One of the latest rumors heading into tomorrow's Apple event is that the Hermès Apple Watch may be discontinued. If true, this could be more interesting for several reasons.
The end of Hermès, part deux
The rumors are partly based on Apple's apparent refusal to sell genuine leather products. Apple will instead promote a more environmentally friendly material it calls FineWoven, based on leaks product information leading up to this event.
Hermès has also completely removed the Apple Watch from its website. Is it running out of stock before updating the hardware? Is this the end of Apple's long-standing partnership with Hermès? We'll find out tomorrow. but something very similar happened a year ago.
The fate of the dial h2>
If Hermès Apple Watch will indeed disappear with the Series 8 replacement, this won't be the first time Apple has ended a brand's partnership with the Apple Watch.
When Apple introduced the Apple Watch Series 8 a year ago, it also stopped offering a collaboration version with Nike. Functionally, there was no difference between the Apple Watch and Apple Watch Nike+, with the exception of Nike-branded watch faces.
When Nike watches went out of business, Nike watch faces appeared on all Apple Watches (except the Hermès version, but that's another story). If the Hermès Apple Watch is discontinued, what will happen to the Hermès watch face collection?
It would be unfortunate if the watch face collection disappeared altogether, but I think that would be the most likely scenario. Alternative results? I wouldn't predict that all Apple Watches will suddenly get a collection of Hermès watch faces.
In my opinion, it's more likely that Apple will make the Hermès collection semi-exclusive, offering them only in stainless steel. models.
Bring back black
Speaking of stainless steel, Apple replaced the space with black with graphite as a darker version of the color of stainless steel many years ago. “Space Black” remains exclusively as a color option for the Apple Watch from Hermès.
The departure of Hermès may put an end to the space black color of the Apple Watch for a while. On the other hand, Apple could shake up the Series 9 lineup by reintroducing space black as a stainless steel finish without the premium Hermès finish.
Possibly nothing at all
My final prediction? FineWoven replaces leather iPhone cases and becomes a new band material, but Apple Watch and Apple Watch Hermès bands remain unchanged.
What are your predictions? Let us know before the event starts on Tuesday at 10:00 AM PT/1:00 PM PT. I.T.
