Apple has ordered 5 million Apple Watches ready for launch

As we get closer to the launch of the Apple Watch, it becomes more apparent that Apple is really gearing up for the final push that will put it into Apple Stores across the world. From the sounds of things it’s going to be a big push, because Apple has apparently ordered between five and six million Apple Watches ready for launch day.

That’s according to a report from The Wall Street Journal, which claims that people familiar with the matter have confirmed that Apple has placed the order so that the devices are ready to be sold come April.

Supposedly the light-weight Apple Watch Sport accounts for more than half of the order, and the standard Apple Watch making up another third of the total. The report also claims that the premium 18K gold-plated Apple Watch Edition will only available in very limited quantities, no doubt due to its high price-tag.

Prices for the Apple Watch Sport will apparently start at $349 (£226). While there has been no word on an official price for the regular Apple Watch, prices are expected to start at $499 (£323). The Apple Watch Edition is assumed to be the most expensive individual product Apple has ever released, which would put the price somewhere around $4,000 (£2,593).

If the number of ordered units is true, then it shows just how confident Apple is that the Apple Watch will be a success. Even if only a quarter of them sell during the initial launch period, it will have already smashed the current record for smartwatch adoption. April is definitely going to be an interesting month for smartwatches.