much more...

Oh - and to the OP's original question - no, I don't think the Watch is expensive. If the lowest-price watch was $2000 or more, then I'd say YES it's too expensive. But to be able to get one on your wrist for about $350-400, I think is very reasonable.

I could afford to buy any version. But given that this is a 1st gen model, I know there will be some improvements, and I know I'll want the improved version. So I'm going in at the low end. Struggling between the Space Grey Sport version or the SS with Black Band just to start out and see how it goes. Both I think are nice looking with reasonable price points. (I may order both and compare them in person on my wrist and return the one I don't like).

 

[jaymc]

I love watches. I have had a lot over the years, from various G-Shocks to "cheap" fashion watches, to Rolex.

The ones I wear the most are my Rolexes (a platinum Yacht-Master and a GMT Master II).

But I'm also a gadget geek - I like to play with new technology and see how their use fits into my lifestyle. So even though I'll miss my Rolex on my wrist, I am excited to see how the Apple Watch works for me in real life and especially the new functionality or use cases that haven't even been thought of yet.

But out of the gate, there are many things I'm looking forward to:
- Phone and text notification
- Dictated replies to text through Siri
- Things to-do list at a glance on my wrist
- AA flight information on my wrist (I travel almost weekly)
- Music to my earbuds without my phone so I don't have to take my phone to the gym or out by the pool. (Incidentally in my backyard - my Wifi reaches everywhere so I can monitor texts and notifications to see if I need to go inside and address anything important)
- Basic fitness tracking (I'm not a runner or cyclist so I just need basic step counting and such.)
- And much more...

Oh - and to the OP's original question - no, I don't think the Watch is expensive. If the lowest-price watch was $2000 or more, then I'd say YES it's too expensive. But to be able to get one on your wrist for about $350-400, I think is very reasonable.

I could afford to buy any version. But given that this is a 1st gen model, I know there will be some improvements, and I know I'll want the improved version. So I'm going in at the low end. Struggling between the Space Grey Sport version or the SS with Black Band just to start out and see how it goes. Both I think are nice looking with reasonable price points. (I may order both and compare them in person on my wrist and return the one I don't like).

This describes me perfectly (except no Yacht-Master or frequent flights) and I'm also struggling getting the SS with Black Band. The decision would be helped if I'm assured the SS Black Band was compatible with future upgrades of the Apple Watch.

 

[Fireproof!]

This describes me perfectly (except no Yacht-Master or frequent flights) and I'm also struggling getting the SS with Black Band. The decision would be helped if I'm assured the SS Black Band was compatible with future upgrades of the Apple Watch.

If I were a betting man, I would bet that any near term upgrades would be focused on improving the OS and the internals (things like improved battery, adding GPS, faster processor) BEFORE messing with the form factor.

Everyone is already complaining about no GPS and limited battery life. It will be hard to address those if they jump to a thinner watch so soon, which is really what would potentially mess up the way bands attach.

My gut tells me the bands will work for the next 3 years or so.

 

[richardmu]

I have a Rolex Explorer I bought new in 1974 for £124. Still wear it most days and it hasn't been serviced for about 10 years. A new one is now £3400 and about the main difference is the size has gone from 36mm to 39mm at some time.
I don't have an iPhone but I will probably buy a low end Apple Watch to see what all the fuss is about although there will be significantly reduced functionality without the iPhone I expect. Sucker for any new bit of Apple kit!

 

[MH01]

I have a rolex , panerai and a few others. The sports and SS are typical apple price points, can't complain. The edition is a joke

Good wearable, absolute joke luxury edition. I say that cause the sports and edition are identical inside. When I pay for a watch in a certain price point, I expect a better movement inside etc

 

[KauaiBruce]

I have a Rolex Explorer I bought new in 1974 for £124. Still wear it most days and it hasn't been serviced for about 10 years. A new one is now £3400 and about the main difference is the size has gone from 36mm to 39mm at some time.
I don't have an iPhone but I will probably buy a low end Apple Watch to see what all the fuss is about although there will be significantly reduced functionality without the iPhone I expect. Sucker for any new bit of Apple kit!

Do you know that the Watch is not going to do much without an iPhone?

 

[richardmu]

Do you know that the Watch is not going to do much without an iPhone?

Yes, but it may have some useful standalone functions. I'll check it out and if that's not the case then this will be one to miss. Don't use a cell phone much so can't even use it as an excuse to get an iPhone!

 

[Fireproof!]

Yes, but it may have some useful standalone functions. I'll check it out and if that's not the case then this will be one to miss. Don't use a cell phone much so can't even use it as an excuse to get an iPhone!

I don't even think you'll be able to "activate it" without an iPhone. I bet when it powers up the first thing it will do is asked to be paired with an iPhone. If you don't do that - you may stuck at the startup screen.

 

[KauaiBruce]

I don't even think you'll be able to "activate it" without an iPhone. I bet when it powers up the first thing it will do is asked to be paired with an iPhone. If you don't do that - you may stuck at the startup screen.

I think you are correct about that. The big clue is that the Watch app that just got installed on the latest update. When you hit the 'pair' button it asks you to point the camera at the face of the watch SO there must be something special displayed it will read. It also mentions an icon to hit on the watch to get its name if you want to do it manually. SO, it does look like it has to be paired to use it.

I'm actually still sitting on my old iPhone 5 that I had not sold yet. I will soon be putting it on craigslist with a note that it will allow connections to the Apple Watch.

 

[richardmu]

I think you are correct about that. The big clue is that the Watch app that just got installed on the latest update. When you hit the 'pair' button it asks you to point the camera at the face of the watch SO there must be something special displayed it will read. It also mentions an icon to hit on the watch to get its name if you want to do it manually. SO, it does look like it has to be paired to use it.

I'm actually still sitting on my old iPhone 5 that I had not sold yet. I will soon be putting it on craigslist with a note that it will allow connections to the Apple Watch.

Thanks for the info. Sounds like I'll have to get excited about buying something else. However, I still enjoy all the build up and hype around the AW release.