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kmj2318

macrumors 68000
Aug 22, 2007
1,669
712
Naples, FL
After seeing this

Image

I really don't care anymore. It looks just great in Sport Space grey with rubber band

Nice! I was a little disappointed with how the SG model looked on apple's website, but it looks awesome in this picture. I can't wait to see it in the store. It's odd that the space grey on the watch is much darker than the phone.
 

Bengy66

macrumors regular
Original poster
Nov 22, 2012
201
60
St. Louis, MO
I'm pretty sure the old rule applies: you can't trust Apple retail employees. Maybe he/she attended the full training session, or maybe he/she attended the morning informational session like every other retail employee.

If this person did attend the full session training, then they probably broke a strict confidentiality agreement not to speak about it. Then there's the possibility the OP misinterpreted what that person said, IE: steel straps won't be included in the "collections" though you could buy one separately and it would work. People are more inclined to hear information in a way that confirms their pre-existing assumptions.

It doesn't make sense that Apple would design two unique and separate forms of strap connectors. I suppose it's possible, but nothing in this post makes me believe it's true (not that it matters to me, since I'm getting SS and it definitely comes with the straps I want).


All valid points but let me clarify:

-he wrote the training keynote for our market about the Apple Watch. He was instructed to do so per area leadership after his Apple Watch training

-he is not just a random apple retail employee. He's someone I worked with for 2 yrs and consider a good friend. Actually he finds this thread hilarious.

-Where are the pics anywhere of an Apple Watch (SPORT) with a metal or leather band??
 

DC Wallaby

macrumors regular
Aug 22, 2014
158
151
... And is his divulging this information to you, which you have now made public, violating any sort of confidentiality agreement he may have with his employer? I mean, you've just revealed to us that he's not just some employee, he's in a position of responsibility wherein he's crafting keynote presentations for a market.

I dunno about anyone else, but I find that to be highly irresponsible of him. Alternatively, it raises serious questions about your credibility.
 

Tycho24

Suspended
Aug 29, 2014
2,071
1,396
Florida
I just got confirmation from a retail employee who attended the Watch training of what I suspected. The Apple Watch Sport model will NOT be compatible with the metal bands.

I am wondering if 3rd party bands might work though?

I don't believe you.

Not even in the slightest. That is by far the most ridiculous thing I've heard so far, Apple Watch rumor-wise.
 

dacreativeguy

macrumors 68020
Jan 27, 2007
2,033
224
interesting. that means you probably can't get the plastic bands for the SS version either, unless they make a separate line of plastic bands meant only for the SS model.

The bands all fit exactly the same. "Not compatible" just means they won't sell the high end bands separately. You can downgrade to a band but not upgrade to one.
 

Tycho24

Suspended
Aug 29, 2014
2,071
1,396
Florida
Yeah it just doesn't make any sense no matter how you look at it.

Right??
Like Apple is posting all these misleading photos, making it look like the bands are universal, is having Jony make prepared statements claiming that they are universal, everyone is imagining the hand over fist $ they will make selling multiple bands to everyone... mostly due to them being universal.

But... for some reason is ignorantly & inexplicably going to shoot themselves and their profits in the foot by making one of the watches randomly and arbitrarily different??

Defies all logic.

Not to mention that this vague: "yo, I've got a friend that works at Apple" post is MUCH less believable than first hand accounts from watch experts and aficionados that Apple invited to their unveiling event... NONE of which stated "wow, it was wild that the bands were identical for Apple Watch & Apple Watch Edition... yet so drastically different for Apple Watch Sport".
Lol. I think one of them would've noticed.
 

Julien

macrumors G4
Jun 30, 2007
11,847
5,441
Atlanta
...-he wrote the training keynote for our market about the Apple Watch. He was instructed to do so per area leadership after his Apple Watch training

-he is not just a random apple retail employee. He's someone I worked with for 2 yrs and consider a good friend. Actually he finds this thread hilarious....

First while we thrive and love rumors and leaks any Apple employee who leaks NDA information is culpable and should be fired on the spot.

Here is the way I believe the training info is probably presented and meant.

[theorized paraphrase]….When selling a Sport watch to a customer do not [up]sell them a metal strap. The SS metal straps are not compatible (doesn’t match) with the aluminum watch. When the customer gets home and installs the metal strap they will see it is not compatible (doesn’t match) and will have to make a return trip to the store. Tell the customer up from that the metal straps are not compatible (don’t match) with the aluminum Sport. SS and aluminum will clash and are not compatible (don’t match). Don’t upset the customer by selling an incompatible (doesn’t match) strap…[/theorized paraphrase]
 

Piggie

macrumors G3
Feb 23, 2010
9,182
4,112
As I and many have said, we can't see this being the case.

However...... Saying that.

The ONLY reason this could be the case, which none of us think it is.

Is if Apple REALLY wanted to make the Stainless Steel model the one almost everyone was going to get for normal use, and would use the strap issue as a reason to "Up-Sell" you to the stainless one.

The Sports one is only meant for sports use, hence it only fits the rubber straps.

The Stainless Steel model is our normal model, we think most people will want to go for, AND it's compatible with the full range of straps.

Using this as a reason, as I say, to upsell you to buying the more expensive model. That would/could be a reason to do this.

I don't think they are going to do it, but it COULD be a legitimate line of thinking on their part.
If the Stainless model was only say another $100, then this COULD work.

That's my view, unlikely to happen, but there could be the above reasoning behind it.
 

Tycho24

Suspended
Aug 29, 2014
2,071
1,396
Florida
As I and many have said, we can't see this being the case.

However...... Saying that.

The ONLY reason this could be the case, which none of us think it is.

Is if Apple REALLY wanted to make the Stainless Steel model the one almost everyone was going to get for normal use, and would use the strap issue as a reason to "Up-Sell" you to the stainless one.

The Sports one is only meant for sports use, hence it only fits the rubber straps.

The Stainless Steel model is our normal model, we think most people will want to go for, AND it's compatible with the full range of straps.

Using this as a reason, as I say, to upsell you to buying the more expensive model. That would/could be a reason to do this.

I don't think they are going to do it, but it COULD be a legitimate line of thinking on their part.
If the Stainless model was only say another $100, then this COULD work.

That's my view, unlikely to happen, but there could be the above reasoning behind it.

The truly bizarre part of the OP's outlandish claim, is that we've seen the rubber band on both the Watch Sport & the Watch Edition!
Are we to believe that both the cheapest and the most premium one are engineered identically, with the mid-tier differing from them both?? Lol, that's laughable.
 

Piggie

macrumors G3
Feb 23, 2010
9,182
4,112
The truly bizarre part of the OP's outlandish claim, is that we've seen the rubber band on both the Watch Sport & the Watch Edition!
Are we to believe that both the cheapest and the most premium one are engineered identically, with the mid-tier differing from them both?? Lol, that's laughable.

Well, the Rubber strap on the edition model is not the same strap as the sports one.
It had a gold button/stud on it.

So, they are not the same.
Whether they are the exact same connector is open for debate.

Honestly it would seem more trouble than it's worth to make the strap connectors different, other than the two watch sizes.

However this IS Apple we are talking about. THE Kings of locking things down and making sure X can't work with Y, unless you buy Z.

So, until it's actually released or the say more in the pre-launch event we are just guessing.

As I say, it would seem a pain, and would annoy people if they did have straps that did not fit some bodies and visa versa.

It would be silly, as they know, then, all it would do is to make 3rd party straps even more popular as some Apple straps would not fit your watch body, and it would be silly for Apple to do that.
 

Bengy66

macrumors regular
Original poster
Nov 22, 2012
201
60
St. Louis, MO
You guys/gals are awesome...

No pic yet of Apple Watch Sport with Metal/Leather band?

He told me this info in the middle of the Apple Store yesterday with his manager 5 feet away. My guess is the information he was telling me didn't jeopardize his job.

What incentive would someone have to purchase a SS model (other than sapphire) if you could have any band you want on the cheaper Sport model?
 

Rogifan

macrumors Penryn
Nov 14, 2011
24,723
32,183
You guys/gals are awesome...

No pic yet of Apple Watch Sport with Metal/Leather band?

He told me this info in the middle of the Apple Store yesterday with his manager 5 feet away. My guess is the information he was telling me didn't jeopardize his job.

What incentive would someone have to purchase a SS model (other than sapphire) if you could have any band you want on the cheaper Sport model?

None shown on Apple's website for sure. Seems odd that they would make them incompatible as it seems like the mechanism for attaching would be the same. I'm still not sure why someone would want an aluminum watch with a stainless steel band. Doesn't seem like a very good looking mix and match option.
 

Bengy66

macrumors regular
Original poster
Nov 22, 2012
201
60
St. Louis, MO
None shown on Apple's website for sure. Seems odd that they would make them incompatible as it seems like the mechanism for attaching would be the same. I'm still not sure why someone would want an aluminum watch with a stainless steel band. Doesn't seem like a very good looking mix and match option.

I agree but depending on price of the SS model ($600-1k?), you could go the cheaper route ($349 Sport) and still have a formal option IF the metal band worked with the Sport.
 

Piggie

macrumors G3
Feb 23, 2010
9,182
4,112
None shown on Apple's website for sure. Seems odd that they would make them incompatible as it seems like the mechanism for attaching would be the same. I'm still not sure why someone would want an aluminum watch with a stainless steel band. Doesn't seem like a very good looking mix and match option.

There are many metals and mixes of metals, and then there are many finishes and coating that can be applied to metals.

There is no reason on earth someone could not make a metal strap that had the same matt / silver finish of the sports watch, even if Apple did not offer that option themselves.

It does seem a bit silly Apple does not, but I can only guess they are worried if they did, then it could detract some buyers to buy a sports watch with matching metal strap over the stainless steel model and save money.

Apple, naturally wants to extract as much money from you as possible, so it will not want to promote the sports watch TOO much for your average user, and try to steer you up to the stainless model for more money.
 

Knowimagination

macrumors 68020
Apr 6, 2010
2,228
1,288
The only way this could possibly make any sense is if the sport model really was down in the $199 range.

As for why no pictures of the sport with metal or leather bands, why would there be right now? they aren't going to bundle them that way for sale so why would they market them that way? The mechanism for the straps are all the same so I don't see how apple could stop someone from putting different straps on the sport model. They certainly aren't making two different band connectors.
 

Piggie

macrumors G3
Feb 23, 2010
9,182
4,112
Aluminium Watch Straps:

http://www.watch-band-center.com/shop_cfg/watchstrap/MBu0468-021MTaluSwatch17.jpg

http://www.outdoorgb.com/pi/_at/440x470/suunto/straps/c_aluminium_1.jpg

If Apple does not offer things like this for the Sports watch, you can be sure others will.

----------

Aluminium sports watch with metal strap :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AysdS_Bz5Fk

From a very high end Watch Maker - Cost = $31,000 :)

I appreciate Apple is nowhere near in the class of watch, but it shows you can have an Aluminium metal strap with an Aluminium body so Apple could easily offer such a strap to match the sports model.

2lneatt.jpg


2pta3c9.jpg


.
 
Last edited:

powerbook911

macrumors 601
Mar 15, 2005
4,003
383
It has been said before, but Apple could really blow people away if "Apple Watch," started at $349, but Sport ended up $100 less. That would be a nice shocker press release 2 weeks before release.

Sport is a different line after all and they always did say "Apple Watch," starts at $349. Again, I'm not the first to say this and I know it's unlikely, but on paper it seems possible.
 

Rogifan

macrumors Penryn
Nov 14, 2011
24,723
32,183
It has been said before, but Apple could really blow people away if "Apple Watch," started at $349, but Sport ended up $100 less. That would be a nice shocker press release 2 weeks before release.

Sport is a different line after all and they always did say "Apple Watch," starts at $349. Again, I'm not the first to say this and I know it's unlikely, but on paper it seems possible.

No. When Cook said Watch he meant the entire collection, not just the stainless steel one. I have never heard anyone at Apple give a "starting at" price and be not referring to the cheapest model.
 

dctid

macrumors member
Feb 15, 2015
52
0
UK
the options are there for all to see there is no sport plus metal band option if there was it would be shown

Look at the recent mac mini, the entry level was quite cheap but no one really wanted it limited in RAM / CPU etc so i lie many bought the next one up and cost me thick end of £200 i seem to remember.

It will be the same here most of us will want the SS and if its a further £200 then many will find a way those that don't will buy the sport and those that buy neither won't buy it anyway

I an struggling to justify anything near £500 and with this being a new product that will have a product lifecycle maybe of two years if were lucky i might just go for the sport and see what happens
 

2macORnot2mac

macrumors regular
May 14, 2010
177
62
Worries

I'm worried, that the sport watch will look cheap. I'm so worried that if it is I can't afford the stainless steel watch.
And I'm worried that it will be too bulky.
And of course I'm worried about battery life.
Why am I so worried about something I have not seen yet.....because I want one! ;)
 

Piggie

macrumors G3
Feb 23, 2010
9,182
4,112
I'm worried, that the sport watch will look cheap. I'm so worried that if it is I can't afford the stainless steel watch.
And I'm worried that it will be too bulky.
And of course I'm worried about battery life.
Why am I so worried about something I have not seen yet.....because I want one! ;)

The funny thing about what you say is that none of this is real :)

Apple could of make the Steel one the cheap one.
Polished Stainless Steel. Cheap and heavy, Like a kitchen sink metal or knives and forks metal.

That could of been the cheap one.

They could of then Said the Aluminium one was the premium one.
Light weight, high quality, high grade aluminium in a variety of finishes, but it would be a higher price than the normal heavy steel one.

THEN you would be posting the following:

"I'm worried, that the steel sport watch will look cheap. I'm so worried that if it is I can't afford the lightweight aluminium watch. "

:D
 

Exile714

macrumors 6502a
Jan 14, 2015
717
1,175
You guys/gals are awesome...

No pic yet of Apple Watch Sport with Metal/Leather band

I don't get why you're so smug about Apple not releasing pictures of metal/leather bands with the Sport. By your logic, SS and Edition have the same connector, right? Well, you don't see any pics of the Edition with a silver Milanese loop either. Why? Because it's ugly to combine a silver strap with a gold watch. Ugly, but possible.

While metal/leather bands aren't necessarily ugly on the sport, it still doesn't match the marketing Apple wants to use when talking about the collections.

Since Apple tightly controls which images are released, you're not going to see pictures of the Sport with a non-Sport band, just like you won't see an Edition with a silver band.
 
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