Apple Watch Edition Version Price Revealed To Be Around $1200; Features 18-Karat

The Edition version of the Apple Watch may run consumers $1,200,TechCrunch reports.

The publication sources "jewelers familiar with the material" used for the smartwatch based on its weight and size:

"Chad Rickicki, a watch expert in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania said that a case the size and shape of the Apple Watch in 18 carat gold would cost about $600 to make. The rest -- the electronics and markup could double that price.

That doesn't mean that all of the Apple Watches will rest in the rarified air of haute horlogerie. The lower end sport versions will start at $349 and presumably the standard versions, simply called Apple Watch, will receive a premium over that. The Edition watches, however, are expensive because gold is expensive, even at 18K and intermixed with Apple's alloys."

The 18-karat gold used in the Edition model, which also packs a sapphire crystal display, was dubbed "twice as hard as standard gold" at Apple's unveiling of the device last week.

MacRumors notes that the Edition version could also come with boxes that double as chargers.

See Also: Apple Watch's Battery Life May Be An Issue 

The first-ever smartwatch from the tech giabt isn't enough of a threat off of the bat to make luxury watchmakers sweat, however, The Wall Street Journal reports.

"It looks a little cold, and lacks, for my taste, a bit of personality," said Jean-Claude Biver, a Swiss watchmaker icon. "It looks perfect, but perfection sometimes has a lack of sexiness."

"This won't create another crisis for the Swiss watch industry," he added.

The Apple smartwatch, which starts at $349, will come in two sizes and three collections, allowing users to customize the device to their unique needs for function and style.

What do you make of the Apple Watch? Would you shell out over a grand to get your hands on an Edition version? Let us know with a comment.