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Apparently I was misinformed about the separate bands thing. Sorry guys! Any luck finding these babies in Los Angeles?
 
The leather is a lot softer. And it's handmade, not machined together.
The quality of the leather or materials is certainly something that can be tangibly distinguished. But I was re-reading this article about Ive and Newson at the Conde Nast International Luxury Conference, and this caught my eye:

The Watch is the first Apple product designed explicitly for the luxury market, and when asked to define the company's approach to luxury, Ive commented that "It's not so much about things being touched personally — there are many ways to craft something," Ive said. "It's easy to assume that just because you make something in small volumes, not using many tools, that there is integrity and care — that is a false assumption."

Newson also defended the company's design and mass manufacturing process, comparing its machines to a craftsman's tools. "We all use something — you can't drill holes with your fingers," he remarked.

Newson attemted to bolster his and Ive's credentials by bringing up their backgrounds in silversmithing. "We're not just designing in our heads and then on a computer. We both have the ability to understand certain materials; we come from a standpoint of being taught manually," he said.

So, it would seem that they are saying that just because something is manufactured using machines, it can be as good as or better than something handmade. Odd then that Apple sees a partnership with handmade leather goods company as worthwhile compared to its own offerings.

Which brings me back to the quality issue: Newsom talks about knowing how to do things manually, and their understanding of metallurgy, presumably to convey that they know fine quality materials and craftmanship in order to rival that through their mechanical processes, and materials. Indeed the Apple website boasts the following about its own bands:

"A small French tannery produces the supple Granada leather for this elegant band.", "This band is made from Venezia leather handcrafted in Arzignano, Italy. With an artisan heritage spanning five generations, the tannery has a history of partnership with some of the most prestigious names in fashion." And "This traditional design has been updated with a new calf leather that ages naturally over time to acquire a beautiful patina."

So Apple is really marketing their bands on the level of Hermes, and from what the designers have said think theirs are every bit as good as "the most prestigious names in fashion". Yet their bands cost $150-$250 compared to Hermes $700-$1000. So based on this then, it seems like the Hermes watch is really about the name, and not necessarily the quality or construction.
 
So Apple is really marketing their bands on the level of Hermes, and from what the designers have said think theirs are every bit as good as "the most prestigious names in fashion". Yet their bands cost $150-$250 compared to Hermes $700-$1000. So based on this then, it seems like the Hermes watch is really about the name, and not necessarily the quality or construction.

Just because Apple markets their bands with language similar to that used to describe luxury goods such as Hermes, doesn't make their bands the same quality as Hermes. I've seen the Hermes bands, and I feel their leather is higher quality than Apple's. Sure, part of the reason why Hermes is able to charge $500-800 (I don't think any of their bands come out to be as high as $1000) is because of their brand. But brands have to be built on something. Take a lower quality band like the Apple bands and slap on Hermes' name on them, and the brand's reputation will come crashing down.
 
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Agreed. Hermes products live up to their heritage. They don't have commercials, they barely run any ads. Their products speak for themselves.

Whereas Apple describes their iPhone 6S Leather Case on the product page with:

"These Apple-designed cases are made from specially tanned and finished European leather for a luxurious feel...", I had to go through a handful of them to find one without a lot of imperfections and marks before settling on one.

Hermes carries a premium price, but their quality is rarely matched in leather goods.
 
I don't think any of their bands come out to be as high as $1000
That's based on the Hermes watch price of $1100-1500, less the cost of the basic stainless Watch itself $549-599, and further reducing it by the cost of the $49 Sport band. So in the case of the cuff, almost $1,000 at $951. The cheapest single tour band would be $600, and the double tour at $750.
 
I had to go through a handful of them to find one without a lot of imperfections and marks before settling on one.
Curious, how were you able to do that? Did they open several boxes and allow you to chose? Or did they open several separate bands boxes and you swapped with that one?

I hadn't thought about that having gotten a Sport. But I do remember choosing between two otherwise identical watches at a jewelry store based on variances between the bands.
 
Curious, how were you able to do that? Did they open several boxes and allow you to chose? Or did they open several separate bands boxes and you swapped with that one?

This was for the iPhone 6S Plus Leather Case and since this year's cases came in cardboard boxes I asked the employee if I could take a look to make sure it was OK. The first black leather case had a ton of scuff marks and the Rose Gray case didn't match the color on the website and had a ton of wrinkles on the leather. The black leather I winded up with still had a tiny scratch but it wasn't that noticeable so I went with that one.

But if I was buying an Apple Watch Leather Band made by Apple I would definitely see if I could check it out before purchasing.
 
This was for the iPhone 6S Plus Leather Case and since this year's cases came in cardboard boxes I asked the employee if I could take a look to make sure it was OK. The first black leather case had a ton of scuff marks and the Rose Gray case didn't match the color on the website and had a ton of wrinkles on the leather. The black leather I winded up with still had a tiny scratch but it wasn't that noticeable so I went with that one.

But if I was buying an Apple Watch Leather Band made by Apple I would definitely see if I could check it out before purchasing.

Real leather is supposed to have these natural marks. I think you were just being anal retentive, as it'd acquire those marks anyway with use. Surprised you even got the AW Hermes.
 
So Apple is really marketing their bands on the level of Hermes, and from what the designers have said think theirs are every bit as good as "the most prestigious names in fashion". Yet their bands cost $150-$250 compared to Hermes $700-$1000. So based on this then, it seems like the Hermes watch is really about the name, and not necessarily the quality or construction.
It doesn't matter how Apple is marketing their regular bands. There is no comparison between the Classic or Modern Buck and the Hermes band. The Hermes band is of much better quality.
 
Real leather is supposed to have these natural marks. I think you were just being anal retentive, as it'd acquire those marks anyway with use. Surprised you even got the AW Hermes.

None of my new leather goods have a bunch of marks, scuffs and / or scratches on them. If they're outlet product then maybe - and those are discounted.

The Hermes band on the Apple Watch Hermes was flawless, consistent with their store products.
 
I went to local Dallas Hermes location to ask if I could buy double tour band. First the salesman told me it wouldn't fit because the Apple watch connections were not compatible. I showed them how the adapters came apart and explained how the band is connected. Afer that education, they were very helpful in showing me the double tour band. The size necessary for a 38mm is 19mm or 20mm/17mm ( which means it is 19/20mm at adapter end & 17mm at bucke end). The price? Double tour band is $400 (does not include the buckle). The Hermes buckle is $110. BTW - my favorite Hermes watch face, using it now, is espace.

image.png
 
I went to local Dallas Hermes location to ask if I could buy double tour band. First the salesman told me it wouldn't fit because the Apple watch connections were not compatible. I showed them how the adapters came apart and explained how the band is connected. Afer that education, they were very helpful in showing me the double tour band. The size necessary for a 38mm is 19mm or 20mm/17mm ( which means it is 19/20mm at adapter end & 17mm at bucke end). The price? Double tour band is $400 (does not include the buckle). The Hermes buckle is $110. BTW - my favorite Hermes watch face, using it now, is espace.

View attachment 593657

So those are regular Hermes bands which you must swap out for the Apple adapters?
 
JayLenochiniMac said:
"So those are regular Hermes bands which you must swap out for the Apple adapters?"

If I understand your question correctly, then yes. You put the adapters on the Hermes band to attach to your Apple Watch. The double tour (minus the buckle) look like this:

image.jpeg
 
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JayLenochiniMac said:
"So those are regular Hermes bands which you must swap out for the Apple adapters?"

If I understand your question correctly, then yes. You put the adapters on the Hermes band to attach to your Apple Watch. The double tour (minus the buckle) look like this:

View attachment 593666

Yeah, it's no secret that Hermes is willing sell spare bands to existing Hermes owners. What members wanted to know is if we're able to get the official AW Hermes bands separately and so far, it doesn't appear to be the case. The only way to do it is use the workaround in your post, which is getting the regular Hermes bands and attaching Apple's adapters to them.
 
Just ordered a clone Hermes band from eBay- delivery Friday. £16. Single Tour Brown. Will post pics when it arrives.
 
Yeah, it's no secret that Hermes is willing sell spare bands to existing Hermes owners. What members wanted to know is if we're able to get the official AW Hermes bands separately and so far, it doesn't appear to be the case. The only way to do it is use the workaround in your post, which is getting the regular Hermes bands and attaching Apple's adapters to them.
Where can you find just the Hermes leather bands? I checked their website and it only has bands with their watches. I saw no bands that were solo, and for sure non that looked liked the ones on the Apple Watch.
 
Where can you find just the Hermes leather bands? I checked their website and it only has bands with their watches. I saw no bands that were solo, and for sure non that looked liked the ones on the Apple Watch.

From what I've read, they tend to sell them under the table only to Hermes owners. You'd have to inquire within as an existing customer of a Hermes store.
 
i had never been in a Hermes store before walking in the other day. As I said in my earlier post, after I explained how the band attaches to the adapter, there appeared to be no hesitation in showing the double tour band to me. I did not purchase one, but the salesman showed me both the etain and the fauve Barenia double tour bands. He said that bands could be purchased. Of course....at a price (see earlier post)!
 
Nice to hear about the bands! Maybe I should make some friends at the Hermès store in Chicago.
 
i had never been in a Hermes store before walking in the other day. As I said in my earlier post, after I explained how the band attaches to the adapter, there appeared to be no hesitation in showing the double tour band to me. I did not purchase one, but the salesman showed me both the etain and the fauve Barenia double tour bands. He said that bands could be purchased. Of course....at a price (see earlier post)!

Yeah, you're an AW Hermes owner. They're more reluctant to sell to non-owners, based on what I've read.
 
So $510 for the Double Tour band and buckle under the table. Add $550 for the cheapest Apple Watch SS and it is $1060 vs $1250 for the real deal. Still not bad considering you'll spend over $2k for a Cape Cod. Remember that the Classic Band costs Apple about $20 to make and they sell it for $100 more than the base. The Hermès band probably costs about $150 more to make and they charge another $550 to the base.
 
Yeah, you're an AW Hermes owner. They're more reluctant to sell to non-owners, based on what I've read.
$1100 to join the club is a steal if that's the case. I see that they have spun off the $400 scarves to a different website.
 
But with no Hermes face though. That's like putting rims from a high-end model on the base model, but it's still the lowly base model.

So it's not enough to simply want a higher quality band than what Apple offers? Is it enough just to have access to the Hermes face buried within the OS, if the customer decided they would rather use their delightful new Tapping Mickey face with their $750 Hermes band? By etching "Hermes" logo on the base model stainless Watch case, is Apple merely putting high end rims on their base model?
 
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So it's not enough to simply want a higher quality band than what Apple offers? Is it enough just to have access to the Hermes face buried within the OS, if the customer decided they would rather use their delightful new Tapping Mickey face with their $750 Hermes band? By etching "Hermes" logo on the base model stainless Watch case, is Apple merely putting high end rims on their base model?

It's been obvious since the announcement of the Hermes collaboration that you aren't a fan. Why do you even bother?
 
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