Everything you need to know before preordering Apple Watch

Posted:
in Apple Watch edited April 2015
In just a few hours, Apple will open the floodgates to Apple Watch preorders. With initial supply constraints expected, prospective buyers are urged to have their selections in mind prior to midnight, and AppleInsider has your guide.




Between three model ranges across two sizes, different case colors and a multitude of straps, Apple made it easy to find an Apple Watch that suits your style. Having all these options is a double edged sword, however, as picking out the right one can be a daunting task.

Size

First off, it's best to decide on size.

Each Apple Watch model comes in a choice of two case sizes: 38 millimeters and 42 millimeters. The measurements mark the height of the case from lug to lug, but do not include the lugs as these are built into Apple's straps.




The 42mm model features a display, while a wider chassis affords more room for a bigger battery. According to Apple, the 42mm version "typically experiences longer battery life" when compared to the 38mm variant, but the two are otherwise outwardly identical.

In the Sport and Watch collections, the cost difference between the two is just $50, and there is no specific price difference for Edition models, which vary widely in cost. The Apple Watch Sport starts at $349 and tops out at $399. The 38mm stainless steel Apple Watch version goes for $549, while the 42mm model sells for $599 and configurations go up to $1,049 or $1,099 depending on size. Solid gold Apple Watch Edition models range from $10,000 to $17,000.

Since buyers will have to wait until later today to see Apple Watch up close, Apple includes actual-size renderings of each case in the Apple Store app. Previews are in the "View Pricing" screen for Apple Watch products under "Compare case sizes."

To help aid in the decision making process, photographer Ryan P. Mac created a printable Apple Watch template that, when printed at 100 percent, yields two actual-size mockups that can be cut out and compared.

Model

Next up is casing material. Apple Watch comes in three versions: Apple Watch Sport, Apple Watch and Apple Watch Edition. Each family is distinguished by the material they're made of. The Sport versions are matte aluminum, the Watch collection is stainless steel and the Edition are 18-karat yellow or rose gold.

Colors further differentiate models. Sport is offered in identically priced natural silver or space gray versions, while the stainless steel version comes in silver or space black, though the latter is only available in a $1,049 38-millimeter or $1,099 42-millimeter configuration. Edition models are available in yellow or rose gold with no difference in cost when comparing similar bundled bands.

Due to differing materials, each watch weighs a bit more than the last. The 38mm Sport weighs in at 25 grams, and the 48-millimeter variant is 30 grams. Those numbers increase to 40 grams and 50 grams, respectively, for the Watch collection and 55 grams and 69 grams for the gold Edition models.

Bands

The last step is picking out a band, of which Apple offers six types: the sport band, the leather loop, the classic buckle, the milanese loop, the modern buckle, and the link bracelet, in ascending order of cost.


  • Sport band ($49): Made of fluoroelastomer with a metal peg (silver except for a special black band that comes with a space grey part) for inserting into sizing notches. Available in black, white, pink, blue, or green. Both 38mm and 42mm versions can be purchased individually for $49 and come two to a box; one small-medium band and one medium-large band, with lengths varying depending on the case size.

    Apple Watch Edition models can be purchased with black or white sport bands that come with color-matched gold pegs, and these bands can't be bought separately.
  • Leather loop ($149): Made from Italian leather with unique fold-over clasp system with magnets embedded into the links. Colors include light brown, black, or bright blue in either medium (for wrists measuring 150 to 185 millimeters) or large (for wrists measuring 180 to 210 millimeters).

    Only offered in 42mm.
  • Classic buckle ($149): Available in black leather with stainless steel hardware for both 38mm and 42mm cases. The 38-mm model fits wrists between 125 and 200 millimeters, while the 42mm model fits wrists between 145 and 215 millimeters.

    Edition Watches come with color-matched classic buckles that cannot be purchased separately. The Edition also gains an exclusive midnight blue classic buckle with gold hardware.
  • Milanese loop ($149): Made of woven stainless steel mesh with a fold-over magnetic closure much like the leather loop. Available for both 38mm and 42mm cases. The 38mm model fits wrists between 130 and 180 millimeters while the 42mm model fits wrists between 150 and 200 millimeters.
  • Modern buckle ($249): Made from leather, uses a stainless steel magnetic locking clasp. Available in soft pink, brown, black, or midnight blue leather in small, medium, and large sizes. Small fits wrists between 135 and 150 millimeters, graduating to 145 to 165 millimeters for the medium band and 160 millimeters to 180 millimeters for the large band.

    Edition gets rose gray and bright red color options, each with color-matched gold hardware.
  • Link bracelet ($449): Made entirely of stainless steel with a double-button deployment clasp. Available for both case sizes, with the smaller 38mm version fits wrists between 135 and 195 millimeters and the 42mm version fits wrists in the 140 to 205 millimeter range.



Once you have decided, select a corresponding model through the Apple Store app or the Online Apple Store and save it as a favorite for quick retrieval at midnight. When preorders open, simply load your saved configuration and press buy.

Apple Watch goes on sale at 12:01 a.m. Pacific through the Online Apple Store. Anticipating a sales bonanza, Apple has restricted preorders to online sales only, though customers can reserve a spot to try one on at a brick-and-mortar Apple Store.
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Comments

  • Reply 1 of 28
    prokipprokip Posts: 178member
    Just tried on a Space Gray Sports and Stainless Steel Apple Watch in an Apple Store in Australia, (we are 17 hours ahead of the USA).

    The nay-sayers can go jump. The Apple watch is an amazing piece of kit and brilliantly executed.

    Well don Jonny and the team. I will be buying a few of these of my crew!!
  • Reply 2 of 28
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by prokip View Post



    Just tried on a Space Gray Sports and Stainless Steel Apple Watch in an Apple Store in Australia, (we are 17 hours ahead of the USA).



    The nay-sayers can go jump. The Apple watch is an amazing piece of kit and brilliantly executed.



    Well don Jonny and the team. I will be buying a few of these of my crew!!



    You get back in this time zone this instant, Mister! You will not live in tomorrow morning if the rest of us can't. :p

  • Reply 3 of 28
    prokipprokip Posts: 178member
    Just tried on a Space Grey Sports and Stainless Steel Apple Watch in an Apple Store in Australia (we are 17 hours ahead of the USA).

    The nay sayers cargo jump. This an excellent piece of kit and brilliantly executed!

    Well done to Jonny and his team!

    I will be buying a few of these for my crew.
  • Reply 4 of 28

    I'd be looking at the Space Black Sport, 42MM, with black band if I was getting one.

  • Reply 5 of 28
    idreyidrey Posts: 647member
    prokip wrote: »
    Just tried on a Space Gray Sports and Stainless Steel Apple Watch in an Apple Store in Australia, (we are 17 hours ahead of the USA).

    The nay-sayers can go jump. The Apple watch is an amazing piece of kit and brilliantly executed.

    Well don Jonny and the team. I will be buying a few of these of my crew!!

    Oh so not fair
  • Reply 6 of 28
    rmb0037rmb0037 Posts: 142member
    Still trying to decide between 38 and 42mm. The more I see the sport with the white band the more I like it.
  • Reply 7 of 28
    appletimappletim Posts: 14member
    One of the biggest and most important differences is the material of the glass. The sport watch uses the ion strengthened glass, while the watch uses a sapphire glass face.

    This is a very important difference and was one of the decision-makers that led me to choose the watch over the sport version.
  • Reply 8 of 28
    mac_128mac_128 Posts: 3,454member

    I'm really eager to see some of these in person. The steel and black link bracelets in particular. The black watch seems the geekiest to me, it seems the least expensive-looking of the choices, and reminds me of this thing:

  • Reply 9 of 28
    mac_128mac_128 Posts: 3,454member
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by AppleTim View Post


    The sport watch uses the ion strengthened glass, while the watch uses a sapphire glass face.



    This is a very important difference and was one of the decision-makers that led me to choose the watch over the sport version.

    I agree. I've never seen a watch priced over $350 that didn't have a sapphire crystal.

  • Reply 10 of 28
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Mac_128 View Post

     

    I'm really eager to see some of these in person. The steel and black link bracelets in particular. The black watch seems the geekiest to me, it seems the least expensive-looking of the choices, and reminds me of this thing:


     

    Au contraire, I like a steel cased watch with black band.

     

     

     

    Frequently get complimented on this.

  • Reply 11 of 28
    anantksundaramanantksundaram Posts: 20,403member
    iPhone, iPad, and MBP charged and ready. Alarm set for 2.53AM EDT. Hoping that the Black SS with Black SS will not be sold out by the time I place my order..... 8-)
  • Reply 12 of 28
    mac_128mac_128 Posts: 3,454member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by TheWhiteFalcon View Post

     

     

    Au contraire, I like a steel cased watch with black band.

     

     

     

    Frequently get complimented on this.




    I do like that combo. I wonder if the black link bracelet can be purchased separately? The picture AI just posted of the all black watch just doesn't work for me. But to each his own.

     

  • Reply 13 of 28
    mstonemstone Posts: 11,510member

    All I can say is measure your wrist. The bands and the case combinations very considerably on the size of your wrist. The 42mm Sport with large band just barely fits me. They seem to run a bit on the small side by my estimation.

     

    https://store.apple.com/Catalog/regional/amr/pdf/static/pdf/content/Watch_Sizing_Guide.pdf

  • Reply 14 of 28
    MacProMacPro Posts: 19,718member
    idrey wrote: »
    Oh so not fair


    No worries, When the world ends he goes 17 hours sooner ... Oh wait a minute.
  • Reply 15 of 28
    dougddougd Posts: 292member
    Fools rush in...
  • Reply 16 of 28
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by TheWhiteFalcon View Post

     

    I'd be looking at the Space Black Sport, 42MM, with black band if I was getting one.




    I saw it first! It's mine!

  • Reply 17 of 28
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by DougD View Post



    Fools rush in...



    You mean the people who rushed to buy Galaxy Gear watches? Yeah... they should've waited for this.

  • Reply 18 of 28
    jloverjlover Posts: 13member
    mac_128 wrote: »

    I do like that combo. I wonder if the black link bracelet can be purchased separately? The picture AI just posted of the all black watch just doesn't work for me. But to each his own.

    <img alt="" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="57665" data-type="61" src="http://forums.appleinsider.com/content/type/61/id/57665/width/350/height/700/flags/LL" style="; width: 350px; height: 171px">
    No, the Stainless Steel Space Black link band is only available with the SS Space Black Apple watch. Apple made it to compliment one another. Its exclusive, unfortunately not available on its own. It's the high end combo for the midrange Apple Watch that costs $1049 for the 38mm & $1099 for the 42mm. I personally love the Space black on Space Black look SS look. I think it looks more elegant without being to flashy. That's the one I'm ordering at 12:01am????
  • Reply 19 of 28



    The chart is wrong. The midnight blue modern buckle isn't available in 42mm.

  • Reply 20 of 28
    sockrolidsockrolid Posts: 2,789member
    The cheap black one FTW!
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