Gold 'Apple Watch Edition' could cost $1,200, industry insiders say
As Apple only announced an entry-level $349 price tier for its upcoming Apple Watch, speculation on cost continues to run rampant, with the latest report claiming high-end gold models could sell for $1,200 when they launch next year.
The Apple Watch reveal took up a good portion of Tuesday's iPhone 6 keynote, but Apple opted not to disclose comprehensive final pricing ahead of an early-2015 rollout. According to jewelers, however, the 18-karat Apple Watch Edition versions could run $1,200, reports TechCrunch.
Unnamed jewelers offered the estimate based on dimensions taken from a set of design specs supposedly leaked last week. The report did not state which of Apple's two watch sizes was used in the analysis.
The supposed price is not set in stone, as questions remain as to whether Apple Watch is made of gold or comes gold plated. Jewelers said it would be favorable to use solid gold alloy of some kind. Further, watch expert Chad Rickicki estimates an 18-karat gold version would cost Apple around $600 to craft, not including internal components or markup.
The report's price point does fall within analyst Ming-Chi Kuo's prediction that Apple's wearable could priced into the "thousands of dollars."
At this point, however, tacking a price on the high-end Apple Watch Edition is largely guesswork, as Apple's behind-the-scenes deals, internal component costs and other details vital to making accurate estimates are unknown. Also a wild card are the margins Apple is looking to hit with the device.
When it debuts next year, Apple Watch will be offered in three "collections." The "Apple Watch Sport" lineup is thought to be the entry-level version as it comes made from aluminum and lacks an expensive sapphire cover glass. On the other end of the spectrum is the "Apple Watch Edition," which comes with sapphire glass screen and is available in "strengthened" yellow or rose gold options. Sitting between the two extremes is "Apple Watch," which also boasts sapphire glass, but swaps out gold for a polished stainless steel body.
The Apple Watch reveal took up a good portion of Tuesday's iPhone 6 keynote, but Apple opted not to disclose comprehensive final pricing ahead of an early-2015 rollout. According to jewelers, however, the 18-karat Apple Watch Edition versions could run $1,200, reports TechCrunch.
Unnamed jewelers offered the estimate based on dimensions taken from a set of design specs supposedly leaked last week. The report did not state which of Apple's two watch sizes was used in the analysis.
The supposed price is not set in stone, as questions remain as to whether Apple Watch is made of gold or comes gold plated. Jewelers said it would be favorable to use solid gold alloy of some kind. Further, watch expert Chad Rickicki estimates an 18-karat gold version would cost Apple around $600 to craft, not including internal components or markup.
The report's price point does fall within analyst Ming-Chi Kuo's prediction that Apple's wearable could priced into the "thousands of dollars."
At this point, however, tacking a price on the high-end Apple Watch Edition is largely guesswork, as Apple's behind-the-scenes deals, internal component costs and other details vital to making accurate estimates are unknown. Also a wild card are the margins Apple is looking to hit with the device.
When it debuts next year, Apple Watch will be offered in three "collections." The "Apple Watch Sport" lineup is thought to be the entry-level version as it comes made from aluminum and lacks an expensive sapphire cover glass. On the other end of the spectrum is the "Apple Watch Edition," which comes with sapphire glass screen and is available in "strengthened" yellow or rose gold options. Sitting between the two extremes is "Apple Watch," which also boasts sapphire glass, but swaps out gold for a polished stainless steel body.
Comments
$349 38mm Sport
$399 42mm Sport
$449 38mm Watch
$499 42mm Watch
$949 38mm Edition
$999 42mm Edition
Sports Bands $40
Leather/Metal bands $60
Each to their own.
I find the Apple Watch naff and unattractive.
I very much like what Apple has achieved with the ?watch user experience.
I am very excited to see what Apple can do with the ?watch in the next five years.
It's a little thick. But given what others have said AFTER wearing it the thickness really isn't an issue. But this thing SURELY beats the heck out of my pebble watch I am currently wearing. The walkie talkie feature is cool as heck.
That sounds like a lot to me (having never paid more than $40 for a watch myself) but I was surprised to find there is a whole community of people out there that are perfectly willing to pay a LOT of money for a "watch". And then there are these extreme cases:
http://coolmaterial.com/roundup/expensive-watches/
Don't care. Take my money. That's the best looking watch out of all of them personally. Pair it with that leather classic buckle band and we've got a party.
I don't know about other people, but I think Apple watch is the best looking one of all smart watches at this point. People praised Moto 360, but it actually looks ugly to me.
It's a little thick. But given what others have said AFTER wearing it the thickness really isn't an issue. But this thing SURELY beats the heck out of my pebble watch I am currently wearing. The walkie talkie feature is cool as heck.
Apple is smart to make the strap connected to the watch at the middle so when you wear it, it looks thinner. Moto 360 is different where the strap connected at the bottom of the watch and makes it so thick to look at.
And can you believe that people were making mock ups of the newly uncovered apple watch to take on that round shape? They were like "it looks even better round." Bull. The design apple released is fantastic. They kept the crown!! That's awesome!!
Don't care. Take my money. That's the best looking watch out of all of them personally. Pair it with that leather classic buckle band and we've got a party.
Each to their own.
I find the Apple Watch naff and unattractive.
I don't think that word means what you think it means.
Each to their own.
I find the Apple Watch naff and unattractive.
Agree on the "to each their own." I don't know what "naff" means.
I suppose attractiveness is in the eye of the beholder. As a 53 year old man that women of child bearing years no longer actually look at, I am far more interested in function. I'm not going to strap an iPhone to my wrist, and there are certainly limits as to simple taste. But I guess I don't really care that I'm perhaps not adorned with jewelry. It is unlikely I'll buy a gold uber-expensive one.
But I do see value for the $350-$400 versions. Value to me. And I think Apple is going to sell a buttload of these, and they will be quite popular and lucrative.
Hey, and think about this: is there any reason the Apple Watch or iPhone6 couldn't include functionality to *accept* Apple pay?
TheaterOnline.com
A gold Rolex is meant to last 100 years. How long a gold iWatch? Don't go gold for an item that will last 2 years!
TheaterOnline.com
Comment is fine, but why the spam afterwards?
A gold Rolex is meant to last 100 years. How long a gold iWatch? Don't go gold for an item that will last 2 years!
I didn't know Apple Watch came with expiration date printed on it.
I think the pricing is going to be closer to $2000 for the top of the line model.
One thing not mentioned is warranty. A Rolex comes with a 2 year warranty and can tell time indefinitely with maintenance and repairs. Will an Apple Watch made out of solid gold still be compatible with an iPhone 11 in 5 years? Will it just be a gold paperweight or will there be an upgrade/trade-in path?
A gold Rolex is meant to last 100 years. How long a gold iWatch? Don't go gold for an item that will last 2 years!
I didn't know Apple Watch came with expiration date printed on it.
But it does expire! The technology will eventually be very outdated. And what happens when the battery dies? Admittedly, it will last more than 2 years, but not for generations like the traditional luxury watches.
I didn't write 'word.'
A gold Rolex is meant to last 100 years. How long a gold iWatch? Don't go gold for an item that will last 2 years!
People who will be buying it will be just fine with purchasing another one in a year or two, don't you worry about them.