What is the max you will spend on the Apple Watch.

[Mikes1]

Well that's certainly not true. For example, here's a respected watch guy, who was at the Apple announcement in September, describing the link bracelet:

"And that leads me to my next point. Apple absolutely, positively, indisputably NAILED its straps and bracelets. In addition to offering a bevy of options from leather to fluoroelastomer to link bracelets to Milanese, it is here that you really see how much attention Apple was paying to the way people wear watches, and the how bad existing options were.
...
Then you have the link bracelet. Did you know that the entire thing is sizable with just your own hands, no tools required? All you have to do it press on the center link from the rear of the bracelet and a link pops right out. It reminds me a little bit of how IWC's Aquatimer straps attach to the case, with a center release button, but here it's for every single link. Additionally, the deployant (did you notice Jony Ive called it a "deployment" buckle in the video? Cute.) is again so slick, where it actually folds over itself to be far thinner than a traditional bracelet clasp."

Source: http://www.hodinkee.com/blog/hodinkee-apple-watch-review


Cheap link bracelets are made by stamping shapes out of sheet metal, folding them into little hollow link pieces, and pressing pins into the holes to keep the links together. Then a lackluster pass over a buffing wheel, if you're lucky. The edges are sloppy; the clasp is thick, loose, insecure, and far from durable.

Quality link bracelets have pieces machined from solid metal stock, hinge pins welded into the links where possible, better overall precision and finishing. The clasp is thin, rugged, and reliable.

Apple's link bracelet looks (in pictures) like it will be on the higher end of the scale, though not in the hand-made, hand-polished, ultra-luxury range. I've only seen very favorable reviews of the bracelet, the deployant clasp, and the easy size adjustment mechanism.

Ok point taken I was actualy referring to all the people on this forum who are speculating on the bracelets. But all this still smacks of marketing hype
You are absolutely right about the diffrence between cheep mass produced items and high quality high end products. My opinion is Apple is going to do what they do best, build a top quality item in its class and the class in this case is small. It is a fact that they are mass produced and I hope they will be priced as such

 

[Sodner]

Ok point taken I was actualy referring to all the people on this forum who are speculating on the bracelets. But all this still smacks of marketing hype
You are absolutely right about the diffrence between cheep mass produced items and high quality high end products. My opinion is Apple is going to do what they do best, build a top quality item in its class and the class in this case is small. It is a fact that they are mass produced and I hope they will be priced as such

Every thing Apple makes is mass produced and nothing they sell is "priced as such." You're way off base on this.

 

[Mikes1]

Every thing Apple makes is mass produced and nothing they sell is "priced as such." Your way off base on this.

Mass produced is not a negative thing

Are you saying everything Apple makes is over priced?

 

[Sodner]

Mass produced is not a negative thing

Are you saying everything Apple makes is over priced?

Not at all. I'm saying nothing Apple mass produces -- causes them to pass those savings on to the customer.

There products are expensive sure but for what you get I do not consider them over priced. If so I wouldn't be knee deep in Apple stuff.

Again I don't expect a $10k gold watch, but to many people are way off on their price predictions. That link band is not, repeat not going to be only $100.

 

[Mikes1]

That link band is not, repeat not going to be only $100.

Agreed but it ain't gonna be $600 either

I'm sticking to my $150 prediction. I may well have to eat my words

 

[Sodner]

Agreed but it ain't gonna be $600 either

I'm sticking to my $150 prediction. I may well have to eat my words

I'll bet somewhere in the neighborhood of $300.

 

[Mikes1]

I think most of the disagreements on price is because the watch is a very different type of product from the Apple norm. Computers and phones have very little to do with fashion and what Apple makes is mostly peerless. The watch however is up against competition on many fronts. Apple themselves have pitted it against luxury watches by the way they have marketed it so people's expectatoins are now of something a bit special thus it will cost a lot
To sell millions of watches I just can't see them being too expensive except the gold one. I have already predicted $4500 for that model

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I'll bet somewhere in the neighborhood of $300.

Cool.....and at that price I could well go for it but would feel on the verge not getting what I'm paying for

What would be your max price?

 

[Sodner]

I think most of the disagreements on price is because the watch is a very different type of product from the Apple norm. Computers and phones have very little to do with fashion and what Apple makes is mostly peerless. The watch however is up against competition on many fronts. Apple themselves have pitted it against luxury watches by the way they have marketed it so people's expectatoins are now of something a bit special thus it will cost a lot
To sell millions of watches I just can't see them being too expensive except the gold one. I have already predicted $4500 for that model

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Cool.....and at that price I could well go for it but would feel on the verge not getting what I'm paying for

What would be your max price?

Well I am an Apple Nut so don't take me as your typical Apple watch buyer. I absolutely have to have their latest tech (new iPhone every year) so I have a $1k budget for the 42mm SS with black leather band. I very much hope its way cheaper than that but I really think, watch + tax + Apple Care will have me close to $850-$900. If its less I'll add a white sport band for when I exercise so as to not mess up the leather one. I would be dead shocked if it was under $600.

 

[Mikes1]

Well I am an Apple Nut so don't take me as your typical Apple watch buyer. I absolutely have to have their latest tech (new iPhone every year) so I have a $1k budget for the 42mm SS with black leather band. I very much hope its way cheaper than that but I really think, watch + tax + Apple Care will have me close to $850-$900. If its less I'll add a white sport band for when I exercise so as to not mess up the leather one. I would be dead shocked if it was under $600.

I must have the watch and I also must have the SS version still torn between regular and black so would really like to see before I buy but I will make a choice and preorder if I can. I'm thinking £600 with SS bracelet and will be very happy at that level

 

[bnorthro]

One of the reasons people are having widely different price expectations for the bands, IMO, is due to their background. Someone who is familiar with the watch industry or has a nice watch is used to seeing exorbitant prices for bands and links. Someone coming from a tech background and is unfamiliar with the fashion/watch industry is hung up on tech specs or traditional accessory pricing.

Apple is going to come in lower than the traditional watch industry (I agree with the $2-300 number above for the link bracelet), but it will seem very expensive at first to most people.

 

[richardjhurst]

One of the reasons people are having widely different price expectations for the bands, IMO, is due to their background. Someone who is familiar with the watch industry or has a nice watch is used to seeing exorbitant prices for bands and links. Someone coming from a tech background and is unfamiliar with the fashion/watch industry is hung up on tech specs or traditional accessory pricing.

Apple is going to come in lower than the traditional watch industry (I agree with the $2-300 number above for the link bracelet), but it will seem very expensive at first to most people.

Agree. I just paid £250 for a new Breitling strap direct from them so thats around $375 so I'm not expecting the straps from Apple to be that far off this price