Preorders for the Apple Watch Start at Midnight on April 10
The Apple Watch is almost here. It’s so close to being strapped to your wrist, you can probably subconsciously already feel it. Now the official unveiling is complete, all our burning questions about the release date, the different versions, and the price have been answered. If you want an Apple Watch, here’s what you need to know.
Updated on 04-03-2015 by Malarie Gokey: Added in details of preorder date and time, as well as AppleCare protection costs for the Apple Watch.
When is it out?
Apple finally announced that it will open preorders for the Apple Watch on April 10 at 12:01 a.m. PST, and it’ll go on sale on April 24. Apple hasn’t confirmed any special opening hours for stores, but we can make an educated guess. Online is probably the way to go if you’re not bothered about standing in a long line of people. You’d best be awake and ready with your credit card at 12:00 a.m. PST on April 10 if you want to get your choice of Apple Watch ahead of the masses.
To help you get ready for preorders, Apple now has a little heart placed next to each Apple Watch model, so you can save your favorites and make your choice faster on the big day.
Stores opened at 8 a.m. local time for the iPhone 6 launch, so there’s a good chance this will also be repeated for buying the Watch in an Apple retail shop on April 24. Expect a line to have formed, so make sure you’re there early. Like the day before early.
In the meantime, if you’d like to try out all the different versions, and discover which one looks and feels best on your arm, then you’ll also need to head out to an Apple Store. Inside, the Apple Watch will be on display, and the team will demonstrate the features, plus you’ll have the opportunity to try each one on.
How much will it cost?
There are three different Apple Watch models, and three very different pricing structures to go with them. The cheapest model is the Watch Sport, which will start at $350 for the 38mm size version, and $400 for the 42mm Watch. This stays the same across all the silver aluminum-bodied models, and the band is offered in white, blue, green, or pink. The space grey model only comes with a black silicone band.
Next is the stainless steel bodied Watch, which costs a little more, and is the first with the option to select alternative straps. The 38mm model in silver with a white or black sports strap costs $550, and the 42mm version is $600. From there, the price increases depending on which strap you choose. A black leather version with a silver buckle, or the all-metal Milanese Loop option is $650/$700.
Related: Everything you need to know about the Apple Watch
Apple then splits the pricing and the strap options. The 38mm Apple Watch comes with a plain leather strap and a “modern” buckle, while the 42mm Watch has a leather loop strap. Each comes in several colors. The 38mm version is the more expensive of the two at $750, while the 42mm model is $700. Finally, there are two different stainless steel cases and strap options, one in silver, and the other in space grey. You’ll pay $950/$1,000 for the silver, and $1,050/$1,100 for the space grey.
Finally, there’s the Watch Edition, which is made from real gold, and you’ll need $10,000 minimum if you want to take one home. For that, you get either an 18-karat rose gold, or yellow gold 38mm watch with a sport band. The 42mm version is $12,000. A 42mm Apple Watch Edition with a classic buckle is $15,000. The most expensive Apple Watch Edition is the 38mm model with a leather strap and modern strap, and it costs an enormous $17,000.
Bands can be purchased separately. The Sport Band is $50, the Leather and Milanese Loop is $150, the leather with a Modern Buckle is $250, and the metal link bracelet is $450.
What’s the cost of AppleCare protection?
If you feel like you haven’t spent enough on your shiny new watch, you can always add AppleCare warranty protection, but it will cost you. According to various reports, it will range from $60 to $1,000, depending on which model you buy. It’s unclear if the strap choice will alter the price of AppleCare.
The Sport, which is the cheapest model, will supposedly cost $60 to protect with an extended two-year warranty and accidental damage coverage. AppleCare for the mid-tier Watch will cost $80. Meanwhile, the Apple Watch Edition, which starts at $10,000 without AppleCare, costs a whopping $1,000 to protect with three years of warranty and coverage for accidental damage.
Related: Are you a snob or an idiot? Apple Watch lets you choose
Without AppleCare, your Apple Watch Sport and the mid-range Apple Watch will probably only get a one-year warranty for hardware repairs and 90 days of support. The Apple Edition Watch will come with a two-year warranty and complimentary support. It’s unclear how much Apple will charge Watch owners for repairs once the warranty is up, but it’s likely to be costly.
Where will it be sold?
The Apple Watch will be sold in the following countries from April 10: The U.S., the U.K., Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, and Japan. Apple promises it’ll be coming to more countries in the near future.
Aside from Apple Stores, the Apple Watch will also be available from April 10 through three, dedicated concessions in well-known department stores around the world. In London, Selfridges on Oxford Street will have its own Apple Watch store. In Paris, one will be found inside the Gallerie Lafayette, and in Tokyo Another will be located in the flagship Isetan store in Shinjuku.
All three will open on April 10, where there will be the chance to see the Apple Watch, and place a preorder. There has been rumors of the Apple Watch being in short supply at launch, just like most Apple products, and that preorders are being given priority. This means the chances of walking into a store on April 24 and finding the exact model you want are slim. If you’re set on one particular style and band combination, it’d be advisable to order it before the release date.
Previous updates:
Updated on 03-27-2015 by Andy Boxall: Added in details of three special Apple Watch-only retail concessions.
Article originally published on 03-09-2015
