Apple Watch: How does it look?
Published 12:00 am Saturday, April 25, 2015
- New York Times News Service file photoThe Apple Watch is available in a variety of stylish leather and metallic bands that make for a sharp departure from most wearable devices.
LOS ANGELES — Sport, Classic, Edition — each has its possibilities. But a note to the brand’s stores: Add mirrors.
The Apple Watch landed in stores recently for “try-on visits,” ahead of the Friday ship date. It’s a pretty genius retail tactic akin to a fashion trunk show — a tease to create demand for the tech giant’s first foray into wearable technology. And it seems to have worked; many models of the watches are already back-ordered.
I wasn’t sure what to wear to my “try-on visit.” Jeans, a skirt, long sleeves or short? I went with short sleeves, a skirt and heels because I wanted to see if the watch felt right with a somewhat formal, “on-duty” outfit.
It turns out, it didn’t much matter what I wore, because no mirrors have been installed in Apple stores for the rollout. No mirrors for a product that is supposed to be a personal style statement — are you kidding me? It was a big fashion fail, but one that I got around by taking pictures of myself on, what else, my iPhone!
The Apple store at the Grove, the L.A. retail complex where I went, has two large glass cases filled with Apple watches and a more intimate sitting area in back where, by appointment, you can try on the timepieces, which are nestled in streamlined, ultrasuede trays, as if it were the luxury watch store Tourneau.
I tried on three models. The classic 38 mm (that’s the smaller size) with stainless steel case, modern buckle, soft pink, made-in-Italy leather strap; the Sport 38 mm with stainless steel case, a surfy-looking white fluoroelastomer sport band; and the super-luxe Edition 38 mm with rose gold case, modern buckle and rose-gray leather strap.
Naturally, the Edition (which is $17,000) is the one I liked most. The rose gold is gorgeous and warm, as is the buffed leather strap. The rounded shape of the lugs (where the band attaches to the case) kind of reminds me of the Hermes Cape Cod watch. The face may feel a little large to wear for evening, but that’s easily solved by flipping the watch around and wearing the chic-looking modern buckle on the outside of your wrist. It looks like a beautiful Hermes leather bracelet. The round-edge rectangular “modern buckle” really grew on me, in fact. It’s one of my favorite features of the watches and closes easily with magnets, with a satisfying “thump.”
The Sport model (starting at $349) has a cleaner look and is noticeably lighter on the wrist with a strap that is a pin-and-tuck closure, which would be ideal for working out. I wish the strap color options were more vibrant, the pink more hot than the watermelon hue on offer, for example.
The Classic (starting at $549) feels more functional than stylish. I was underwhelmed by strap options for the Classic models, but third parties are already lining up to design stylish alternatives. In a few months’ time, no doubt Kate Spade, Michael Kors and others will have more colorful options on the shelves. (It’s worth noting that any of the three Apple Watch models can be mixed with any of the bands, which are easily swapped out — though the hardware won’t necessarily match.)
In terms of function, the customizable display on the face is a big draw. Among the options, the flowers are attractive, and the animated jellyfish incredibly detailed. But I wish you could customize the display with a personal photo. That would make the Apple Watch the ultimate style statement. Can you imagine if everyone had a different photo on their wrist, what a conversation piece the watch would become?
I was excited to see the fitness applications, too — calculate how many calories you burned at a class at SoulCycle with one tap? Yes, please.