It's not $50, but I expected it like $100. $200 is ridiculous. Also, this is not counting the damn band starting at $49. So even with the Sport, you end up at $399 for lowest one. Sucks.
I'll take back my prediction on Apple watch sale. First year will be <5 millions units. I'm out.
LOL! First day will be more than 2.5 million units alone.
Oh and to follow up, the page is up listing the bands separately, and they all appear to be priced the same relative to the list above. So subtract $500 from the Watch price, and that's the price of the band alone.
It's very special steel. Steel engineering is extremely hard. France used to be the best in that market, but a few years ago, executives ran the best company into the ground, and an indian billionaire bought the intellect and left the workers to rot, somehow, from what the press reported (or what I understood....). Apparently the knowledge was not valuable enough for the French government to intervene?
America does intervene in the "liberal" economy in these situations. Shows who's got brains in governments
In any case, they've apparently done an incredible job again, and I'm not going to wait for V2
Anything comes from Apple is special: Aluminum, Steel and even Gold..or in last iPhone 6/6+, screen which crashed like crazy.
I see some in my Twitter feed are bummed because they expected Apple to talk about upgradeability. The thing about that though is how are the optics when gen 1 hasn't even been released and Apple is already telling you how to upgrade it. I actually think that would kill more gen 1 sales than not. And what if Apple doesn't even know at this point how frequently they're going to upgrade. I don't think its a given a new watch will come out every year.
Oh and to follow up, the page is up listing the bands separately, and they all appear to be priced the same relative to the list above. So subtract $500 from the Watch price, and that's the price of the band alone.
(Whoops, ninja'd by Boba )
LOL - nice work.
At least I didn't prefer the most expensive band, I want the Milanese one for the office and a sport for outdoor activities. But I'll have to wait for my bonus, I guess. I'll have to work hard so I get a big bonus ;-)
Overall though, judging by comments on this and others, I wouldn't exclude possibility that Apple will lower prices at some point - or at least adjust them subtly if they see demand is considerably weaker than they expect - probably NOT though before next year and v2...
They've already pre-emted the publicness of this issue - they've hiding the sale figures in "Other" and will treat V1 as a learning process for the company. They'll understand the choice matrix better, price elasticity etc, better plan their stocks etc, options to offer etc, and then announce with fanfare for v2 how they want to make this product for more people blah blah blah and make the crowd go wild...
(TBH, with exception of the Edition where people don't care, I think the prices are broadly reasonable for the ?Watch collection - though changing more for the larger sizes shouldn't have happened - margins are already going to be generous as it is)
1) ? doesn't need to sell many many millions in V1. I consider this almost a learning experience for them. The figures won't be public unless they chose to make them.
2) They're dismissing the 'lower-tier' of their customers / targeting their more likely customers by having it iPhone 5 and more recent dependent, so by definition that helps with the pricing elasticity. They're not trying to sell to people with an iPhone 3G..
Bands aren't cheap but still cheaper than what I was fearing based on Gruber's predictions. I'll be curious to read hands on reviews of the bracelet. If Apple is only charging $149 for the milanese loop the link bracelet at $449 must be pretty complex to manufacture and Apple's marking jargon about it taking 9 hours to produce one band isn't hyperbole.
1) ? doesn't need to sell many many millions in V1. I consider this almost a learning experience for them. The figures won't be public unless they chose to make them.
2) They're dismissing the 'lower-tier' of their customers / targeting their more likely customers by having it iPhone 5 and more recent dependent, so by definition that helps with the pricing elasticity. They're not trying to sell to people with an iPhone 3G..
Unless they sell millions, which I would not deem impossible. If I had the ability, I'd order now...
This pricing is a big surprise, I expected the steel watch to start above $700. You'll still pay close to $660 with tax (at least in CA) for the base steel watch, but its within reach of many buyers. The sport looks good too.
My question is how will it work to purchase separate bands? Apple didn't promote buying separate bands at all, other than what your watch came with. Of course it will be possible, but leaving out pricing for band options was pretty weak. They'll spend the next month on focus groups and massaging their marketing to get people ready for bands that'll cost up to $549, the same as the base watch. No word on internal memory either, its hard to imagine both the $349 sport and the $10k edition will get the same 8gb, or 16gb, or whatever it ends up being, but who knows, with the iPhone being required to run the watch, that'll be the main place for storage.
Pricing on the bands is up on the Apple Store page under Bands and Accessories.
Quote:
Originally Posted by PaulMJohnson
Many people on the internet struggle to grasp the concept that things cost money.
I fully grasp that things cost money. However the prices for the differentiation in product do seem a little out there. The price difference from the Apple Watch Sport to Apple Watch is about what I expected and would definitely be willing to pay. However asking ~$500 for a stainless steel link band is a little beyond justification in my eyes. Also the fact that they only offer the Space Black version with the stainless steel link band is also disappointing as I might have considered getting one with a black sport band, then later if the prices of the link band dropped a bit I would pick one up.
I think this pricing structure will end up pricing quite a few people out of buying one. I may still consider getting one of the Space Grey Apple Watch Sport but I'd be very hard pressed to justify $1099 for a $599 watch and a $500 band. In my opinion Apple should have decoupled the watch and the bands and sold them separately. So the Apple Watch packaging would only come with the body of your choosing and the charger. then sell all of the bands individually.
I fully grasp that things cost money. However the prices for the differentiation in product do seem a little out there. The price difference from the Apple Watch Sport to Apple Watch is about what I expected and would definitely be willing to pay. However asking ~$500 for a stainless steel link band is a little beyond justification in my eyes. Also the fact that they only offer the Space Black version with the stainless steel link band is also disappointing as I might have considered getting one with a black sport band, then later if the prices of the link band dropped a bit I would pick one up.
I think this pricing structure will end up pricing quite a few people out of buying one. I may still consider getting one of the Space Grey Apple Watch Sport but I'd be very hard pressed to justify $1099 for a $599 watch and a $500 band. In my opinion Apple should have decoupled the watch and the bands and sold them separately. So the Apple Watch packaging would only come with the body of your choosing and the charger. then sell all of the bands individually.
-PopinFRESH
Have you ever looked at how much watch straps cost for decent watches?
I think this pricing structure will end up pricing quite a few people out of buying one. I may still consider getting one of the Space Grey Apple Watch Sport but I'd be very hard pressed to justify $1099 for a $599 watch and a $500 band. In my opinion Apple should have decoupled the watch and the bands and sold them separately. So the Apple Watch packaging would only come with the body of your choosing and the charger. then sell all of the bands individually.
-PopinFRESH
But they are separate. You mentioned the bands price page yourself.
You have to have A band for a watch, and they coupled the cheapest one in the price. I doubt that you couldn't walk into the store and purchase a watch with only the Milanese loop for $500 + $149.
Edit: It is still more than I wanted to pay, so I'll have to wait to see what I want to do.
Comments
It's not $50, but I expected it like $100. $200 is ridiculous. Also, this is not counting the damn band starting at $49. So even with the Sport, you end up at $399 for lowest one. Sucks.
I'll take back my prediction on Apple watch sale. First year will be <5 millions units. I'm out.
LOL! First day will be more than 2.5 million units alone.
For Apple Watch:
Sport band is $549/$599
Classic buckle is $649/$699
Milanese loop is $649/$699
Leather loop is $699/$749
Modern buckle is $749/$799
Link bracelet is $949/$999
Link bracelet in Space Black is $1049/$1099
Oh and to follow up, the page is up listing the bands separately, and they all appear to be priced the same relative to the list above. So subtract $500 from the Watch price, and that's the price of the band alone.
(Whoops, ninja'd by Boba
)
It's very special steel. Steel engineering is extremely hard. France used to be the best in that market, but a few years ago, executives ran the best company into the ground, and an indian billionaire bought the intellect and left the workers to rot, somehow, from what the press reported (or what I understood....). Apparently the knowledge was not valuable enough for the French government to intervene?
America does intervene in the "liberal" economy in these situations. Shows who's got brains in governments
In any case, they've apparently done an incredible job again, and I'm not going to wait for V2
Anything comes from Apple is special: Aluminum, Steel and even Gold..or in last iPhone 6/6+, screen which crashed like crazy.
These prices are GREAT! They are EASILY within the reach of the normal Apple customer.
In fact, they cost less than Apple's MacBooks!
LOL! First day will be more than 2.5 million units alone.
I doubt it.
These prices are GREAT! They are EASILY within the reach of the normal Apple customer.
In fact, they cost less than Apple's MacBooks!
That's right. The watch costs a little less than the new MacBook...cool.
Oh and to follow up, the page is up listing the bands separately, and they all appear to be priced the same relative to the list above. So subtract $500 from the Watch price, and that's the price of the band alone.
(Whoops, ninja'd by Boba
)
LOL - nice work.
At least I didn't prefer the most expensive band, I want the Milanese one for the office and a sport for outdoor activities. But I'll have to wait for my bonus, I guess. I'll have to work hard so I get a big bonus ;-)
With the easy to reach prices, Apple seeks massive uptake of the Apple Watch.
There are numerous reasons to buy several:
1. Birthdays
2. Graduations
3. Christmas
4. Valentines Day
5. Anniversaries
etc. etc.
Overall though, judging by comments on this and others, I wouldn't exclude possibility that Apple will lower prices at some point - or at least adjust them subtly if they see demand is considerably weaker than they expect - probably NOT though before next year and v2...
They've already pre-emted the publicness of this issue - they've hiding the sale figures in "Other" and will treat V1 as a learning process for the company. They'll understand the choice matrix better, price elasticity etc, better plan their stocks etc, options to offer etc, and then announce with fanfare for v2 how they want to make this product for more people blah blah blah and make the crowd go wild...
(TBH, with exception of the Edition where people don't care, I think the prices are broadly reasonable for the ?Watch collection - though changing more for the larger sizes shouldn't have happened - margins are already going to be generous as it is)
These prices are GREAT! They are EASILY within the reach of the normal Apple customer.
In fact, they cost less than Apple's MacBooks!
No contract so this isn't (at the low end) a two thousand dollar plus commitment... we're already on the hook for that.
1) ? doesn't need to sell many many millions in V1. I consider this almost a learning experience for them. The figures won't be public unless they chose to make them.
2) They're dismissing the 'lower-tier' of their customers / targeting their more likely customers by having it iPhone 5 and more recent dependent, so by definition that helps with the pricing elasticity. They're not trying to sell to people with an iPhone 3G..
Bands aren't cheap but still cheaper than what I was fearing based on Gruber's predictions. I'll be curious to read hands on reviews of the bracelet. If Apple is only charging $149 for the milanese loop the link bracelet at $449 must be pretty complex to manufacture and Apple's marking jargon about it taking 9 hours to produce one band isn't hyperbole.
1) ? doesn't need to sell many many millions in V1. I consider this almost a learning experience for them. The figures won't be public unless they chose to make them.
2) They're dismissing the 'lower-tier' of their customers / targeting their more likely customers by having it iPhone 5 and more recent dependent, so by definition that helps with the pricing elasticity. They're not trying to sell to people with an iPhone 3G..
Unless they sell millions, which I would not deem impossible. If I had the ability, I'd order now...
For Apple Watch:
Sport band is $549/$599
Classic buckle is $649/$699
Milanese loop is $649/$699
Leather loop is $699/$749
Modern buckle is $749/$799
Link bracelet is $949/$999
Link bracelet in Space Black is $1049/$1099
Quote:
This pricing is a big surprise, I expected the steel watch to start above $700. You'll still pay close to $660 with tax (at least in CA) for the base steel watch, but its within reach of many buyers. The sport looks good too.
My question is how will it work to purchase separate bands? Apple didn't promote buying separate bands at all, other than what your watch came with. Of course it will be possible, but leaving out pricing for band options was pretty weak. They'll spend the next month on focus groups and massaging their marketing to get people ready for bands that'll cost up to $549, the same as the base watch. No word on internal memory either, its hard to imagine both the $349 sport and the $10k edition will get the same 8gb, or 16gb, or whatever it ends up being, but who knows, with the iPhone being required to run the watch, that'll be the main place for storage.
Pricing on the bands is up on the Apple Store page under Bands and Accessories.
Many people on the internet struggle to grasp the concept that things cost money.
I fully grasp that things cost money. However the prices for the differentiation in product do seem a little out there. The price difference from the Apple Watch Sport to Apple Watch is about what I expected and would definitely be willing to pay. However asking ~$500 for a stainless steel link band is a little beyond justification in my eyes. Also the fact that they only offer the Space Black version with the stainless steel link band is also disappointing as I might have considered getting one with a black sport band, then later if the prices of the link band dropped a bit I would pick one up.
I think this pricing structure will end up pricing quite a few people out of buying one. I may still consider getting one of the Space Grey Apple Watch Sport but I'd be very hard pressed to justify $1099 for a $599 watch and a $500 band. In my opinion Apple should have decoupled the watch and the bands and sold them separately. So the Apple Watch packaging would only come with the body of your choosing and the charger. then sell all of the bands individually.
-PopinFRESH
Anything comes from Apple is special: Aluminum, Steel and even Gold..or in last iPhone 6/6+, screen which crashed like crazy.
really? Mine works fine?
really? Mine works fine?
I had iPhone since 3G and this is the only one that scratched a lot...hair line scratches. Look under the sun.
I fully grasp that things cost money. However the prices for the differentiation in product do seem a little out there. The price difference from the Apple Watch Sport to Apple Watch is about what I expected and would definitely be willing to pay. However asking ~$500 for a stainless steel link band is a little beyond justification in my eyes. Also the fact that they only offer the Space Black version with the stainless steel link band is also disappointing as I might have considered getting one with a black sport band, then later if the prices of the link band dropped a bit I would pick one up.
I think this pricing structure will end up pricing quite a few people out of buying one. I may still consider getting one of the Space Grey Apple Watch Sport but I'd be very hard pressed to justify $1099 for a $599 watch and a $500 band. In my opinion Apple should have decoupled the watch and the bands and sold them separately. So the Apple Watch packaging would only come with the body of your choosing and the charger. then sell all of the bands individually.
-PopinFRESH
Have you ever looked at how much watch straps cost for decent watches?
Here's the strap I currently have on my Breitling - http://www.authenticwatches.com/breitling-24-20-brown-crocodile-deployment-straps.html#.VP30e0I6vTw
$595.
The steel bracelet on my Omega - http://www.authenticwatches.com/omega-seamaster-bracelet-1502-824.html#.VP30tEI6vTw
$695.
The strap on my Baume & Mercier - http://www.authenticwatches.com/baume-et-mercier-strap-mx0037gt.html#.VP30-0I6vTw
$395.
Nice things cost money. Lots of pricing structures price people out of buying one. Ferrari's pricing structure prices me out of buying one.
That's life.
I think this pricing structure will end up pricing quite a few people out of buying one. I may still consider getting one of the Space Grey Apple Watch Sport but I'd be very hard pressed to justify $1099 for a $599 watch and a $500 band. In my opinion Apple should have decoupled the watch and the bands and sold them separately. So the Apple Watch packaging would only come with the body of your choosing and the charger. then sell all of the bands individually.
-PopinFRESH
But they are separate. You mentioned the bands price page yourself.
You have to have A band for a watch, and they coupled the cheapest one in the price. I doubt that you couldn't walk into the store and purchase a watch with only the Milanese loop for $500 + $149.
Edit: It is still more than I wanted to pay, so I'll have to wait to see what I want to do.
Have you ever looked at how much watch straps cost for decent watches?
Here's the strap I currently have on my Breitling - http://www.authenticwatches.com/breitling-24-20-brown-crocodile-deployment-straps.html#.VP30e0I6vTw
$595.
The steel bracelet on my Omega - http://www.authenticwatches.com/omega-seamaster-bracelet-1502-824.html#.VP30tEI6vTw
$695.
The strap on my Baume & Mercier - http://www.authenticwatches.com/baume-et-mercier-strap-mx0037gt.html#.VP30-0I6vTw
$395.
Nice things cost money. Lots of pricing structures price people out of buying one. Ferrari's pricing structure prices me out of buying one.
That's life.
Blows my mind. People sure have a lot of money to spend
(Good for you! I'm only marginally jealous...)