As we inch closer and closer to the launch of Apple’s hotly anticipated Watch, more and more details keep trickling out of Apple’s tightly guarded premises. For instance, we already know when the device will be launched (April), and what battery life it might provide (somewhere around 18 hours on a single charge). But what has remained a mystery till now is the expected price tag, especially of the top end gold model.
Now 9to5Mac reports that Apple is taking special precautions to ensure the security of this high-priced version. Taking a leaf out of jewelry stores’ books, Apple will be installing special safes to store the Apple Watch Edition smartwatches. The safes will likely be used to carry both to-be-sold inventory as well as to store demo units from the show floor overnight. The custom-designed safes will be outfitted with Apple Watch MagSafe chargers in order to keep the demo units charged up and ready to go for the next day of business. Apple has already begun installing the safes in some stores ahead of the Apple Watch’s expected release in April. The company is also planning on allowing customers to actually try on the watches and test out different band styles inside of stores.
9to5Mac also reports that Apple is getting ready to re-organize Apple Store shelving areas to make room for Apple Watch display tables. Apple is also working on special weight scales for its retail stores to weigh the amount of gold in individual Apple Watch Edition variants. The scales will be used to weigh the amount of gold in Apple Watch Editions upon replacement or return. Apple wants to ensure that no gold is removed from the units prior to replacement/return as the gold material is worth a substantial amount of money on secondary markets. The fact that Apple is working on scales further indicates that there will be a notable amount of gold in the Watch and that the device will be pricey.
Considering the price of typical pieces of tech in your average Apple store, this special treatment adds up to Apple Watch Edition being worth some serious moolah. Of course, there’s also the fact that a watch is much easier to conceal than say, an iMac. So when you consider its size, the preparation begins to make sense, even if the price really doesn’t.
