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[jts]

It's not really about selling the edition itself. It's about the market and showing they understand what a watch is - that it's NOT just a technology piece, but a time piece and a fashion piece.

The options to personalise the device is absolutely the correct way to approach this idea. A gold option is merely the extension of this concept.

In a way, I agree with you.

I like that Apple is trying to approach the whole thing with a major emphasis on the traditional watchmaking industry.

But there's something that they'll never be able to reproduce with the Apple Watch... and that's the timelessness of handmade watches with insanely precise tiny mechanical complications that outlast a lifetime.

And that's what lends value to a proper timepiece, and historically has allowed for such objects, even though "technological", unlike say, a bracelet, and pendant or a ring,... to also be made out of gold, an investment material.

So in the end, even though it's a watch, and Apple are set on passing the impression of understanding, respecting and trying to position themselves with the top watchmakers, Apple are still just making a "simple" smartwatch out of gold, which technically isn't much different from making a phone out of it too. It's an option. But an option that panders more to vulgar, noveau riche kind of spending, and within reason, since we're talking about gold on disposable electronics.

However, I'll give some credit to Apple and wait for tomorrow's event. Maybe we'll be pleasantly surprised by pricing and/or upgrade programmes presented.

 

[ryan299]

John Gruber just posted some interesting final analysis of the Apple Watch. I think he is spot on with almost all of it, but I guess we'll find out Monday (or Tuesday here in Australia).

I encourage peeps to have a read, even if he's off on pricing (and personally I don't think he is), Gruber always has excellent analysis and source access. Quoted his final pricing structure below (because I know that's what you all want to see )

Those prices, if true, are ridiculous I think. The bands are going to get ripped off and people will go that route and just buy the basic, cheapest one most likely

 

[SuperEpicMan]

John Gruber just posted some interesting final analysis of the Apple Watch. I think he is spot on with almost all of it, but I guess we'll find out Monday (or Tuesday here in Australia).

I encourage peeps to have a read, even if he's off on pricing (and personally I don't think he is), Gruber always has excellent analysis and source access. Quoted his final pricing structure below (because I know that's what you all want to see )

These prices don't seem to make any sense:

The Steel Apple Watch with sports band is only 100$ cheaper than the classic buckle, whereas the difference between the same two bands for the Edition is 3000$, so in not sure how classic buckle jumps up in price so much.

 

[yogloo]

I think the price will be affordable. I am suspecting gruber is a plant to lower expectations.
Buying something for $1500 when it is rumored to be $10,000 makes it seem like a bargain.

 

[Nothing1016]

Apple Watch, steel, Sport Band: $749/799

I won't buy it at that price. I need it to be $200 cheaper or else I'm going with the Sport.

I'm holding out that these rumors are wrong. We can't forget that people were pricing the iPad at $1000 before they officially unveiled it for the first time.

 

[Chittagong]

So what are people getting? I'll get a

Apple Watch steel 42mm with steel link bracelet
+ brown leather band
+ white sports band

 

[Nothing1016]

So what are people getting? I'll get a

Apple Watch steel 42mm with steel link bracelet
+ brown leather band
+ white sports band

Apple Watch Stainless Steel 42mm with Sport Band and eventually:
+Milanese Loop
+Classic Buckle

If the price isn't right exchange the stainless steel for the Apple Sport.

 

[Owari]

Ugh. I was foolish to think the one I wanted would be $600

 

[DOWN]

Ugh. I was foolish to think the one I wanted would be $600

Find out tomorrow. Gruber got shot down on his band theories ASAP. Now we'll hear about pricing next.

 

[jts]

So what are people getting? I'll get a

Apple Watch steel 42mm with steel link bracelet
+ brown leather band
+ white sports band

Sport 42MM black.

Looks good
42MM because I believe it should be a better experience. Even the resolution is higher.

Ideally I'd prefer the black steel one, or even the regular steel, but even if they're more affordable than I imagine they will be, I'd rather just dip my toes in the water for the 1st gen. Probably gonna pay a 150 premium for 42MM and black over vanilla already anyway.

Later I could possibly get a brown or blue leather loop.

 

[DOWN]

I think maybe I should go on a black out because if I read the word 'upgrade' in a speculative article one more time I might explode.

 

[jts]

I think maybe I should go on a black out because if I read the word 'upgrade' in a speculative article one more time I might explode.

Why, because it's un-Apple? Uh, so are gold watches right?

Upgrade may not mean replace the internals, mind. May mean that the special costumers that can afford a gold one may be offered to trade it in every couple of years and get a new one for a high enough fee, instead of selling them them to random ghetto-ass gold buying companies.

 

[DOWN]

Why, because it's un-Apple? Uh, so are gold watches right?

Upgrade may not mean replace the internals, mind. May mean that the special costumers that can afford a gold one may be offered to trade it in every couple of years and get a new one for a high enough fee, instead of selling them them to random ghetto-ass gold buying companies.

That's just broadening the term beyond what people here and in articles mean. Trade ins (which is just resell via retailers) are what those of us saying there is not going to be an upgrade program, have been saying is the likely alternative. Apple already does trade ins and that's what you do when you want a new electronic, you sell it to the retailer as a trade in or sell it via third parties elsewhere. This already exists at apple for iPhones etc. and there's no reason to keep seeing the word upgrade and talking about modular parts if people just meant trade ins, so that's clearly not why the word upgrade is being thrown around. You want to sell yours when the new one comes out, just like you do with any other electronic? That makes sense, go for it. Talk about modular upgrading and a special program Apple should explain for it? Why? They have no reason to make this any different than normal electronic reselling.

Upgrade implies a discounted updating of the internal hardware or otherwise special program for the watches that differs from normal trade credit and reselling when buying a newer device or watch.

 

[LeeRoyBrown]

So this thing will be good by the 2nd or 3rd gen of it right?

Regardless of how well these things sell, they are still a few years away from actually giving the market what it wants, all because they can't make enough profit.

Give me, 1 week battery, sim card slot that shares the same info as my phone. at least 32GB memory, bluetooth, heart rate monitor and a GPS.

Even after all of that, I'm still not seeing a reason for this thing to exst.

Then again Watches have no purpose to begin with and now I'm just ranting.

 

[DOWN]

My dad got a text during dinner and he sighed as he took it out and I yelled "GET APPLE WATCH." He said that just about sold him. He hates pulling his phone out for stuff he would rather have known to ignore. Save him 20 useless phone grabs a day that didn't need any immediate response and he'd be much happier.

 

[Bboy AJ]

My dad got a text during dinner and he sighed as he took it out and I yelled "GET APPLE WATCH." He said that just about sold him. He hates pulling his phone out for stuff he would rather have known to ignore. Save him 20 useless phone grabs a day that didn't need any immediate response and he'd be much happier.

Yes, this ability is cool, but it alone isn't enough to sell me on a smartwatch. Lots of Android Wear users are saying the same thing. I can't wait for the Apple event.

 

[infiniteloop]

John Gruber just posted some interesting final analysis of the Apple Watch. I think he is spot on with almost all of it, but I guess we'll find out Monday (or Tuesday here in Australia).

I encourage peeps to have a read, even if he's off on pricing (and personally I don't think he is), Gruber always has excellent analysis and source access. Quoted his final pricing structure below (because I know that's what you all want to see )

Total agree with him. Apple are expecting the steel watch with a nice band to be 600-700, will be way more.

So what are people getting? I'll get a

Apple Watch steel 42mm with steel link bracelet
+ brown leather band
+ white sports band

how much are you willing to pay for this out of interest?

 

[Blackhead]

John Gruber just posted some interesting final analysis of the Apple Watch. I think he is spot on with almost all of it, but I guess we'll find out Monday (or Tuesday here in Australia).

I encourage peeps to have a read, even if he's off on pricing (and personally I don't think he is), Gruber always has excellent analysis and source access. Quoted his final pricing structure below (because I know that's what you all want to see )

Gruber always has excellent analysis and source access.

... c'mon junior. In the very article you link to Gruber admits that he has no sources for his claims and furthermore he is reversing most of his analysis up to this day. lol Gruber's excellent analysis my ass

Nice find by Ars about Apple's gold alloy: http://arstechnica.com/apple/2015/0...novation-a-gold-case-thats-as-tough-as-steel/

No,I might be a jewellery idiot, but I know the difference between weight carats and purity carats (I don't know why they use the same word for both though?)

If other metals are added to increase hardness, then is there anything special in what Apple are doing? Is 'twice as hard' some kind of breakthrough? I still have my 'apple bullshit' alarm going off but they might genuinely be bringing something new.

Follow up on Apple's Gold. Gruber's take, probably wrong as usual

Also

The patent describes a composite that’s part gold, part ceramic, and of note is the fact that the final product is supposed to be between two and four times harder than normal 18 ct gold. One of the claims cites the finished metal matrix composite as having a hardness of at least 400 Hv on the Vickers scale, whereas 18 ct gold usually ranges between 85 and 230 Hv.

Hard Timers: How Hublot Conjured its Magic Gold

Measured on the Vickers scale, 18k gold has a hardness of 140. By comparison, the steel alloy that’s commonly used for watch cases and bracelets, 316L stainless steel, ranges between 200 and 240 on the Vickers scale. Rose gold is slightly harder than yellow gold because there’s more copper in rose gold. Magic Gold, however, scores nearly 1,000 on the Vickers scale.

Apple already does trade ins and that's what you do when you want a new electronic, you sell it to the retailer as a trade in or sell it via third parties elsewhere. This already exists at apple for iPhones etc.

To be pedantic: Apple does trade ins for the only the iPhone and that was introduced only recently. iPhone is a bit unique because it's subsidized, Apple sells old generations for multiple years after new models are introduced, Apple never gives it a sale/price drop otherwise (iPhones are never included in Apple's Black Friday sales), Apple doesn't offer volume discounts on iPhones etc.

Random thought: Almost every product Apple sells is available through their Education webstore with some type of discount. The iPhone is the prominent exception. Do you think the iWatch Sport will be available with an Education discount? What about the iWatch SS or E?

 

[DOWN]

Yes, this ability is cool, but it alone isn't enough to sell me on a smartwatch. Lots of Android Wear users are saying the same thing. I can't wait for the Apple event.

Yeah, I want it gen 2 for Apple Pay, health, and notifications alone. Not much else needed to sell me.

 

[jimbobsmells]

So this thing will be good by the 2nd or 3rd gen of it right?

Regardless of how well these things sell, they are still a few years away from actually giving the market what it wants, all because they can't make enough profit.

Give me, 1 week battery, sim card slot that shares the same info as my phone. at least 32GB memory, bluetooth, heart rate monitor and a GPS.

Even after all of that, I'm still not seeing a reason for this thing to exst.

Then again Watches have no purpose to begin with and now I'm just ranting.

So basically you want your phone, with a much better battery, even more sensors but shrunk down to a fraction of the size and strapped to your wrist? I think you'll be waiting a long time.
There needs to be some more realistic expectations about what this watch and smart watches in general are currently capable of. Apples messaging hasn't been the best so far so they need to make that clear tomorrow.
Anyway, it sounds like you've already decided that even watches in general are not for you so clearly you aren't the target market.
Also I don't think its about 'enough profit'. What's wrong with the assumption that adding all that extra stuff right now just gives a crappy user experience - dodgy sensors and even worse battery life than we're going to get?

 

[LCfiner]

So this thing will be good by the 2nd or 3rd gen of it right?

Regardless of how well these things sell, they are still a few years away from actually giving the market what it wants, all because they can't make enough profit.

Give me, 1 week battery, sim card slot that shares the same info as my phone. at least 32GB memory, bluetooth, heart rate monitor and a GPS.

Even after all of that, I'm still not seeing a reason for this thing to exst.

Then again Watches have no purpose to begin with and now I'm just ranting.

you think it’s profit margins holding back something the size of watch to have both built in GPS and one week battery?

 

[Silentium]

We can't forget that people were pricing the iPad at $1000 before they officially unveiled it for the first time.

True, but only the entry level iPad debuted at $500 - top model at the time hit $829 (I think, correct me if I'm wrong).

Part of the reason I suspect higher prices than some here is that I just don't see how Apple could have attracted Ahrendts from her CEO position at Burberry to sell just another iPhone accessory (which is what the watch is at the $349 entry price). Not to mention Marc Newson joining the firm late last year.

Edit: Also overseas markets are an increasingly important to Apple. You only have to check out the numbers from last quarter or Cook's statements on investor calls to see that many of Apple's movements today aren't positioned at the Western markets. What plays in Asia isn't necessarily what we expect here in the West.

 

[SeanR1221]

I won't buy it at that price. I need it to be $200 cheaper or else I'm going with the Sport.

I'm holding out that these rumors are wrong. We can't forget that people were pricing the iPad at $1000 before they officially unveiled it for the first time.

Ah I forgot about that.

I wonder what numbers people would be throwing out for the sports watch if Apple never mentioned it starts at 350.

My guess is 500-600.

 

[SuperPac]

I'm probably in for a 42mm silver stainless Apple Watch with black sport band. Might get a leather loop too if those aren't crazily priced (Gruber's new pricing speculation has them higher up the price chain than I was expecting, that's for sure).

 

[ZhugeEX]

True, but only the entry level iPad debuted at $500 - top model at the time hit $829 (I think, correct me if I'm wrong).

Part of the reason I suspect higher prices than some here is that I just don't see how Apple could have attracted Ahrendts from her CEO position at Burberry to sell just another iPhone accessory (which is what the watch is at the $349 entry price). Not to mention Marc Newson joining the firm late last year.

Edit: Also overseas markets are an increasingly important to Apple. You only have to check out the numbers from last quarter or Cook's statements on investor calls to see that many of Apple's movements today aren't positioned at the Western markets. What plays in Asia isn't necessarily what we expect here in the West.

It will be a complimentary device to start off with. You need an iPhone to take advantage of the Watch features. That issue is solved by the overwhelming majority of us having our phone on us at all times. Hence why it's easy for Apple to say you need the iPhone. The Watch won't be competition for the iPhone for a much longer time.

And yes, I agree with what you say about Asia.

I think one thing that Apple are doing for the first time (excluding 6+) is that they're creating the Apple Watch with the APAC market in mind first. Sure the Apple Watch will have worldwide appeal and will see sales in it's home and other Western markets + is part of a bigger overall strategy but the premium model of these watches will be heavily marketed to the APAC market who will gobble it up for a few reasons.

Firstly Apple are seen as one of the popular Western brands in China among the rising middle and high class, demonstrating wealth is accepted and so people buy Apple products for this reason, the Gold version will be popular among Chinese buyers capturing the 24-35 age group market. Apple Watch is a device that will be seen as a must have by some people in this region and therefore I fully expect Asia to be included in the launch regions.

It's why Gfk are estimating that Smart Watch sell through in APAC regions including China will increase from 1.5m units in 2014 to over 10 million units in 2015 and accounting for more than 1/3rd of the total market.

However, that being said, in the short term I don't see the total market exceeding 100 million units a year until 2020 and after. In the long term it'll be fun to see what happens. But right now it'll remain a niche device that compliments Apple's other products (450 million iOS users) and not a competitor.

My thoughts on the Smart Watch market can be seen below-

So, here are my thoughts on the Smart Watch market for 2015.

The Smart Watch market has not seen explosive growth or demand like other markets. The global tablet market in 2010 approached 20 million and then expanded to over 70 million in 2011 and more than 125 million in 2012. Tablet sales in 2014 now stand at over 230 million. It's estimated that Tablet shipments in 2015 will remain stagnant YOY.

The Smart Watch market can officially be started in 2013 with the release of Smart Watches from Pebble, Samsung and Sony. Samsung's global sell in exceeded 1 million units in 2013 giving them over 50% market share whilst Pebble took over 15% market share. In 2014 we saw Smart Watch shipments more than double to 4.8 million units fuelled by Samsung's Gear range which held more than 25% market share, Android's Wear platform which took almost 20% market share and Pebble who took 15% market share.

In 2015 the launch of Apple Watch as well as the expansion of Android Wear should see global sell in of Smart Watches increase by more than 440% YOY with Apple accounting for more than 50% of the total market. There is clearly a demand shown for the Apple Watch and so I'm expecting global sell in to approach 15 million units in 2015. I'm expecting global sell in of all Smart Watches to exceed 26 million in 2015.

These numbers for 2015 are based off hard and estimated data from 2012-2014. The figures below show my estimates for global sell in of Smart Watches (excluding health/fitness bands) based on vendor data and market research data.

[B]CY2013[/B] - 2.0 million units shipped
[B]CY2014 -[/B] 4.8 million units shipped 
[B]CY2015 -[/B] (Estimate more than 26 million)

[I]*Numbers are estimated[/I]

I don't expect Smart Watch shipments to exceed 100 million units before 2020. Therefore I believe this market will be very small in comparison to say the Tablet market. I estimate that the total global sell in for the wearable market (including Smart Watches and Health/Fitness bands) was around 20 million units in 2014 and will approach 60 million units in 2015.

Comparison time:
Number of smartphones sold in 2014: 1301m (ESTIMATE 1,535m for 2015)
Number of PC’s sold in 2014: 316m (ESTIMATE: 325m for 2015)
Number of tablets sold in 2014: 230m (ESTIMATE: 250m for 2015)
Number of Smart Watches sold in 2014: 4.8m (ESTIMATE: 26m+ for 2015)

For those of you who are into the Smartphone market you can view my thread here on Smartphone market in 2014.

 

[iMax]

... c'mon junior.

 

[shira]

Apple Watch Edition, Sport Band: $7499/7999
Apple Watch Edition, Modern Buckle (38mm only): $9999
Apple Watch Edition, Classic Buckle (42mm only): $10,999
And purely based on my own speculation — the following configurations have not been announced, have not even been rumored, and have not been suggested to me by any sort of sources:

Apple Watch Edition, Gold Milanese Loop: $14,999/$16,999
Apple Watch Edition, Gold Link Bracelet: $17,999/$19,999

Is this USD? Holy shit I know gold is expensive, but fucking hell

 

[Fliesen]

So what are people getting? I'll get a

Apple Watch steel 42mm with steel link bracelet
+ brown leather band
+ white sports band

space gray appleWatch Sport, 38mm because i got small hands and wrists, black sports band.
i primary want it to be a sports watch / fitness band that also handles my phone notifcations - i don't need it to be a fashion accessory.

Is this USD? Holy shit I know gold is expensive, but fucking hell

do yourself a favour and google the prices of luxury watches. The Gold edition is gonna be marketed as a piece of jewellery - that ALSO does the smartwatch stuff. Similar to a Rolex, which is also treated like a piece of jewellery. - People don't buy a Rolex because it's such a great chronometer.

 

[LCfiner]

I’m so curious to see how the market at large resounds to these potential high prices.

Up till now, most of the discussion has been that Apple will charge these high prices a because Omega, Rolex, charge high prices. Both for the watches and bands. (It’s not all about the movement, either. Quartz Omegas cost multiple thousands) Apple is placing themselves on the same tier. So you get supposed pricing of Apple watches with steel bracelets for 2 grand.

What has not been discussed in any detail (from what I’ve seen) is whether Apple actually has the ability to place themselves in with luxury Swiss brands and charge the types of prices those brands do. Will the buyer’s market for luxury watches roll their eyes at the pricing because they specifically don’t think Apple can hang with those other brands? I wonder if the market that desires - and can afford - those luxury swiss brands will look at this Apple watch (both in terms of looks an Apple’s brand) and say they’d rather wear this smartwatch over the established brands.

There’s a difference in expectations and cachet between Rolex and Apple.

Don’t get me wrong. If any technology company can put themselves in the same tier as luxury brands, it’s Apple. no one else comes close. But, based on current products, it’s still not the same thing. Apple’s always been premium, but never luxury. Will they fail in making that jump with the watch?

Something I keep thinking about is that while Apple has some nice metal and leather bands, their pricing does not need to be thousands of dollars. Omega and Rolex charge $1000 or more for a link bracelet because of their names.

You can get very nice leather straps and deployants and well made link bracelets with solid end links for much less than $1000. There are well machined, stainless steel cases from Seiko with fine polished surfaces on watches that cost under $500.

So the assumption that Apple will charge so much for the steel watches and steel bracelets (and I do think this will end up being correct) is more about brand and market than about quality. Apple’s bracelets will be nice. But if they cost close to $1000, it’s not because it’s impossible to make something just (nearly) as nice for $200. It’s because Apple is entering the market thinking they should be like Omega and not, say, Stowa.

Maybe they can. it’ll be interesting to see play out.

 

[Fliesen]

well, since Apple won't disclose individual model's sales figures and for any of their models you'll find media outlets claiming it's a commercial failure, they can't really "win" anyways (other than making a decent amount of profit on each watch they sell)

i think making a gold watch was less of whether or not they WANTED to be a player in that market, but whether they HAD TO.

imagine you're someone who likes to and can afford to wear expensive watches, who also uses an iPhone (which should have quite a bit of overlap) - and Apple releases a watch that goes from $350 to sub $1000. - you'd be 'forced' to either go for a cheap watch that everyone will be able to afford or stick to luxury watches without smartwatch features.

i'm sure a lot of people who own and wear luxury watches as jewellery use iPhone and Apple wants to please these customers too.

 

[DOWN]

I think their play into fashion is pretty cool. I hope it pays off. The celebrities they invite to play around don't seem to mind putting one on and posing at all. A Vogue spread and a Paris Fashion Week store display have been good buzz.

 

[Dreamwriter]

Are folks here planning to wear their Apple Watch on their left hand or right hand? Me, I've always worn watches on my right hand, even though I'm right handed (never saw the point of doing the reverse.) So I'll be wearing mine "upside down" with the digital crown on the left (Apple said that would be an option "for left handed people")

 

[DOWN]

Are folks here planning to wear their Apple Watch on their left hand or right hand? Me, I've always worn watches on my right hand, even though I'm right handed, never saw the point of doing the reverse, so I'll be wearing mine "upside down" with the digital crown on the left (Apple said that would be an option "for left handed people")

I am a bit ambidextrous, but lean right handed. I usually wear watches on my right hand.

 

[SeanR1221]

Are folks here planning to wear their Apple Watch on their left hand or right hand? Me, I've always worn watches on my right hand, even though I'm right handed (never saw the point of doing the reverse.) So I'll be wearing mine "upside down" with the digital crown on the left (Apple said that would be an option "for left handed people")

It's easier to access the crown wearing it on your left hand
edit: im dumb I didn't read your post fully.

 

[shira]

do yourself a favour and google the prices of luxury watches. The Gold edition is gonna be marketed as a piece of jewellery - that ALSO does the smartwatch stuff. Similar to a Rolex, which is also treated like a piece of jewellery. - People don't buy a Rolex because it's such a great chronometer.

Are the innards different?

Because that is the scam of the century if it isn't. Well played Apple

 

[MrBigBoy]

Are folks here planning to wear their Apple Watch on their left hand or right hand? Me, I've always worn watches on my right hand, even though I'm right handed (never saw the point of doing the reverse.) So I'll be wearing mine "upside down" with the digital crown on the left (Apple said that would be an option "for left handed people")

I always wear my watches on my left hand 'cus my mom told me to . I'm right handed.

 

[iMax]

I'm right handed, so it'll be on my left so I can operate it with my right.

 

[Fliesen]

Are the innards different?

Because that is the scam of the century if it isn't. Well played Apple

how so?
do you believe a Rolex has 1000x as valuable / complex innards as a 50$ Swatch?

or do you believe in the illusionary theory that price is entirely determined by value of innards / materials? not in tech and even less so in jewellery.

 

[Juice]

Find out tomorrow. Gruber got shot down on his band theories ASAP. Now we'll hear about pricing next.

To what "shot down" event are your referring?

I liked Gruber's posts a lot. I think he intentionally high-balled the steel prices by 20% or so in order to head off at the pass the collective shit-fit-givers "see! It was below my expectations. you were way off!", but I do not think he's on a different planet. He has too many inside friends at Apple to be way off base.

The collective shit fit will be great, though. I wonder if I should sell my stock (I hold a decent chunk of it) before the unveil tomorrow

 

[iMax]

The collective shit fit will be great, though. I wonder if I should sell my stock (I hold a decent chunk of it) before the unveil tomorrow

I'm tempted to as well...

 

[Chittagong]

Total agree with him. Apple are expecting the steel watch with a nice band to be 600-700, will be way more.



how much are you willing to pay for this out of interest?

I'm cool with anything up to $1000 for Apple Watch steel with steel link bracelet
+ $49.90 for sports band
+ $149.99 for leather band

Going to be expensive, this.

 

[Fliesen]

I'm tempted to as well...

you shouldn't sell / buy Apple stock according to what you think the reaction to the event / product would be. Even if you're right by predicting the reaction, the stock market's reaction could be the very opposite.

Wall Street's just crazy irrational / irregular about AAPL.

 

[jimbobsmells]

I'm tempted to as well...

Sure I'll take it off your hands then.
Apple stock almost always drops after an event.

 

[Fliesen]

Sure I'll take it off your hands then.
Apple stock almost always drops after an event.

aye. "no news is good news" is pretty much the rule of thumb with AAPL

 

[S¡mon]

The problem I'm having with these expensive watch bands, is that it doesn't really make sense. Within a few months, many (likely Chinese) companies will be releasing their own bands for the Apple Watch that may only cost 10, 20 or maybe 30 bucks. And some of those third party bands will be just as stylish as Apple's own bands.

For the sake of argument, let's say that Gruber is spot on with his predictions. A steel Apple Watch with a sport band costs $749 and that same watch with a leather loop costs $1299. That's a $550 premium for a leather band that, let's face it, will be cloned by some company and is going to be sold for, at best, $50 or, at worst, a few dollars.

Sure, enough people will want to have the original thing... but personally I would go for the near-identical look-a-like and save myself $500.

 

[MoodyFog]

The problem I'm having with these expensive watch bands, is that it doesn't really make sense. Within a few months, many (likely Chinese) companies will be releasing their own bands for the Apple Watch that may only cost 10, 20 or maybe 30 bucks. And some of those third party bands will be just as stylish as Apple's own bands.

For the sake of argument, let's say that Gruber is spot on with his predictions. A steel Apple Watch with a sport band costs $749 and that same watch with a leather loop costs $1299. That's a $550 premium for a leather band that, let's face it, will be cloned by some company and is going to be sold for, at best, $50 or, at worst, a few dollars.

Sure, enough people will want to have the original thing... but personally I would go for the near-identical look-a-like and save myself $500.

I mean, that's the appeal of luxury products though, owning the real thing.

 

[rokkerkory]

The problem I'm having with these expensive watch bands, is that it doesn't really make sense. Within a few months, many (likely Chinese) companies will be releasing their own bands for the Apple Watch that may only cost 10, 20 or maybe 30 bucks. And some of those third party bands will be just as stylish as Apple's own bands.

For the sake of argument, let's say that Gruber is spot on with his predictions. A steel Apple Watch with a sport band costs $749 and that same watch with a leather loop costs $1299. That's a $550 premium for a leather band that, let's face it, will be cloned by some company and is going to be sold for, at best, $50 or, at worst, a few dollars.

Sure, enough people will want to have the original thing... but personally I would go for the near-identical look-a-like and save myself $500.

Or just dont buy it at all

 

[partime]

That's a very very tiny market.

It's the top of the pyramid

 

[Danchi]

Latest episode of Debug was interesting. Had Gruber on a well as a professional watchmaker (who also has a background in software) called Jon Edwards.

They speculate on pricing, talk about what changes they would've made, and the future of the technology, but Jon Edwards also gives a little history into traditional watchmaking and the way the industry has changed over the years.

If, like me, you don't know much about the watch world it's worth a listen.

 

[sc0la]

Gruber thinks there will be a gold milanese loop. I doubt it since it couldn't have a magnetic closure without being gold plated, which they clearly won't do based on all the other gold elements available in apple watch. The gold link bracelet I could see since it would still function the same.