Who else plans to get the Apple Watch Hermès?

[Mac 128]

I assumed that the Hermes has all the faces, but I don't know.

Oh surely it must. Although, I'd have more respect for it if they limited the watch to just a small collection of Hermes approved face designs. One question comes to mind, can the Hermes watch face be augmented with complications in the same way as the Apple designs? In other words, could the be added just like the other watch faces? That would certainly solve my co-branding problem -- HA!

The reality is, Apple is going to have to eventually open up the watch faces. Watch OS2 starts that process by allowing photos to be used as wallpaper behind the faces, which if works the way it appears, will allow people to put photo realistic watch face images behind Apple's graphics -- with the proper alignment: custom watch face. But true watch face mods will likely be treated like ringtones and required purchases through vetted submissions via the app store, or custom affairs like the Hermes edition, at least for the near future. Either way, I doubt they would limit the Hermes edition from being able to use those other options as they become available in successive OS improvements. Who knows, maybe Hermes will offer additional watch faces down the line for purchase through the app store, which will only work on the Hermes editions.

 

[douglasf13]

Oh surely it must. Although, I'd have more respect for it if they limited the watch to just a small collection of Hermes approved face designs. One question comes to mind, can the Hermes watch face be augmented with complications in the same way as the Apple designs? In other words, could the be added just like the other watch faces? That would certainly solve my co-branding problem -- HA!

The reality is, Apple is going to have to eventually open up the watch faces. Watch OS2 starts that process by allowing photos to be used as wallpaper behind the faces, which if works the way it appears, will allow people to put photo realistic watch face images behind Apple's graphics -- with the proper alignment: custom watch face. But true watch face mods will likely be treated like ringtones and required purchases through vetted submissions via the app store, or custom affairs like the Hermes edition, at least for the near future. Either way, I doubt they would limit the Hermes edition from being able to use those other options as they become available in successive OS improvements. Who knows, maybe Hermes will offer additional watch faces down the line for purchase through the app store, which will only work on the Hermes editions.

To be honest, even though it would frustrate many, I could see Apple not opening up watch faces. Exclusivity, style, and brand name are all important in fashion, and I wouldn't be surprised if Apple wanted to control that. Wearables is a new game for Apple.

 

[BigGuy219]

Movado is the corniest brand ever... they're nice watches for people who don't know about watches and are upgrading their fossil. I'd rather have a G shock... Those are great and functional for a great price.

And Omega known for movements? Really? They don't have one in-house made movement... They're all Quartz or based (lightly modified) on the ETA 2892. Omegas are known for decent divers and James Bond... Look at a Zenith of Lange movement and you'll see what I mean... Boner time!

I'd take an Oris, Helson, Dievas anyday over an Omega (except Ploprof). Porsche design has some bad ass models recently too! Then you got Panerai (my fav... Best balance of form and function), Hublot and IWC (boner). Oh and Bell and Ross! Would LOVE to get a BR01... Sigh... Anywho, end rant.

Sorry... Watch snob here. Lol

The Hermes watch is cool... I can 100% appreciate the craftsmanship you're getting in that strap and the face is dope. Wish other watch companies would design apple faces that we could pick from...

Movado will always have a soft spot in my heart, because it was the first watch upgrade I bought. I was in college and was sporting a Hamilton Khaki as my 'daily driver', but my roommate was already starting to go into $1000+ territory. Back then we were in love with TAG Heuer, another watch based more on the outside than the inside (and Steve McQueen), but neither of us could go that high and settled on Movado. I got the blue dial and it served me well for years, in fact after this thread I decided to send it in for a good buff and battery change. The thing about watches is with a traditional timepiece they really can last a lifetime.

As to the knock on Omega, I adore what that brand is doing. Dark Side of the Moon! But, I still can't personally justify going $10,000+ on an Omega - not when resale is trending at 50% (or lower!). But I was actually at an Omega Boutique this past Sunday trying on a Seamaster Aqua Terra, which is 10.8k in stores, and 7.6k online. I see value there, but I'm going to wear the hell out of my Apple Watch Hermès so it doesn't make sense for me to buy a mechanical at the same time.

For what it's worth, that same friend who I entered the Movado market with over a decade ago, now wears Panerai almost exclusively.

I remember the first time I saw Bell and Ross in a magazine while waiting in the salon. My barber didn't mind if I tore the page out so I could go home and look at them online, but I was shocked at the prices. But I still love the military styling and it reminds me so fondly of the Hamilton Khaki I started my watch life with.

 

[Mac 128]

The Hermes watch is cool... I can 100% appreciate the craftsmanship you're getting in that strap and the face is dope. Wish other watch companies would design apple faces that we could pick from...

You know what would do it for me ... if in these partnerships, Apple allowed Hermes designers to make changes to the case, just like they would do on their own watches. Obviously the parameters would be limited to the internal dimensions required to accommodate the works, but outside of that and placement of the crown, allow the outer case to be modified to Hermes' specs. Maybe that's just a sculpted bevel that runs around the edge of the watch and a custom lug for the band. Or, a custom digital crown, or a particular finish. But it lets the branding partner actually contribute something more to the edition than what's essentially an aftermarket band. EDIT: Maybe even allow the crown position to change so that the internals have to be modified -- make it a true collaboration worthy of the price tag, down to a custom redesign of the internal configuration. Not just another case off the assembly line dressed up in fancy clothes. That's as bad as the Cadillac Cimmaron.

I'm surprised to see you call yourself a watch snob, but would be open to using licensed mechanical watch faces. I assume you mean Watch appropriate interpretations like the Hermes, or actual photorealistic designs?

 

[douglasf13]

You know what would do it for me ... if in these partnerships, Apple allowed Hermes designers to make changes to the case, just like they would do on their own watches. Obviously the parameters would be limited to the internal dimensions required to accommodate the works, but outside of that and placement of the crown, allow the outer case to be modified to Hermes' specs. Maybe that's just a sculpted bevel that runs around the edge of the watch and a custom lug for the band. Or, a custom digital crown, or a particular finish. But it lets the branding partner actually contribute something more to the edition than what's essentially an aftermarket band. EDIT: Maybe even allow the crown position to change so that the internals have to be modified -- make it a true collaboration worthy of the price tag, down to a custom redesign of the internal configuration. Not just another case off the assembly line dressed up in fancy clothes. That's as bad as the Cadillac Cimmaron.

I'm surprised to see you call yourself a watch snob, but would be open to using licensed mechanical watch faces. I assume you mean Watch appropriate interpretations like the Hermes, or actual photorealistic designs?

Yeah, I'm a bit of a watch snob, and I prefer the modular, digital face of the Apple Watch, myself.

The thing about Hermes is that Apple is trying to gain acceptance as being non-geeky and fashionable. "If a celebrity is wearing a Apple Watch Hermes, I can wear one too, and the only difference is the band" kinda thing. With a Hermes Cape Cod, it's really just a fashion watch with a desirable band, anyways.

Either way, the Apple Watch Hermes is relatively inexpensive as it is, considering how much Hermes leathergoods cost. If there was a case redesign, I'm sure they would have charged much more.

 

[tivoboy]

As an owner of over 100 ties and many scarves - absolutely NOT

 

[BigGuy219]

One thing I need to get more information on is AppleCare. I had it for my SS, but I'm wondering what the policy will be regarding the Hermès. Will there be a premium? Will the replacement be a Hermès or a SS? Will there be a different time period due to any planned discontinuation/limitation of the Hermès? Obviously I can't imagine it covering the band.

More calls to Apple later today!

 

[FrisbeeK9]

To be honest, even though it would frustrate many, I could see Apple not opening up watch faces. Exclusivity, style, and brand name are all important in fashion, and I wouldn't be surprised if Apple wanted to control that. Wearables is a new game for Apple.

I have a feeling you're right. Fashion and brand control is the  thing. Regardless of how much money they could make with an  face store section.

 

[AS90]

Love how people think paying an extra $800 for $10 worth of leather is a bargain!!

 

[BigGuy219]

Love how people think paying an extra $800 for $10 worth of leather is a bargain!!

It's only $50 more than the SB SS.

And it's not simply leather. It's the highest quality leather you're likely to find on a watchband, handcrafted by world renowned artisans in France with nearly two centuries of pedigree.

 

[eggersj]

Omega movements were lightly modified ETA 2892 until the early 2000s, then they were highly modified ETA 2892s with the co-axial escapement. Around 2007, they introduced an entirely new co-axial movement that only they use, the 8500 caliber, and it is certainly as good as it gets among mass produced movements. It's obviously no Patek Phillipe, but you're behind the times on Omega, and they've leveled the playing field with Rolex, if not surpassed them, in the movement department.

I do agree about Movado, though.

Seems that I am! Thanks for schooling me mate! Very interesting indeed! I've never had interest in an omega except the Ploprof... Wouldn't mind a planet ocean though either...

 

[KPOM]

One thing I need to get more information on is AppleCare. I had it for my SS, but I'm wondering what the policy will be regarding the Hermès. Will there be a premium? Will the replacement be a Hermès or a SS? Will there be a different time period due to any planned discontinuation/limitation of the Hermès? Obviously I can't imagine it covering the band.

More calls to Apple later today!

Keep us posted. I assume Apple will sell an AppleCare+ policy at the same price as the stainless steel Apple Watch. I'm not sure Hermès is used to selling extended warranties, though.

 

[Mac 128]

To be honest, even though it would frustrate many, I could see Apple not opening up watch faces. Exclusivity, style, and brand name are all important in fashion, and I wouldn't be surprised if Apple wanted to control that. Wearables is a new game for Apple.

I have a feeling you're right. Fashion and brand control is the  thing. Regardless of how much money they could make with an  face store section.

At this point I wouldn't put it past Apple. But that would also give the other smartwatch makers a substantial way to differentiate themselves from Apple. I do expect some of the traditional watchmakers to develop smartwatches, alone, or in partnership with a tech company, and they will obviously be adapting their watch faces.

For all of its debatable short comings, Apple has raised the bar on what it takes for wearable technology to gain main stream fashionable appeal. All the other tech companies who were trying to do it the way its always been done, have now been shown the correct way to do it by Apple. As have the traditional watchmakers (who certainly understood the design craft but not necessarily the UI aspect).

So given all of that, unless Apple plans to start pimping out the watch to every fashion house big or small in order to give their customers the choice they desire (and Apple seems to be bending over backward at the moment to do just that), then they will in fact be leaving money on the table. I just don't see them doing it. So, if Apple starts doing limited editions for Louis Vuitton, Coach, Mark Jacobs, as well as Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein, Guess, DKNY, Diesel, Armani Exchange, Macy's Charter Club, Adidas, Old Navy, Hush Puppies, Hello Kitty, Juicy Couture, Reebok, Nautical, Tommy Hilfiger, Swiss Army, Disney, Massimo (Target), Puegot, Sperry, Tommy Bahama, Everest, Dickies, and everybody in between, then I can see them holding out on custom watch faces, as selling limited editions is far more lucrative.

But, if anything, I see that as a short term model with very select co-branding that further's Apple's goal of being one of the fashion elite. So custom faces are coming, a year out at the most, after the novelty of buying a Fendi co-branded Watch has worn off ...

 

[douglasf13]

At this point I wouldn't put it past Apple. But that would also give the other smartwatch makers a substantial way to differentiate themselves from Apple. I do expect some of the traditional watchmakers to develop smartwatches, alone, or in partnership with a tech company, and they will obviously be adapting their watch faces.

For all of its debatable short comings, Apple has raised the bar on what it takes for wearable technology to gain main stream fashionable appeal. All the other tech companies who were trying to do it the way its always been done, have now been shown the correct way to do it by Apple. As have the traditional watchmakers (who certainly understood the design craft but not necessarily the UI aspect).

So given all of that, unless Apple plans to start pimping out the watch to every fashion house big or small in order to give their customers the choice they desire (and Apple seems to be bending over backward at the moment to do just that), then they will in fact be leaving money on the table. I just don't see them doing it. So, if Apple starts doing limited editions for Louis Vuitton, Coach, Mark Jacobs, as well as Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein, Guess, DKNY, Diesel, Armani Exchange, Macy's Charter Club, Adidas, Old Navy, Hush Puppies, Hello Kitty, Juicy Couture, Reebok, Nautical, Tommy Hilfiger, Swiss Army, Disney, Massimo (Target), Puegot, Sperry, Tommy Bahama, Everest, Dickies, and everybody in between, then I can see them holding out on custom watch faces, as selling limited editions is far more lucrative.

But, if anything, I see that as a short term model with very select co-branding that further's Apple's goal of being one of the fashion elite. So custom faces are coming, a year out at the most, after the novelty of buying a Fendi co-branded Watch has worn off ...

I think those are all good and interesting points. I'm just not sure that Apple is going to want to dilute things with "lesser" brands after getting someone at the top of the heap in Hermes. If wealthy/famous people wear the Apple Watch, it trickles down to everyone else as being "ok" and "cool" to wear.

 

[Brien]

THAT... is a good question. I'm thinking there's a hardware ID that is synced with the user's AppleID.

Considering the paired watch in the Watch app shows the model (Space Grey Sport, Stainless Steel, Rose Gold Edition, etc.) I would imagine this is the case.

 

[SHNXX]

I find it rather frustrating that the one I bought the lady, stainless with the butterfly clasp is almost the same price as this Hermes edition with much better leather and good looking dials.
Why, apple, why!!

 

[Mac 128]

I think those are all good and interesting points. I'm just not sure that Apple is going to want to dilute things with "lesser" brands after getting someone at the top of the heap in Hermes. If wealthy/famous people wear the Apple Watch, it trickles down to everyone else as being "ok" and "cool" to wear.

I would not be surprised to see Apple take such a position on this, at least at first ... however, they have to be very careful here ... Hermes puts them squarely in luxury fashion, and if Apple choses only to associate with equal partners, then the watch is going to become exactly what Apple says it isn't, an exclusive luxury item. Clearly Hermes is a halo product, sold in limited edition to those who can help their legitimacy in the fashion world. And while seeing a celebrity wearing the watch might make the watch more mainstream, I don't see the average customer who will be ultimately driving the success of the watch accept having their choices curtailed, especially by the elite. Android took off in part to other smartphone makers copying Apple, but mainly because they marketed it as the customer having freedom of choice, and rebelling against Apple's controlled elitism. If Android and the others start going after the "lesser" brands that Apple doesn't want to associate with, then the customers who would otherwise drive the sales of the Watch might happily look that direction -- Hello Kitty branded smartwatch from Samsung? It will sell millions, and they can put any watch face on it they want afterwards.

Right now Apple can do pretty much anything they want with the watch, because nobody else can come close to it. But, the watch isn't that special outside of the "Apple touches", that set it apart from everyone else's attempts to date. Maybe Pay will be a game changer, but competing payment systems are coming, and I don't see anyone making a concession to make one payment system their exclusive method. And the others will step up and offer compelling features Apple won't, for better or worse. And considering what the watch actually does, I don't see Apple's offering as more desirable than any other smartwatch, outside of the fashion/quality aspect. And at the end of the day, customers are going to buy what they want to wear, and if Apple doesn't offer it, or provide a significantly compelling reason to buy Apple, customers are probably going to go with the greatest choice. Which means it's only a matter of time before Apple is forced to release the "iPhone Plus" equivalent of the watch -- at which time Apple may have well cemented themselves as haute couture, their presumed strategy having paid off, so it'll be OK.

But either way I don't think they can take the "haute" road exclusively without changing their image and ultimately their brand.

 

[Enygmatic]

I'm not sure why some people are so worked up by Apple's chosen collaboration partners. It's not changing the overall audience of the Watch - just adding some options to attract others, including those who may have never considered wearing a smartwatch. That's it. It's tech, but it IS fashion as well (if done correctly) since it's worn - that's the angle Apple is working from, and what distinguishes the Apple Watch from its competitors. (You see the competition coming around to this reality recently, with nicer materials and more options for customization.)

The majority of their sales will continue to be the Sport and SS versions - guarranteed. The 3rd party Apple Watch band market is alive and thriving... they'll handle the majority of "lesser" options that Apple doesn't provide. These luxury editions are limited, and sold in stores where you wouldn't find Hello Kitty or Iron Man versions of anything. Much like how you don't find those same variations of iPhone cases in Apple Stores.

 

[douglasf13]

I would not be surprised to see Apple take such a position on this, at least at first ... however, they have to be very careful here ... Hermes puts them squarely in luxury fashion, and if Apple choses only to associate with equal partners, then the watch is going to become exactly what Apple says it isn't, an exclusive luxury item. Clearly Hermes is a halo product, sold in limited edition to those who can help their legitimacy in the fashion world. And while seeing a celebrity wearing the watch might make the watch more mainstream, I don't see the average customer who will be ultimately driving the success of the watch accept having their choices curtailed, especially by the elite. Android took off in part to other smartphone makers copying Apple, but mainly because they marketed it as the customer having freedom of choice, and rebelling against Apple's controlled elitism. If Android and the others start going after the "lesser" brands that Apple doesn't want to associate with, then the customers who would otherwise drive the sales of the Watch might happily look that direction -- Hello Kitty branded smartwatch from Samsung? It will sell millions, and they can put any watch face on it they want afterwards.

Right now Apple can do pretty much anything they want with the watch, because nobody else can come close to it. But, the watch isn't that special outside of the "Apple touches", that set it apart from everyone else's attempts to date. Maybe Pay will be a game changer, but competing payment systems are coming, and I don't see anyone making a concession to make one payment system their exclusive method. And the others will step up and offer compelling features Apple won't, for better or worse. And considering what the watch actually does, I don't see Apple's offering as more desirable than any other smartwatch, outside of the fashion/quality aspect. And at the end of the day, customers are going to buy what they want to wear, and if Apple doesn't offer it, or provide a significantly compelling reason to buy Apple, customers are probably going to go with the greatest choice. Which means it's only a matter of time before Apple is forced to release the "iPhone Plus" equivalent of the watch -- at which time Apple may have well cemented themselves as haute couture, their presumed strategy having paid off, so it'll be OK.

But either way I don't think they can take the "haute" road exclusively without changing their image and ultimately their brand.

Controlled elitism has always been the strength of Apple, and telling customers what they want is their philosophy. They're essentially curators of technology who pick what's "cool" and what works for you, and that isn't much different than high-fashion design houses. I think it's a perfect match, really.

 

[Mac 128]

Controlled elitism has always been the strength of Apple, and telling customers what they want is their philosophy. They're essentially curators of technology who pick what's "cool" and what works for you, and that isn't much different than high-fashion design houses. I think it's a perfect match, really.

Oh no doubt. But unlike previous products, for the first time, Apple is taking a backseat to the fashion design houses they're getting into bed with. And as long as the only ability to customize an Watch is going to be through a luxury fashion branded purchase, the stigma may be too much for the average Apple supporter. It's one thing for a company to brand its philosophy and offer it to customers under the reputation of quality and value. It's quite another to put the values of another company in place of ones own. All Apple customers likely see themselves as elitest in some respect when it comes to their choice of technology, but luxury fashion brands send a particular message about elitism that doesn't likely resonate with a vast number of Apple's customers. So if Apple only offers "choice" tied to an elitist luxury fashion brand, that could just as easily turn off the typical Apple customer as it turns on the atypical ones. And Apple was seemingly built on the loyalty of the former. This could easily send the message that Apple has worked so hard to downplay over the years -- that they cater to the wealthy, and exclusive. While it may be a perfect match for Apple, it remains to be seen if the customers will be so excited should Apple persue this course exclusively.

 

[Mac 128]

The 3rd party Apple Watch band market is alive and thriving... they'll handle the majority of "lesser" options that Apple doesn't provide. These luxury editions are limited, and sold in stores where you wouldn't find Hello Kitty or Iron Man versions of anything. Much like how you don't find those same variations of iPhone cases in Apple Stores.

But that's what I'm currently debating at any rate -- the idea that Apple may take a hard line with respect to watch faces, using Hello Kitty as an example. If Apple does restrict custom watch faces, as some suggest, to merely those they design and offer, or those they create withiexclusive partners, solely from the luxury fashion world; then an Watch customer won't be able to get a Hello Kitty watch face to go with their third-party Hello Kitty band from anyplace, much less the Apple Store.

And that's the issue. Will Apple even offer a curated walled-garden of watch face designs for purchase, or will they continue to produce exclusive watch faces for luxury fashion brands that can only be unlocked and used by paying what for many amounts to an obscene amount of money?

At issue is customer choice, the infamous constant battle between what Apple's customers want and what Apple accommodates, and how Apple will handle watch faces -- arguably the only thing about the watch Apple can control 100%. There's no doubt the third party watch band market is going to produce some horrendous examples that would make both Hermes and Apple cringe at the thought of pairing them with the Watch, but Apple has no control over that. But in the same way Apple could have chipped the bands, such that the watch wouldn't function without licensed products attached (for the customers own safety of course), I find it hard to believe Apple would put similarly draconian restrictions in place over custom watch faces, something at the very heart of the capabilities of a smart watch, and a degree of customization users of smart devices have become accustomed to.

 

[Nell]

I'd been vaguely thinking I might get a stainless steel watch next time round. There's no way I'm buying another first generation watch but if pairing two watches becomes possible then I might just go Hermes if it's an option for the next version of the watch.

 

[Enygmatic]

But that's what I'm currently debating at any rate -- the idea that Apple may take a hard line with respect to watch faces, using Hello Kitty as an example. If Apple does restrict custom watch faces, as some suggest, to merely those they design and offer, or those they create withiexclusive partners, solely from the luxury fashion world; then an Watch customer won't be able to get a Hello Kitty watch face to go with their third-party Hello Kitty band from anyplace, much less the Apple Store.

And that's the issue. Will Apple even offer a curated walled-garden of watch face designs for purchase, or will they continue to produce exclusive watch faces for luxury fashion brands that can only be unlocked and used by paying what for many amounts to an obscene amount of money?

At issue is customer choice, the infamous constant battle between what Apple's customers want and what Apple accommodates, and how Apple will handle watch faces -- arguably the only thing about the watch Apple can control 100%. There's no doubt the third party watch band market is going to produce some horrendous examples that would make both Hermes and Apple cringe at the thought of pairing them with the Watch, but Apple has no control over that. But in the same way Apple could have chipped the bands, such that the watch wouldn't function without licensed products attached (for the customers own safety of course), I find it hard to believe Apple would put similarly draconian restrictions in place over custom watch faces, something at the very heart of the capabilities of a smart watch, and a degree of customization users of smart devices have become accustomed to.

Well, we'll see, won't we? I'm sure there are licensing issues and everything involved, outside of simply allowing random developers to create their own watch faces (and risk potential legal action). At the moment, you can use any photo you want as a wallpaper (wOS 2), but a dedicated "Hello Kitty" face is different. We'll see... on a device where the screen is only active for 15 seconds, it may not even be that big of a deal compared to bands.

This is Generation 1... and (for all real intents and purposes) watchOS Version 1... there will be many revamps, additions, and changes in policy. Let's wait and see what Apple does (or allows) before we start with the "Freedom of Choice" diatribes.

 

[douglasf13]

Oh no doubt. But unlike previous products, for the first time, Apple is taking a backseat to the fashion design houses they're getting into bed with. And as long as the only ability to customize an Watch is going to be through a luxury fashion branded purchase, the stigma may be too much for the average Apple supporter. It's one thing for a company to brand its philosophy and offer it to customers under the reputation of quality and value. It's quite another to put the values of another company in place of ones own. All Apple customers likely see themselves as elitest in some respect when it comes to their choice of technology, but luxury fashion brands send a particular message about elitism that doesn't likely resonate with a vast number of Apple's customers. So if Apple only offers "choice" tied to an elitist luxury fashion brand, that could just as easily turn off the typical Apple customer as it turns on the atypical ones. And Apple was seemingly built on the loyalty of the former. This could easily send the message that Apple has worked so hard to downplay over the years -- that they cater to the wealthy, and exclusive. While it may be a perfect match for Apple, it remains to be seen if the customers will be so excited should Apple persue this course exclusively.

I'm just not sure that's how it works. The original iPhone was a somewhat elitist, expensive device that wasn't all that common to see in the wild, and it created a real lust for the device. The difference is, while Apple is known as a high-end tech company, there's nothing geekier than wearing something with Apple branding all over it, and Apple is wise to know and avoid that.

It probably also starts setting up the future of wearables, with "Apple Inside" clothing, or whatever, where the focus is as much or more on the clothing, rather than the tech inside.

 

[Mac 128]

Well, we'll see, won't we? I'm sure there are licensing issues and everything involved, outside of simply allowing random developers to create their own watch faces (and risk potential legal action). At the moment, you can use any photo you want as a wallpaper (wOS 2), but a dedicated "Hello Kitty" face is different. We'll see... on a device where the screen is only active for 15 seconds, it may not even be that big of a deal compared to bands.

Well for starters the Watch OS 2 is probably going to allow the user to set a maximum duration of 70 seconds, which means those screens are going to get a lot more eyeball time. And obviously Apple is not going to allow unvetted watch faces to be sold in their stores, which I hope is the biggest stumbling block for Apple to allow developers to start selling custom faces, and the reason we haven't seen it yet. But there is no reason they should be restricting the user from creating their own watch face, if only placing a photo behind any of the current 6 generic options (just like I can make a custom ringtone for my iPhone out of any music I own), which begs the question what's the real reason behind Apple's sluggish rollout on offering them? Why won't they let me have a picture of my dog with just clock hands centered on her nose? It would make me smile every time I saw it. And there's absolutely no technical reason for them not to allow that.

The Watch debuted with 10 watch faces, 4 of them variations on the same simple analogue design. And now they're adding just two more variations on the simple digital clock? Compare that to the iPod Nano watch faces, which ended its run with 18 notably distinct watch faces, including Minnie Mouse, Kermit the frog and Animal. By all accounts Apple was controlling the options, though it's hard to say for sure since by the time they released the 1.2 update with all those faces, Apple was most likely already talking about doing the Watch. Who knows maybe they would have added the ability to import custom watch faces, if they hand't decided to go into the watch business. But the fact they recognized just 4 years ago the impact of choice over the watch faces for customers that they released 18 of them, along with 4 trademarked and licensed options, suggests there's another agenda here other than technological limitations of 1.0 software.