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First Apple Watch displays go live in retail stores in Australia, other countries (Photos)

While most are still waiting for the clock to strike April 10th, Apple Stores in the eastern part of the world have started opening their doors to Apple Watch appointments and potential buyers. Images posted to Twitter and Instagram show lines of customers waiting outside of stores to get their hands on the Apple Watch.

Photos of Apple Stores in Australia show lines full of customers as well as media crews looking to report on the launch. In Japan, Apple Stores have yet to open their doors to customers, but considerably long lines have already formed outside.

Customers who visit any Apple Store will be able to try an Apple Watch. While Apple prefers that customers make an appointmentthey are not required. Walk-ins will also be accepted, although as these images show, there could be a relatively long wait. You can read our FAQ regarding the Apple Watch retail process here.

As far as 12-inch MacBook retail availability stores, Australian customers report that most stores do not have any in-stock and some aren’t expecting any for 1-2 weeks. Although that could end up being different in the United States, we’ll have to wait and see.

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Comments

  1. andreww500 - 9 years ago

    I must have missed something, how do you actually make an appointment?

  2. Ben Downing - 9 years ago

    so i just got home from the apple store after trying on the watch.

    i wore the Black 42mm Sport and the 38mm Stainless with the link band.

    the try on watches were running a demo loop once turned on (i’m not sure if i have seen it anywhere how to turn it on – you hold the digital crown and the side button in) but the ones connected to the ipads on display are fully functional
    the fluroelastmer band feels nice on the wrist – not too sterile

    the colours of the sport bands are actully quite good – they are somewhat more muted than i expected and even the pink isn’t as in your face as i expected.

    the link band is real nice but there was some trouble getting both sides to click in and close – one side took a little more effort.

    the taptic feedback is a little weak – i am actully afraid i may miss feedback now

    the tables they store the try on watches in are kinda cool, unlocked with the payment terminals the staff have, but they did have trouble unlocking them – but it could be they just don’t have the technique down pat yet.

    i was debating between the 38 and 42 sport. i currently use a pebble steel. the screen sizes on the 38 and the steel were roughly the same, but the 42mm case is the same as the total size of the pebble steel (including the screen and the bezel and surrounds) i have decided on the 38mm

    • marikski - 9 years ago

      Thanks for the post. Is it try on only—you weren’t able to pre-order at the store yet?

      • Jamie Gilder - 9 years ago

        It’s 12:01am in California, and that’s localised for each country. So in the UK it’s 8:01am, and in Australia it’s around 5:01pm

      • Ben Downing - 9 years ago

        correct. you can try on the watches but can not order for another 5 hours

    • luckydcxx - 9 years ago

      We’re you able to check out the milinase loop? Was it good quality?

      • Jamie Gilder - 9 years ago

        https://instagram.com/explore/tags/applewatch/ – The tags on Instagram keep updating, it’s good to look at. I’ve seen quite a few milanese loops

      • Ben Downing - 9 years ago

        i didn’t check the milinase – i was only interested in the sport. the stainless steal was becvause i wanted to see a 38mm on my wrist and all the 38mm had small straps that would not go around my wrist

  3. Adam Hoyle - 9 years ago

    Judging by that last video where she’s asking permission to turn the wrist over and fasten it… are they not letting you put the watch on yourself? That seems a little odd. Can anyone confirm if they let you actually hold the watch or are they that guarded with it?

    • editingsofa - 9 years ago

      Just tell them to demonstrate it first, then you will put in on yourself. Just say you don’t want someone touching you, will be fine. This is done so you don’t fumble and feel stupid, not saying you would. Just saying in general.

    • dl00apple - 9 years ago

      I’m fairly certain that if you ask to put the watch on yourself, you’ll be allowed to. I’d imagine the reason she helped the customer put on the watch was to show the customer how the clasp works, like how to pin and tuck in the sport band. Also, it just feels more luxurious. You’re adorned with a fancy watch, and then you get to check out how it looks on yourself. I wouldn’t be concerned with the watch being over-guarded.

    • charismatron - 9 years ago

      Adam, I don’t properly know but I’m going to guess, if you don’t mind.

      Perhaps it’s a part of the purchasing “experience” combined with security, and not just theft. I’d bet the staff have been throughly trained to provide a sense of comfort for the customer’s purchase of Apple’s “most personal” product. This doubles as veiling the necessity for product theft and so there’s no embarrassment or damage caused by the customer dropping and damaging the Watch.

      But that’s just a guess.

    • ruinelsoncarneiro - 9 years ago

      In any proper watch store, they will put the watch on you.

      It’s not a $30 Timex.

      • Adam Hoyle - 9 years ago

        Good point. Thanks for the replies guys.

    • irockapple - 9 years ago

      Or it could be because the customer is using his other hand to record it

  4. Ben, you mentioned that all of the 38mm had small bands attached. Would they not let you try on the size that fits? I mean if you’re planning to pre-order, and you’re at a “TRY ON” appointment, shouldn’t you be able to try on a 38mm watch with a ML sport band? Would they not allow that?

    • Ben Downing - 9 years ago

      the guy who took me for the appointment said that they were not allowed to change bands around.

  5. theaustinaustin - 9 years ago

    i still have a few question
    1) do i have to go to an apple store tomorrow to reserve an apple watch for pick up?
    2) will i be guaranteed that my apple watch will be ready for pick up on the 24?
    3) will all apple stores have the apple watch on demo tomorrow?

    • editingsofa - 9 years ago

      1) no, order online at 12:01am PST apple.com
      2) no garuntees, order earlier for best results
      3) yes

  6. Yun Kut3 - 9 years ago

    Reblogged this on Yun Kut3's Blog.

  7. ruinelsoncarneiro - 9 years ago

    Are those people crazy!?

    The Verge told us to not to buy it!

    • Mike Artz - 9 years ago

      The Verge review was half baked. It was like the guy put on his first smartwatch and told us what it was.

      • rnc - 9 years ago

        I forgot the “/s” ;)

    • rettun1 - 9 years ago

      The part I disliked most about that review was that he didn’t like the watch because it made him rude in front of people. He said he would play with it right in front of their faces and it was too distracting…. How is that anything other than HIS fault haha

  8. Jared Bell (@jaredlbell) - 9 years ago

    I went to the Chermside store this morning. Waited about 2 minutes to try one on. It’s a beautiful device and I intend to pre-order one this afternoon. Appointments start once the watch becomes available for pre-order. Today was just walk-in.

    I tried on the the Apple Watch Sports in Space Grey with the black sports band. The band feels great, you think it’s going to just feel like rubber but it doesn’t, it’s got a nice soft feel to it and it defiantly is the one for me in the 42mm version. 38mm is just too small for my large wrist.

    Also tried on the 42mm Apple Watch Stainless Steel with the link bracelet. It look beautiful, but you could feel the extra weight of it all. I liked it, but not at the price we have to pay in Australia. I will stick with the Sports version. It felt perfect.

  9. Mosha - 9 years ago

    Just a quick intial impression. I visited a store in Melbourne Chaddtone. The reviews nailed that this is a beautiful watch. It’s definetly the best looking one of all the ones out. I liked the Moto 360, but the polished steel and silky aluminum cases of the Apple watch are wonderful.

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Avatar for Chance Miller Chance Miller

Chance is an editor for the entire 9to5 network and covers the latest Apple news for 9to5Mac.

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