Much has been talked about the gold version of the new Watch, with some experts estimating that it could cost up to $10,000 (£6,250). That is certainly a believable figure; it is less than the cost of many stainless-steel Swiss luxury watches. But what if Apple has devised a new way to make 18k gold that uses less gold and is stronger than the traditional alloy? It seems that the artful alchemists of Cupertino have achieved just such a feat. It is already patented, as you would expect.
How can this be? It’s because Apple’s gold is a metal matrix composite, not a standard alloy. Instead of mixing the gold with silver, copper, or other metals to make it harder, Apple is mixing it with low-density ceramic particles. The ceramic makes Apple’s gold harder and more scratch-resistant—which Tim Cook touted during the September announcement—and it also makes it less dense overall.
In another article, in ibtimes.co.uk, M.Rochan reveals that bullion dealers have estimated that the Watch could contain two ounces of pure gold, currently costing about £1,550. If the gold Edition watch is as popular as some believe, Apple would be in the market for nearly 750 tonnes of gold a year.
Much will depend on the final retail price of the Edition, all rumours aside. It seems to me that the production cost of the gold watch will be up to £2,000 more than that of the steel version. If that is the case, and Apple wishes to keep the price realistic, I believe the Edition watch could be retailed for between £2,750 and £3,500 rather than the postulated £6,250. All will be revealed on Monday.