Price and specifications of Apple Watch Edition 42mm (1st gen) advantages, disadvantages, and a comprehensive explanation

Overview

The Apple Watch Edition 42mm (1st generation) is a luxury variant of the original Apple Watch, released in 2015. It combines technology and elegance, targeted towards affluent consumers looking for both functionality and style. Although it has been discontinued, this edition remains a symbol of Apple's venture into the premium smartwatch market.

Design and Build

The Apple Watch Edition is renowned for its opulent design, featuring an 18-karat gold case, available in rose or yellow gold varieties. The watch's build is as impressive as its materials, with dimensions measuring 42 x 35.9 x 10.5 mm and a weight of 69 grams. The front of the watch is protected by a sapphire crystal glass, known for its scratch-resistant properties, while the back is made of high-quality ceramic. These materials not only give the watch a luxurious feel but also ensure durability over time.

Display

The watch boasts a 1.65-inch Retina OLED display with a resolution of 390 x 312 pixels, offering vibrant and crisp visuals at roughly 303 ppi density. With a peak brightness of 450 nits, the display remains clear even in direct sunlight. The use of sapphire crystal glass over the screen provides excellent protection against scratches, a necessary feature for an item typically exposed to daily wear and tear.

Performance

Under the hood, the Apple Watch Edition is powered by the Apple S1 chipset, a 28 nm processor that was groundbreaking at the time of release. The CPU is a 520 MHz Cortex-A7, and it comes paired with a PowerVR SGX543 GPU. While these specifications might seem modest today, they were adequate for handling the tasks expected of smartwatches at the time, such as app usage, fitness tracking, and notifications.

Memory and Storage

This smartwatch includes 8GB of internal storage and is supported by 512MB of RAM. While it doesn't feature a card slot for expandable storage, the available memory is suitable considering the intended use of the device. The storage is primarily used for apps, music, and photos that can be synced from a paired iPhone.

Operating System

Initially, the Apple Watch Edition came with watchOS 1.0 but is upgradable to watchOS 4.3.2. This allows users to take advantage of improved functionalities and enhanced security features over time. The watchOS platform provides a seamless interface, well-integrated with other Apple devices, and offers a range of apps tailored specifically for the Apple Watch.

Connectivity and Sensors

The Apple Watch Edition includes Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n and Bluetooth 4.0 with LE. It also features NFC, enabling Apple Pay for contactless payments. Although it lacks standalone GPS and cellular connectivity, these features were not common in smartwatches at the time of its release.

The device comes equipped with essential sensors such as an accelerometer, gyro, and heart rate monitor, which support a robust suite of fitness tracking functionalities. These sensors allow users to track their daily activity, monitor their heart rate, and detect movement patterns, enhancing both fitness tracking and the overall user experience.

Battery and Charging

The watch is powered by a Li-Ion 250 mAh battery, which provides sufficient power for daily usage scenarios typical of most smartwatches from the same period. Charging is facilitated via a wireless charger, a convenient feature that aligns well with the device's luxurious ethos.

Market Position and Pricing

Upon its release, the Apple Watch Edition was priced at approximately 13,000 EUR, placing it firmly within the luxury market segment. Its high price point reflected both the design materials and the brand recognition associated with Apple. The Edition variant aimed at competing with traditional luxury watches, offering status alongside technological innovation.

Conclusion

The Apple Watch Edition 42mm (1st gen) represents a bold move by Apple into the realm of luxury wearables. Its exquisite design and high-quality materials set a standard for what premium smartwatches could achieve. Although the Edition series has been discontinued, it remains a testament to Apple's commitment to design excellence and market innovation. For collectors and enthusiasts, the Apple Watch Edition is more than a device; it's a piece of tech history combined with timeless elegance.