Luxury brand Hermès has a new series of MagSafe-compatible chargers for the iPhone and Apple Watch, with prices that are higher than the cost of an iPhone 17 Pro Max.
The $1,250 Paddock Solo Charger is a magnetic charger that works with a single device, while the $1,750 Paddock Duo can charge an Apple Watch and iPhone at the same time. The $1,750 Paddock Yoyo is also a dual charger, but it has a USB-C cable that wraps around the charger for travel purposes.
Hermès also has bundles that pair the chargers with a Grand Paddock or Petit Paddock case, with prices ranging from $3,725 to $5,150.
Each of the charging products has an H logo over the magnetic charging spot for alignment purposes, and they've been "meticulously encased in Swift calfskin" with saddle stitching.
While these chargers cost thousands of dollars, Hermès took a cue from Apple and did not bundle them with a power adapter. Each charger requires a 20W or higher power adapter, but the company does throw in a free 3.3-foot USB-C cable. Apple stopped offering power adapters starting in 2020.
Hermès is a longtime Apple partner, and has designed Apple Watch bands to be sold with the Hermès-branded Apple Watch models since 2015.
Apple sells Hermès Apple Watch models and bands, but it is not offering the new Hermès chargers.
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This kind of thing really cheapens the Hermes brand.
I can understand someone (with the money to do so) splashing out on a high-end handbag. If well-looked after they can maintain and even appreciate in value, and can last a lifetime. Sure it's conspicuous consumption by the wealthy - but that's nothing new. It's no more crazy than splashing out on other fashion accessories like jewellery.
However, this is a charger. It's an electronics item that's probably going to last a few years at best. Buying it isn't an investment in a quality product for life. It's just burning money to show that you're so wealthy that money no longer has any meaning. That's frankly just tacky.
