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Who thinks the Apple Watch is too expensive?

S

SHNXX

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Oct 2, 2013
1,901
663
Although I love watches and have several pretty nice ones (one Patek, two Rolexes, etc), I really think the Apple Watch price is quite burdensome.

Consider this: with a mechanical non-smart watch you could use for 10-40 years without it going out of style but with an Apple Watch, the maximum use case is maybe 3-4 years and out of style within 2 years.

So if you consider that a $15000 Rolex could be used reasonably for 30 years, that's about $500 per year with the value of the watch after 30 years likely still high whereas the stainless steel $1000 Apple Watch can be used reasonably for 3 years ($333 per year) with the value of the watch dropping probably drastically after 3 years.

Unfortunately the Sport version is not desirable but given its toyish looks, it's quite a bit more than other similar looking watches.
 
You have to consider that you're comparing two different things. I wouldn't waste my money on something that merely displays the time. The Apple watch has a shorter life, sure, but it does so much more to earn a spot on my wrist.
 
the clear answer to your question is: yes.
Apple is offering a 50% discount for employees. Employees have never had such massive discount before. I have a couple of close friends who work for apple HQ and they could get something like 15-20% on apple products except iphones which was full retail.

the fact that apple is willing to give it to them for 50% cheaper means they markup is abysmal and that they are desperate for people to wear them.
 
cardfan said:
You have to consider that you're comparing two different things. I wouldn't waste my money on something that merely displays the time. The Apple watch has a shorter life, sure, but it does so much more to earn a spot on my wrist.
Click to expand...

So true.

I've been a watch wearer for 30+ years, and never once considered a watch more than $100. Just the time (and maybe date) is not worth more than $100. My $29 Timex works just fine. A Rolex is SOOOO overpriced. I'm not into wearing jewelry - I want utility - and the Rolex fails in price/performance ratio.

The Apple Watch is the first watch that I've even considered over $100 - because it offers so much more.
 
Absolutely, if it was half the price at £150 then I'd probably get one.

As for the steal/gold ones - I can't imagine why anyone would spend so much on what is an iPod nano with haptics and a strap.

So I think I'll wait for the price drop. In my view, once the price drops (hopefully) - smartest route would be to get the Sport and then get a 3rd party steal bracelet when they come out.
 
If it was less than £200 then I may have considered it but right now, it's too expensive and I think it's more of a fashion statement than anything at present.
 
jmmo20 said:
....they are desperate for people to wear them.
Click to expand...

"Desperate for people to wear them"????, as in they can't even sell any of the 1st batch?:D Since Apple is so "desperate" because of the horrible pre launch sells numbers, maybe they should just cancel the :apple:Watch and cut their losses before it is too late.:eek:
 
bbeagle said:
So true.

I've been a watch wearer for 30+ years, and never once considered a watch more than $100. Just the time (and maybe date) is not worth more than $100. My $29 Timex works just fine. A Rolex is SOOOO overpriced. I'm not into wearing jewelry - I want utility - and the Rolex fails in price/performance ratio.

The Apple Watch is the first watch that I've even considered over $100 - because it offers so much more.
Click to expand...

Opinions differ.
Rolex is a masterpiece fulfilling its main function telling the time and date. And it does it for decades. Additionaly it keeps perfectly not only the time, but its value. It is shock and waterproof, so can be worn anywhere, anytime. And you don't need a mobile phone to use its functions properly.
These are two absolutely different categories, the :apple: Watch being a fashionable, first generation gadget.
 
I'll just add to the cost issue for me.

:apple:Watch Sport 42mm $400.

Resale value about $175.

18 months ownership

$0.41 per day cost of ownership. Sounds VERY reasonable to me.;)
 
If you search the forum, you'll find dozens of answers to the very question you are asking. Including lengthy conversations of the "I own many watches that cost tens of thousands of dollars, but..." variety. ;)
 
cardfan said:
You have to consider that you're comparing two different things. I wouldn't waste my money on something that merely displays the time. The Apple watch has a shorter life, sure, but it does so much more to earn a spot on my wrist.
Click to expand...

bbeagle said:
So true.

I've been a watch wearer for 30+ years, and never once considered a watch more than $100. Just the time (and maybe date) is not worth more than $100. My $29 Timex works just fine. A Rolex is SOOOO overpriced. I'm not into wearing jewelry - I want utility - and the Rolex fails in price/performance ratio.

The Apple Watch is the first watch that I've even considered over $100 - because it offers so much more.
Click to expand...

Exactly. It's like comparing Apples to oranges ( no pun intended ). Sure they are both watches but one is an expensive device that does more then tell the time and adds many conveniences to ones day to day life. The other one is even more expensive and a waste of money as all it does is tell the time.

People say the Apple watch is a fashion statement. I disagree. Yes it is typical of Apple design standards and quality but a mechanical watch like a Rolex, Movado or Brietling are far more of a fashion statement. I've been wearing watches most of my life and until I got my Pebble they typically consisted of cheap £30 or £40 watches usually Timex because all they were good for was telling the time and not worth spending more then that.

The Pebble cost me about £150 but did a bit more and was worth it just for the notifications. The :apple:Watch does a lot more and is certainly worth the money. Would I have liked to pay less. Certainly like everyone here. Am I happy to pay what I am going to for something as well designed and manufactured with the functionality it offers absolutely.
 
SHNXX said:
Although I love watches and have several pretty nice ones (one Patek, two Rolexes, etc), I really think the Apple Watch price is quite burdensome.

Consider this: with a mechanical non-smart watch you could use for 10-40 years without it going out of style but with an Apple Watch, the maximum use case is maybe 3-4 years and out of style within 2 years.

So if you consider that a $15000 Rolex could be used reasonably for 30 years, that's about $500 per year with the value of the watch after 30 years likely still high whereas the stainless steel $1000 Apple Watch can be used reasonably for 3 years ($333 per year) with the value of the watch dropping probably drastically after 3 years.

Unfortunately the Sport version is not desirable but given its toyish looks, it's quite a bit more than other similar looking watches.
Click to expand...

I'd love for it to be cheaper but mechanical watch could never do 10% that Apple Watch does. If you want only time keeping function then goes for conventional watch but I don't agree with the sentiment that conventional watch will stay with you forever. You can use it 20 years from now, yes. But 20 years from now I don't think people will wear one-function watch anymore, so what's left you really?
 
jmmo20 said:
the clear answer to your question is: yes.
Apple is offering a 50% discount for employees. Employees have never had such massive discount before. I have a couple of close friends who work for apple HQ and they could get something like 15-20% on apple products except iphones which was full retail.

the fact that apple is willing to give it to them for 50% cheaper means they markup is abysmal and that they are desperate for people to wear them.
Click to expand...

They are lowballing that figure a bit. Employee discount can be incredibly generous.
 
Judging the Apple Watch too expensive right now would be illogical, we haven't actually used the device so any judgement right now would be baseless.
 
I spent 500 dollars in the last few months eating out. I could have just ate rice and bread and get this; I pooped it all out within two days!! Ugh what a waste
 
cardfan said:
You have to consider that you're comparing two different things. I wouldn't waste my money on something that merely displays the time. The Apple watch has a shorter life, sure, but it does so much more to earn a spot on my wrist.
Click to expand...

That is how I am looking at things. I use Apple Pay everywhere I can. It influences my buying habits tremendously. Now I need a starbucks app or the watch in time for launch.
 
Ulenspiegel said:
Opinions differ.
Rolex is a masterpiece fulfilling its main function telling the time and date. And it does it for decades. Additionaly it keeps perfectly not only the time, but its value. It is shock and waterproof, so can be worn anywhere, anytime. And you don't need a mobile phone to use its functions properly.
These are two absolutely different categories, the :apple: Watch being a fashionable, first generation gadget.
Click to expand...

Im sorry but I am not a fan of Rolex watches. I dont think they are particularly good looking and they only do one thing well. *Ahhhh* Could you imagine having a wife or husband like that?
 
Last edited:
Gooberton said:
I spent 500 dollars in the last few months eating out. I could have just ate rice and bread and get this; I pooped it all out within two days!! Ugh what a waste
Click to expand...

We spent that much eating out last night. It was delicious. ;)

Could we have eaten for less? Absolutely. And we usually do. But, some experiences are worth having. I see this Apple Watch thing the same way.
 
bunnicula said:
We spent that much eating out last night. It was delicious. ;)

Could we have eaten for less? Absolutely. And we usually do. But, some experiences are worth having. I see this Apple Watch thing the same way.
Click to expand...
Exactly , some people spend 2500 on john Lobb shoes , others wear nike and go to Paris
Some save their money till they rot in the ground.
This is the United States of America. Free enterprise and opportunity. Nothing is too expensive. It's all relative. Don't buy it if you can't or won't.
A man makes his own luck
 
I think they are but I still bought a SS model, I'm a watch enthusiast so I'm fine with the price combining two of my favorite things of Apple products and watches
 
How does one define expensive and cheap? Or value for money? Not everybody values the same things.
 
Too expensive? Based on the massive demand outstripping supply I'd say they priced them according to what the market would bear. But look at the bigger picture. People were predicting that watches were on their way into extinction with the advent of the smartphone. Now watches are cool again particularly with the youth demographic. Apple entering the market only legitimizes the smart watch. Giving the employees huge discount is a very smart marketing tool as well.
 
jmmo20 said:
the clear answer to your question is: yes.
Apple is offering a 50% discount for employees. Employees have never had such massive discount before. I have a couple of close friends who work for apple HQ and they could get something like 15-20% on apple products except iphones which was full retail.

the fact that apple is willing to give it to them for 50% cheaper means they markup is abysmal and that they are desperate for people to wear them.
Click to expand...

Companies give products below cost or free to employees all the time. They gave away free iPhones at one point, did it cost nothing by your logic?
 
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