An Apple announcement today confirmed Apple Watch try-on sessions and pre-orders begin Friday, April 10. The press release also confirms that the company will be taking orders for the Apple Watch exclusively online during the initial launch period, due to the expectation that orders will outstrip supply.
“We are excited to welcome customers tomorrow and introduce them to Apple Watch, our most personal device yet. Based on the tremendous interest from people visiting our stores, as well as the number of customers who have gone to the Apple Online Store to mark their favorite Apple Watch ahead of availability, we expect that strong customer demand will exceed our supply at launch,” said Angela Ahrendts, Apple’s senior vice president of Retail and Online Stores. “To provide the best experience and selection to as many customers as we can, we will be taking orders for Apple Watch exclusively online during the initial launch period.”
Try-on sessions will be available in Apple Stores in the US, UK, Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong and Japan beginning Friday. The Watch will also be featured at the Galeries Lafayette in Paris, Isetan in Tokyo, London’s Selfridges, and some resellers in Japan and China. The Watch will go on display at Colette in Paris, Dover Street Market in London and Tokyo, Mayfield in Los Angeles and The Corner in Berlin beginning April 24.
Apple Watch pre-order will kickoff online at the following local times in these countries only:
- U.S., Canada: 12:01 a.m. (Pacific Time), 3:01 a.m. (Eastern Time)
- U.K.: 8:01 a.m.
- Germany: 9:01 a.m.
- France: 9:01 a.m.
- Australia: 5:01 p.m.
- Hong Kong: 3:01 p.m.
- China: 3:01 p.m.
- Japan 3:01 p.m.
The Apple Watch hits shelves on April 24 in the above listed launch countries, a reservation for in-store pickup will be required.
