Today Apple finally lifted the veil on Apple Watch pricing and band options. If you haven't watched the live broadcast, check out a replay of the Keynote, it's definitely worth it.
There were many rumours swirling that Apple would limit the availability of the different bands, only selling some bands with some watches (this is actually only true of the Edition watches).
Last September, I opined that bands would become collector items:
Bands will become collector's items. Although only a specific set of bands will be available for the launch, it is fully conceivable that other manufacturers (think Vertu) will make bands that cater to a very specific segment of the market. If Apple developed the band mechanism with longevitiy in mind, then there is a certain value knowing that investing in a series a bands for various occasions will allow you to bring those bands to future Apple Watches
With today's announcement, we're one step closer to that reality.
There are still a lot of unknows about the Apple Watch. Most interesting however is how successful will it be?. Apple has hit home run after home with most of their mass-market products run since the iPod, but past successes do not guarantee a fruitful future for Apple Watch.
If Apple Watch succeeds, versions 2 and 3 will contain significant advances in technolgy, including more advanced sensors to capture and track other health or activity-related data. I fear that the first generation of the Apple Watch will become obsolete quite quickly.
For the first iteration of the Apple Watch, there really is one very sensible option if you absolutely must get one. Assuming bands will be compatible with future iterations of the watch (which I believe they will), going with the Apple Watch Sport along with a nice band for more formal occasions is a safe bet (Modern Buckle, Leather Loop or Milanese Loop). With the Sport, you're investing $349/$399 to get the exact same technology you would in the regular or Edition models and you're paying at the very least $200 less. The fact that Apple also includes 2 bands with the Sport makes me think they won't last very long.
Personally, I'm leaning towards the 38mm Space Gray Aluminum with Black Sport Band along with the Milanese Loop for a more professional look. If the Watch is as useful as I hope it will be, I won't have any reservations in upgrading when version 2 inevitably hits the market. Oh, and I'll still have my Milanese Loop and maybe one of the Sport bands left over.