Future Apple Watches could include platinum models - report
Apple has been evaluating platinum for future versions of the Apple Watch, and may be using ceramic blending to achieve the extra-durable gold in first-generation Edition units, according to a new report.
Sources told the Wall Street Journal that Apple has been studying platinum casings, but that even if the company intends to build them, they are not expected to be announced during today's press event in San Francisco. Platinum watches can often sell for triple the price of gold ones.
The gold in the Edition Apple Watches is already anticipated to make them some of the most expensive products Apple has ever sold. Rumors have put prices anywhere between $5,000 and $20,000; for that reason, Apple is also allegedly installing special safes in its stores. The cheapest Watch will be $349, and midrange models could start around $500 or $600.
Apple may not be using standard 18-karat gold. Company exectutives have repeatedly claimed that their material is "twice as hard" as regular gold -- which is fairly malleable -- but haven't explained how this possible. Leancrew points to an Apple patent application describing an infusion of low-density ceramic particles.
By weight, 18-karat gold is actually just 75 percent gold, with the remaining quarter normally being silver, copper, or a combination of metals. The Apple alloy could use less than a third of the gold traditionally required while still meeting 18-karat standards.
AppleInsider will be providing live coverage of today's press event, which begins at 10 a.m. Pacific, 1 p.m. Eastern, and can be viewed at live.appleinsider.com. The Apple Watch is expected to occupy the most stage time.
Sources told the Wall Street Journal that Apple has been studying platinum casings, but that even if the company intends to build them, they are not expected to be announced during today's press event in San Francisco. Platinum watches can often sell for triple the price of gold ones.
The gold in the Edition Apple Watches is already anticipated to make them some of the most expensive products Apple has ever sold. Rumors have put prices anywhere between $5,000 and $20,000; for that reason, Apple is also allegedly installing special safes in its stores. The cheapest Watch will be $349, and midrange models could start around $500 or $600.
Apple may not be using standard 18-karat gold. Company exectutives have repeatedly claimed that their material is "twice as hard" as regular gold -- which is fairly malleable -- but haven't explained how this possible. Leancrew points to an Apple patent application describing an infusion of low-density ceramic particles.
By weight, 18-karat gold is actually just 75 percent gold, with the remaining quarter normally being silver, copper, or a combination of metals. The Apple alloy could use less than a third of the gold traditionally required while still meeting 18-karat standards.
AppleInsider will be providing live coverage of today's press event, which begins at 10 a.m. Pacific, 1 p.m. Eastern, and can be viewed at live.appleinsider.com. The Apple Watch is expected to occupy the most stage time.
Comments
I wonder if Apple can make the low density ceramic with that little room to work with.
Certainly, but Apple's big trick with the gold is using a lot less of it (on a mass basis) due to the low density of their alloy. The result I think will be that later today, we will learn that Apple is going to sell their gold watch for significantly less than other gold watches on the market. I don't think they will be able to do the same thing with platinum.
What future Apple watches?
I applaud Apple for incorporating precious metals in their new watch products. The real test will be my subjective impressions once I see, heft, and wear them on my wrist. Quite exciting.
More power to them if they can pull off a platinum version.
One obstacle to high-end traditional watch ownership, beyond the obstacle of price, for me, is the fact that an expensive watch is still just a watch, no matter how beautiful or "complicated" it may be. The promise of the ?Watch, though, is its far greater potential functionality beyond mere time keeping.
Though I can certainly get that functionality within an aluminum body, if I can somehow afford it, I think I would seriously consider dropping the extra coin for the added luxury aspect of a gold or platinum body.
If you're looking for a gold investment, look into Canadian maple leaf gold coins.
Buy the watch to own and use something cool. Gold as an investment is a different matter and purity is paramount.
The alloy must still be prohibitively expensive.
The alloy must still be prohibitively expensive.
That does appear to be the case.
The one thing the 18k gold watch has going for it is that by the time technology makes it obsolete in a couple of years, the price of gold will have risen such that the watch is actually worth more than what you paid for it originally -- so the gold recycling program melts down the watch, and credits the money back toward a new one (the rest in Apple Store credits haha). It's the gift that keeps on giving. Probably the best investment in an Apple product ever made.
No word on Liquidmetal?
The alloy must still be prohibitively expensive.
I was hoping that LM was what they were using to alloy the gold, but that doesn't seem to be the case, unfortunately.
Platinum is thought to be a better metal for jewelry/watches. When in reality, Platinum is a very dense mental but is also more malleable than 14k gold. Platinum will scratch easier than other metals and is much heavier. Platinum jewelry is 95% pure platinum and 14k gold has 58.5%, other alloys in 14k will make in stronger. Now white gold will be stronger than yellow gold because of the nickle added to give it a white look. Than white gold is Rhodium (a form of Platinum) finished to bring out that bright white look. As a former jeweler, I always advised my customers to stick with white gold over platinum and put the extra money in the diamonds/gemstones.
With the way Apple is using Liquidmetal to strengthen their alloys, I can't wait to see LQMT shoot up!!
It make sense that Apple will offer a wide range of "personal" choices, including other metals. Most jewelers offer 10kt, 14kt, 18kt... I can see Apple offering Pt and perhaps other precious metals too.
Gruber's write up about the price and cost of the metal bands in interesting too (daringfireball). Not sure if Apple has a patent on their band attachment technology to prohibit third parties from making their own bands.
Gen 2 or 3. What's confusing you?
Mobius is implying that Apple Watch will fail and they won't make anymore. Just ignore him/her and let them crawl back under their rock...