As we draw closer to the highly-anticipated release date of the Apple Watch, many of us are wondering if the pocket-sized accessory-turned-gadget is worth a purchase.  One cannot simply “buy” the Watch, however—there are numerous external costs involved in the process of Watch ownership.

Perceived obsolescence is already one of Apple’s favorite marketing techniques, so it comes as no surprise that the Watch is only compatible with iPhones 5 and up.  This not only encourages people to upgrade their phones, but it also keeps the business within the brand, as Android users are excluded from the Watch-buying clan.

Another tactic Apple will reportedly implement to market the Watch as “exclusive” is the recent release that Apple is training its store staff to offer “fashion” advice regarding the different styles of Watches.  Blogger Jon Fingas of Engadget considers the practicality of the new store gimmick feature:

“The notion that a plainly dressed, modestly paid worker could become a fashion expert is a bit silly, and Apple’s example customers don’t always make sense. What kind of waiter makes enough money to drop $1,000 on a steel smartwatch without flinching? However, this shows just how far Apple is willing to go to get its new device on your wrist. It’s willing to hire sales execs from non-technical fields and have them replace the conventional electronics store sales tactics with ones you’d expect from a boutique. Will they work? Not necessarily (this is still an expensive and strictly optional piece of silicon), but it’ll be interesting to see how the experiment shakes out.”

Despite Apple’s attempt to market the Watch as a fashion statement and tech necessity, the Watch may not come through as quite a groundbreaking product as it advertises.  A techradar.com review of the Watch details a major shortcoming on Apple’s part—the missed opportunity to tap into the wide fitness-enthusiast demographic:

“The Apple Watch is neither a fitness band, watch or fashion accessory though, despite taking a bit from each of those camps. It’s hard to define what it really is, which means that users may struggle to justify the purchase.

What has saddened me in the time since launch is finding out that Apple won’t be selling it properly into the health market. Apparently early tests to add in a stress sensor and blood pressure monitor failed, (beautifully partly because of hairy arms) so the Apple Watch – at least version one – will be a cut down version of what it could have been.”

We know that Apple won’t be releasing any new state-of-the-art fitness technology with the Watch.  So what makes Apple so sure that customers will opt for its specific timepiece when:

1. An iPhone 5 or higher is required for the Watch to function.
2. Brands such as Samsung already released comparable products and
3. The brand Olio just announced its release of a sleek smartwatch, which could be Apple’s biggest threat to date.

The answer is brand loyalty.  Apple products are so popular because of the upscale, high-quality, well-designed, exclusive image the brand has built for itself.  But will the company’s usual customer base view the Watch as a worthy investment or a passing trend?  Trusted Reviews blogger Chris Smith is the voice of the middle-class in his Watch review:

“Firstly, the base price of $349 feels too high. Secondly, Apple did not address battery life and that’s a worry. Surely Tim Cook would have taking the opportunity to brag if Apple had anything up its sleeve in that department, right?

The Digital Crown is unique and smart, but I don’t think it’s an innovation in the league of the Macintosh’s mouse, the iPod’s click wheel or the iPhone’s multi-touch capabilities as Apple made out. It’s just not going to be that much of a difference maker.

Apple has certainly lived up to the billing by launching an intriguing and unique smartwatch proposition that is likely to represent the future of the sector. People will buy it, it will probably succeed, but I don’t think it’s the epochal smartwatch epiphany many had envisioned.”

As the release date nears, it is crucial to consider the information detailed in the aforementioned blogs before making a purchase.