Despite speculation to the contrary, Apple does in fact plan to sell an array of bands as separate accessories for the Apple Watch at launch, according to sources. So far Apple has only shown the Watch in pre-assembled collections, which reduces their potential for customization, but our sources say that Apple’s retail outlets will be stocked on day one with individual straps so customers can easily mix and match the looks of their Watches.
While Apple has hinted at millions of combinations of Apple Watch when considering the various watch faces and interchangeable strap combos, up until now we’ve not had confirmation that straps would be available to purchase separately alongside the Apple Watch at launch.
What we know about the Apple Watch lineup so far from Apple is that it will come in three models— Apple Watch, Sport, and Edition— with each of those models offering a selection of the total 6 straps Apple has shown so far on the 38mm size, 42mm size, or both. Some of the straps Apple shows on its website, such as the Modern Buckle and Leather Loop— will be limited to either the 38mm or 42mm models in select colors for the Apple Watch and gold Apple Watch Edition. It’s unclear Apple’s exact motivation in limiting certain watch straps to either the 38mm and 42mm options in the Apple Watch and Apple Watch Edition lineups. The Apple Watch Sport line offers all strap options and colors for both sizes, according to Apple’s site. However, it’s possible that some of the straps Apple shows as limited to either the 38mm or 42mm sizes will become available to purchase for the other size separately.
Some straps and bracelets might make more sense to offer as standalone accessories. Not offering straps for the 18-karat gold Apple Watch Edition could be something Apple does strategically to increase the exclusivity of those models that many expect to sell as high-end fashion items with matching price tags.
There’s no confirmation on what straps Apple will make available to purchase separately at launch or if the options will reflect all variations of the device currently shown on Apple’s website. It’s of course also possible, and quite likely, that Apple will offer straps beyond the designs it’s outed so far.
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Gruber was clearly smoking crack when he blogged that. There would be ZERO point in making a song and dance about easily replaceable straps, if they were going to ship them together. That would have made no sense whatsoever.
Note: The Edition is the only one with a colour-coordinated crown, so we shouldn’t be taking cues from that, given that it’s the super luxe VIP champagne experience version… and in no way compares to a $350 spend.
Yeah usually Gruber is pretty on-ppint but clearly he got too caught up in the little details and completely forgot how big a deal Apple bade about the changeable straps. It’s would be stupid for them to advertise that feature on every single type of watch (Sport, normal, Edition) and then only let people take advantage of it on the Sport watches
Yeah, I think a lot of what he wrote in that article makes no sense. Apple has never made products that are expensive “just because.” They always have a real, physical reason. They always add their ridiculous 40% margin on top, but they have yet to just “add a few thousand” for no reason other than “it’s fashion!”, which is basically what Gruber is arguing.
That kind of brand whoring is the opposite, or should be, of what Apple stands for.
I’m glad about the straps anyway. I intended to buy three different ones at launch and I would be supremely pissed if I couldn’t.
It makes sense to price it that high only if you look at it from the perspective of a high-end fashion item.
Most people won’t even be thinking about buying the luxury version–it exists solely to cater to the people who would drop that kind of a cash on a non-smartwatch. But for Apple to create a new kind of smartwatch that is truly pervasive, it had to create something for the high-end fashion market as well as the average joe. They really expect the Watch to change the way we live our lives, and so they had to make options that would attract as many kinds of buyers as possible.
@sammeries: Thanks for answering my post but I think you may have missed my point.
It’s not only NOT okay for Apple to do this, it’s a HUGE departure for them in terms of how they price their goods. I know for the most part that this is the way Capitalism works, but a lot of people still believe in business but also believe that it’s inherently WRONG to just add a bunch of money to the price of something “because you can.”
I believe this, and I think any decent free-thinking individual with any moral background also believes in this. More importantly, Apple and Steve Jobs are known to have believed in this for their entire existence so far.
What I’m saying is that it’s unprecedented for Apple to do this, that I believe they are “wrong” to do this, and that if they do it, it is a complete departure from their previous practices on pricing. These are unassailable facts IMO.
Whether they do it or not, we will find out soon enough. But if they do, there is no denying the importance and the “newness” of the move. If it’s true, it’s an area where one could legitimately point to and say “Apple has changed. (a lot!).” It’s something we can be absolutely certain that Apple would not have done under Steve Jobs.
No, I think you’re right, Gazoo. It is a huge departure for them, but I think that’s kind of the point of what they’re doing with the Apple Watch. I also think price gouging is unethical, but I know they’re trying to market the Edition like any other premium watch, and price it comparatively.
But then, we don’t really know anything about it until it actually comes out. I’ll reserve my indignation until then. :)
So Gruber screwed up on the watch bands. He’s usually pretty good with his speculation on things even if he doesn’t get an inside tip. And if you going to criticize Gruber, you might as well knock Mark Gurman for all the times he’s be wrong, which is certainly a lot more.
Gruber said that he thought only the Sport style bands would be available if I’m not mistaken. Nowhere does this article disagree with that. I’m not sure exactly which bands will be available, but there will be some for sure at launch.
“speculation to the contrary”
What speculation? The only thing I’ve seen recently is John Gruber’s piece today, and unless I’m misunderstanding, there’s nothing this new info that would contradict his speculation that only a subset of straps will be available separately.
Not trying to contradict anything Gruber might have said. There has been a lot of question about what exactly will be available at launch in terms of straps and separate accessories. This story is just confirming that Apple does indeed plan to sell straps as separate accessories at launch.
More combinations = more time spent in stores deciding = clever business tactic
= even longer lines waiting outside the store.
Pretty much all Apple cares about anymore. Long Lines at Launch.
We’ll see if you’re right, if they ever align the watch and iphone releases together on the same day. That would be a disadvantage as it would absolutely turn some people off. The lines would be nothing short of ridiculous.
@o0smoothies0o There’s about a zero chance of that. Apple has never launched two major products on the same day. There’s a good reason for that: they don’t want one to outshine the other. The Apple Watch is launching in April in a slot that’s been historically slow for Apple. Other major launches happen mid Summer and in the Fall.
Pedro I was basically saying that lol. However, it’s launch in April likely wasn’t intended at the start. The rumors suggested they wanted fall 2014. That’s not to say the same day as the iPhone of course.
Also, Pedro, that hasn’t been historically slow for Apple. Look up iPad releases.
I haven’t been following all that closely but frankly I’m surprised this was even a subject of debate. Didn’t the unveiling video imply the straps would be replaceable? It’s been a while but I know that video left me with the impression that they would be and thus you would be able to customize them.
Bloggers need to get that sweet sweet clickbait coin. :/
Believe the Gold version also allows you to customize the digital crown to match the strap. That doesnt appear to be the case for the other two models based on promo photos on Apples website.
The videos to appear to show the gold models with a coloured crown top but unsure is that’s not meant to be a reflecting cue for the strap on the shiny gold or if they are indeed coloured. Although I think one of them had a black crown top with tan strap so that would suggest it’s true. How they swap them with being in a position where they pop out by accident at some point is beyond me however. Special magnet system using a madnetic tool in stores?
“Apple Watch, Sport, and Edition— with each of those models offering a selection of the 6 straps ”
What makes you think this is the case?
The Sport watches are never shown with anything besides a sport band. Although the other bands will technically fit, the metal accents will be a different color. Do you have some other source telling you that there will be a modern buckle band with space grey metal parts? Or a classic buckle with aluminum or space grey metal parts?
Perhaps wrong choice of words but “a selecttion of the 6 straps” doesn’t mean all 6 straps for each model. I explain the caveats in the sentences following, at least by what Apple shows on its website. Does that make sense?
That can’t be. Tim Cook was seen wearing the Apple Watch with a white Sport band. I think he’s a lot smarter than to mix the metal polishing a of his watch and band.
Their website lists white and black sport bands as accessories for the Stainless watch.
Why in the world *wouldn’t* Apple sell bands along with the watches on launch?
Hope they do I was thinking on buying maybe 1 -2 extra straps
Anyone that thought Apple would not be selling the straps individually needs to surrender his Mac and iPhone and go buy a PC and a Droid. :D
Seriously though, that’s just dumb.
NOT INTERESTED…..
What’s the point??
Obviously they will sell straps on their own as well. It would be pretty stupid not to as a lot of people will want to have multiple straps and that means more money in Apple’s pockets.
The Space Gray Watch looks so much more nicer than the normal steel colour; so right now I’m hoping there’ll be a Space Gray version of the Milanese loop.
If there isn’t though I’m willing to forgo the Space Gray body for a Milanese loop in matching aluminium.
The Milanese loop strap looks very nice but it also looks like it could come off too easy. Brush past someone in the street & it could come unstuck. Looks like an easy steal for a pick pocket.
It seems that way but keep in mind that we’ve only seen a CGI video of how it works. The physical Loop will probably have stronger magnets.
From a piece I wrote on Friday:
“Changing the watch face is a big deal when it comes to customization, but being able to swap straps for your Apple Watch means you can choose a physical style appropriate for what you’re wearing and how you feel. That in turn will spawn a market for 3rd party straps which will in turn confer even more value on your Apple Watch purchase. If you can upgrade to Apple Watch 2.0 and keep all your straps, Apple will have created yet another new sticky ecosystem of apps and now straps.”
http://torusoft.com/blog/the-ipod-all-over-again
They should each just come with a rubber sports band as standard, and then you pay extra for the other bracelets. Every model, including the Edition is shown as using the rubber sports bands on their website.
My guess is you’ll pick the band you want and just pay the difference in price between that band and the rubber band.
A watch is a very personal thing, You will keep your watch with all of your bands, When it comes time to up upgrade every 12-18 months you will go to the apple store where it will take them only about 1 min to loosen the back and remove the module which contains the processor, battery and censors and replace it with the newest and greatest.