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Why a $7,000 Difference?

lakaiordie said:
Estimated between Thu. Mar. 12 and Tue. Mar. 17
Ships today if paid within 6 hrs 37 mins Details

ha.
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read the description. $6,999 is just the price it costs for them to preorder for you. You still have to pay for the actual watch, which they're charging $24,000 for. So the final price is $30,999.
 
dannyyankou said:
read the description. $6,999 is just the price it costs for them to preorder for you. You still have to pay for the actual watch, which they're charging $24,000 for. So the final price is $30,999.
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oh, i have that in my pocket right now.
 
If you have to ask, you probably can't afford it anyways.





Which is why I'll still be sporting my Casio G-Shock! LOL.
 
MeFromHere said:
I think maybe we've gotten Apple's intentions almost completely backwards. Several posters here have mentioned how difficult it would be for a "newcomer" to compete in the luxury watch market. That's a valid point.

Maybe Apple is looking at this as a completely new product category. There are already a number of so-called smart watches out there, but Apple doesn't think any of them are very good. So they're making the best offering they can, pouring their expertise in miniature electronics, software, and user experience into the project. This is where Apple is strongest. They are arguably the best company in the world at this today. They figured out how to mass-produce it, with Apple's usual balance between entry-level pricing and better-than-most quality. That is, it seems expensive compared to the competition, but there are dozens of "little" reasons why people are willing to pay the premium. The result of this process is the Apple Watch Sport.

The sport is the best Apple can do today, in terms of technology and user experience. They think it's the "sweet spot" for a general-purpose smart watch. There are better running watches, better swimming watches, but Apple has targeted a broad market, not a speciality.

What about people who want the "best" smart watch -- which Apple thinks is their Sport Watch -- but also want something fancier looking? My guess is Apple thinks there's a good opportunity there, and they think "fancier looking" is defined by typical features of fine watches. A stainless steel case, sapphire crystal, top-notch (but still mass-produced) build quality. Bands and straps which rival, in both appearance and user-friendly functionality, anything the watch industry offers in the price range. This is well within Apple's ability. This is the stainless steel Apple Watch line.

The Apple Watch Edition is the extreme expression of the thinking that led to the stainless steel Apple Watch. The best smart watch experience -- which you can only get from Apple -- that at the same time satisfies your desire for really expensive, conspicuous luxury. You can only get it from Apple, and they're going to make you pay through the nose for it. If you "need" luxury and want a no-compromise smart watch, Apple is the only choice. If there was no Apple Watch Edition, you'd have nothing. (On the other hand, if you "need" luxury and want a "watch", buy a Rolex or something. Apple doesn't mind, since they aren't in the "dumb watch" market.) I think this kind of product will do best in the "new money" culture that has emerged in some Asian countries.

In short, Apple is not trying to compete with fine watches, which are (by definition) little boxes of gears, bearings, and springs, and where prices are mainly determined by expertise and reputation in those "old" technologies. Instead, Apple is making a new market in fine "smart watches", which are little boxes of electronics, software, and user experience. In this market (if it really exists), prices will be determined by expertise and reputation in these "modern" technologies. Apple is either first, or first among equals, in the new technologies. Apple asks top price because Apple thinks they are the best brand, with the best product, in the category.
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I guess my issue with this is that Apple is pretending to have a high end luxury smart watch, while in reality its just an iphone accessory.

Apple being apple, I hoped they would create a smart watch that defined the smart watch markert. What apple has done is follow Android wearables and created a more expansive version. I am still to be convinced why a smart watch is better than my mechanical watch, this is what I hoped apple would do.

I guess removing the silly edition watch, the sport and watch editions make sense from Apple.

Though how can a 10K-17K watch not compete with fine watches, they are in the same price point, worn in the same manner, one ones wrist.
 
MH01 said:
...
Apple being apple, I hoped they would create a smart watch that defined the smart watch market.
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Well, I think that's exactly what Apple thinks they are doing. They think they will be so much better than Android wear and other smart watches, they will define the category. They will use the resulting leverage to charge high prices and make big profits.

They think "good enough" will sell plenty of lesser smart watches with low profit margins. They hope "insanely great" will sell lots of Apple Watches with high profit margins. It will only work for them if the whole experience is close enough to "insanely great".

Part of "insanely great", for some customers, is the fancier case and straps. That's Apple's expectation -- otherwise they wouldn't have brought the stainless steel and gold watches to market.
 
mackinmike said:
that's the problem... they think they are in the same league.. those other swiss companies have earned the reputation and prestige of their pieces whereas apple tries to come in overnight and think they are a luxury watch maker? ummm, even watches in the 3k range are water resistant up to 100m. try that with your 17k iwatch. heck you can't even go in the pool with it on. i don't know what they are smokin over there in cupertino.
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Totally agree, Apple doesn't get it, you can't just charge a premium when you're new to the watch game and call it luxury. How many car manufacturers have failed at that game?? I have an extremely expensive watch collection, and wouldn't even buy the $1k apple watch. The $399 watch is a toy that will save my Rolexes, Breitlings, Omegas, etc from the abuse they have taken at work.
 
MH01 said:
I guess my issue with this is that Apple is pretending to have a high end luxury smart watch, while in reality its just an iphone accessory.







Though how can a 10K-17K watch not compete with fine watches, they are in the same price point, worn in the same manner, one ones wrist.
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I have the same issue. If you remove the Edition watches, the Sport and Watch aren't really too different from what I'd expect from Apple in terms of price. But the Edition is just one of the silliest things I've ever seen. Apple having the audacity to try and step into a market that's dominated by aspirational brands. Apple isn't an aspirational brand, it's not a brand that signifies "status" or opulence (as silly as those things may be). Everyone has an Apple...something. No one in their right mind is going to attach the Apple name with a status symbol watch. Apple is known for good, but disposable digital products. Not lifetime watches. And by its very nature, this product will NEVER be that.
 
chris975d said:
Apple isn't an aspirational brand, it's not a brand that signifies "status" or opulence (as silly as those things may be). Everyone has an Apple...something.
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That's weird, it's not very long since Apple products were constantly being accused of being overpriced based on their design/status (the famed "Apple tax"). Now they're a commodity. How quickly things change...
 
alFR said:
That's weird, it's not very long since Apple products were constantly being accused of being overpriced based on their design/status (the famed "Apple tax"). Now they're a commodity. How quickly things change...
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Weird? How many iPhones do you see in a day's time? Apple created that situation when they made the arrangements with wireless carriers to subsidize the cost of the phones. Prior to that, they weren't everywhere. But Apple wanted to get them into more people's hands (like any business should). Even created low cost variants like the iPhone 5c. I remember a time when owning an Apple product had some level of prestige with it (again, I think that's silly, but it was true). Now "everyone" has something made by Apple.
 
chris975d said:
I have the same issue. If you remove the Edition watches, the Sport and Watch aren't really too different from what I'd expect from Apple in terms of price. But the Edition is just one of the silliest things I've ever seen. Apple having the audacity to try and step into a market that's dominated by aspirational brands. Apple isn't an aspirational brand, it's not a brand that signifies "status" or opulence (as silly as those things may be). Everyone has an Apple...something. No one in their right mind is going to attach the Apple name with a status symbol watch. Apple is known for good, but disposable digital products. Not lifetime watches. And by its very nature, this product will NEVER be that.
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Good reply, I have the same feelings on the matter.

The sport and Watch editions is what I would expect from apple. Hope the app developers come up with some great ideas.

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MeFromHere said:
Well, I think that's exactly what Apple thinks they are doing. They think they will be so much better than Android wear and other smart watches, they will define the category. They will use the resulting leverage to charge high prices and make big profits.

They think "good enough" will sell plenty of lesser smart watches with low profit margins. They hope "insanely great" will sell lots of Apple Watches with high profit margins. It will only work for them if the whole experience is close enough to "insanely great".

Part of "insanely great", for some customers, is the fancier case and straps. That's Apple's expectation -- otherwise they wouldn't have brought the stainless steel and gold watches to market.
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I'm just disappoint that Apple has not redefined the smart watch category but just joined the party. Can't really think of a killer feature that it has over say a Moto 360, unless looks are that important, and being part of the Apple eco system.

I just wished they launched a product that made the Android wearables seem seem like an android phone accessory, instead of joining them.

Just don't believe the consumer is better off. The Apple I grew to respect, would lead, not follow.
 
Why a $7,000 Difference?

rockyroad55 said:
Perhaps this is a barrier to entry developed by Apple so that only the best will buy and use it.
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The "best" (whatever that implies, I'm assuming that means people that can afford it) have to actually WANT it though. I've not talked to one person who owns watches of this price and/or is a watch nut/collector/whatever term you want to use that says they'd own the Edition. They are publicly laughing at it. Go on any high end watch owner's forum (members are precisely the people who the Edition's price is gunning after) and look at the ridicule Apple is receiving now. And these are the same people/income bracket Apple is supposedly targeting with this model. Apple has totally lost their collective minds.
 
nikhsub1 said:
Anyone who buys the gold edition watch should be publicly shamed, mocked and bullied.
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I don't think you get it ..almost no one is going to buy the watch edition.
Its going to be given to visible celebrities who will wear it, other people will see it and say damn that celeb has a $17k watch on. I can get something almost identical to it for just $350, what a deal!!!

The price is not there to serve as an actual selling price, but rather to alter the perception of the watch in general, as to make others feel comfortable paying for the lower end models since its identical in every way minus the gold.
 
superlawyer15 said:
I don't think you get it ..almost no one is going to buy the watch edition.
Its going to be given to visible celebrities who will wear it, other people will see it and say damn that celeb has a $17k watch on. I can get something almost identical to it for just $350, what a deal!!!

The price is not there to serve as an actual selling price, but rather to alter the perception of the watch in general, as to make others feel comfortable paying for the lower end models since its identical in every way minus the gold.
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That is certainly one way of looking at it. Trust me, I live in the land of the uber vain - people will buy it.
 
nikhsub1 said:
That is certainly one way of looking at it. Trust me, I live in the land of the uber vain - people will buy it.
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lol if u see an average joe(or jane) with one then u should shame them haha

..but as to Apple's actual intent ..i think its just to inflate the perception of the other watches, rather than make actual sales of the edition.
 
nikhsub1 said:
Anyone who buys the gold edition watch should be publicly shamed, mocked and bullied.
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No, I think YOU should be shamed and mocked. It's none of your business how other people spend their money. The sooner you realize it, the better off the world will be.
 
nikhsub1 said:
Anyone who buys the gold edition watch should be publicly shamed, mocked and bullied.
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Oh, someone will be mugged or even worse and their Edition watch stolen.
We don't know who it is yet, but it will stand out like a glowing beacon.

This person (victim) has not even bought the watch yet and are still wondering which model to get.

Just wait...........
 
superlawyer15 said:
I don't think you get it ..almost no one is going to buy the watch edition.
Its going to be given to visible celebrities who will wear it, other people will see it and say damn that celeb has a $17k watch on. I can get something almost identical to it for just $350, what a deal!!!

The price is not there to serve as an actual selling price, but rather to alter the perception of the watch in general, as to make others feel comfortable paying for the lower end models since its identical in every way minus the gold.
Click to expand...

i'd bet there will be a service someone will offer to plate "regular" ones in gold. now every tom, dick and harry will have a gold edition.
 
Tomperser said:
...equals six ounces of gold. To be honest, that's an easy one.
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lol. where are you getting your info... more like 1-2 ounces of 18k gold... not even 24k which is $1200 per ounce. that edition watch is only worth ~800 worth of gold.
 
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