One of the few genuine surprise during the various announcements made today at the “Let Us Loop You In” event in Cupertino was a permanent price cut to base model of Apple Watch Sport, which will now be reduced by $50 to a new entry point of $299 for the 38mm version, down from its original $349. The price of the 42mm model was also reduced by $50, and now starts at $349 (previously $399). The new price cut is not reflecting in the regular (stainless steel) Watch model, nor the gold Edition variation.
Also introduced, as expected, were new bands offering both new colors and an all-new material. Joining the well-known bands in the lineup are some made of Woven Nylon with a classic buckle. There are also new colors of fluoroelastomer bands to go with the Sport model, in a banana yellow color, apricot, and royal blue. The woven nylon bands come in pink, “scuba blue,” royal blue, gold/red, and black. Purchased separately, both the sport bands and the woven nylon bands cost $49, but one of the customer’s choice of either is included when ordering an Apple Watch Sport.
There is also a new Space Black Milanese band with a magnetic closure intended for use with the stainless steel Apple Watch, but like all bands can be used with any version of the Watch. Like the regular Milanese band, it sells separately from $149. The Stainless Steel models of Watch start at $549 and at that price come with a Sport band or Woven Nylon band as the customer prefers. Some of the colors added to the Sport band lineup have also appeared for the Classic Buckle and Modern Buckle lineup.
