Reader Mark Davies went into the Berlin Apple Store this morning to try on the Apple Watch/Sport models but got a little surprise from the employees. Here’s the first hand account…
So I go to the Apple store here in Berlin thinking I made an appointment to see the Sport and Apple Watch editions. When I get there, they check me in and tell me to wait in the line. When my turn comes a really nice Apple employee asks me which models of the Edition I would like to see. I was surprised obviously, and explained that there is no way I would consider buying one with the price. He proceeds to let me try on the Sport and Watch versions and walks me through the demos. Then he asks if I still want to see the Edition models. I say, “sure, why not”…
He tells me to wait in the corner near the accessories and says he will be back in a minute. He comes back with two boxes (blue leather) and says to follow him (with a security guard in tow) upstairs. We take an elevator and walk through a very beautiful hall to a large conference room where a small leather mat is waiting at the table. He explains the packaging. Leather box, with a magnetic lid, and built in lightning adaptor for easy charging (i neglected to get a picture of it).
He lets me try it on and it is significantly heavier than either the sport or stainless steel models. There didn’t seem to be a time limit on how long I can stay (I wasn’t rushed at all even though I had no intent of buying one). I was allowed to take pictures of the watch, room and anything else I wanted to but not the employees.
It felt strange and I can’t help but think that a serious watch buyer would be a little put off by the process. I felt special, but I seriously doubt that someone willing to spend $17,000 on a watch would feel special in the same set of circumstances. There was nothing special about the Apple employee. Just another employee who actually seemed a little nervous. Like he felt almost out of place handling this pricey item.
It was a fun day and I will be buying a Sport edition maybe with model 2 or later in the year.
Have a great launch day.
… One more thing: I also asked about the new MacBook. They did not have a demo model on hand. I was a little surprised by this. I asked why and he said it “didn’t arrive in time”. I thought that was very strange. A global operation like Apple and they can’t get it there for launch day. He said, “maybe tomorrow“. Weird.
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Make that 18.000€….with VAT and all….(and 2000€ Apple Care+ plan on top – if you really are not short on cash)
So how long until the third party companies who have been making the stands for charging the watches on night tables move to make something like this?
The case looks similar (different materials) to the white one that leaked, I’m sure people will hack together a similar set-up for a more DIY approach on the Sport and Watch versions.
Exactly the same thing I told the Apple employee. It was really cool packaging, but I guess that is what you should expect from a watch that costs that much.
Usually with the new machines they take a bit for there to be units for demo because they are worried about getting it shipped out to customers. Was always the case when I worked there.
Is this a 42mm on your wrist ? or the smaller 38 mm ?
Im sure it’s the 42mm
Wow, now Apple is really for rich people.
Cool story, bro!
At my opinion this is the only mistake Apple did with the whole apple watch system, the Edition must be sold in selected luxury stores, and absolutely not in Apple stores.