So? There's nothing wrong with making aspirational luxury items. It just so happens Apple's watches cover a very wide price range. Remember the one-of-a-kind $1 million Leica camera Jony Ive designed for auction?
I completely agree with you. However, it only makes it even easier for the media and haters to grumble about an expensive thing, and focus solely on that at the expense of attention to the models that most people will buy. My only suggestion was to not run with big money right out of the gate. The expensive but not insane Edition models at least serve as a price anchor to make the regular versions appear more affordable.
Apple could make a billion dollar watch for all I care. Haters get stuck on a few high priced products and feel left out because they wish their job didn't pay them so shitty. Not my problem!
Why give him a version that no one else can buy? It's just going to make people say, well I can't get that one. Clearly, Apple is trying to elbow its way into the fashion world. They've already done it inadvertently with the iPhone - showing up on real wives of Beverly Hills and such non stop. It's the only phone that the rich and famous buy. Apple wants to make it okay to wear a smart watch in the fashion world, so that people will think it's okay to wear in the real world. Makes sense, but don't make special versions that alienate other high rollers who are buying the expensive version to make a statement.
How typically Apple to gift it to someone who could easily afford to buy it. It's not even good marketing. Giving it to her suggests that otherwise she wouldn't have bought it.
I can certainly see lots of after market bands/bracelet will be coming out. Maybe some the jewellery stores might start making custom ones for regular people like us.
I wish Apple had instead made a gold band available to other buyers of the Edition. Why only make one for Lagerfeld? It obviously works better as an all gold watch and band.
Arguably (though it would be very difficult to argue), Karl Lagerfeld is the single most influential fashion designer IN THE WORLD. I say very smart move, Apple. I also think this watch would be priced well upwards of $50,000 and only a handful would ever be made.
Not to stereotype, but one look at him would make most grounded-folks wonder what side of the fence he's on... So I don't think he really represents what "Men" fashion should be. Obviously, he seems to make a pretty good living doing what he does though.
I'm actually not a fan of the all gold. Stainless Steel much nicer IMO. I'm sure Apple didn't do all gold because of price. Maybe if Edition is actually successful they'll branch out a bit?
I don't mind, here's my 1967 Rolex.
I wonder if it has a brushed finish, it makes it more subtle than polished.
Not to stereotype, but one look at him would make most grounded-folks wonder what side of the fence he's on... So I don't think he really represents what "Men" fashion should be. Obviously, he seems to make a pretty good living doing what he does though.
It can't be stated strongly enough that Lagerfeld sits at the very top of the high fashion industry in terms of his design and style influence. Also, you must separate his personal style from the incredible craftsmanship and quality of his work at Chanel, Fendi, and the House of Karl Lagerfeld. BTW, what he's wearing in this picture is very tame compared to contemporary men's high fashion. This specifically is a high fashion play by Apple.
How typically Apple to gift it to someone who could easily afford to buy it. It's not even good marketing. Giving it to her suggests that otherwise she wouldn't have bought it.
That's just plain silly. Please re-read what you wrote there.
What would be awesome is if Christy has her ?Watch inscribed and auctioned off to benefit her women's charity. It would fetch quite a great deal. So would Lagerfeld's.
I wish Apple had instead made a gold band available to other buyers of the Edition. Why only make one for Lagerfeld? It obviously works better as an all gold watch and band.
I've been asking that since day one. No gold Milanese either, which is the only way I've ever seen a Milanese bracelet in the wild. My initial reaction is that after reading about the link manufacture process, each band takes 9 hours to manufacture, they are most definitely going to have a yield problem. Also not knowing how popular each band would be -- now that the link band is the third most popular, it's a fair bet they will devote some machine time to the gold link band, and I wouldn't be surprised to see a Milanese band right behind it, given that it was the 2nd best selling band.
Also, considering they are asking as much as $17K for the Edition, they figured asking another $17K for the band would be a bit much, even for the wealthy. Better to save it until Christmas after they've had a chance to manufacture a few. And of course we've already had rumors of a Fall update ...
I've been asking that since day one. No gold Milanese either, which is the only way I've ever seen a Milanese bracelet in the wild. My initial reaction is that after reading about the link manufacture process, each band takes 9 hours to manufacture, they are most definitely going to have a yield problem. Also not knowing how popular each band would be -- now that the link band is the third most popular, it's a fair bet they will devote some machine time to the gold link band, and I wouldn't be surprised to see a Milanese band right behind it, given that it was the 2nd best selling band.
Also, considering they are asking as much as $17K for the Edition, they figured asking another $17K for the band would be a bit much, even for the wealthy. Better to save it until Christmas after they've had a chance to manufacture a few. And of course we've already had rumors of a Fall update ...
The Milanese is just visually and technically more impressive.
smart. probably worth much more than the $30K-ish it costs to gift this in PR and good will. ...
Apple's cost is much much lower. There's much less than $5000 worth of pure gold even with the all-gold band. There's about $1000 worth of gold in the 42mm Edition case. 25% of 18k gold is not gold.
How typically Apple to gift it to someone who could easily afford to buy it. It's not even good marketing. Giving it to her suggests that otherwise she wouldn't have bought it.
People like Karl Lagerfeld wore only what pleased him, not what people gave him.
The one on Karl looks silver nearer the cuff of his shirt. It certainly looks mostly gold but did they officially say it was all gold or is this all based on that one image?
It looks like he tried a gold one on before but with a sport band:
I'll buy that, but my take is that they're making a mistake with the high end promotion. I made my Watch purchase on the basis of reviews that appeared shortly before preorder was available. Not because of celeb gifting.
Apple isn't worried about you. They know you will always evaluate your electronic gear on the basis of quality engineering and thus will always buy Apple.
Apple is concerned about the millions of people who don't care about smart watches. As has been stated often enough, this isn't a cellphone, a commodity everybody needs. It's an accessory for the iPhone, which many average people are scratching their heads wondering why they need it. So the more it looks like an accepted fashion item, the more those people are going to be willing to wear one in place of their watch, considering all of the other things it does. In order to get that fashion acceptance, Apple is courting the elite of the fashion world, and it seems to be working.
My take on these forums is that people here are not particularly concerned about the fashion aspect of this watch, focusing mainly on the technical achievement, and dismissing out of hand that Apple will do anything strictly to cater to fashion that may not entirely conform to function. This article in particular I think demonstrates how committed Apple is to the fashion aspect of this product, and that they are likely to do things they have never done with any other product category they've launched before.
That thing must weigh a ton compared to the other models. The SS Link Bracelet model is heavy enough already.
Actually, I tried the link on today. My lasting memory was thin and light. Still loved it though; the link removal system is absolutely brilliant. Can't wait for mine to get here.
Comments
He's a fashion icon. He is not supposed to be "normal" nor represent an average man.
So? There's nothing wrong with making aspirational luxury items. It just so happens Apple's watches cover a very wide price range. Remember the one-of-a-kind $1 million Leica camera Jony Ive designed for auction?
I completely agree with you. However, it only makes it even easier for the media and haters to grumble about an expensive thing, and focus solely on that at the expense of attention to the models that most people will buy. My only suggestion was to not run with big money right out of the gate. The expensive but not insane Edition models at least serve as a price anchor to make the regular versions appear more affordable.
Apple could make a billion dollar watch for all I care. Haters get stuck on a few high priced products and feel left out because they wish their job didn't pay them so shitty. Not my problem!
I can certainly see lots of after market bands/bracelet will be coming out. Maybe some the jewellery stores might start making custom ones for regular people like us.
I wish Apple had instead made a gold band available to other buyers of the Edition. Why only make one for Lagerfeld? It obviously works better as an all gold watch and band.
Arguably (though it would be very difficult to argue), Karl Lagerfeld is the single most influential fashion designer IN THE WORLD. I say very smart move, Apple. I also think this watch would be priced well upwards of $50,000 and only a handful would ever be made.
Bob Barker gettin his groove on.
I'm actually not a fan of the all gold. Stainless Steel much nicer IMO. I'm sure Apple didn't do all gold because of price. Maybe if Edition is actually successful they'll branch out a bit?
I don't mind, here's my 1967 Rolex.
I wonder if it has a brushed finish, it makes it more subtle than polished.
Not to stereotype, but one look at him would make most grounded-folks wonder what side of the fence he's on... So I don't think he really represents what "Men" fashion should be. Obviously, he seems to make a pretty good living doing what he does though.
It can't be stated strongly enough that Lagerfeld sits at the very top of the high fashion industry in terms of his design and style influence. Also, you must separate his personal style from the incredible craftsmanship and quality of his work at Chanel, Fendi, and the House of Karl Lagerfeld. BTW, what he's wearing in this picture is very tame compared to contemporary men's high fashion. This specifically is a high fashion play by Apple.
How typically Apple to gift it to someone who could easily afford to buy it. It's not even good marketing. Giving it to her suggests that otherwise she wouldn't have bought it.
That's just plain silly. Please re-read what you wrote there.
What would be awesome is if Christy has her ?Watch inscribed and auctioned off to benefit her women's charity. It would fetch quite a great deal. So would Lagerfeld's.
I wish Apple had instead made a gold band available to other buyers of the Edition. Why only make one for Lagerfeld? It obviously works better as an all gold watch and band.
I've been asking that since day one. No gold Milanese either, which is the only way I've ever seen a Milanese bracelet in the wild. My initial reaction is that after reading about the link manufacture process, each band takes 9 hours to manufacture, they are most definitely going to have a yield problem. Also not knowing how popular each band would be -- now that the link band is the third most popular, it's a fair bet they will devote some machine time to the gold link band, and I wouldn't be surprised to see a Milanese band right behind it, given that it was the 2nd best selling band.
Also, considering they are asking as much as $17K for the Edition, they figured asking another $17K for the band would be a bit much, even for the wealthy. Better to save it until Christmas after they've had a chance to manufacture a few. And of course we've already had rumors of a Fall update ...
I may be mistaken, but I don't believe he designs any fashions for men.
I've been asking that since day one. No gold Milanese either, which is the only way I've ever seen a Milanese bracelet in the wild. My initial reaction is that after reading about the link manufacture process, each band takes 9 hours to manufacture, they are most definitely going to have a yield problem. Also not knowing how popular each band would be -- now that the link band is the third most popular, it's a fair bet they will devote some machine time to the gold link band, and I wouldn't be surprised to see a Milanese band right behind it, given that it was the 2nd best selling band.
Also, considering they are asking as much as $17K for the Edition, they figured asking another $17K for the band would be a bit much, even for the wealthy. Better to save it until Christmas after they've had a chance to manufacture a few. And of course we've already had rumors of a Fall update ...
The Milanese is just visually and technically more impressive.
Apple's cost is much much lower. There's much less than $5000 worth of pure gold even with the all-gold band. There's about $1000 worth of gold in the 42mm Edition case. 25% of 18k gold is not gold.
How typically Apple to gift it to someone who could easily afford to buy it. It's not even good marketing. Giving it to her suggests that otherwise she wouldn't have bought it.
People like Karl Lagerfeld wore only what pleased him, not what people gave him.
http://forums.appleinsider.com/t/185785/15m-americans-say-theyll-buy-an-apple-watch-reuters-poll-finds
[IMG ALT=""]http://forums.appleinsider.com/content/type/61/id/57974/width/800/height/1000[/IMG]
The one on Karl looks silver nearer the cuff of his shirt. It certainly looks mostly gold but did they officially say it was all gold or is this all based on that one image?
It looks like he tried a gold one on before but with a sport band:
[IMG ALT=""]http://forums.appleinsider.com/content/type/61/id/57975/width/500/height/1000[/IMG]
[IMG ALT=""]http://forums.appleinsider.com/content/type/61/id/57976/width/500/height/1000[/IMG]
[IMG ALT=""]http://forums.appleinsider.com/content/type/61/id/57977/width/500/height/1000[/IMG]
I'll buy that, but my take is that they're making a mistake with the high end promotion. I made my Watch purchase on the basis of reviews that appeared shortly before preorder was available. Not because of celeb gifting.
Apple isn't worried about you. They know you will always evaluate your electronic gear on the basis of quality engineering and thus will always buy Apple.
Apple is concerned about the millions of people who don't care about smart watches. As has been stated often enough, this isn't a cellphone, a commodity everybody needs. It's an accessory for the iPhone, which many average people are scratching their heads wondering why they need it. So the more it looks like an accepted fashion item, the more those people are going to be willing to wear one in place of their watch, considering all of the other things it does. In order to get that fashion acceptance, Apple is courting the elite of the fashion world, and it seems to be working.
My take on these forums is that people here are not particularly concerned about the fashion aspect of this watch, focusing mainly on the technical achievement, and dismissing out of hand that Apple will do anything strictly to cater to fashion that may not entirely conform to function. This article in particular I think demonstrates how committed Apple is to the fashion aspect of this product, and that they are likely to do things they have never done with any other product category they've launched before.
That thing must weigh a ton compared to the other models. The SS Link Bracelet model is heavy enough already.
Actually, I tried the link on today. My lasting memory was thin and light. Still loved it though; the link removal system is absolutely brilliant. Can't wait for mine to get here.