How Apple will charge a premium for the Space Black Stainless Steel Watch

[TheDeviceUser]

I've been observing the Apple Watch website in the past few days and I realised something regarding the Space Black model. We all know that Black is often considered one of the most popular iPhone models, that's partly when Apple didn't offer a black model for iPhone 5c to encourage people to upgrade to the iPhone 5s.

We can probably presume that the watch will be sold in the sets seen in the galleries on apple.com.

If you look at the sets, the Space Black model is only available with the Link Bracelet. Now there's a growing consensus that the Link Bracelet will be rather expensive, some are estimating it will be $300 just for the band itself.

Therefore, by only selling the Space Black with the Link Bracelet, this will allow Apple to charge a significant extra for users to purchase the Stainless Steel Space Black. However, of course the Space Black on the Aluminium model will be likely available for the same cost as the other Sport models.

Thoughts?

 

[BvizioN]

When you say space black do you mean the stainless steel of Apple Watch? From what I understand, you can use various wrist bands for it, also you won't be forced to buy Apple ones, there will be tons of third party ones.

 

[TheDeviceUser]

When you say space black do you mean the stainless steel of Apple Watch? From what I understand, you can use various wrist bands for it, also you won't be forced to buy Apple ones, there will be tons of third party ones.

Yes, the stainless steel Apple Watch. But you will have to purchase your watch with an Apple Band, you'll be able to get others from third parties later on, but to actually get your watch, you'll have to purchase it with a band. Apple will use the fact that it's only sold with a link bracelet to be able to bump up the price of the Space Black model.

 

[Rogifan]

Yes, the stainless steel Apple Watch. But you will have to purchase your watch with an Apple Band, you'll be able to get others from third parties later on, but to actually get your watch, you'll have to purchase it with a band. Apple will use the fact that it's only sold with a link bracelet to be able to bump up the price of the Space Black model.

So you're saying if someone chooses the space black model the only band they'll be able to select will be the space black link bracelet? But if they chose the regular stainless steel all 6 bands will be options?

 

[TheDeviceUser]

So you're saying if someone chooses the space black model the only band they'll be able to select will be the space black link bracelet? But if they chose the regular stainless steel all 6 bands will be options?

Of the Stainless Steel Space Black Model, yes, I believe that will be the case. Unless Apple changes the galleries on their website before launch.

 

[BvizioN]

Apple will use the fact that it's only sold with a link bracelet to be able to bump up the price of the Space Black model.

But not really sure where are you getting this! On their website it says "The Apple Watch collection features highly polished stainless steel and space black stainless steel cases.The display is protected by sapphire crystal. And there’s a choice of three different leather straps, a link bracelet, a Milanese loop and a strap made from high-performance fluoroelastomer"

 

[OllyW]

So you're saying if someone chooses the space black model the only band they'll be able to select will be the space black link bracelet? But if they chose the regular stainless steel all 6 bands will be options?

That is what the photos in the Watch gallery suggest.

It says "View all 18 models in the collection" and the only two Space Black models out of the 18 shown have the link bracelet.

 

[MeFromHere]

I agree with you.

The Space Black stainless steel will probably have a higher price than the regular stainless steel. I think that will be true for both the watch and the link bracelet, whether they are sold together (as shown in the gallery) or separately.

Even if Apple decides to sell the Space Black stainless steel watch with the black fluoroelastomer band (an option which is not currently in the gallery), I think it will cost more than the regular stainless steel watch with a fluoroelastomer band.

The Space Black finish is an extra, non-trivial manufacturing process. One of the web pages says the finish is DLC (diamond-like carbon). It costs more to make and it's considered something of a premium finish in the watch world. Apple will put a higher price on it.

I think the Space Black stainless steel bracelet will be the most expensive of all the non-gold strap options. The price will be a shock to a lot of people.

 

[Piggie]

I think most hope that Apple will offer every single watch for sale with just the rubber strap as the minimum "Must have, no way out" requirement to make the actual purchase.

You can then move into the optional strap areas and select the one you REALLY want (if the rubber one is not for you)

That way, you won't feel you are being forced to pay a lot for something you don't want. And I don't think marketing wise anyone would feel it's good to make new customers think that.

We've seen the white rubber strap on many of the versions have we not?
Hopefully this is what Apple will do, as it will be an almost zero cost option.

Then, when you do sell the watch to get the newer model, you can take your expensive strap off and pop the rubber strap back on for the person you are selling it to, to have.

That would seem a reasonably good idea to keep everyone happy.

Would anyone disagree with it done this way ?

 

[saschke]

I think most hope that Apple will offer every single watch for sale with just the rubber strap as the minimum "Must have, no way out" requirement to make the actual purchase.

You can then move into the optional strap areas and select the one you REALLY want (if the rubber one is not for you)

That way, you won't feel you are being forced to pay a lot for something you don't want. And I don't think marketing wise anyone would feel it's good to make new customers think that.

We've seen the white rubber strap on many of the versions have we not?
Hopefully this is what Apple will do, as it will be an almost zero cost option.

Then, when you do sell the watch to get the newer model, you can take your expensive strap off and pop the rubber strap back on for the person you are selling it to, to have.

That would seem a reasonably good idea to keep everyone happy.

Would anyone disagree with it done this way ?

Apple's marketing and finance departments would disagree. This simply makes no sense from a money-making standpoint.

 

[Rogifan]

That is what the photos in the Watch gallery suggest.

It says "View all 18 models in the collection" and the only two Space Black models out of the 18 shown have the link bracelet.

Perhaps Apple felt like they needed to edit somewhere for the collection didn't become completely unmanageable?

 

[zedsdead]

I like the black stainless steel also, and was surprised that there was no other bands in the collections for it other than the link bracelet. This likely means it will be a premium model of the stainless steel collection (along with the steel/Milanese combo).

 

[Rogifan]

I think most hope that Apple will offer every single watch for sale with just the rubber strap as the minimum "Must have, no way out" requirement to make the actual purchase.

You can then move into the optional strap areas and select the one you REALLY want (if the rubber one is not for you)

That way, you won't feel you are being forced to pay a lot for something you don't want. And I don't think marketing wise anyone would feel it's good to make new customers think that.

We've seen the white rubber strap on many of the versions have we not?
Hopefully this is what Apple will do, as it will be an almost zero cost option.

Then, when you do sell the watch to get the newer model, you can take your expensive strap off and pop the rubber strap back on for the person you are selling it to, to have.

That would seem a reasonably good idea to keep everyone happy.

Would anyone disagree with it done this way ?

If you're suggesting that every watch will come with one of the rubber straps (like every iPhone comes with EarPods) I'd say no. Apple's not going to eat the cost of a watch band. Of course they could just bury it in the price of the Watch but then they'd essentially be forcing some people to pay for a band they don't want. I can't see Apple doing that either.

 

[jbachandouris]

Until the watch is officially released, all of this is speculation. Just because it shows only one band option now does not mean that is how it will be at launch.

How about we wait until they release the watch before we panic?

 

[Julien]

Perhaps Apple felt like they needed to edit somewhere for the collection didn't become completely unmanageable?

Then why incorrectly say "View all..." when it should say View examples...?

 

[Rogifan]

Then why incorrectly say "View all..." when it should say View examples...?

I'm not talking about what's displayed on the website. But perhaps if, as someone else suggested, the space black version is more difficult and costly to manufacture Apple is going to offer it as a premium option in the Watch collection.

 

[Night Spring]

If you're suggesting that every watch will come with one of the rubber straps (like every iPhone comes with EarPods) I'd say no. Apple's not going to eat the cost of a watch band. Of course they could just bury it in the price of the Watch but then they'd essentially be forcing some people to pay for a band they don't want. I can't see Apple doing that either.

But what if I want the space black with a leather band. If Apple sells it with a steel link band, they ARE forcing me to buy a rather expensive band I don't want. If I do have to pay for one band I don't want, I'd rather it be the cheapest one.

 

[OllyW]

But what if I want the space black with a leather band. If Apple sells it with a steel link band, they ARE forcing me to buy a rather expensive band I don't want. If I do have to pay for one band I don't want, I'd rather it be the cheapest one.

They might offer a BTO service similar to how they sell Macs on the on-line store.

 

[cmChimera]

They might offer a BTO service similar to how they sell Macs on the on-line store.

I'm almost positive that this is going to be the case.

 

[Rogifan]

But what if I want the space black with a leather band. If Apple sells it with a steel link band, they ARE forcing me to buy a rather expensive band I don't want. If I do have to pay for one band I don't want, I'd rather it be the cheapest one.

I agree. I'm just going off what's on Apple's website and for whatever reason the space black watch is only shown with matching link bracelet. No milanese loop, no black leather. I have no idea if there is a specific reason or if it was just an editorial desicion by Apple.

 

[Piggie]

If you're suggesting that every watch will come with one of the rubber straps (like every iPhone comes with EarPods) I'd say no. Apple's not going to eat the cost of a watch band. Of course they could just bury it in the price of the Watch but then they'd essentially be forcing some people to pay for a band they don't want. I can't see Apple doing that either.

No.

I mean that you "At Least" HAVE to have the rubber strap.

You can't buy any watch without a strap, but you CAN buy any watch with only one of the rubber straps.

Do you really want, say Apple telling you, if you have one of these models you MUST select from one of the 4 straps that we have chosen to go with it, and if you don't like them, then pick a different one for another $150

I'm not saying give rubber straps away, simply that you CAN buy any watch with JUST a rubber strap if you wish.

 

[Rogifan]

No.

I mean that you "At Least" HAVE to have the rubber strap.

You can't buy any watch without a strap, but you CAN buy any watch with only one of the rubber straps.

Do you really want, say Apple telling you, if you have one of these models you MUST select from one of the 4 straps that we have chosen to go with it, and if you don't like them, then pick a different one for another $150

I'm not saying give rubber straps away, simply that you CAN buy any watch with JUST a rubber strap if you wish.

Well the stainless steel collection only shows black and white rubber straps. So I would guess when you pick the stainless steel collection your only option will be black or white rubber strap. If you want a colored strap with the stainless steel watch you'll have to buy it seperately.

 

[iThingsGurl]

Another theory that is running through my mind since quite a few days now, and I may be wrong, is based on what Apple says on its Watch website and I quote -

Two different-sized starting points.

So isn't it possible that Apple may sell the Watch cases separately? Like this -



(It will come in Apple's signature minimalist-designed box)

And then, as Apple says and I quote,

Custom alloys engineered for beauty and durability.

So next we select the alloys from

Stainless Steel / Space Black Stainless Steel
Silver Aluminium / Space Grey Aluminium
18-Karat Yellow Gold / 18-Karat Rose Gold

And we are done, at least as far as Apple Watch is concerned.
Furthermore, in the chronological order of the website they go on to say -

Bands as thoughtfully designed as the watch itself.

and that -

A different band can really change the look of Apple Watch.

And their range of bands include -

Link Bracelet
Sport Band
Leather Loop
Classic Buckle
Modern Buckle
Milanese Loop

So we have a choice, maybe? If we'd like to buy a band (from Apple) at all?

And as someone else rightly suggested earlier in the thread that Apple will not want to eat the cost of the band, so isn't it possible that rather than limiting a predetermined set of exclusive bands for each pair of 'collections' (e.g. Sport Band for Watch Sport), Apple would leave that for us to determine - with the website showing only some of the many possibilities curated by Apple which they feel

may work particularly well together.

I know its largely speculative, but hey we still have a month ahead of us before the Watch is commercially available, right?

P.S. All quoted text and all pictures taken from Apple's website

 

[fousfous]

It would be perfect, but I don't think that Apple will sold Watch without bands.

 

[iThingsGurl]

It would be perfect, but I don't think that Apple will sold Watch without bands.

I agree. Its just that the way Apple describe the bands on their website they want to pass them as accessories for the Watch - thus in a way propelling some to buy multiple bands during the lifetime of their Watch.