The Apple Watch is arriving early 2015 in three versions - Watch, Watch Sport and Watch Edition. The Watch Sport is going to cost $349 as Apple announced last week, but according to long-time Apple analyst John Gruber, the gold Watch Edition version could retail for as much as $4,999.

The reason for the high price tag is that Apple is manufacturing the Watch Edition with solid 18-karat gold. It's not plated or coated. This kind of affair in watchmaking comes at a cost.

According to Gruber, at the very least, the Watch Edition is going to retail at $1,999. However, that's as optimistic as he's willing to go. He even goes on to compare the Apple Watch Edition to the more "affordable" Rolex watches stating that the $5,000 price tag isn't as ridiculous as it might initially appear.

Furthermore, the analyst speculates that the Apple Watch with stainless steel and sapphire glass is going to retail for $999. Whether these predictions will turn out true or will be far from reality, will become clear only when Apple discloses the pricing of the Watch.

pretty ridiculous considering the tech in the device will probably be obsolete within 2 years. you'd have to be loaded or crazy to drop that much on a smartwatch.

Apple is Apple! I'm sure they will find customer for the gold one lol