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Tim Cook reported to be in Paris, likely for Apple Watch launch in Galeries Lafayette (update: or not)

A previous visit to Paris by Tim Cook to promote the Apple Watch

A previous visit to Paris by Tim Cook to promote the Apple Watch

Update: Another French site, Macplus, says it has “confirmation” that Cook will not be in Paris tomorrow, but does not state a source for this.

Mac4Ever is reporting that Apple CEO Tim Cook is in Paris, likely for the Apple Watch launch in the upmarket Galeries Lafayette department store. The Apple Watch section of the store spans four balconies and is set for its grand opening at 9am tomorrow.

The similar section within the Selfridges department store in London opens the same day, and with the two cities just a 45-minute flight (or 2 hour train away, it seems likely Cook will put in an appearance there too. Visits to nearby Apple Stores in both cities also seem a reasonable bet, London’s Regent Street store is very close to Selfridges.

The watch saw mixed reviews yesterday, with the general consensus that it was easily the best smartwatch on the market but suffered from a number of usability issues–and several reviewers were still trying to figure out whether it really had a useful role to play in their daily lives.

Apple announces grand opening for Apple Watch shops in department stores in London, Paris and Tokyo (Gallery)

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selfridges

We reported last month that Apple was creating Apple Watch displays inside department stores in London and Paris, adding earlier this month that Tokyo was joining the party. All three stores-within-a-store are now official, with entries on Apple’s website. As we previously noted, the locations are Selfridges in LondonGaleries Lafayette in Paris and Isetan Shinjuku in Tokyo.

All three are opening on April 10th, the same day Apple Watchs are available for preview and pre-orders in Apple’s own retail stores, and are being given a high-profile presence in each department store … 
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Apple Watch Shop signage goes up at Isetan Department Store in Shinjuku, Tokyo

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Apple Watch Store japan

At the Isetan Department Store in Shinjuku, Tokyo, Apple is building a store specifically for the Apple Watch on the ground floor. Macotakara thinks it might be a permanent fixture because it is listed in the mall directory below.

Japan is one of the 9 countries where the Apple Watch will launch on April 24th. Earlier this week we saw the size of the Apple Watch Store at Galleries Lafayette in Paris and at London Selfridges. Apple also began advertising for its Apple Watch in its traditional stores this week.

This will take some getting used to. Imagine a world where there is an Apple Store on one side of the mall and an Apple Watch store on the other like so many Starbucks. 
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Photos show size of upcoming Apple Watch display at Galeries Lafayette in Paris

apple-watch-colette-16x9

<a href="http://qz.com/274000/inside-apples-one-day-watch-pop-up-at-paris-fashion-week/" target="_blank">Apple Watch at Colette via Quartz/Dan Frommer</a>

When the Apple Watch goes on display next month ahead of its launch, it won’t just be available to preview in Apple Stores. The company shared on Monday that three cities around the world — namely Paris, Tokyo, and London — will present the Watch outside of Apple’s own retail stores where people can preview and try on the new wearable. Newly captured photos now show early construction at one of those venues, revealing just how big the presentation area will be.
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Apple considering dedicated Apple Watch stores as it sets up Paris booth, London Selfridges Wonder Room

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Apple Watch hands on table from September

Apple Watch <a href="http://arstechnica.com">hands-on table</a> from September Media Event

According to multiple reports out of France, Apple is constructing a dedicated display for the upcoming Apple Watch in some upscale Paris-based retail outlets. The reports say that the size of the display is close to the length of a few small balconies and that Apple Retail Senior Vice President Angela Ahrendts has been directing the construction of the booth at retailer Galeries Lafayette on Champs Elysees. While these claims for France are still unconfirmed, sources have told us that Apple is considering constructing dedicated Apple Watch retail stores in the future if demand deems such outlets necessary…


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