Many of us thought that the approximate date Apple gave about the Apple Watch would be for US, because its site at Apple page said "Coming Early 2015" instead of "Available in 2015", as in the European ones. However, I've just looked again and now it shows "Early" in the UK, French, German, Spanish and Italian stores, while in Latin America and New Zealand it hasn't changed.
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European stores: coming "early" 2015
- Thread starter AlexESP
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This is jolly good news. As you've pointed out, Apple has clearly updated certain sites from saying, 'Available 2015' to 'Available Early 2015'. This therefore means that us in the UK should get our hands in Apple Watch in around Q1 - Early Q2 2015, which is very exciting news. I think this change bodes a number of things though.
1. Apple may now feel they are ahead with production yield rates for the Apple Watch. There was some suggestion as to whether the Watch had a decent yield rate, this could have led to Apple suggesting it would just be released 'sometime in 2015' in the rest of the world.
2. Apple could be planning to release the Apple Watch in the US even earlier than people imagine. Usually when a new generation of Apple product is released, it hits the US first, the usually the UK, Australia ect.. around a month later. Therefore, if Apple is planning to meet the early 2015 timeframe for Apple Watch in the UK, it could mean they are planning to release Apple Watch in the USA by the end of February at the latest. However, it could just be the case that Apple will do a single rollout for these markets for the Watch. Something to think about though!
1. Apple may now feel they are ahead with production yield rates for the Apple Watch. There was some suggestion as to whether the Watch had a decent yield rate, this could have led to Apple suggesting it would just be released 'sometime in 2015' in the rest of the world.
2. Apple could be planning to release the Apple Watch in the US even earlier than people imagine. Usually when a new generation of Apple product is released, it hits the US first, the usually the UK, Australia ect.. around a month later. Therefore, if Apple is planning to meet the early 2015 timeframe for Apple Watch in the UK, it could mean they are planning to release Apple Watch in the USA by the end of February at the latest. However, it could just be the case that Apple will do a single rollout for these markets for the Watch. Something to think about though!
Seriously, this is so true.
If it launches before Valentines day, I will be getting two as soon as possible.
If it launches after, I will be getting at least one, eventually.
Yes, this would be great and I hope that Apple Watch launches by Valentine's Day. However, I don't think it will. For two reasons.
1. Apple's VP of Retail said launch in the Spring, which more indicates March.
2. It's been rumoured to go into mass production in Janurary. I don't think this would leave long enough for production to have enough units to sell at launch.
I guess it all comes down to how many they can make, and how many they think they can sell.
As always a tricky balance, for the Watch more than anything else, as it's rare to see so many people, even here saying they are going to wait and see.
Apple want to sell out.
That's a fact.
The very very last thing Apple would wish is for the media to write articles about how the Apple watches are just sitting on the shelves unsold.
It's far far better to be sold out, and people placing orders, trying to find them for sale.
You just don't want to be in too short supply, just enough, which is tricky to get right, esp with this new product.
"Early 2015" is very vague and so is the price tag "Starting at $350" i'm in the UK and i will be buying the 
Watch, but because it's a new product category for Apple, there are a few questions that need to be answered, for example the price of each Apple Watch, how expensive is this likely to go? also when buying the Watch will we need to go into the Apple store to try on the different straps, or will they all be one side fits all?
For example if i was to buy the steel version, would i also be able to use the sports band on it for exercising but later in the day change it to the steel link bracelet or leather strap when at a party or university.
I really hope Apple release the Watch sooner rather than later i really want one
Watch, but because it's a new product category for Apple, there are a few questions that need to be answered, for example the price of each Apple Watch, how expensive is this likely to go? also when buying the Watch will we need to go into the Apple store to try on the different straps, or will they all be one side fits all? For example if i was to buy the steel version, would i also be able to use the sports band on it for exercising but later in the day change it to the steel link bracelet or leather strap when at a party or university.
I really hope Apple release the Watch sooner rather than later i really want one
"Early 2015" is very vague and so is the price tag "Starting at $350" i'm in the UK and i will be buying the
For example if i was to buy the steel version, would i also be able to use the sports band on it for exercising but later in the day change it to the steel link bracelet or leather strap when at a party or university.
I really hope Apple release the Watch sooner rather than later i really want one
I'm also in the UK and, although this is unlikely to happen, wouldn't it be great if say, a week before the launch, you could go into the store and try on different watch straps, see the different designs and see which size watch you want. This would be perfect for a watch product. However, I think this is unlikely. It's more likely that we'll just have a one size fits all strap.
My understanding is that you can easily swap out any Watch or Sport band if you have an Apple Watch (steel). So yes, you'd be able to use the sport band whilst at the gym, then a leather one or other nice band at university.
That's a good idea, being able to see in person would help with making a decision. At the moment I'm thinking the steel version with a midnight blue leather strap, a sport strap and a steel link bracelet. Of course it's going to depend on how much Apple with charge for the straps individually. It would be nice to have a collection of different ones tho.
Yes, it would be great but I honestly don't think it's going to happen, it's not Apple's style. However, saying that, a fashion product isn't really Apple's style, and they've created one. So you never know.
I love the look of the leather strap, I want the Classic buckle in midnight blue. It's looks like it's only avaliable in black for the steel version, but also in midnight blue for the Edition.
That is true, I think Apple will make the straps one size fits all which isn't a bad thing really.
Yea I love the look of the midnight blue strap looks like it would go well with the steel version tho. Knowing Apple tho they will make them very expensive! I'm hoping the Apple Watch steel edition doesn't cost more than £1000
I'll pay no where near £1000 for a steel one, it's essencially the same product so I'll pay no more than £500, otherwise, I'll simply get a sport. It's a first gen product, which means I'll probably be replacing it in two years time.
It's going to be interesting to see how Apple works out the pricing, if the sport starts at $349 it could go like the iPhone and iPad and be $100 more for the steel, now that I wouldn't mind paying, especially be user it would work out to around £400 - £450 which I don't have a problem paying. I altho I have read a rumor that the gold Watch Edition will cost upwards of around $5,000 which seems very expensive and the main reason why I wouldn't consider it.
Unfortunately for Canada its still 'Available in 2015'. I was so hoping for it to be released by February! This sucks
I would imagine Apple would want to get millions of these devices made and ready, but. And it's a very important BUT.
When they do the actual release, only release them from manufactured storage at a rate which just does not quite match up with demand.
So, to all of us, and the Media, it looks as if they are struggling to make them as fast as people want them.
Think about it.
1: Apple has the money to do this, they can burn cash to build up stock in store without any problem.
2: They of course don't wish to really be in a position where they have underestimated demand and they fail to keep up, or hit a glitch and it all falls to pieces.
3: Most important, they really REALLY want this to be a very successful launch of a brand new type of product, and it needs to be seen that way in the media and people's minds.
If you make plenty and flood the stores, then, as consumers we may think, yay that's great, I can go into any store and select any model as there are loads in stock.
However media wise, this would very quickly turn into a negative.
Apple has made too many
They are sitting on the shelves unsold
Don't rush to queue, very few are interested, they are not selling well, shops are full of them.
Whilst as I say this is good for the consumer, no queue and get exactly the model you want. It will be seen bad.
What you ideally want, is, as I say to. YES do have them already made, but let them out gradually, at only just the speed to keep them looking like they are only just managing to keep up with supply. Perhaps you have to wait a week or two online to get one as they are selling out so fast as soon as they come in.
That would be a great balancing act, and look great for the product.
When they do the actual release, only release them from manufactured storage at a rate which just does not quite match up with demand.
So, to all of us, and the Media, it looks as if they are struggling to make them as fast as people want them.
Think about it.
1: Apple has the money to do this, they can burn cash to build up stock in store without any problem.
2: They of course don't wish to really be in a position where they have underestimated demand and they fail to keep up, or hit a glitch and it all falls to pieces.
3: Most important, they really REALLY want this to be a very successful launch of a brand new type of product, and it needs to be seen that way in the media and people's minds.
If you make plenty and flood the stores, then, as consumers we may think, yay that's great, I can go into any store and select any model as there are loads in stock.
However media wise, this would very quickly turn into a negative.
Apple has made too many
They are sitting on the shelves unsold
Don't rush to queue, very few are interested, they are not selling well, shops are full of them.
Whilst as I say this is good for the consumer, no queue and get exactly the model you want. It will be seen bad.
What you ideally want, is, as I say to. YES do have them already made, but let them out gradually, at only just the speed to keep them looking like they are only just managing to keep up with supply. Perhaps you have to wait a week or two online to get one as they are selling out so fast as soon as they come in.
That would be a great balancing act, and look great for the product.
Noooooooooo
They have been doomed since Steve Jobs death to hear some people talk. I actually think under Tim Cook Apple is giving us consumers more choice.
