Apple Watch: what you need to know to be the first in line to buy

THE Apple Watch is in stores tomorrow morning but not on sale. Confused? Here is what you need to know about how to buy an Apple Watch.

Embargoed until Wednesday 8 April 2015 10:01pm: Apple Watch Sport

AUSTRALIANS will be the first people in the world tomorrow to be able to try on an Apple Watch but they won’t be able to buy one straight away.

The challenge of ensuring a device goes on sale at the same time around the world means local shoppers could find tomorrow’s experience a little confusing.

To add to the mix, the original announcement from Apple said the Watch would be available to try on in Apple Stores from April 10 through appointment.

However the appointment system does not go live until after 5.01pm tomorrow.

If you weren’t confused before, you probably are now.

Looks good ... but how do you get one?

Want the Apple Watch? Prepare to wait.

To clarify things, here is what you need to know about buying an Apple Watch:

• When Apple Stores open, people will be able to walk in and select an Apple watch from a display to try one on. No appointment needed. If the store is swamped with people wanting to try on a Watch, a staff member will then lock you in with a timeslot.

• You will not be able to take home a Watch tomorrow — they don’t go on sale until April 24.

• You will be able to pre-order a Watch tomorrow but only after 5.01pm. If you are in a store, an Apple Store retailer will guide you through an online ordering form. If you are not in a store, you can log on to apple.com/au to order one.

• Apple has not indicated stock levels for each of the 38 combinations of Watch models but it is possible that some may have longer waiting lists than others.

• From 5.01pm tomorrow, you will also have the option of booking an appointment online to visit an Apple Store to try on an Apple Watch. Appointments will not be necessary but optional. Consider the experience to be like turning up to a barbers for a haircut — if a staff member is free, you will see them straight away. Otherwise you will be told how long the wait is.

• When choosing a watch, you will first decide whether a 38mm or 42mm Watch fits your wrist. Then you choose from one of the three models — Watch Sport, Watch, Watch Edition. Then the band. The functionality of all models is identical, the difference is in the material of the body (aluminium, stainless steel or gold) and the bands.

Bottom line:

Apple Watch Sport $499-$579

Apple Watch $799-$1629

Apple Watch Edition $14,000-$24,000