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| Source: Apple. The Apple Watch. |
Apple has introduced Apple Watch* cases and bands, as well as new gold and rose gold aluminum Apple Watch Sport models together with the first major update of its watch operating system.
Apple and Hermès separately introduced Apple Watch Hermès, a new collection of Apple Watch in stainless steel with leather bands from Hermès, including the Single Tour, Double Tour and Cuff.
The watchOS 2** operating system arrives as a free update on September 16, adding new features and native third-party apps to Apple Watches. WatchOS 2 makes apps faster, and introduces new watch faces, the ability for third-party apps to display information on the watch face, and a new way to view chronological context with Time Travel. WatchOS 2 also includes new communication features such as the ability to respond quickly to Mail with dictation, Smart Replies or emoji, and Digital Touch, which Apple says will enable more creativity.
Apple Watch is available in two different sizes, 38 mm and 42 mm, in three collections, Apple Watch Sport, starting at US$349***; Apple Watch, starting at US$549***; and Apple Watch Edition, crafted from custom rose or yellow 18-karat gold alloys, with prices starting at US$10,000***.
More colours are available within the various collections for cases and bands. For example:
- Apple Watch Edition now includes an 18-karat rose gold case with a midnight blue Classic Buckle.
- Apple Watch Sport’s lightweight anodised aluminum case now comes in gold aluminium and rose gold aluminium and fluoroelastomer Sport Bands in lavender, antique white, stone and midnight blue.
- The Apple Watch Sport silver aluminum case is now available with new orange or blue Sport Bands.
- The stainless steel Apple Watch collection offers a new two-toned Classic Buckle in black or saddle brown.
- The Apple Watch space black stainless steel case is now available with a black Sport Band.
- Apple Watch joins Apple’s commitment to (PRODUCT)RED with a stainless steel case and a (PRODUCT)RED Sport Band with a portion of the proceeds going to the Global Fund to fight AIDS.
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| Source: Apple. An Apple Watch 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.”
“At Hermès, we strive to provide our clients with elegant, creative and functional objects for their everyday lives,” said Pierre-Alexis Dumas, Hermès’ Executive VP in charge of artistic direction. “What more contemporary and relevant expression of this principle could there be than this collaboration with Apple. We are strongly united by the same deeply held ideas and principles. I see it as the establishment of an alliance in excellence; like horse and carriage, a perfect team.”
Apple Watch Hermès starts at US$1,100*** for the 38 mm stainless steel case with the Single Tour, US$1,150*** for the 42 mm stainless steel case with the Single Tour, US$1,250*** for the 38 mm stainless steel case with the Double Tour and US$1,500*** for the 42 mm stainless steel case with the Cuff.
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 customisable face with three exclusive dial designs inspired by Clipper, Cape Cod and Espace Hermès watches.
Apple Watch is available on Apple.com and will be available in Apple’s retail stores and select Apple Authorized Resellers, specialty stores and department stores over the next few days. For local availability, visit locate.apple.com.
In Asia Pacific, the Apple Watch Hermès collection will be available at select Apple retail stores, select Hermès stores, specialty stores and department stores beginning October 5 in Australia, mainland China, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Singapore.
*Apple Watch requires iPhone 5, iPhone 5c, iPhone 5s, iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus running iOS 8.2 or later.
Apple Watch is available on Apple.com and will be available in Apple’s retail stores and select Apple Authorized Resellers, specialty stores and department stores over the next few days. For local availability, visit locate.apple.com.
In Asia Pacific, the Apple Watch Hermès collection will be available at select Apple retail stores, select Hermès stores, specialty stores and department stores beginning October 5 in Australia, mainland China, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Singapore.
*Apple Watch requires iPhone 5, iPhone 5c, iPhone 5s, iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus running iOS 8.2 or later.
**WatchOS 2 and iOS 9 will be available beginning Wednesday, September 16 as a free software update. To use all watchOS 2 features, download iOS 9.
***Prices for the US; local pricing may vary.
