Any Series 4 Edition Ceramic Rumors?

[OllyW]

Someone is selling gold plated Apple watches for $2,000

Gold plated mechanical watches don’t attract such high premiums. At the moment you are paying for a bespoke custom finish (which requires disassembly, plating and reassembly) so it shouldn’t cost as much for a standard production option.

Doesn’t mean Apple wouldn’t overcharge though, they have been doing it for years with storage upgrades and getting away with it.

 

[44267547]

Third party gold plating to me is _not_ a very logical thing to do for a tech device like the Apple Watch. Some have had issues with the plating actually starting to show wear if it’s not cured properly, and also, it doesn’t help the value considering tech devices depreciate rather quickly versus something like a higher end mechanical watch.

 

[jbizzybeetle]

That's interesting! I asked in the edition owners' thread about this (seeing as the ceramic case should be more transparent to RF transmissions compared to metal), but nobody offered to check it out for me.

Do you remember where you read this?

just my anecdotal experience with a week of wearing the alum and ceramic.

 

[determined09]

Hurry up next Wednesday!

 

[44267547]

Hurry up next Wednesday!

I have to admit, I’m actually looking for more seeing the Series 4 Apple Watch then I am the 2018 iPhone X. Primarily because I think we have an idea what to expect with the X models and proportions, where as the Series 4 seems to be revamping up nicely with the updated resolution, larger display, and we don’t know too much about the additional health sensors, but it should be interesting.

 

[TJ82]

Same boat. First time I'm more hyped about the watch than the phone, even though I'm looking to upgrade from a 7+ to the X Max or whatever it's called.

I think it's for two reasons. First is the watch is a bit of a fashion item now and I've already sold my S3 in preparation for the S4 so feel a bit naked without it and its notifications, and secondly there's the chance of new functionality that I'll actually use, whereas with the phone, they can add whatever they like to it, but it'll just be more of a million other features I'll forget it can do.

The watch for me has massive potential for health and fitness. But it's at such a bad state at the moment. Any time I try to really push it to do anything seamless or useful to make it a core part of my training, it falls horribly short, but those reasons are for another thread I guess.

Anyway, finger's crossed! Phone is cool too though, I've seen the iPhone X, the screen looks amazing next to my 7+.

 

[swarlos]

Same boat. First time I'm more hyped about the watch than the phone, even though I'm looking to upgrade from a 7+ to the X Max or whatever it's called.

I think it's for two reasons. First is the watch is a bit of a fashion item now and I've already sold my S3 in preparation for the S4 so feel a bit naked without it and its notifications, and secondly there's the chance of new functionality that I'll actually use, whereas with the phone, they can add whatever they like to it, but it'll just be more of a million other features I'll forget it can do.

The watch for me has massive potential for health and fitness. But it's at such a bad state at the moment. Any time I try to really push it to do anything seamless or useful to make it a core part of my training, it falls horribly short, but those reasons are for another thread I guess.

Anyway, finger's crossed! Phone is cool too though, I've seen the iPhone X, the screen looks amazing next to my 7+.

Hey where did you sell your S3 and how much if you don’t mind me asking? I’m trying to sell my LTE space black SS on swappa and some nerd had the nerve to ask me if I’d take $230 for it.

 

[44267547]

Hey where did you sell your S3 and how much if you don’t mind me asking? I’m trying to sell my LTE space black SS on swappa and some nerd had the nerve to ask me if I’d take $230 for it.

If you don’t have any success on Swappa, which you likely will. You could always consider selling your Apple Watch on MacRumors Marketplace as well. But I would continue just to gauge the market with the Apple Watch and price it as competitively as you can.

 

[garethjs]

Excited for series 4

I’ve had the Space Black series 0, White Ceramic S2, Grey Ceramic S3 all with Apple care.

I sold each before the announcement of the new one for that year

I had less problems getting rid of the white ceramic last year but finally someone paid me 70% of what I paid for it which I was happy with.

A year later I had problems getting rid of the grey despite me advertising for over 2 weeks. Not even silly offers. At the same time people were having no problems getting rid of their SS and Space black watches from what I’ve read

There are 2 companies where I am that buy back iPhones and have included Apple watches this year. About $250-$300 lost for a good condition SS. One company wouldn’t even give me the same cost for my ceramic as the SS, the other one was ok with 40% of it’s original cost.

Finally after 3 weeks of just sitting there someone offered me 55% what I paid for it.

Next day I read bestbuy has dropped the price of the ceramic models quite considerably in hopes of clearing it, the Space blacks SS are holding its value

I don’t think I’d go Ceramic again this year with this kind of depreciation for the ceramic

 

[determined09]

Excited for series 4

I’ve had the Space Black series 0, White Ceramic S2, Grey Ceramic S3 all with Apple care.

I sold each before the announcement of the new one for that year

I had less problems getting rid of the white ceramic last year but finally someone paid me 70% of what I paid for it which I was happy with.

A year later I had problems getting rid of the grey despite me advertising for over 2 weeks. Not even silly offers. At the same time people were having no problems getting rid of their SS and Space black watches from what I’ve read

There are 2 companies where I am that buy back iPhones and have included Apple watches this year. About $250-$300 lost for a good condition SS. One company wouldn’t even give me the same cost for my ceramic as the SS, the other one was ok with 40% of it’s original cost.

Finally after 3 weeks of just sitting there someone offered me 55% what I paid for it.

Next day I read bestbuy has dropped the price of the ceramic models quite considerably in hopes of clearing it, the Space blacks SS are holding its value

I don’t think I’d go Ceramic again this year with this kind of depreciation for the ceramic

The price drop for the ceramic was just a flash sale. So the Ceramic is back to its regular price now.

 

[Cashmonee]

Hey where did you sell your S3 and how much if you don’t mind me asking? I’m trying to sell my LTE space black SS on swappa and some nerd had the nerve to ask me if I’d take $230 for it.

That is low. Mine (S3 SS) sold for $375 on eBay 2 weeks ago. I believe that was just as the leaks came out, so I would suspect the price is even lower, but not $230 low. I will say, I had a much harder time selling the watch and a few bands than I would have imagined. The used market for the watch and its accessories seems non-existent. They truly are disposable in my opinion, which to me means to stay very far away from anything but the base models in the future. The SS and ceramic are grossly overpriced and do not hold value at all.

 

[anthonymoody]

Hey where did you sell your S3 and how much if you don’t mind me asking? I’m trying to sell my LTE space black SS on swappa and some nerd had the nerve to ask me if I’d take $230 for it.

That is low. Mine (S3 SS) sold for $375 on eBay 2 weeks ago. I believe that was just as the leaks came out, so I would suspect the price is even lower, but not $230 low. I will say, I had a much harder time selling the watch and a few bands than I would have imagined. The used market for the watch and its accessories seems non-existent. They truly are disposable in my opinion, which to me means to stay very far away from anything but the base models in the future. The SS and ceramic are grossly overpriced and do not hold value at all.

FWIW - I just sold my 42 S2 SS on eBay for $292. Watch body only - no bands, no chargers.

I kept my 42 S0 SS and use it to bridge until the S4...

 

[Bazooka-joe]

You can’t really expect the watches to hold any used value. They are an expensive accessory if you expect to upgrade every year. CEX were paying £598 on the 42mm S3 ceramics last time I checked so half the value in less then a year

 

[44267547]

They truly are disposable in my opinion, which to me means to stay very far away from anything but the base models in the future. The SS and ceramic are grossly overpriced and do not hold value at all.

I guess that would be dependent if you actually care about the resale value. For me, I don’t, Which I still would opt for the stainless model. From my experiences, I still made a decent profit from selling my older stainless Apple Watches in the past. The way I see it, tech in general does not hold value, and that applies to almost anything tech related because it’s superseded by a newer model the following year. But yes, if somebody was concerned about resale value, then no, I would not opt for the stainless or ceramic.

 

[Cashmonee]

I guess that would be dependent if you actually care about the resale value. For me, I don’t, Which I still would opt for the stainless model. From my experiences, I still made a decent profit from selling my older stainless Apple Watches in the past. The way I see it, tech in general does not hold value, and that applies to almost anything tech related because it’s superseded by a newer model the following year. But yes, if somebody was concerned about resale value, then no, I would not up for the stainless or ceramic.

I doubt you made "profit" on any of your Apple Watches. Regardless, I don't usually care too much about resale value, but when I am paying about 50% more ($429 vs $649) simply for a different case material, resale starts to matter. I like nice stuff, but I don't really like burning money for no reason. It is even worse if you don't need cellular. S3 SS are going for half their initial value. That is some pretty terrible resale, even for someone that does not care about resale. As for tech holding value, Apple products traditionally have a robust used market. The watch seems to be the exception.

I suspect the Edition may be going away, and I would not be surprised if the SS isn't too far behind. Apple started the watch as a fashion piece, and I think they are realizing that was a failed plan. The watch is a notifier and fitness device. I would imagine the aluminums dwarf the sales of the other two finishes.

 

[44267547]

I doubt you made "profit" on any of your Apple Watches..

What a strange response, considering you wouldn’t know the technicalities behind _any_ of the sales, which included multiple bands with the watch(es) that I Sold and walked away a profit with, for the record; not that it’s relevant to this conversation, but I owned six previous stainless Apple Watches, all of which sold above what the market value at the time, which was comporable to the aluminum model.

Apple started the watch as a fashion piece, and I think they are realizing that was a failed plan. The watch is a notifier and fitness device. I would imagine the aluminums dwarf the sales of the other two finishes.

It still is a fashion device, its just not touted like Apple once tried to market the Watch from its launch in April 2015. That said, its now considered or advertised more being a ‘Health device’, which really is the future of the Watch for added health sensors and for all demographics to be on board for something that can benefit them not just in communication, but how they live their lifestyles to improve with Various workouts, ect and eventually glucose monitoring should be here.

 

[Cashmonee]

What a strange response, considering you wouldn’t know the technicalities behind _any_ of the sales, which included multiple bands with the watch(es) that I Sold and walked away a profit with, for the record; not that it’s relevant to this conversation, but I owned six previous stainless Apple Watches, all of which sold above what the market value at the time, which was comporable to the aluminum model.



It still is a fashion device, its just not touted like Apple once tried to market the Watch from its launch in April 2015. That said, its now considered or advertised more being a ‘Health device’, which really is the future of the Watch for added health sensors and for all demographics to be on board for something that can benefit them not just in communication, but how they live their lifestyles to improve with Various workouts, ect and eventually glucose monitoring should be here.

I don't want to belabor the point, but I am not sure you and I are referring to profit in the same way. When I think profit, I think of selling it for more than I paid initially. Selling for more than what the average used price is at the time is just getting a good deal. You still lost money, and likely a lot of money.

I think Apple has completely abandoned the fashion accessory idea altogether and is all in on health. I think this will result in dropping the Edition and if that does not boost SS sales, then dropping that and the Hermes as well.

 

[44267547]

You still lost money, and likely a lot of money..

Again, its unnecessary to be presumptuous about details I didn’t disclose. You could just ask. That said, I didn’t ‘lose’ anything. Four of the Watches were marketed promotions and never cost me any cash, only to use them and resell them later bundled with bands and accessories. I did rather well, considering as I mentioned before being comparable to the sport model resale, which was more or less to the point.

I think Apple has completely abandoned the fashion accessory idea altogether and is all in health

It’s still is a fashion device, they just don’t market it like that anymore. Even The Hermès Apple Watch still speaks volumes that Apple still trying to partner with one of the top designers in the world with their leather bands, etc. Now rather that’s the future of the Apple Watch, I don’t believe it is being a fashion device, Thats more of a side notion. As for the health related aspects of the watch is what Apple wants to promote, especially with their values within the core company being health oriented.

 

[Cashmonee]

Again, its unnecessary to be presumptuous about details I didn’t disclose. You could just ask. That said, I didn’t ‘lose’ anything. Four of the Watches were marketed promotions and never cost me any cash, only to use them and resell them later bundled with bands and accessories. I did rather well, considering as I mentioned before is comparable to the sport model.

Sorry, I didn't realize we were being disingenuous. Obviously selling watches you received for free will net you a profit, if a bit on the shady side ethically. However, you made it out like you were selling watches you purchased. I assume this was to try to push some sort of weird agenda to defend Apple against the claim that the non-aluminum watches lose nearly all of their premium in the resale market. Not sure why this is so important to you that you would mislead forum members, but hey, we all need a cause.

The fact of the matter is that the SS and Edition do not hold their value at all, and when considering the purchase of a new one (most of us don't get them for free), one should consider the premium paid to be money that will not be recovered. SS models sell used at a slight premium over a cellular aluminum.

 

[44267547]

The fact of the matter is that the SS and Edition do not hold their value at all.

Snipped the unnceccesary drivel and shifting this back on topic:

The Watch is the one product that doesn’t necessarily hold the value compared to other Apple products, Because it’s a superflorous device primarily as it now, but that’s changing. If Apple continues to innovate in terms of the health related features and advancements in technology with future ideation’s like glucose monitoring, that could be a significant upgrade to any user of all ages.

But as I mentioned, It still is a fashion device, as it somewhat should be, especially with how Apple refreshes the bands at least twice a year to different styles or materials offered to make it more customizable. And the other point already addressed which is clearly fashion related, is the Hermès Apple Watch they partnered with two years ago and how that clearly exemplifies fashion, but at an exorbitant price tag, but nonetheless a clear example of the Apple Watch being fashion related. As for the future the ceramic watch, we will find out here shortly.

 

[eVolcre]

Snipped the semantics and shifting this back on topic:

The Watch is the one product that doesn’t necessarily hold the value compared to other Apple products, Because it’s a superflorous device primarily as it now, but that’s changing. If Apple continues to innovate in terms of the health related features and advancements in technology with future ideation’s like glucose monitoring, that could be a significant upgrade to any user of all ages.

But as I mentioned, It still is a fashion device, as it somewhat should be, especially with how Apple refreshes the bands at least twice a year to different styles or materials offered to make it more customizable. And the other point already addressed which is clearly fashion related, is the Hermès Apple Watch they partnered with two years ago and how that clearly exemplifies fashion, but at an exorbitant price tag, but nonetheless a clear example of the Apple Watch being fashion related. As for the future the ceramic watch, we will find out here shortly.

Interesting back and forth. Never thought of it as primarily a health device (which it is) because strangely I haven’t used any of the health functions. Ever.

Wonder if they’ll bifurcate and keep the low cost aluminum mainly as a health and workout mass market accessory and then a Hermes or ceramic in a new form factor, always on face etc as a luxury option. Ceramic is fine but at the moment the Hermes needs SOMETHING to differentiate it further.

I do want OnE premium smartwatch. It’ll either be a luxury Apple or ... go with a barebonesor even used Apple Watch for daily rough use and a tag connected for my luxury side. The resale may still be crap but I’ll have the option of upgrading tonthe mechanical module down the road saving my case and bands. Cost isn’t too bad either. All in the smartwatch and upgrade is around 3300 which is right in the ballpark of just buying the mechanical watch. Think of it as a down payment where you get to use a smartwatch for 3 years and then dump it.

 

[44267547]

Interesting back and forth. Never thought of it as primarily a health device (which it is) because strangely I haven’t used any of the health functions. Ever.

Wonder if they’ll bifurcate and keep the low cost aluminum mainly as a health and workout mass market accessory and then a Hermes or ceramic in a new form factor, always on face etc as a luxury option. Ceramic is fine but at the moment the Hermes needs SOMETHING to differentiate it further.

I do want OnE premium smartwatch. It’ll either be a luxury Apple or ... go with a barebonesor even used Apple Watch for daily rough use and a tag connected for my luxury side. The resale may still be crap but I’ll have the option of upgrading tonthe mechanical module down the road saving my case and bands. Cost isn’t too bad either. All in the smartwatch and upgrade is around 3300 which is right in the ballpark of just buying the mechanical watch. Think of it as a down payment where you get to use a smartwatch for 3 years and then dump it.

To me, I’m not sure that the Hermes Apple Watch has a future. Although the quality of the bands are superb, I just don’t think consumers are willing to pay that for a tech device. I could see Apple still selling the Hermès bands separately from the stainless Apple Watch, but perhaps not bundled. As for the ceramic Apple Watch Edition, I think it might also be in jeopardy.

I still plan on opting for the stainless model, primarily because I really want the Sapphire display, which I still hope they offer the black stainless with the diamond like carbon coating, which Adds even more protection to the casing, and Pairs fairly well with bands depending on your style.

However, some have alluded/believe that Apple might only include certain features with certain Apple Watch models, which should be interesting see what happens on Wednesday are they differentiate that between all the Apple Watch models offered and at what price points. But I think Tim Cook would agree, the Apple Watch will be based on health aspects for the future and it’s importance.

 

[TJ82]

Apple don't really have a choice about whether or not they compete in the luxury watch market. It's a public company, which means they have to pursue the luxury smartwatch market or face antagonism from their investors. We're seeing it from our own perspectives, but none of those matter. Internal meeting on business aspects are very different conversations to what we have on forums as consumers, or what Apple will talk about publicly.

Growth must be pursued, so at the very least, Apple will maintain their position with a look to grow it in future, or they'll be looking to grow it now. Hermes or not, there will be a posh Apple Watch. You can bet on it.

 

[garethjs]

IMO the ceramic was only good for the hardness of it and mine never picked up a scratch or any sign of wear and tear unlike my space black in which it’s “DLC” coating did little to prevent scratches.

But to buy a $2000AU watch here and have it not even worth half a year later is rediculous.

For me as well the sapphire glass is a must so aluminium is out.

The gold plated stainless steel in the leaked series 4 pic looks like a good hopefully affordable option

 

[TJ82]

Hey where did you sell your S3 and how much if you don’t mind me asking? I’m trying to sell my LTE space black SS on swappa and some nerd had the nerve to ask me if I’d take $230 for it.

Sorry just saw this. eBay, in the UK. Sold the S3 stainless steel for £379 and my partner's S3 grey aluminium for £239. The aluminium one sold the day after it was listed. My stainless steel took over a week and a price drop to move it. Both were fixed price listings. Auctions make me a bit OCD.