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[LCfiner]

regarding thickness, it’s actually already the same thickness or thinner than most luxury mechanical watches.

it’s around 12mm thick. The omega speedmaster is 13.5mm. the planet ocean diver is 16.5mm (older model was 14.5) the rolex sub is around 13mm. A Grand Seiko is also around 13mm.

there are some dress watches that are considered thin at just under 10mm. But most casual sport watches are pretty thick. I don’t think they have a thickness problem compared to other watches.

Thickness may be an issue for using it as a fitness band device. but as a fashion accessory when compared to other watches, the thickness is not really an issue. (the overall style with those rounded case corners, is another matter)

 

[Deleted member 22576]

I'm really unsettled by the recent expectations that not all bands will fit all watches. Thats dumb as hell! And completely inelegant too if you really want to throw some shade around. IDK. Maybe we'll see dozens or hundreds of more bands announced before April? I mean fuck, I want to buy the little clasps and make my own bands as well.

 

[LCfiner]

I'm really unsettled by the recent expectations that not all bands will fit all watches. Thats dumb as hell! And completely inelegant too if you really want to throw some shade around. IDK. Maybe we'll see dozens or hundreds of more bands announced before April? I mean fuck, I want to buy the little clasps and make my own bands as well.

from the first reveal and the current lineup, you can see that some of the leather bands (modern buckle) are only made for the 38mm version and others (the leather loops) only for the 42mm version. At least as listed now on their site. they could reveal more band designs and sizes whenever they want.

the watches are not the same width so one band can’t fit both (the edges line up perfectly so a band made for the more narrow watch won’t work on the wider one).

but that’s different than Gruber’s guess that bands won’t be sold separately or otherwise very limited. I think that he way off the mark, there.

I think they’ll be sold separately and I think there’ll be nothing (aside from good taste ) preventing someone from buying and installing a shiny, silvery SS band on a matte black aluminum sport watch (assuming width is compatible)

 

[DOWN]

from the first reveal and the current lineup, you can see that some of the leather bands (modern buckle) are only made for the 38mm version and others (the leather loops) only for the 42mm version. At least as listed now on their site. they could reveal more band designs and sizes whenever they want.

the watches are not the same width so one band can’t fit both (the edges line up perfectly so a band made for the more narrow watch won’t work on the wider one).

but that’s different than Gruber’s guess that bands won’t be sold separately or otherwise very limited. I think that he way off the mark, there.

I think they’ll be sold separately and I think there’ll be nothing (aside from good taste ) preventing someone from buying and installing a shiny, silvery SS band on a matte black aluminum sport watch (assuming width is compatible)

Agreed. No way are you stuck with only sport bands if you buy that model and none of the standard designs for the other watches. If that's true, that's a terrible move.

Edit: seems the speculation that straps are tied to watch purchases only is unlikely, as supposedly they've confirmed that the stores are preparing to have straps available separately on day one.
http://9to5mac.com/2015/02/20/apple-watch-straps-accessories-available-separately/

 

[sc0la]

Gruber didn't say they wouldn't sell bands separately. He said some bands would only be available with the matching watch. Like the sport band with gold clasp on edition or the black link bracelet with black SS watch.

Read it again.

Which in reality makes sense, why sell bands that won't match any watch but the one they come with separately?

 

[SirMossyBloke]

regarding thickness, it’s actually already the same thickness or thinner than most luxury mechanical watches.

it’s around 12mm thick. The omega speedmaster is 13.5mm. the planet ocean diver is 16.5mm (older model was 14.5) the rolex sub is around 13mm. A Grand Seiko is also around 13mm.

there are some dress watches that are considered thin at just under 10mm. But most casual sport watches are pretty thick. I don’t think they have a thickness problem compared to other watches.

Thickness may be an issue for using it as a fitness band device. but as a fashion accessory when compared to other watches, the thickness is not really an issue. (the overall style with those rounded case corners, is another matter)

Aren't all those watches you mentioned bloated divers? Those watches are known for being bulky looking. Not very attractive IMO.

However at the same time, comparing this Apple monstrosity in any way to a luxury watch is selling watches very, very short.

 

[DOWN]

Gruber didn't say they wouldn't sell bands separately. He said some bands would only be available with the matching watch. Like the sport band with gold clasp on edition or the black link bracelet with black SS watch.

Read it again.

Which in reality makes sense, why sell bands that won't match any watch but the one they come with separately?

I read it. He does specifically say they won't sell any bands separately besides the color Sport bands in the 5 colors. He thinks they will use bands alone to indicate a status pricing tier by not selling bands separately. That's pretty unlikely.

 

[LCfiner]

Aren't all those watches you mentioned bloated divers? Those watches are known for being bulky looking. Not very attractive IMO.

However at the same time, comparing this Apple monstrosity in any way to a luxury watch is selling watches very, very short.

no... only the new 8500 planet ocean at 16.5mm is considered truly bulky or bloated. the grand seiko is a dress watch and the speedmaster is an older chronograph that feels rather small compared to a lot of modern designs.

personally, i think they’re all good examples of popular, good looking luxury watches. Taste is subjective but I think all the ones that I listed look pretty good. (all better than the Apple Watch, imo)

I also think the Apple watch, being a sporty type watch with a fitness focus, will be competing for wrist time with other sport watches (divers, chronos) and less so with slim, thin dress watches from, say, Nomos.

 

[DOWN]

The more angles I see of the Apple Watch, the more I think it just isn't flattered by close ups or most of Apple's images. It looks best at an angle with the whole strap in view. Then you can see that it looks flatter than the side views show. Personally, when I say it seems too thick, I mean it in terms of proportions. For a touchscreen centric device, the proportions look bizarre and fat in Apple's photos. I've seen a few where it looks like it lays pretty flat, but mostly it just has this strange polished pebble shape and it looks much fatter than many dress watches due to the overall screen and case area size combined with the slim fitting band designs. Almost looks like a big watch that sits on top of a thin strap.

So for me, I think I'd need thinner to seriously consider wearing it. Plus, I wear an analog watch a lot that I enjoy.

 

[Deku Tree]

I want to buy a new $20,000 Apple Watch every year!

Spoiler

Seriously I want to know how Apple is going to handle upgrade-itis!!!

I buy a $10K++ Swiss watch it is like a heirloom that I can pass on to future generations and those companies continues to service and refurbish them. It is a timeless thing.

What happens to my $20K Apple watch in 2-3 years when the new ones have dramatically better battery life, work much faster, and have many many more features?

 

[killer_clank]

I want to buy a new $20,000 Apple Watch every year!

Spoiler

Seriously I want to know how Apple is going to handle upgrade-itis!!!

I buy a $10K++ Swiss watch it is like a heirloom that I can pass on to future generations and those companies continues to service and refurbish them. It is a timeless thing.

What happens to my $20K Apple watch in 2-3 years when the new ones have dramatically better battery life, work much faster, and have many many more features?

my guess is it'll be a trade in thing. they're not going to be selling too many of the gold ones so id imagine they'll just dismantle the watch and melt down the gold for a discount off another one.

 

[DOWN]

Eh, I don't believe the $20k estimate. They are comparing it to designer and Swiss gold watches. I'd say compare it first to smart watches, then add on for the gold (which isn't that much considering how easy it is to get gold on a budget when it comes to jewelry). I can imagine $1-2k, but I don't expect Apple to pretend they have a high fashion ground to stand on for this untested product to the point where they'd outdo many competing designers in watch exclusivity.

 

[Majine]

I'll take whatever the 349 dollar one is. I think. I don't care about high end materials.

 

[jellies_two]

I buy a $10K++ Swiss watch it is like a heirloom that I can pass on to future generations and those companies continues to service and refurbish them. It is a timeless thing.

This sounds really nice in theory but buying such a "timeless thing" that companies will "continue to service and refurbish" costs a packet. Firstly most high end swiss watches plunge in value - only if you are really lucky you might get one that appreciates. Also they should be serviced at the least every 5 years, and servicing costs bundle. Try $1k to $3k just for a grease and oil change. And you don't have the watch for between a month and three months while that happens.

So yeah nice heirloom but the $10k initial purchase price is just the start.

 

[Fliesen]

I want to buy a new $20,000 Apple Watch every year!

Spoiler

Seriously I want to know how Apple is going to handle upgrade-itis!!!

I buy a $10K++ Swiss watch it is like a heirloom that I can pass on to future generations and those companies continues to service and refurbish them. It is a timeless thing.

What happens to my $20K Apple watch in 2-3 years when the new ones have dramatically better battery life, work much faster, and have many many more features?

i think whoever buys the 20k gold edition doesn't care about the functionality as much and will either just buy another the following year or not upgrade at all.

or just get a gold one for looks every few years and a sports edition for improved functionality each year. It's not like you're going to be wearing the gold edition for running or as an everyday watch. It's a piece of jewelry, so any hardware upgrade (better battery life, added GPS, faster processor) doesn't really impact you as much as with the non-gold models.


it's not like people who buy those solid gold vertu phones care a lot about functionality.

 

[DOWN]

I'll take whatever the 349 dollar one is. I think. I don't care about high end materials.

That's the expected price of the lightweight Sport models. Personally, I'd get that or the standard silver Stainless Steel. I don't think any others look nice. The materials used for the Edition watches don't add value to me. Curious as to what Apple Watch 2 lineup will look like, depending on whether the Edition collection is a success.

 

[Majine]

That's the expected price of the lightweight Sport models.

Is that the one with non-glossy enclosure? I'm okay with that. As a matter of fact, I think I prefer it to the glossy one.

 

[Fliesen]

Is that the one with non-glossy enclosure? I'm okay with that. As a matter of fact, I think I prefer it to the glossy one.

i'll definitely get the smaller version, having rather small wrists, i don't see how the big one would be comfortable for running.
either black/black or silver/white.
the white one should be more easily combinable with colored wristbands, if i ever get bored of the white band, while the black model is far more low-key and would blend in better with every day clothes.

 

[Majine]

^ The black one looks cool. Matches my space grey iPhone.

 

[Fliesen]

i feel the white rubber watchband will suffer from scuffing and discoloration really quickly ...

 

[sc0la]

I read it. He does specifically say they won't sell any bands separately besides the color Sport bands in the 5 colors. He thinks they will use bands alone to indicate a status pricing tier by not selling bands separately. That's pretty unlikely.

Ah then I misread it. I think it's unlikely that the won't sell the leather loops, classic buckles or link bracelets separately for example.
But I do think they will not sell some separate (sport band with gold accent, black link bracelet, coral red band that matches the crown on edition)

 

[Deleted member 22576]

Gruber didn't say they wouldn't sell bands separately. He said some bands would only be available with the matching watch. Like the sport band with gold clasp on edition or the black link bracelet with black SS watch.

Read it again.

Which in reality makes sense, why sell bands that won't match any watch but the one they come with separately?

It makes no sense in reality. Why would they change the magnetic-strap-clasp designs between watch classes for incompatibility? It's completely arbitrary.

If I have a 38mm watch I expect to be able to use every 38mm band. Nothing else makes sense!

 

[DOWN]

It makes no sense in reality. Why would they change the magnetic-strap-clasp designs between watch classes for incompatibility? It's completely arbitrary.

If I have a 38mm watch I expect to be able to use every 38mm band. Nothing else makes sense!

I think he may be reading too far into things, but there is some question as to why the sport bands have been shown on the stainless and sport models, but the style bands are not mentioned at all on the Sport watch page and it simply says there are 5 colorful bands for it. I'd assume they mean 5 bands designed for the sport watch, but not that it can't use the style bands considering stainless can use sport.

 

[WordAssassin]

Why would Apple create the new "tech" for swapping out the bands with the little magnets and clasps and then... not use it. I remember it being pretty heavily featured in the reveal video. If you couldn't swap out bands, then that wouldn't be a feature of the watches. That makes absolutely no sense to me.

 

[Terrell]

I'm still sore about the lack of a space black milanese loop band. Guess I'm gonna be stuck with a link bracelet at launch.

i feel the white rubber watchband will suffer from scuffing and discoloration really quickly ...

It's a heat, oil, acid and solvent resistant rubber, and all 4 of those components are typically what causes the discoloration in similar products.

Why would Apple create the new "tech" for swapping out the bands with the little magnets and clasps and then... not use it. I remember it being pretty heavily featured in the reveal video. If you couldn't swap out bands, then that wouldn't be a feature of the watches. That makes absolutely no sense to me.

They will. It's not that you CAN'T, it's that the metal connections to the watch face might not be available in every metal type that the watch is available in, which will create a two-tone effect on the watch face that will have a less pleasant appearance.

 

[sc0la]

It makes no sense in reality. Why would they change the magnetic-strap-clasp designs between watch classes for incompatibility? It's completely arbitrary.

If I have a 38mm watch I expect to be able to use every 38mm band. Nothing else makes sense!

who said anything about not being able to use them? I only said it would make sense if they didn't sell ALL of them individually. If you can't use a sport strap on a steel watch or visa versa Ill eat my hat.

*editors note: a shiny steel bracelet on a matte aluminum watch face would be hella ugly.

 

[Deleted member 22576]

who said anything about not being able to use them? I only said it would make sense if they didn't sell ALL of them individually. If you can't use a sport strap on a steel watch or visa versa Ill eat my hat.

*editors note: a shiny steel bracelet on a matte aluminum watch face would be hella ugly.

Yeah I reread your post a littler and I do get what you're saying now. However, that's not at all how I interpreted grubers post.

Idk, who knows. I was under the impressing from daring fireball that the bracelets would be fundamentally incompatible across watch lines. Which is what I thought was so lame. Even still though, having certainly bands only available alongside a watchpurchase is kinda weird too.

 

[DOWN]

The only bands I can see being exclusivey tied to the original watch purchase are the Edition bands and perhaps the space grey model bands, as those are specific less common finishes and the Edition models have the digital crown matching the strap color. The rest seem destined for mix and match sold separately.

 

[sc0la]

The only bands I can see being exclusivey tied to the original watch purchase are the Edition bands and perhaps the space grey model bands, as those are specific less common finishes and the Edition models have the digital crown matching the strap color. The rest seem destined for mix and match sold separately.

Yep. I think those same models (if any) are the only ones that would have exclusive bands.

Let's be real Apple wants to sell accessories, so if someone wants to buy an extra 200$ Leather strap, or 5 different color 40$ sport straps, for their sport model Apple will oblige.

Side note, I think they hope 3rd party bands become popular the way iPhone cases have.

 

[Blackhead]

I think it was discussed in this thread but, really, I don’t think there’ll be too much yammering about the prices of the gold watches. they’re gold. shit’s expensive. tech press and online commentators will make some quips and move on. there’s going to be easy comparisons to gold rolexes to put pricing in perspective.

It’s the price of the steel model you’re eyeing - the one with a link bracelet - that could end up at over $1k, that I think will create the most negative reaction. Because it looks like it should be close to the sport edition price but it’ll be priced like a macbook.

the steel ones are the ones with the basic “watch” name. people are going to expect them to be fairly close to that $350 low end price.

And I agree that Apple is gonna charge a fortune for the higher end bands. heck, a new Omega SS bracelet costs over 1k. Apple will price theirs similarly.

I do think Guber’s low end estimate for the SS edition is still a bit high. I think the one with the rubber strap will be closer to 500 than 700. but the fancier straps are gonna be in the same price range as luxury watches and it’s going to seem insane to people who don’t know how that market is priced.

as an aside, I’m a little worried by this potential dive from Apple into luxury pricing and massive pricing jumps for fashion. In that recent New Yorker article, I literally cringed when it said Ive was curious (did they use the word “interested”?) about what Vertu is doing with phones. ugh. Fucking Vertu phones, man...

i think whoever buys the 20k gold edition doesn't care about the functionality as much and will either just buy another the following year or not upgrade at all.

or just get a gold one for looks every few years and a sports edition for improved functionality each year. It's not like you're going to be wearing the gold edition for running or as an everyday watch. It's a piece of jewelry, so any hardware upgrade (better battery life, added GPS, faster processor) doesn't really impact you as much as with the non-gold models.


it's not like people who buy those solid gold vertu phones care a lot about functionality.

Yep, the two anecdotes I was most surprised Apple let include in the New Yorker article were Ive's interest in Vertu and the raise-arm-to-display-watchface function not working properly yet.
Vertu phones are a "joke", used by Chinese gangsters and usually new Apple products are not like Vertu. The Vertu-Ive anecdote solidifies my initial impression that the Apple Watch Edition is tacky and for the noveau rich.

After reading up on the iwatch bands I'm probably going to get one of the magnetic ones, likely the milanese loop. After my experiences with iPad/iPhone leather cases, I don't trust the quality of any Apple leather product. I want a Space Grey Steel iWatch with matching band — which doesn't exist so I'll settle for the regular stainless steel). My cost limit is the price of my iPhone; I'm not going to spend more on an iWatch that a 6+. If the stainless steel is too expensive, I'll consider an iWatch Sport with milanese band. If that's not an option, or still too expensive, then 'LoL Apple!!1!'

In the mean while Developer gets Android Wear (Moto360) to work with an iPhone

 

[DOWN]

After reading up on the iwatch bands I'm probably going to get one of the magnetic ones, likely the milanese loop. After my experiences with iPad/iPhone leather cases, I don't trust the quality of any Apple leather product. I want a Space Grey Steel iWatch with matching band — which doesn't exist so I'll settle for the regular stainless steel). My cost limit is the price of my iPhone; I'm not going to spend more on an iWatch that a 6+. If the stainless steel is too expensive, I'll consider an iWatch Sport with milanese band. If that's not an option, or still too expensive, then 'LoL Apple!!1!'

In the mean while Developer gets Android Wear (Moto360) to work with an iPhone

what is the issue with Apple leather that you haven't had with other leathers you handle with palms/fingers?

 

[Purple Cheeto]

Daring Fireball with price predictions for Apple Watch. It's not pretty.

 

[Van Owen]

Daring Fireball with price predictions for Apple Watch. It's not pretty.

Didn't they say they want to make products for everyone?

 

[raindoc]

Daring Fireball with price predictions for Apple Watch. It's not pretty.

i can see how/why someone would buy one of these in sports edition and to some extent the stainless steele ones.... but a 20k gold watch that has a life expectancy of only a couple of years?
A rolex lasts a lifetime...

 

[mcfrank]

Daring Fireball with price predictions for Apple Watch. It's not pretty.

Thanks, but everyone has been referencing that article for a while in this thread.

 

[LCfiner]

Daring Fireball with price predictions for Apple Watch. It's not pretty.

We've been talking about this post for a couple pages now...

Don't take his thoughts on the band availability too seriously. And while the gold models will be expensive, they're designed for a niche market anyway.

We'll have a better sense of apples aspirations for the watch as competition to luxury Swiss watches when we see the pricing range of the steel model.

 

[Purkake4]

Didn't they say they want to make products for everyone?

People will just get a second job, just you watch.

 

[nhlducks35]

Didn't they say they want to make products for everyone?

Everyone with money

 

[SuperPac]

After reading up on the iwatch bands I'm probably going to get one of the magnetic ones, likely the milanese loop. After my experiences with iPad/iPhone leather cases, I don't trust the quality of any Apple leather product. I want a Space Grey Steel iWatch with matching band — which doesn't exist so I'll settle for the regular stainless steel). My cost limit is the price of my iPhone; I'm not going to spend more on an iWatch that a 6+. If the stainless steel is too expensive, I'll consider an iWatch Sport with milanese band. If that's not an option, or still too expensive, then 'LoL Apple!!1!'

I'm hoping Gruber is wrong and that the stainless and matching band won't be over a thousand dollars but at this point who knows. That's the config I'd ideally get (except I'm more into the standard stainless steel than the space gray), and I'm also hoping that I won't be paying more than the phone costs outright for an accessory. But, hey, tax refund time, maybe I'll splurge on it.

In the mean while Developer gets Android Wear (Moto360) to work with an iPhone

"Gets it to work" and "gets it to work well" are two different things. Unless Google themselves announces compatibility I'd assume it's going to be horrible/just buy an Android phone if you want Android Wear. I am looking forward to seeing new Android Wear entrants either at Mobile World Congress or Google I/O in 'response' to the Apple Watch (especially interface-wise).

 

[DOWN]

I don't really get why people believe the Gruber post. There's not a lot of sense in it, and it makes me want to wait for official word even more rather than feel specially informed.

 

[Blackhead]

what is the issue with Apple leather that you haven't had with other leathers you handle with palms/fingers?

if you're suggesting that the Apple leather is as bad as most other cases then I don't disagree with you. I previously expected more from Apple but all their iPhone/iPad accessories (earphones, cases, docks) are pretty poor.

I don't really get why people believe the Gruber post. There's not a lot of sense in it, and it makes me want to wait for official word even more rather than feel specially informed.

hmm... I'm trying to think of one correct Gruber prediction/expectation about the iWatch and I can't recall any...

 

[SuperPac]

From this - http://daringfireball.net/linked/2015/02/23/ipad-apple-watch

From what I’m hearing, I guessed pretty good last week: about $1,000 for Apple Watch, and $10,000+ for Edition. (I’m still thinking $749 starting price for the steel Apple Watch with Sport Band — exactly twice the price of the aluminum Sport model.)

Well, shit (on the stainless steel front). The Edition...who gives a crap what that one's priced at at this point. But I was hoping the stainless steel version would be more around $550 to start.

 

[badcrumble]

I still think the big missing piece here is how upgrading will work, and I still think there'll be a way to take your S1 Apple Watch taken in and upgraded to have an S2 in it for a servicing fee that is the same regardless of which model you bought.

The point of watches is to be jewelry you keep for a really long time. I don't think Apple's ignorant of that.

 

[Blackhead]

From this - http://daringfireball.net/linked/2015/02/23/ipad-apple-watch



Well, shit (on the stainless steel front). The Edition...who gives a crap what that one's priced at at this point. But I was hoping the stainless steel version would be more around $550 to start.

damn, the one prediction I didn't want him to be right about

I still think the big missing piece here is how upgrading will work, and I still think there'll be a way to take your S1 Apple Watch mac mini/iMac taken in and upgraded to have an S2 more RAM in it for a servicing fee that is the same regardless of which model you bought.

The point of watches Mac minis/iMacs is to be jewelry desktops you keep for a really long time. I don't think Apple's ignorant of that.

Apple's not ignorant; Apple just doesn't give a fuck. The odds of an upgradeable iWatch are 0.0%. I'm not even confident Apple will offer a fair value exchange program for old iWatches. They probably just set up their free recycling program that they have for Macs instead.

 

[harsun99]

that looks awful.. but at least it isn't crazy expensive

 

[SuperPac]

Apple's not ignorant; Apple just doesn't give a fuck. The odds of an upgradeable iWatch are 0.0%. I'm not even confident Apple will offer a fair value exchange program for old iWatches. They probably just set up their free recycling program that they have for Macs instead.

I agree, I don't see Apple offering an upgrade path.

If they don't do a buyback or trade-in thing, Gazelle or other companies will. I would figure resale of a 1st gen will be pretty great when the 2nd comes out.

 

[Deku Tree]

I bought a gen 1 iPhone, I waiting to buy a Gen 2 iPad because no camera seemed nuts, and I haven't worn a watch in over a decade and I'm not sold that I should start wearing one now.

I'm not sure if the Edition or regular Apple Watch or the Sport version will have exclusive bands ... or a slightly different clasp connection so they don't fit the other versions ... or the higher end bands will just be really really expensive like why would you buy a regular Apple watch silver band for your sport watch when the Band costs so much more etc?

 

[LyleLanley]

$1000 for the standard Apple Watch seems like way too much.

 

[badcrumble]

Apple's not ignorant; Apple just doesn't give a fuck. The odds of an upgradeable iWatch are 0.0%. I'm not even confident Apple will offer a fair value exchange program for old iWatches. They probably just set up their free recycling program that they have for Macs instead.

That's a pretty silly comparison (the Mac mini thing).

Do people plan to keep the same computer around for decades as a decoration? No. And with the S1 entire-computer-on-a-chip thing, the Apple Watch is both upgradable and, more importantly, upgradable in a way where 100% of the upgrade revenue will go to Apple because nobody else can do it.

The $100 premium for the black macbook that happened that one time is not, for example, a useful precedent for a piece of hardware that costs over twenty times as much for the same hardware in a different enclosure, also. If Apple sells hardware that goes obsolete for $10k and stuff that has the same specs and also goes obsolete at $350, the $10k models won't sell.

Yes, yes, lol apple cult of people who will buy anything apple does because they're hypnotized by marketing and don't make Logical consumer decisions, but if Apple's competing with $20k gold watches that never go obsolete because they're based on clockwork, they need to make sure their $10k watch can't go obsolete either. This is best come at with reasonable thinking, not overcooked stereotypes about how Apple hardware is overpriced and Apple's consumers are sheeple who don't care.

 

[DOWN]

Guys, I think the sport model will be no more than $399. Remember, this is a device you will upgrade with iPhone every 2-3 years they hope, and it only works with the phone. They are not going to be stupid enough to charge more than the phone or their tablets for a base model watch that doesn't do much. No where close. Not even stainless would make sense a these $750 guesses. That blog you guys are citing has already been shot down as wrong about the idea of the stainless straps. Price guessing is a wild game with Apple, but let's stop giving that blog credit.