Apple has officially launched the Apple Watch Hermès Collection, featuring the Apple Watch in stainless steel with finely crafted leather bands in distinctive styles from Hermès.
“Apple and Hermès make very different products, but they reflect the deep appreciation of quality design,” said Jonathan Ive, Apple’s chief design officer. “Both companies are motivated by a sincere pursuit of excellence and the desire to create something that is not compromised. Apple Watch Hermès is a true testament to that belief.”
The Single Tour with the 38 mm stainless steel case comes in fauve Barenia leather, noir box leather and capucine Swift leather, while the Single Tour with 42 mm stainless steel case comes in fauve Barenia leather and noir box leather. The Double Tour pairs with the 38 mm stainless steel case and is available in fauve Barenia leather and bleu jean, capucine and etain Swift leather. The Cuff pairs with the 42 mm stainless steel case and is available in fauve Barenia leather only. Across the collection, each stainless steel case features an etching of the Hermès signature and includes a customizable face with three exclusive dial designs inspired by Clipper, Cape Cod and Espace Hermès watches.
Pricing & Availability Apple Watch Hermès starts at $1,100 (US) for the 38 mm stainless steel case with the Single Tour, $1,150 (US) for the 42 mm stainless steel case with the Single Tour, $1,250 (US) for the 38 mm stainless steel case with the Double Tour and $1,500 (US) for the 42 mm stainless steel case with the Cuff. The collection will is available at select Apple retail stores, select Hermès stores, specialty stores and department stores beginning in Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Korea, Russia, Singapore, Switzerland, the UK and the US.
A Bottega Veneta bracelet for example cost $600 for a string of leather and silver only which is not a watch or has any special mechanical device attached to it. It is just a simple bracelet but still expensive. With collaborations with Hermes it brought up the level of the Apple watch higher than any other smart watches even if its just a leather bracelet added to it, and the Hermes watch face is exclusive to the Hermes Stainless Apple watch edition only. The reason why it is expensive is because you are paying for the brand name Hermes and Apple is also giving royalties for using the brand name of Hermes in every unit sold. People will say luxury brands are just items the same as ordinary items found everywhere but once you own one it brings you confidence and pride that you own an original luxury item. Rich people prefer luxury items because it is unique and they are the only ones who have them. That is what separates a Hermes Watch to a Guess Watch...you pay for the value of the brand.
Got to be the dumbest idea from Apple, how do you justify putting that high of a price? Comparing to a Stainless SteelApple Watch 42" - $550 ($50.00 sport band), the double tour band $950??? The brains had to out the window on this one.