Gold Apple Watch price reportedly to be $5,000

The upcoming Apple Watch will differ from current wearable devices at least in one way: It’ll be a lot more expensive.

The Huffington Post and French website iGeneration reported yesterday the Apple Watch gold edition made with 18-karat gold will have a retail price of $4,000 to $5,000.

That compares with $349 for the Apple Watch Sport and $500 for the standard Apple Watch.

Although Apple earlier said it would launch the Apple Watch next spring, the presumed release date will be Feb. 14, Valentine’s Day.

John Gruber, an Apple enthusiast, blogger and writer, said the company has developed the top-end Apple Watch edition with luxury timepieces such as Rolex in mind.

“According to different sizes and materials, their prices will vary between $1,999 and $9,999,” said Gruber. “The price of the Apple Watch can be accurately estimated only when we see it as a luxury watch rather than just an IT device.”

Apple introduced the Apple Watch in the fashion magazine Vogue China in October. It was announced during Paris Fashion Week in late September.

BY KIM JUNG-YOON [kjy@joongang.co.kr]