It is no secret that Apple’s strategy for selling the Apple Watch, at least for now, is to sell it exclusively online as opposed to other Apple products in which customers can just walk into the store and pick one up there and then. However the good news is that if you had your eye on the Apple Watch but failed to place a pre-order in time, you will be able to buy it in stores.
According to The New York Times, it seems that Apple has allocated some units of the Apple Watch to some boutique fashion outlets in different parts of the world, such as Colette in Paris, Dover Street Market in London and Tokyo, Maxfield in Los Angeles, the Corner in Berlin, and 10 Corso Como in Milan. So while the watch won’t be available from Apple directly, these boutiques should carry some of the models.
However supply will be limited. For example Dover Street Market in Ginza is said to only carry 350 units, while the London outlet will carry 570 units, both of which will be a mix of the Apple Watch Sport and Apple Watch. The Apple Watch Edition will not be available yet as they are currently on backorder.
That being said, last we heard Apple is expected to continue this online exclusivity at least until June, so if you absolutely can’t wait for your pre-order, then the stores mentioned above are the ones you’ll need to visit if you wish to get your hands on Apple’s wearable.
Filed in . Read more about Apple Watch, Smartwatch and Wearable Tech.