Final week, we heard from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman that Apple goes to begin shifting away from leather-based for its Apple Watch bands to match the identical effort for its iPhone 15 instances. Now forward of Apple’s iPhone and Apple Watch occasion on September 12, long-time Apple Watch associate Hermès has eliminated all mentions of the wearable and suitable bands from its web site. This might imply it could be a fast shift for the Apple Watch away from leather-based. And is it the top of the luxurious design home’s partnership with Apple?
On the finish of August, we heard a number of rumors that Apple was planning to interchange its leather-based instances with a new woven-style materials for the iPhone 15 lineup. Then we noticed extra corroboration every week later that the brand new iPhone 15 instances to take the place of the premium leather-based could be known as “FineWoven.”
Simply six days after Mark shared concerning the expectation that Apple would “start shifting away from leather-based on its Apple Watch bands as properly” Hermès has eliminated all Apple Watch-related merchandise from its web site – as noticed by Parker Ortolani.
That features Hermés eradicating the whole “Apple Watch Hermès” part beneath “Jewellery and Watches” on its web site.
Apple’s web site nonetheless has the Hermés touchdown web page up and it’s nonetheless attainable to purchase Apple Watch Hermès – the only a few fashions which are nonetheless in inventory. Apple has additionally been giving staff as much as 90% off the remaining Apple Watch Hermés fashions.
9to5Mac’s take
With Hermès totally eradicating all Apple Watch content material from its web site, it raises the query, come Tuesday, is the partnership with Apple over?
Whereas Hermés has targeted on providing luxurious leather-based bands with Apple Watch, it does make “Casaque Single Tour” with woven nylon (pictured beneath).
And it may have labored to create new non-leather choices. However it’s attainable that Apple shifting away from leather-based was only a dealbreaker for Hermès.
On the flip facet, it’s attainable Hermès determined to take away all Apple Watch content material from its web site forward of a refreshed, leather-free vary of luxurious bands and new Apple Watch Hermés fashions to launch alongside Collection 9.
In reality, Hermès did that final 12 months forward of the Collection 8 and Extremely launch which included new Apple Watch Hermès fashions. Mark Gurman believes Apple’s transfer away from leather-based gained’t affect its relationship with Hermès. And it’s additionally attainable that regardless that Apple is shifting away from leather-based that Hermés may proceed to take action.
In the meantime, Hermés nonetheless has its listings dwell for AirTag, AirPods, and iPhone 12 instances. What do you assume? Is Apple Watch Hermès over or is it sticking round? Share your ideas within the feedback!
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