Cost of an Apple Watch

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Cost of an Apple Watch

Ballpark estimate: $299 to $17,000

If you pride yourself on being up on all things tech, and Apple is your brand of choice, chances are that these days you wear an Apple Watch on your wrist. An Apple Watch makes it easy to combine multiple electronic functions into one easy-to-wear gadget. This means instead of holding your iPhone to check for messages and texts, you can simply use your watch face to stay up on your communication efforts.

The Allure of Apple

The Apple brand has long been known for its computers, and in the past decade it has also made a name for itself for iPhones and iPads. Now the Apple Watch was released in April of 2015 and is the newest iteration of a personal computing device that you can wear right on your body. Better yet it has the compatibility to integrate with the Apple iOS (the watch works with many iPhone 5s and newer generation Apple phones) so it can be easy to access and stay in touch remotely. But unlike phones and tablets you can stow in a pocket or bag, the Apple Watch can be strapped right on your wrist for utmost convenience and functionality.

Apple Watch Features

At the heart of the watch is its wireless ability to interact via Bluetooth with an Apple iPhone. This allows you to use various apps to perform many tasks, including reading and responding to messages, communicating with family or friends via Apple messages, making phone calls, creating sketches, and responding to texts, playing music from your play list, paying for purchases, and even opening hotel room doors right from your wrist.

You can also use this device to track your activity level and measure your fitness ability. In addition, you can can use your watch to remotely control the climate and lights in your home and car, order an uber ride, honk your horn to locate your car in a parking lot, and much more.

Design Functions

In addition to the multi-functionality of the Apple Watch, it also offers many design options, including a variety of apple bands, styles, and cases/sizes from which to select. The price is dependent on the features included in each watch and can vary a great deal.

When it comes to the bands, it’s important to know that some are Apple brand, while you can also find an array of options from other brands, including some high-end designers. The quality, material of the band, and the manufacturer will all greatly impact the cost. For instance, a plastic sporty band will be most affordable, while an exclusive design band made of fine leather will cost a great deal more. In addition, the size of the case, and the material its made from, also impacts the cost. You can select either a 38 millimeter or a 42 millimeter size, and you can also select from metal (the most affordable), stainless steel (also available at a lower to mid range price point), or gold (if you have a large budget and you want a real splurge). There are also different finishes that can change the look and effect.

How to Find

You can do a search online for an Apple watch or shop in a brick-and-mortar store. Some places to purchase this product include Apple, Best Buy, Target, Walmart, and more. In addition, many electronic sellers on Ebay also offer Apple watches and bands. Just be sure that anywhere you shop is a reputable seller and is highly rated for selling high quality, original merchandise, and comes with good recommendations and no serious complaints.

Cost of an Apple Watch

You don’t have to invest a fortune for an Apple watch. The price point for this gadget starts at $299 for a pared down sports version and goes on up to about $17,000 for the highest end option. At the low end of the scale, you can get a sports watch with an aluminum case and a plastic band (you can select from many band colors and textures). The retail price through Apple starts at $299. This price includes the 38 millimeter watch, sports band, and charger. If you prefer the 42 millimeter case, the price goes up to $349 for this basic model. The finish options for the sports model include gray aluminum, silver aluminum, gold aluminum, and rose gold aluminum. (The finish does not impact cost.)

For a stainless steel case, the price through Apple starts at $549 for a 38 millimeter pearl woven nylon case, and goes up to $1,099 for a 42 millimeter space black link bracelet band. There are many other stainless steel cases with different band options included that fall in the $700 to $850 range. Apple also sells stainless steel cases with exclusive Hermes fine leather bands, which start at $1,250 and go up to $1,500 for the watch and band included.

On the high end of the spectrum, you can opt for an 18 karat solid gold case, which comes in yellow or rose gold. These start at $10,000 for a solid gold watch with a sports band and goes up as high as $17,000 for a gold case with a very high-end leather band.

Buying a New Band

Once you’ve invested in your Apple Watch, you may decide to upgrade to a band made from finer materials and/or adorned with a designer’s name to change the look. Bands come in all price points and can be an easy and inexpensive way to change up the look of this item. You can spend $50 for a new sports band, or as much as $1,000 or more, depending on your budget and your taste. Many bands are in the $200 to $400 range (including Hermes bands that you can buy separately to put on an Apple Watch you already own to upgrade the look).

Customize the Face

Finally, Apple Watch gives you the option to customize your watch face and make it reflect your taste and interests without any extra charge. You can choose from an endless array of choices, including Mickey Mouse, butterflies, and moons and stars and add any features you want it to include. You can even design multiple faces that you save and can change them as you want to get a fresh look with just the push of a button.