Some Apple Watch Pre-Orders With 4-6 Weeks or June Delivery Estimates Already 'Preparing for Shipment'

With less than two days until the Apple Watch launches in the United States and eight other countries, customers who pre-ordered the Apple Watch and received shipping estimates of 4-6 weeks or later are beginning to see earlier than expected movement on their orders placed through the Apple Online Store.

A growing number of people have turned to the MacRumors discussion forums and tipped us individually about their Apple Watch pre-orders with 4-6 weeks or June delivery estimates changing from "Processing Items" to "Preparing for Shipment" on Apple's order tracking page for various aluminum and stainless steel models.

June Apple Watch Preparing for Shipment
A portion of those that pre-ordered have also seen credit or debit card charges from Apple appear on their statements, although it is likely that the majority of those charges are Apple preauthorizations to ensure a customer's bank account is in good standing. Apple's payment and pricing information on its website provides further details about the steps that are taken.

"When you place an order, Apple will contact your credit or debit card's issuing bank to confirm it is a valid account. Apple requests an authorization, which holds the funds for the full or partial purchase amount. As Apple prepares your items, authorized funds will be unavailable and may display as "pending" on your credit or debit card's online statement.

If you are shipping an item, your card will only be charged after the item has shipped. For pickup items, you will be billed before your item is ready for pick up. If your order contains multiple items, you may see multiple charges on your credit or debit card statement."

It remains unknown how many customers will receive their Apple Watch pre-orders on April 24, the day the wrist-worn device officially launches in the United States, Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan and United Kingdom. Any movement on pre-orders, however, such as order status changes and credit and debit card charges, is a good sign for those patiently anticipating the arrival of their Apple Watch.

MacRumors reported earlier this month that Apple Watch pre-orders could arrive sooner than expected based on an email exchange with Apple's executive relations that said extended shipping estimates are set purposefully to avoid disappointment through false guarantees. At the same time, the exact number of Apple Watch pre-orders fulfilled on day one remains to be seen.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch 10
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Caution)

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Top Rated Comments

ckelley Avatar
133 months ago
You're joking right? My 4/24-5/8 order is still processing and people with a later delivery date are getting shipped? If I don't receive mine on Friday, bye bye Apple.

:rolleyes: A travesty of the highest order.
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Locoboof Avatar
133 months ago
If mine doesn't update by tomorrow.....I'll walk in to my local UPS distribution center and do this to every employee in there!



Well,not really,but it would be great to get my fiancée's the same day as mine.
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
diddl14 Avatar
133 months ago
You're joking right? My 4/24-5/8 order is still processing and people with a later delivery date are getting shipped? If I don't receive mine on Friday, bye bye Apple.
It sounds like you could really benefit from a heart rate monitor.
I really hope you get it on Friday..
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
AWTTech Avatar
133 months ago
Still nothing on the SG Sport.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
JDJ Avatar
133 months ago
For those of us with 4/24 - 5/8 shipping dates still stuck in "Processing", let me explain our frustration.

Imagine you were waiting in a physical line (for anything) and you were towards the front. Now imagine person in charge went to the back of the line and started letting those in before you. That is how we feel.

I am willing to understand how this comes across as entitled if you can understand how this could be frustrating to us.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
SMIDG3T Avatar
133 months ago
You're joking right? My 4/24-5/8 order is still processing and people with a later delivery date are getting shipped? If I don't receive mine on Friday, bye bye Apple.

Really? So you've been given a delivery date from Apple, in your case, 24th April - 8th May and if you don't get your Watch on the 24th, you're off? That makes no sense! At least wait until the 8th May and if you still haven't got it... then you can leave us!
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)