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Apple says you should ‘expect’ Apple Watch stock shortages

Apple Watch stock supplies will be limited at launch, the company has confirmed just hours before the wearable is made available for pre-order.

Meaning those desperate to strap the Apple Watch to their wrists, will need to get their pre-orders in early and keep their fingers crossed, Apple has revealed demand is likely to outstrip supply.

Despite suggesting the wearable could be hard to come by at launch, the company has failed to detail just how restrictive stock levels will be.

“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 favourite Apple Watch ahead of availability, we expect that strong customer demand will exceed our supply at launch,” Apple’s Senior Vice President of Retail and Online Stores, Angela Ahrendts, said.

In a bid to better manage stock flow, the company has confirmed that Apple Watch pre-orders will only be able to be placed online.

“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.”

Earlier today it emerged that shipping times for select Apple Watch models were set a ‘4-6 weeks’ prior to pre-orders opening.

This means they would arrive up to a month after in-store availability begins on April 24.

Remaining tentative on when those pre-ordering the Moto 360 rival will receive their latest gadget wares, Apple has stated: “Customers who pre-order their Apple Watch can have it shipped for delivery beginning April 24.”

The ‘beginning’ stipulation in this statement could prove troubling for some.

Related: Apple Watch vs Pebble Time

The Apple Watch will be made available for pre-order starting at 8.01am BST tomorrow, April 10.

With 38 varying iterations of the timepiece to be available on day one, prices for the company’s first wearable range from £299 up to £13,500.

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