This exactly. Deep discounts on the past season's bands is nothing new. There's no story here.
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Hermès Edition Owners Thread
- Thread starter btrach144
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That’s true but apparently this year Apple are discounting their leather cases & bands so would also kind of make sense to stop selling Hermes leather bands too if they go in that direction.
Hermes and leather are a world class duo. Hermes without leather is not Hermes.
The only reason to pay the premium was because Hermes leather is regarded as the highest quality in the world.
And for those saying things like vegan leather is a substitute, it’s completely unacceptable. Vegan leather is plastic.
And the nylon (plastic) jumping tours are not worth the price and are also plastic.
Plastic Hermes is plastic junk.
The only reason to pay the premium was because Hermes leather is regarded as the highest quality in the world.
And for those saying things like vegan leather is a substitute, it’s completely unacceptable. Vegan leather is plastic.
And the nylon (plastic) jumping tours are not worth the price and are also plastic.
Plastic Hermes is plastic junk.
Disagree. Discounts yes. 90% off, no. This years news is the biggest threat to the Hermes lineup yet and warrants headlines.
Thanks for this, very interesting! I can definitely see the Apple/Hermès collab embrace some high-end leather alternative like this.
At this point im gonna go with Gurman. I doubted when he casually cancelled the Ti Edition line this time last year.
Yes, I have done it and posted instructions somewhere earlier in this thread. You need a spring bar tool and a small flathead screwdriver.
I don’t think it is entirely outside the realm of possibilities that while Apple will phase out production of its own leather accessories, it will continue the collaboration with Hermès since Hermès manufactures its own bands using only Apple’s hardware. IMO, Apple’s leather phone case has always been plagued with issues (certain colors do not patina well) and their leather watch bands never seemed incredibly popular. But time will tell (pun definitely intended)!
I can see it both ways re the eco-friendly push. Apple is definitely a weird enough company to both spin down their own leather and still sell Hermes leather.
There’s also always the question of these brand collabs in general; does the watch need them anymore? If Apple would rather take a philosophical stance against animal byproducts than reap the massive profit margins on Hermes.
They've definitely discounted bands very steep before. I don't know how the 90% figure was gotten, but if they discounted one that low, it would have been just a single band or two, maybe an obscure colorway that wasn't selling which they happened to have one or two of left.
I have no inside knowledge - and probably know less than most of you - but I’d be surprised if Apple discontinued the Hermes bands at the same time as their own leather bands (&, as people have been suggesting for a while now, the Nike ones too). That’s a significant reduction in the line all at once. And, most importantly, it leaves them without a premium band other than Milanese. I’d be very surprised if they went to Milanese + sport bands, solo loops and Ultra bands only.
I also think it would not be surprising if Apple discontinued their own leather products but keep the Hermes partnership going.
Hermes is not just making leather bands for the Apple Watch, but also leather assessories for the AirTag (key ring, luggage tag) and AirPods cases. If the partnership was to end, it would need buy in from both parties.
The profit Hermes makes from these assessories are miniscule compared to their main offerings - But it would be weird to associate themselves with Apple and then let Apple spin the environmental initiative and imply that Hermes is not in line with their vision. It would diminish the Hermes brand by association/disassociation.
Do you think Apple would quietly discontinue their own leather? Like just introduce FineWoven with not a ton of eco fanfare?
I have a feeling fivewoven may be replacing silicone cases as well given the rumor there will be ten options (generally the total amount of options in both silicone and leather), so it may be heralded as a combining of two—grippy sides with a premium feeling back—rather than a denouncing of one. Don’t need to mention leather onstage, just that this is the all-new option.
I think you both might be right.
Just introduce new cases and new materials without making a big deal about why they’re doing it.
This would dampen the debate and controversy about whether leather and its replacements are eco friendly or not. You just need to read the MR and reddit threads to see that people are quite passionate about this.
Even in a world where everyone accepted climate change, I think also Apple would be wary of the perception of inferiority of a lab-grown option
Haha what an Apple move to discontinue the $49 cases and make you spend the $99
okay wow i stand corrected. It's all of them!
I would buy so many at the price pointokay wow i stand corrected. It's all of them!
allll the hermes!
This doesn't look like qpromo, so they're just ordering off the regular retail site with EPP. Blanc is in stock... for $33.90!