Why people just don't get it?

[echo44]

Ok so I looked at that space black and the link bracelet for $1100
at first glance I was thinking why would anyone spend that on a tech device that will be obsolete in just a year or two.

Than I thought about my Tag watch that I paid $1700 for. It is also an electronic device as it runs on a battery( although the battery doesn't need to be charged every night)

IMO the space black fit and finish is just as nice as my TAG. So lets say the only purpose I bought this watch for was to serve as a watch. would it be worth
$1100, my answer would be probably; although I am not in love with the inconvenience of daily charging. Although there would be some major advantages as I could change the face of the watch.

Now add in all the other features, what if your TAG could show you text messages, take voice commands etc.

The only feature that would have been cool is a "time mode" this would disable
the watches wireless and bluetooth allow for maximum battery conservation yet have continuos display of the time kind of like a real watch.

I think I may actually pull the trigger and get the space black anyone else out there ?

 

[technosix]

I'm the ideal candidate for a good full featured smartphone. My iPhone 6 Plus fills that requirement very well. It gets used very heavily and over many hours each day.

When not traveling for work I'm an engineer in a computer lab. Thus I've had enough of the digital world by the end of day.

But... Every time I glance at my wrist to find one of my hand made, all mechanical Swiss chronographs with its gears and more gears, sans anything electronic or modern, it causes a broad smile to come to my face. I love precision workmanship, high quality, and the pleasure of knowing it's a one of a kind. Made by just one watchmaker, representing a full year of his time. Analog can be delightful.

 

[JonnyIreland]

To answer the OP in a constructive way (I'm an Apple lover not a hater, will be buying an Apple Watch, albeit not the one I want due to price), the issue I have is that when you buy a Tag watch for $1,700, you are buying a watch from a company who specializes in watchmaking and who have developed a reputation for quality, design etc in the field of watchmaking over many years. The way I see it, Apple are trying to enter a new market (watchmaking) with these prices and options.... The auto comparison is used a lot here, so my example is that Hyundai could release a new luxury car tomorrow which uses materials, fit & finish, quality, looks & reliability that would compete on paper against a Bentley.... But it will always be a Hyundai, so people won't pay Bentley prices for it. Apple thinks that it can charge luxury watch prices for a piece of dressed-up technology.... Is the SS link band a beautifully-crafted piece of work? Yes, of course it is! But it's made by Apple, not Tag or Rolex or anybody else. They are unproven as watchmakers.

 

[echo44]

To answer the OP in a constructive way (I'm an Apple lover not a hater, will be buying an Apple Watch, albeit not the one I want due to price), the issue I have is that when you buy a Tag watch for $1,700, you are buying a watch from a company who specializes in watchmaking and who have developed a reputation for quality, design etc in the field of watchmaking over many years. The way I see it, Apple are trying to enter a new market (watchmaking) with these prices and options.... The auto comparison is used a lot here, so my example is that Hyundai could release a new luxury car tomorrow which is uses materials, fit & finish, quality, looks & reliability that would compete on paper against a Bentley.... But it will always be a Hyundai, so people won't pay Bentley prices for it.

I totally agree with that comparison except for one issue. Apple is not the Hyundai of computer makers. They are the Bentley of computer makers. So a more accurate comparison would be if Bentley started a new line of motorcycles. Last I looked IMO Apple made the highest quality (at least in fit and finish) and undeniably the most expensive computers and phones.

 

[Cashmonee]

I suppose the first thing is that you don't actually know that the Watch is as high a quality build as your Tag. That really remains to be seen. In my experience, none of my Apple products has aged terribly well. All of them look well used after a year or two.

You also assume that people would generally agree that you are getting good value for a $1700 quartz watch, which, in turn, means that an $1100 smart watch is automatically a good deal. I would venture to say that most people would say a $1700 quartz watch is overpriced. I think most will say the same for an $1100 smart watch.

Lastly, you are paying an awful lot for a first gen product from a company that rarely nails first gen products. If history is any indication, the 2nd and 3rd gen will be huge leaps forward, meaning you are stuck with an $1100 outdated device.

I don't believe the Watch actually compares well to a regular luxury or semi-luxury watch. It will not last as long. Its place in fashion is far from certain. I just don't see people buying the Watch as a fashion piece. But hey, who knows?

 

[iLunar]

I totally agree with that comparison except for one issue. Apple is not the Hyundai of computer makers. They are the Bentley of computer makers. So a more accurate comparison would be if Bentley started a new line of motorcycles. Last I looked IMO Apple made the highest quality (at least in fit and finish) and undeniably the most expensive computers and phones.

Completely agree. That's a great analogy.

I think with the way technology has moved towards wireless/cellular communications, the watch and wearable space for Apple (and others) just felt more and more inevitable. You don't have to connect any wires to sync like you did with the portables of the 80s and 90s.

 

[echo44]

yes my Tag was overpriced, I hardly ever where it anymore.
The real question about "is it worth it" depends upon the amount of money you have to spend on non essential items and how much joy they bring you.
That is a completely individual and personal choice with many answers.

I look at people who spend $200,000 on a Lamborghini as foolish in my mind
"its just a car" "what a waist in the city" "they scream look at me" "whats the point if the speed limit is 65" Yet if you make a lot of cash and can afford the car who am i to judge what brings pleasure to another person.

and its not just joy, it "essential items" for some people's essential items are another persons waisted money.

 

[Cashmonee]

yes my Tag was overpriced, I hardly ever where it anymore.
The real question about "is it worth it" depends upon the amount of money you have to spend on non essential items and how much joy they bring you.
That is a completely individual and personal choice with many answers.

I look at people who spend $200,000 on a Lamborghini as foolish in my mind
"its just a car" "what a waist in the city" "they scream look at me" "whats the point if the speed limit is 65" Yet if you make a lot of cash and can afford the car who am i to judge what brings pleasure to another person.

and its not just joy, it "essential items" for some people's essential items are another persons waisted money.

I understand what you mean. And I don't mean to bash your Tag. I am sure it is a very nice piece. I guess what I was really trying to get at is that your Tag or that Lambo have pedigree and craftsmanship that Apple has't shown yet. Tag and Lambo can charge what they do, and get away with it, because of who they are and what they represent. Apple was a computer company until 8 years ago. Now they are simply a consumer electronics company.

 

[papa8706]

yes my Tag was overpriced, I hardly ever where it anymore.
The real question about "is it worth it" depends upon the amount of money you have to spend on non essential items and how much joy they bring you.
That is a completely individual and personal choice with many answers.

I look at people who spend $200,000 on a Lamborghini as foolish in my mind
"its just a car" "what a waist in the city" "they scream look at me" "whats the point if the speed limit is 65" Yet if you make a lot of cash and can afford the car who am i to judge what brings pleasure to another person.

and its not just joy, it "essential items" for some people's essential items are another persons waisted money.

The problem is this is a 1st generation watch in a market many see as not necessary. While I like apple watch and plan to buy one, the price point is too high to help draw in enough people to prove it's worth to anything more than a niche market.

The car comparison is a poor analogy seeing this thing is a computer first and foremost. The materials are more or less an afterthought on a way to make a bulky watch look more fashionable. It will be obsolete then what do you have to show for the 1100 SS steel model? Are you gonna have many options to scrap the edition for gold? Who will buy it when it's no longer compatible. It's simply a poor investment that only makes sense for someone who has money to burn and doesn't care that it' be useless in a few years unlike a nice mechanical watch that is timeless.

This is merely my opinion, and I'm still buying one cause I love new tech and got a bunch of use out of my pebble. There's just no way this can be compared to a car or high end mechanical watch since it's a computer that runs software and will certainly be limited when software development surpasses hardware capability.

 

[echo44]

I understand what you mean. And I don't mean to bash your Tag. I am sure it is a very nice piece. I guess what I was really trying to get at is that your Tag or that Lambo have pedigree and craftsmanship that Apple has't shown yet. Tag and Lambo can charge what they do, and get away with it, because of who they are and what they represent. Apple was a computer company until 8 years ago. Now they are simply a consumer electronics company.

This is the unknown. We know the electronics part of the watch will
have all the things that make apple apple. What we really don't know yet is how well apple pulled off everything else.

 

[chrisandersen]

Just don't get it? It's more than a watch.

 

[The Doctor11]

although I am not in love with the inconvenience of daily charging.

I do not understand why everyone seems to think it's such as inconvenience! Do you people not own phone's or iPads? It takes all of half a second to plug something it. It not the end of the world people!

 

[whtrbt7]

Realistically, I think the Apple Watch is a watch first and then electronic device second. At least, that's the way that Apple seems to be marketing it. I think it's desirable and Apple's engineering and execution of that engineering are good enough to warrant the prices they are presenting. The downside of the watch is if nobody understands it or if it's misunderstood. It will definitely be a symbol of affluence and separate the haves from the have nots. For some, it will be their first watch, for some it will be a worthy time piece. For some it will be just another electronic device that may or may not have enough battery power, processing power, or even usefulness in every day life. I think Apple will still sell a bunch of these but most likely lower than their iPad numbers from last year.

 

[papa8706]

Just don't get it? It's more than a watch.

It's a techy smartwatch that happens to be more fashionable, not fashionable jewelry that happens to be a "smartwatch. That's what people need to get

----------

Realistically, I think the Apple Watch is a watch first and then electronic device second. At least, that's the way that Apple seems to be marketing it. I think it's desirable and Apple's engineering and execution of that engineering are good enough to warrant the prices they are presenting. The downside of the watch is if nobody understands it or if it's misunderstood. It will definitely be a symbol of affluence and separate the haves from the have nots. For some, it will be their first watch, for some it will be a worthy time piece. For some it will be just another electronic device that may or may not have enough battery power, processing power, or even usefulness in every day life. I think Apple will still sell a bunch of these but most likely lower than their iPad numbers from last year.

How can you possibly say it's a electronic device secondary to being a watch? It's a wearable computer on your wrist that needs to be charged everyday to even function as a watch...which is it's least marketed feature

 

[saintforlife]

yes my Tag was overpriced, I hardly ever where it anymore.

I look at people who spend $200,000 on a Lamborghini as foolish in my mind
"its just a car" "what a waist in the city" "they scream look at me" "whats the point if the speed limit is 65" Yet if you make a lot of cash and can afford the car who am i to judge what brings pleasure to another person.
.

Does your Tag slow down after a few years? Does the Lamborghini suddenly stop going as fast as it was the day it came out of the showroom just because it turned 2 years old?

If you know the answers to the above questions, you know why a smart watch is not the same as those above products. A smart watch, by its inherent technological limitations, has a limited life. Hence it cannot be seen in the same light as some of these other 'timeless' (sorry had to do it) products.

 

[Juan007]

I'm a stockholder and I get what Apple is trying to do here -- the margins on high-end watches are amazing, and Apple wants a piece of that. Unfortunately I don't think they are going to be successful, and I wouldn't be surprised if "Apple Watch Edition" becomes one of Apple's all-time flops.

The only place I can see this thing selling is in certain Asian countries where conspicuous displays of wealth are encouraged culturally. Here in the Bay Area, even if people notice your watch, they will just assume that you're an Apple employee. Basically, it's equivalent to a $15 t-shirt from the Apple store.

 

[fitshaced]

To the OP. Apple has you. You are justifying this device at its price without even having held one. Apple has done nothing in the watch space before and so their brand name really doesn't mean anything in the market for long term products. The strap of the watch is really where your money is being wasted and it might very well be transferable to newer versions of the Apple Watch. But, you don't know. Apple has not suggested as much and so this watch attached to the expensive strap could make this strap purchase redundant in a short period of time.

Has Apple advised on the warranty period for these? A good watch might give you a life time warranty. Apple devices are usually 1 year albeit with excellent customer service and benefit of the doubt support sometimes after that one year.

You can be a sucker and buy one of these. But, don't look like a massive sucker and try and justify it. If this was more reasonably priced I might consider one as I like watches. But, this is a poor investment and will attract the impulsive shoppers and the trend followers. You might be in one of those groups.

Everyone should teach Apple a lesson and not buy one of these and force a price drop. They really are showing a lot of arrogance and self importance at these prices.

 

[matrix07]

To answer the OP in a constructive way (I'm an Apple lover not a hater, will be buying an Apple Watch, albeit not the one I want due to price), the issue I have is that when you buy a Tag watch for $1,700, you are buying a watch from a company who specializes in watchmaking and who have developed a reputation for quality, design etc in the field of watchmaking over many years. The way I see it, Apple are trying to enter a new market (watchmaking) with these prices and options.... The auto comparison is used a lot here, so my example is that Hyundai could release a new luxury car tomorrow which uses materials, fit & finish, quality, looks & reliability that would compete on paper against a Bentley.... But it will always be a Hyundai, so people won't pay Bentley prices for it. Apple thinks that it can charge luxury watch prices for a piece of dressed-up technology.... Is the SS link band a beautifully-crafted piece of work? Yes, of course it is! But it's made by Apple, not Tag or Rolex or anybody else. They are unproven as watchmakers.

Apple is not a Hyundai.

 

[iSheep5S]

Casio F91W 2 year warranty and in production for 30 years. Tells the time plus a stopwatch, hourly beep if required and an alarm. Not another device to hassle you with notifications if you can't be bothered looking at your mid way to 1k phone and its useful even without 'smart' stuff connected to it. The best watch.

Dress/good watch? Seiko divers.

Apple found another 'consumerism' item to refresh every year in order to bleed you of more money. #

No thanks. Mac love, iPhone love, watch? No. Sometimes its good to be disconnected.

 

[JonnyIreland]

Apple is not a Hyundai.

1. In the world of luxury watchmaking, they aren't even a Hyundai. Keep rolling those eyes all you want.

2. It's just an example, relax. Use any company name you like.

 

[maflynn]

Just don't get it? It's more than a watch.

How much more?

I'm playing the devils advocate.

You can get reminders, texts and calls on it. The iPhone has to be nearby so why not use that? You want to run with it, great, but if you want the GPS component, you need to run with the phone as well. What does it have that the iPhone doesn't? The health components and sensors like the heart rate. Is that enough to justify spending several hundred dollars?

Don't get me wrong, I like the watch but those arguments above were used against me, as I explained the watch.

 

[AFEPPL]

As a driver of car around the $200k mark, you clearly don't get it!!
The sense of occasion, the feel, the pleasure, the sound and the buzz from owning such a piece of iconography. The fact you can only drive at x is irrelevant.

Where as when it comes to the watch, the problem is if you use the supercar analogy, you can only drive it fast for 3mins in 10 second intervals. Or you can only turn right if you have the iPhone 6 with you, or that after 6 months when the new one comes out the old one simply doesn't work anymore. The watch is flawed on so many levels the main two being features and the second is the battery life.

This is why supercars are going hybrid, as you have to have a balance and the watch simply doesn't have that balance right now. I'll stick with my traditional watches.

 

[matrix07]

1. In the world of luxury watchmaking, they aren't even a Hyundai. Keep rolling those eyes all you want.

Hmm.. Apple is the premium brand on computer, much more premium than Tag Heuer ever be on the watch market. Now could you tell me what wisdom give you the insight that Apple now is only a Hyundai of auto world.? Seem to me like you're really lost on the current market situation.

 

[echo44]

Does your Tag slow down after a few years? Does the Lamborghini suddenly stop going as fast as it was the day it came out of the showroom just because it turned 2 years old?

If you know the answers to the above questions, you know why a smart watch is not the same as those above products. A smart watch, by its inherent technological limitations, has a limited life. Hence it cannot be seen in the same light as some of these other 'timeless' (sorry had to do it) products.

I would be pretty confident in a 2 year time period the accuracy of the Apple watch will not change. I have a TAG watch that doesn't work so its not like watches last forever and don't mechanically fail or become obsolete as fashion trends change.

In a two year time period the amount a person could spend on routine maintenance in order to keep the Lamborghini going the same speed would be the cost most people spend on a new car! As I type this on my Mac Pro made in 2008 still running fine using the latest operating system and have spent $0 on maintance or repairs!! thats 6 years of "limitation of electronic device" that has more than repaid me in productivity for work! My tag watch sits in the drawer broken as the repair would probably cost around $500. If I got a year out of a $390 Apple watch it would be worth it to me.

The cost of a product and its justification is relative; and yes you can compare anything, because the value is to each individual user not your perceived bias.

some people spend $10,000 on a vacation others $400 every time they walk into Whole Foods , I have a girlfriend who will spend $2000 on a dress she will wear once or twice. The point is its foolish to pretend that one's own value of worth or values apply to others!!

 

[JonnyIreland]

Hmm.. Apple is the premium brand on computer, much more premium than Tag Heuer ever be on the watch market. Now could you tell me what wisdom give you the insight that Apple now is only a Hyundai of auto world.? Seem to me like you're really lost on the current market situation.

Buddy, don't be condescending, you don't know me or what knowledge I do/don't have.

If I'm so "lost", then feel free to fill me in on Apple's watchmaking pedigree to date. Of course Apple are a premium computer brand, it doesn't mean a damn thing when it comes to watchmaking. And I didn't say that Apple = Hyundai of the auto world, as Mr Jobs would have said "you're reading it wrong".