<a href="http://9to5mac.com/2015/04/17/apple-phil-schiller-marc-newson-apple-watch-showcase-milan/" target="_blank">Apple Watch on display for one day only in Milan, Italy last week</a>
A new report out today claims Apple will soon be taking orders for the Apple Watch in more countries around the world — even as stock in the initial launch countries remains tight. According to Italian site iSpazio, citing anonymous sources, Apple plans to roll out the Apple Watch preview and try-on experience at its retail locations and begin taking pre-orders beginning May 8th. However, sources close to the situation say Apple is not currently targeting May 8th for its second-wave Apple Watch launch…
Thus far the Apple Watch has only been available for pre-order in 9 select countries: the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong and Japan. Pre-orders in those countries opened online on April 10th while deliveries will begin on Friday as the launch kicks off.
Though the Apple Watch release date is officially Friday, April 24th, Apple has instructed its retail stores not to expect in-store availability for purchases until sometime in June at the earliest. Apple Retail SVP Angela Ahrendts reiterated the online-only sales process for the next month in a video sent to retail employees yesterday as online orders continue
Despite limited Apple Watch availability in the initial launch countries, Apple will want to begin the process of taking orders in new markets eventually even if the waiting process for customers continues.
Last week the Apple Watch was made available to preview as during the Salone del Mobile design exhibition in Milan with Apple’s Phil Schiller and Marc Newson in town and Jony Ive revealing unannounced Sport band colors. Perhaps we’ll hear more from Apple during next week’s earnings call on April 27th.
Jordan Kahn contributed to this report.
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NOT BEFORE I GET MY APPLE WATCH!
Exactly. This is an unlikely scenario for that raison alone. People are angry enough already.
Angry? Undoubtedly only the fools are angry. Angry for buying a product they want and not need. Angry that demand out way supply. Angry that estimated shipments were disclosed before purchasing. Angry that no money has yet been charged to CC and can issue a refund at anytime. Y so mad bro? You’re upset you may not get your watch soon. Fine. Should you be angry? No. If Apple could supply more they would.
umad bro?
Yes, if only because of the “strip-tease” called Apple Watch:
September 9, 2014 “Introduction” – stay tuned (for SIX months)
March 9, 2015 “Re-introduction” – but wait a month for pre-orders
April 10, 2015 “Pre-Orders” – which sell out in six hours
April 24, 2015 “Delivery” – well, not quite – if ordered in first 6 minutes or so “maybe 4/24-5/8”
August 2015 for some (black stainless steel) models
So almost ONE YEAR from first fan hitting the floor to final result…that is insulting…
I feel you, i live in Italy, we are a very big market but always in the second wave, i know a lot of people that goes in France for every day 1, this time is impossible because it’s online-only.
Also they shown the Watch at the Salone del mobile in Milan for fashion marketing but they will not sell it here for a month or more after the first wave launch
I don’t see how people can be so irrationally angry about not getting this product you’re voluntarily purchasing. Apple owes you nothing.
Delay in receiving your Apple Watch does not equate to the city not plowing your street after snowfall.
Unless Apple is boosting supply getting more people to wait for more than a month may not be such a good ideA
En otros países tenemos derecho a tenerlo, haber sido mas rápido …
when is it coming to India ??? :'(
I’m still a bit surprised and disappointed by the supply issue.
What a botched release!
I don’t understand the supply constraints, but I won’t pretend like I know better or know what Apple should do. This isn’t Apple’s first rodeo, they know the numbers. If they decided to launch in more countries, they did so because they knew it was in their best interest.
Just like the iPhone 6 plus where so many of us were still waiting on our orders as Apple opened more markets for current delivery?
I think what would have here is a combination of Tim dislike for having a lot of unsold inventory, the high risk returns as people are unsure of what they want and the use of many high tech components in a such a small device (fancy custom bands, saffire, flexible OLE screen, digital crown, S1 microprocessor, etc.) – my guess is this will all be forgotten by July.
Guys… chill out. I heard rumor Apple will ship out all orders by May 8th. The June delivery date is worst case scenerio and you are expected to get your watch long before June. Now this rumor says it will start taking orders on that date in other coutries. My guess is they plan to send your watch right before the open it up to more countries. no need to freak out!
I am still waiting here in Spain. When is it coming?
Apple created a supply issue on purpose and I will tell you why. This is a new product and they don’t know what to expect. Yes, they knew what to expect to a certain degree but nobody can predict all the variations. This is the only product they ever made with so many different variations. They have three different cases you can buy in two different case sizes (that is a total of 6) plus about 20 combinations of bands to pick that come in different colors and sizes. They don’t know which case/band combo is the most popular so they do a huge prelaunch and wait a day to find out which cases/bands to produce at a faster pace. This way they don’t produce too many cases or bands of a particular color that won’t sell. This whole concept is just logical to me and that is exactly how I would do it. The added bonus is it creates a lot of buzz (supply and demand). The shipping date of June is WORST case scenerio. Apple already admitted that. They said most orders will be delivered in May.
Just last week I heard a May 8th date in a rumor. That is when Apple is expected to have all preorders shipped out. Now this rumor of opening up the watch to other countries on that date makes sense. They are already working hard building and processing all of your orders. Trust me on that! Their production is in full blast right now. Now they are starting to look forward to the second wave of orders by opening it up outside the USA. Everyone needs to chill out. Your watch is coming and it will be sooner than you think.
Everything you say seems legit…..
Do you have a source?
iSpazio = 💩