Trying to justify the $149 price tag on the Classic Buckle band from Apple

[techno-Zen]

I've had it for the past week with my 42mm SS model. I like the look but the band itself is definitely over priced. There isn't any R&D put into this to justify the price in my opinion. It should be at most $79.. it's nice, but too light in my opinion and I am not a fan of the rounded buckle. To put it simply: there is NOTHING special about this band.

It will be going back to the Apple store when I get my JETtech black leather buckle and HOCO Stainless steel bands from Amazon. Which both cost me HALF the cost of this Classic Buckle (Combined cost of $65)

JetTech leather band
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00WWGAJK6?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=od_aui_detailpages00

HOCO Stainless
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00XVQ7HGU?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=od_aui_detailpages00

Also, cannot wait for my Milanese loop to ship! That one is totally worth the $149

 

[Bryan Bowler]

Ok, so the Classic Buckle is not for you. That's cool.

What's not cool though is that you're buying one anyway knowing that you're going to return it. Total a-hat move if I've ever seen one. Edit: << I shouldn't have wrote this last sentence...I didn't slow down enough to read the whole story.

 

[Tanmay]

Exchange it for the Milanese Loop.

 

[techno-Zen]

Ok, so the Classic Buckle is not for you. That's cool.

What's not cool though is that you're buying one anyway knowing that you're going to return it. Total a-hat move if I've ever seen one.

Learn to read.

I am wearing it right now, and have been for the past week. I am a fan of Classic buckle bands but a week into it's use i'm having buyers remorse. It is not worth the price.

Why does this band cost the same as the Milanese loop or Leather loop band??

 

[Bryan Bowler]

Learn to read.

I am wearing it right now, and have been for the past week. I am a fan of Classic buckle bands but a week into it's use i'm having buyers remorse. It is not worth the price.

Why does this band cost the same as the Milanese loop or Leather loop band??

Ok, fair enough. I got ahead of myself and didn't quite read/comprehend what you actually wrote. I apologize for what I said.

As for the cost, the same could be said of any of the middle-tier and upper-priced bands. I suspect that to a certain degree, Apple is trying to market these as luxury bands and they are priced accordingly. I know what you mean: it seems like they shouldn't cost as much as they do, but it's definitely clever from a marketing perspective.

 

[trek360]

Why does this band cost the same as the Milanese loop or Leather loop band??

I've wondered about this too. The ML at least has a bit more uniqueness and not as generic in appearance. I happen to not like the ML look so went with the classic which is indeed classic in appearance. But overpriced in my opinion as well. Especially as the third party bands start coming out.

 

[mrgossett]

Exchange it for the Milanese Loop.

This.

 

[macAllen]

***This is in no way intended to trash on the OP, or anyone that shares the same opinion, rather to educate and give a story on the opposing side.


Working in the fashion industry I find your response in everyone that doesn't spend this much for an item that very often, or when some one isn't educated in what goes into the work of a item. It is not only just R&D that makes up the price tag... In the fashion world its very much so the material and the history that goes into it.

Just liking buying a pice of artwork, like a drawing. What makes this drawing of guy playing a flute and a drawing of a face worth at least upwards of $35,000?

One word... Picasso, and if you know anything about this drawing, the face drawn is his wife Olga and at left is a flute player with his mistress. Believe it or not these drawings were found on fragments of a dust cover for "Picasso and The Human Comedy," a 1954 French book featuring his art. Now for those who have disposable money or love art, wouldn't think this price is far fetch. You would know the history and the person who put in the though the feeling into that work of art that you now own. Something to be proud of owning.

Still don't think its justified???

To make the leather straps for Apple Watch, we start by hand-selecting hides from three of the world’s best-known artisan tanneries. From the renowned ECCO tannery in the Netherlands, the Dutch leather used for this band is milled to give the grain a subtle, distinctive texture. The simple closure is crafted from the same stainless steel as the case. It’s a beautiful take on a traditional band design. The Classic Buckle features the same premium leather on both the interior and the exterior.

That band on your wrist comes from the Netherlands hand picked by Apple themselves. It comes from the mind of Karl Toosbuy, who started his company ECCO, because he thought that shoes had to be made to fit the foot (Crazy idea right?). He started his company because the leather that was available to him wasn't up to his standards so he made his own Tannery, ECCO.

"The most important part of leather is the softness, the flexibility, this is what makes leather, ECCO's leather"

I don't know about you guys but this defiantly shows... Both top layer and inside layer of my Classic Buckle.

That Steel buckle too, that holds the two straps of handpicked leather together, goes though a specialized cold-forging process, it becomes up to 80 percent harder, which makes it less susceptible to nicks and scratches. I like many here don't have the ability to cold forge steel and alloy mixing. So I'll value this.


For $149 I think that the band on my wrist is well worth it. It shows in the quality and because I know the story behind the item my the value of it exceeds the price.

Now as far as the Milanese Loop... its just woven steel... now that should cost less...


Now waiting for a Metalsmith to take a rant.

 

[GrimmsGirl]

That band on your wrist comes from the Netherlands hand picked by Apple themselves. It comes from the mind of Karl Toosbuy, who started his company ECCO, because he thought that shoes had to be made to fit the foot (Crazy idea right?). He started his company because the leather that was available to him wasn't up to his standards so he made his own Tannery, ECCO.



I don't know about you guys but this defiantly shows... Both top layer and inside layer of my Classic Buckle.

That Steel buckle too, that holds the two straps of handpicked leather together, goes though a specialized cold-forging process, it becomes up to 80 percent harder, which makes it less susceptible to nicks and scratches. I like many here don't have the ability to cold forge steel and alloy mixing. So I'll value this.


For $149 I think that the band on my wrist is well worth it. It shows in the quality and because I know the story behind the item my the value of it exceeds the price.

Now as far as the Milanese Loop... its just woven steel... now that should cost less...


Now waiting for a Metalsmith to take a rant.

Wow. I don't often say this about Apple products or the people who love them, but.. you're really drinking the kool aid.

This band does not come from the mind of Karl Toosbury. The leather in the band comes from ECCO which came from the mind of Karl Toosbury. There is a world of difference there, and if you can't see that the kool aid is even tastier than I thought. Cold forged steel isn't a process that Apple came up with themselves, you do realize that right? Yes, cold forging makes the steel more difficult to work with, so that might account for some of the cost, but it doesn't make it magical. I have to agree, with this particular band you are definitely (not defiantly ) paying the Apple tax. A tax I am usually very happy to pay, but I think Apple went just a tad bit crazy with the release of the Watch and their markups on the leather bands in particular. They are REALLY trying to sell this high end fashion thinking, and apparently it's working. Go Apple, I guess. I just wish I had bought stock 10 years ago.

 

[macAllen]

I knew this was going to happen...

This band does not come from the mind of Karl Toosbury. The leather in the band comes from ECCO which came from the mind of Karl Toosbury.

Thats what I said didn't I? The band is leather right? Therefore from what Apple's website says its from ECCO, who's leather was developed by Karl Toosbury... Phasing? I think we are nitpicking here...

Cold forged steel isn't a process that Apple came up with themselves, you do realize that right?

I profread my post before posting and I don't remember saying Apple came up with it themselves? All I said was that Apple uses the cold forging process and that I value that because I can't even imagine my self doing that for my own purposes. I believe its magical. Did you see the video!??!?!

They are REALLY trying to sell this high end fashion thinking, and apparently it's working.

Agreed

 

[GrimmsGirl]

I knew this was going to happen...



Thats what I said didn't I? The band is leather right? Therefore from what Apple's website says its from ECCO, who's leather was developed by Karl Toosbury... Phasing? I think we are nitpicking here...



I profread my post before posting and I don't remember saying Apple came up with it themselves? All I said was that Apple uses the cold forging process and that I value that because I can't even imagine my self doing that for my own purposes. I believe its magical. Did you see the video!??!?!



Agreed

Fair enough. I just want to know one more thing... What flavor is that kool aid? I'm trying to decide if I want to drink it myself. Still contemplating the modern buckle (if Apple ever sells it separately!)

 

[Arran]

I think the trick is to just buy it and enjoy it.

Once you start retrospectively comparing it to Walmart-priced "equivalents" and wondering if you could've got a better deal by trawling the internet, then you're burning time and energy. Your time is a big cost too - and isn't renewable.

OTOH, has anyone just tried haggling in an Apple Store? I'm not sure I'm brave enough.

 

[techno-Zen]

I appreciate the quality of the leather and it's origins but you can't tell me that 1/2 of the strap is an equal value to that of a Leather iPad smart case.

R&D definitely plays a part in the value as does innovative functionality, not just material cost. Saying the ML band should be cheaper because it's just stainless steel is a bad argument. Look at the functionality of the thing! it's genius.

I really do like the band but it's priced twice what it should cost for what it does. Taking it back this weekend, and will likely purchase a leather loop in it's place. (ML is already on order)

 

[sdallnct2]

I just bought the LL (med) for my SG Sport. I swore I wouldn't buy it. But I did. I like it. It is a great band. Significantly better looking, better fitting and more comfortable than the Sport band (which by the way if we talk about value, I'd argue is the MOST overpriced of any of their bands).

I was impatient. I didn't want to wait for a good SG/black adapter. I wanted another band, as while I think the Sport bands are fine for when I workout, I actually think they detract from the watch a bit. Of course that is just my opinion.

So, I bought one. And then examined carefully for fit. I ended up reversing it and putting the shorter end on the bottom. I think the look (to the rest of the world) is better that way. Just an opinion.

I think it is too much money for the band. But "I can live with it" and like the band overall.

 

[srshaw]

I bought it be be because I like the look of it. I know I can buy cheaper, but it isn't the first expensive item I have bought because I like the look of it, and I doubt it will be the last (infact I have my eye on the milanese loop and link bracelet).

I don't understand how people buy things like these and send them back. It's not as though you didn't know what you were getting, and I doubt the item you send back was faulty.

 

[Mac2me]

I bought an AW SS with the black classic band too but I really love the feel of it on my wrist and feel it was worth the cost. It feels like premium, relatively thick but soft leather. I think it has an attractive graining, not too pronounced, not plain, just understated. It comes with the nice matching polished SS lugs or what ever they are called that the band attaches to at the case (never had to know these watch parts before!). Actually I find that little oval steel buckle loop to be much nicer than some of the larger buckles on other non-Apple bands I've seen out there. Being smaller it doesn't hit into things like on other bands and the rounded edges of it aren't sharp so won't scratch things like a flat surface buckle might. Nicely polished SS as well.

When I first went in for my Watch appointment I thought I would get the ML or the MB. The ML didn't do anything for me on my wrist (also imagined stuff getting into the mesh) and I thought the buckle on the MB was larger than I liked and I thought would be constantly hitting and scraping into things like my keyboard or dinner table with it. The MB also only came in the smaller size watch face and I can see why since it already is quite a bit wider than the width of the leather band. All of these reasons are based on how I thought I would use it. I did pick up a sport band to wear for more casual use; and given it was 102F the other day, thought having something non-leather would be a good idea for those hotter days...reserving my leather for dressier occasions and cooler weather.

I have plans for other colored bands from one or two third parties in the near future to accessorize clothing with, but I feel the CB and SP I bought from Apple are both comfortable quality products that are great to start me off with. Sorry Techno-Zen you have been on the fence with yours and plan to exchange it.

 

[wesk702]

Learn to read.

I am wearing it right now, and have been for the past week. I am a fan of Classic buckle bands but a week into it's use i'm having buyers remorse. It is not worth the price.

Why does this band cost the same as the Milanese loop or Leather loop band??

It's imported hand-crafted leather made of virgin-cow's teet.

 

[NovemberWhiskey]

Definitely agree. The band looks great on the wrist, but there is no way that this is a $160+ band (don't forget taxes push it to around 162.xx). It's not just that it is light, it is that it is a very plain leather with no fine stitching or details.

They are bragging about it being from a famous dutch tannery, but (correct me if I am wrong) Ecco is a very ordinary brand that makes leathers for some econ brands of shoes, etc. The leather itself is really nothing to brag about. Not fine or rich in any way.

I own one, but I agree that I would value it (at retail) to be about $80. But that's just my personal opinion.

 

[grenhall]

So anybody wants to sell their Classic Buckle?

 

[Mac2me]

Here's another reason for justifying the cost of the Classic Buckle, assuming you want a black leather band to begin with--easy to swap out other bands on occasion without investing in buying the adapters for each new band you buy.

https://www.macrumors.com/2015/05/04/apple-watch-classic-buckle-band-parts-disassemble/

 

[NovemberWhiskey]

Here's another reason for justifying the cost of the Classic Buckle, assuming you want a black leather band to begin with--easy to swap out other bands on occasion without investing in buying the adapters for each new band you buy.

https://www.macrumors.com/2015/05/04/apple-watch-classic-buckle-band-parts-disassemble/

I would definitely recommend the BCB for the adapters since they are OEM, but I do NOT recommend using only 1 set to keep swapping by unscrewing it every time you want to change straps.

The screws are not only very small, but the thread is very delicate. It comes with some threadlock on it, and Apple recommends that the screws be discarded after each use. I think you can get away with 1 swap, but doing so repeatedly may strip the screws threading. I've already done a swap, and it is not something I would want to do every week.

 

[TrueBlou]

I think compared to the Milanese it seems over priced. I'm normally a fan of classic buckles but for reasons that would bore you I'm going with the Milanese.

However I have tried on the Apple CB and for curiosity's sake and also so I'd have a set of adapters I bought a Hoco.

Naturally you get what you pay for and I didn't have high expectations of the band. But oh my god there is no comparison. The Hoco is a vile piece of tak that I wouldn't recommend to anyone. But at least I've got the adapters from it if I ever want to make use of them, they at least are pretty decent.

 

[techno-Zen]

Just ordered the Hoco black leather buckle band on Amazon. $30 ish. I love their stainless band I bought and this leather buckle is a replica of the Apple buckle.

 

[Shanghaichica]

It's nice. I'd seen many pictures of the silver sports watch with the black sports band and really liked the contrast between the case and the band. I was thinking of buying a black spots band for my silver sports watch however I kept thinking that the classic buckle would be a better buy. I went back and forth on whether it was worth the £129. Anyhow I bit the bullet and bought one today. It's worth the money. It's elegant and you can see the quality. You get what you pay for. In terms of looks I think it might have over taken my Milanese loop. It's simple but so elegant.

The Apple bands are expensive but worth the money imo. I'd like to buy a pink modern buckle if they are ever sold separately.

 

[jasie02]

I just got a Classic Buckle today, this is in additional to Milanese and White Sport I had.
I have to say, CB is going to be my daily wear to work and at home. Light as feather, compared with Milanese and White Sport, and it stay on my skin without feel sticky and looks great with white letter modular, which I use for work. I will use my White Sport for exercise, so sweat don't stick on to CB or ML.
ML is just so special in bright sunlight with diamond band like sparkle, or at light when dress up, but nothing beats comfort or lightness of CB.