As someone who pre-ordered "late" (an hour after the start) and still got a 4/24-5/8 delivery window because I ordered a SS/Classic Buckle Watch, I can't understand why Apple ran out of SS/Sports Band watches so much earlier, because its suppliers could mold zillions of them. I wonder if the Classic Buckle was just not very popular. It was my first choice, because that's the band I'm used to.
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Why did SS/Sports Band models run out so quickly?
- Thread starter JulesK
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The simple answer is they cost less. Most people had a hard time justifying the added cost on a version 1.0
For me, Sport Band is a new and different type of watch fastener, and in trying it after ordering, it's clear I made the right choice. No issues with the classic buckle, but every watch I've owned uses that style, so I wanted to see Jony's best efforts. I also rather like the loops, but I don't think I'd get one first. It didn't hurt that it was $599 instead of $699.
I don't think the OP is talking about the Sport models but the Stainless Steel with the Sport band models. Hence "SS/Sport band" in the title.
Just mentioning this to prevent potential confusion.
Just mentioning this to prevent potential confusion.
I ordered the SS/Sports Band as I wanted the SS case and the sapphire glass. The Sports Band was the lowest price to get that. I really didn't care for getting black or white, so will probably order a blue band eventually.
That's right. Unless the boxes were already packed, they could just slap different bands onto the watches as they came off the assembly line, and increase the number of stainless steel/sports band watches available. I guess there could be a shortage of bands, but the sports bands have to be the easiest to manufacture and most readily available. It just seemed weird to me that Stainless Steel/Sports Band models sold out in the initial window instantaneously.
42mm Classic Buckle was also my first choice and I'm happy that it's estimated for 4/24-5/8 delivery. Definitely feel a little insecure about my fashion sense that I picked one of the only models that didn't have its shipping date slip right away, but I like it and that's what matters most.
Yeah, there doesn't seem to be rhyme or reason as to why a particular model is sold out (or rather, delayed). The link bracelet models had a 4-6 week shipping window right off the bat yet you can order the link bracelet strap separately and have that arrive much earlier.
I got the SS with classic buckle as soon as sales opened. I then cricled back and added a black sport band in a separate order. Interestingly, the sport bands were always a little delayed compared to the watches....by a week or so. Make of that what you will. Anyway, the buckle for work/formal and the sport band for outdoor activities/gym. As others said, I would bet that it was simply the demand for the cheapest SS that caused them the sell out faster.
I wanted SS, and I knew I needed a sports band for running, so I ordered the SS with black sports band. I also knew I wanted a nicer band for day-to-day wear but wanted to see them in person before ordering. I'll likely order the SS link in a couple of months after seeing what third party options become available.
It must be a little more complicated than that. For instance, the sports bands are in three pieces (one end with the pin and two different length ends with the holes), while the classic buckle is in two pieces, like any regular watch band. So the package boxes for the watch will be different depending on which band you stick on it.
Also, there is a finite number of bands you can produce. It's not like you just hit "print" and out pops a band. I just think that the sports band turned out to be much more popular than Apple anticipated, so orders outpaced Apple's capacity to produce the bands (and the package boxes for the band).
Apple Watch Sport sold out fast because it's cheapest model, and I think a lot of buyers are skeptical as to invest up to 1K in a pilot of a product.
The Apple Watch with Sport Band sold out fast because it's the cheapest Apple Watch above the Apple Watch Sport, and I'm also thinking the Sapphire Displays are causing supply issues.
The sport band themselves aren't a supply issue - Apple could fire these off the assembly line if they needed to. But there are clearly multiple supply issues, such as with the Link Band.
The Apple Watch with Sport Band sold out fast because it's the cheapest Apple Watch above the Apple Watch Sport, and I'm also thinking the Sapphire Displays are causing supply issues.
The sport band themselves aren't a supply issue - Apple could fire these off the assembly line if they needed to. But there are clearly multiple supply issues, such as with the Link Band.
The SS Link is probably the one that takes the longest to manufacture. They made that pretty clear in the description. The Classic Buckle may be one of the simplest (other than the sport). They made a big deal about the leather being made by ECCO in the Netherlands so I checked out their website. I was happy to see that they did make very nice leather products. (Now I want their Messenger bag).
I preordered the Stainless Steel with the black sport band because I prefer the stainless steel over the aluminium sport model, i wanted the sapphire crystal display and i wanted the sport band for everyday use. I preordered the blue leather loop and milanese loop separately as I also wanted one or two fancier bands for special occasions.
I think the lowest cost watch was going first, the next level up, and so forth. When I made my purchase I want the SS Aluminum, but I used my computer to place the order. When the store came available at around 12:08 am the majority of the Aluminum watches were already at 4 to 6 week status. I immediately placed an order for my second choice Stainless Steal with black band. It also show 4 to 6 weeks as well. I decided if I am going to have wait over month I might as well get the stainless steel, because that is the one I really wanted, anyways...
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I ordered almost the same. I did black band instead of blue band.
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I ordered almost the same. I did black band instead of blue band.
I got this combo because I wanted the sapphire crystal but I did not yet know when I was ordering what band I'd actually want. I didn't wanna spend the extra 100 without seeing the bands in person.
Once seeing them, I decided to hold off and see what third party options come out. While I liked many of the bands, none enough to immediately have to have them.
Also, it seemed like many people were enthralled with the milanese loop, so I figured it would have higher demand than the sport strap. That was the main one I was eying instead, so I thought sport strap was a safer order to not run out. Not sure which of those two actually sold out first however.
I only intended to get a SS watch with a leather loop, but the delivery time was 4-6 weeks. I had already considered get a sport band too, but probably not right away, but since is was available in the first wave a deliveries, I purchased it. The loop band separately only had a delivery delay of 2-4 weeks, so I'm pretty satisfied with the way pre-ordering went.
This is what tipped the scales in favor of me buying SS. I'm going to purchase leather loop later but $599 was reasonable for me. I tried on the sport band but it was too large. I'd like to see how it feels when the size is right. I've heard good things about that band other than it being a prime choice for wear in the rain.
Because that configuration was wildly popular.
Because it is the price point to get the stainless with sapphire, but be able to wait for third party bands at a wider selection and better price.
At least that's why I ordered what I did.
I preordered the SS with Black Sports Band because it was the cheapest way to get into the SS version of the Watch. I planned to order other bands later, or get a gifts, etc. but, as soon as I seen the ship times go crazy I panicked and order the Milanese Loop and then the Black Leather Loop...lol
But after viewing today at the Apple Store I'm 100% certain I made the right choice for me.
As far as strange ship times for bands vs watches vs combinations of both.... I can't draw any logical conclusions.
But after viewing today at the Apple Store I'm 100% certain I made the right choice for me.
As far as strange ship times for bands vs watches vs combinations of both.... I can't draw any logical conclusions.
When I jumped in, they were the only SS with a 4/24 delivery estimate that I thought I might actually want to have. I really wanted the link bracelet, but, it had a 4-6 week delay from the outset. So as I scanned down, I skipped the classic buckle because... well I hate that kind of band. I knew I'd want a sport band for certain situations so I went there. Saw 4/24 - 5/8 and BAM bought it.
Then I went in again for a second order to order the link bracelet on its own and was mightily pleased to see it showing an estimate of 2-4 weeks for shipping
