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Tanegashima

macrumors 6502
Jun 23, 2009
473
0
Portugal
This is the ironic thing. It isn't a watch per-se. Its a wrist computer that can display simulated watch faces. As such, it does not command premium watch prices, case materials aside.

Your theory might be right or wrong.

But you don't get a premium watch for $349 for sure. Not even close. You get a crappy throw away watch with a simple Quartz movement and cheap construction and materials.
 

Night Spring

macrumors G5
Jul 17, 2008
14,859
8,039
Your theory might be right or wrong.

But you don't get a premium watch for $349 for sure. Not even close. You get a crappy throw away watch with a simple Quartz movement and cheap construction and materials.

Throw away? Really? For $350 I'd expect to get an okay watch that would last me about 5-10 years.
 

OllyW

Moderator
Staff member
Oct 11, 2005
17,196
6,800
The Black Country, England
Your theory might be right or wrong.

But you don't get a premium watch for $349 for sure. Not even close. You get a crappy throw away watch with a simple Quartz movement and cheap construction and materials.

Rubbish.

Have a look at the Seiko 5 range and Orient automatics. They may not be luxury watches but they are reasonably priced, good quality automatics which last for years.
 

Piggie

macrumors G3
Feb 23, 2010
9,182
4,112
Hell, I can buy some nice watches for $99 that I would expect to last for years!
 

T'hain Esh Kelch

macrumors 603
Aug 5, 2001
6,447
7,365
Denmark
As I don't see the current incarnation of the Apple Watch to be in any way interesting technology wise, the only goal Apple can have, is to market it as a piece of jewelry. And for that, it needs to be expensive. So I say hike the price up!

Especially since I have no need for it, and is a stock owner. ;)
 

OllyW

Moderator
Staff member
Oct 11, 2005
17,196
6,800
The Black Country, England
As I don't see the current incarnation of the Apple Watch to be in any way interesting technology wise, the only goal Apple can have, is to market it as a piece of jewelry. And for that, it needs to be expensive. So I say hike the price up!

Especially since I have no need for it, and is a stock owner. ;)

I wouldn't do your stock much good if they priced it too high and no one bought it. :p
 

BvizioN

macrumors 603
Mar 16, 2012
5,704
4,825
Manchester, UK
Throw away? Really? For $350 I'd expect to get an okay watch that would last me about 5-10 years.

Maybe. I have spend £100 twice on these type of watches you are on about, to have them broken after barely 2 years. And to me they looked no where as good as Apple Watch. And did nothing but tell the time, on the lit environment. On the dark environment it was not possible. And setting alarms, changing time zones? Don't get me started, lol.
 

Mr Rabbit

macrumors 6502a
May 13, 2013
638
5
'merica
I understand but it's not a very well made watch...Too bulky and has too many defects but yes it's a first gen. But when you think of it. There's too many disadvantages like the battery and screen and all sorts of problems.

You've had hands on experience with one? You've read the opinions of the hundreds of journalists who've had hands on experiences with the finished models? Or are we just speculating on wishy washy rumors?

Also, make your argument to Apple (who controls pricing, etc) rather than a message board that is in no way affiliated with Apple and has little to no influence on their business model. They even have a handy dandy feedback tool for just this - http://www.apple.com/feedback/ . At the moment the Watch isn't listed (presumably because it's had an extremely limited public presence, and who in their right mind could submit feedback without actually using it?) but you could easily submit feedback through one of the iOS channels.

I for one think $350 is a perfect starting point. The rumored several thousand dollar Edition model might be a bit of a stretch, but the low end? The low end is starting at a great price point.
 

Rogifan

macrumors Penryn
Nov 14, 2011
24,723
32,183
Has Apple ever released a product where people didn't say they priced it too high?
 

Mr Rabbit

macrumors 6502a
May 13, 2013
638
5
'merica
Has Apple ever released a product where people didn't say they priced it too high?

Exactly. People still complain about the $20 cost of Apple Server, since it's not a free upgrade like Mavericks, Yosemite, etc. Some people just can't be pleased.
 

paulrbeers

macrumors 68040
Dec 17, 2009
3,963
123
Your theory might be right or wrong.

But you don't get a premium watch for $349 for sure. Not even close. You get a crappy throw away watch with a simple Quartz movement and cheap construction and materials.

That's weird. My Citizen Ecodrive Titanium cost me $350 4-5 years ago and still works just fine today. Has a single scratch on the face and a little rubbing on the underside of the band, but ticks away just fine. Is it a "luxury" watch? No, but it certainly isn't a throwaway watch.

I still have a Guess watch I bought back in high school (something like 15 years ago) for about $60 and it still works today (granted I haven't worn it in years, but it still ticks away except for that year it had a dead battery). I'd call this one a cheap throw away watch I guess? However, it keeps great time and only needs a new battery every couple of years. Total investment is still well under $100 (even with batteries).
 

T'hain Esh Kelch

macrumors 603
Aug 5, 2001
6,447
7,365
Denmark
I wouldn't do your stock much good if they priced it too high and no one bought it. :p
For sure not! But going by the fanatics in here, there will at least be sold some. :p

But I assume that the brand is enough to sell it, and it will go by the millions of watches by the end of 2015.
 

Rogifan

macrumors Penryn
Nov 14, 2011
24,723
32,183
Exactly. People still complain about the $20 cost of Apple Server, since it's not a free upgrade like Mavericks, Yosemite, etc. Some people just can't be pleased.

Someone mentioned in another thread that the LG G Watch R is listed in the Google Play store for $299. And people think Watch should be $249? In what universe? Obviously Apple thinks their hardware, software and services are superior to various Android OEMs and are pricing accordingly.
 

Technodynamic

macrumors 6502
Jul 25, 2012
371
81
Apple could release a $200 watch, but it would be very limited and most people wouldn't want it. It would be another Pebble watch.
 

Natzoo

macrumors 68020
Sep 16, 2014
2,016
646
The apple watch costs less than 100 but they got to make a profit, so they will overprice it. I hope it cost about $200 without the band. and about $300 with a really nice band
 

Vundu

macrumors 68000
Jun 10, 2009
1,627
874
Manchester, UK
I understand but it's not a very well made watch...Too bulky and has too many defects but yes it's a first gen. But when you think of it. There's too many disadvantages like the battery and screen and all sorts of problems.
Like a corvette will cost less than a Lamborghini but both are fasts cars but one of them has more features.
So if Apple watch cost more it should have more features than a Google Watch

Limitations maybe but we do not know if it has defects yet.
 

Tycho24

Suspended
Aug 29, 2014
2,071
1,396
Florida
I don't see the current incarnation of the Apple Watch to be in any way interesting technology wise

Wow.
I literally cannot fathom what it would take to impress you, lol.
Force Touch is, in my mind, the very biggest thing to happen to mobile device screens since multitouch. It can change how we interface with our technology significantly, adding a richer depth of interaction.
I also think the idea of a watch gently tapping you on the wrist, completely unbeknownst to anybody around you, is a VERY clever and unique way of alerting you... miles better than vibrating, buzzing, chirping, lighting up, flashing, and the like.
Even if you don't see the need for this device/these features in YOUR life; to not even consider the tech "interesting" seems a teeny bit jaded.

----------

Wild speculation or do you have a reputable source to link to?

He's obviously just plain wrong...
In Apple's most recent earning call, they stated that their margins were 38%. If this product falls in that... it costs roughly $250 to manufacture.
 

cmChimera

macrumors 601
Feb 12, 2010
4,308
3,844
He's obviously just plain wrong...
In Apple's most recent earning call, they stated that their margins were 38%. If this product falls in that... it costs roughly $250 to manufacture.
EDIT: Bad math. Ignore me.
 

xXxDieselxXx

macrumors member
Nov 18, 2012
63
2
I personally feel they should drop $100 from the original price specially when you need to use an iPhone to make this watch work 100%.

It just makes sense for the demographics but hey this is Apple they know what they do...

P.S. I used to say that when Jobs was a alive :apple:
 

mojolicious

macrumors 68000
Mar 18, 2014
1,565
311
Sarf London
I personally feel they should drop $100 from the original price specially when you need to use an iPhone to make this watch work 100%.

It just makes sense for the demographics but hey this is Apple they know what they do...
What, the demographic of people who are ready to pay between $650–$950 for Apple's current mobile phone, plus monthly contract fees? That demographic?
 

jafingi

macrumors 65816
Apr 3, 2009
1,470
158
Denmark
Buy a Samsung or LG if you can't afford luxury. If you won't pay minimum $350 for the Apple Watch, you're not in the target audience anyways.
 

Mr. Buzzcut

macrumors 65816
Jul 25, 2011
1,037
488
Ohio
Your theory might be right or wrong.

But you don't get a premium watch for $349 for sure. Not even close. You get a crappy throw away watch with a simple Quartz movement and cheap construction and materials.

You have to look at what I quouted. It seems like in a way you are agreeing with me. With Apple watch you aren't getting a premium watch, either. How does a circuit board compare to hundreds of meticulously crafted mechanical parts and jewels? In that vein Apple watch does compare to a digital watch and all you're really left to look at is the case. Well, I have a $250 Quartz in titanium that is super thin and weighs nothing. Not a premium watch by my standards but a nicer case than the sport for sure. It's 15 years old and still works and looks great. Many lower cost watches are made from stainless steel which confuses me when folks here expect a huge premium for the steel model.

We can go on to argue about the merits of digital versus mechanical but I think we know the answer when speaking in the context of premium watches. Apple watch is a nice product but I'd prefer to discuss it outside of that context. The marketing and hype is going to make that tough but it really is a different category of product. It needs to justify its expense there and not as "hey it's not a lot of money for a premium watch or piece of fancy jewelry."
 
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