…and no, that doesn’t include the $10,000 gold model. As noted by BGR president Jonathan Geller, trusted sources tell BGR that Apple employees will enjoy a special limited-time discount on the Apple Watch following its launch later this month. For 90 days only, they will get a massive 50% discount on Apple Watch Sport and Apple Watch models. That’s a big jump from the standard discount Apple employees get on one item per year, and it will amount to big savings for employees who choose the stainless steel model.
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Of course, there are some restrictions. Namely, the discount won’t be available on Apple Watch Edition models for obvious reasons. As nice as a 50% discount on a $10,000 to $15,000 gold watch would be, it’s not going to happen. Instead, they’ll get a $500 discount if they choose to go with the high-end Apple Watch Edition.
Apple’s new Apple Watch represents the start of an exciting new era for Apple, and the company clearly wants employees to get in on the ground floor. This is Apple’s first foray into the wearables market and the luxury goods market, both of which can be tough nuts to crack.
If there’s any company that can do it though, it’s probably Apple.
The Apple Watch will launch on April 24th starting at $350 for the 38mm Apple Watch Sport and topping out at around $17,000 for the most expensive Apple Watch Edition model. The device will become available for preorder beginning this Friday at 3:01 a.m. EDT / 12:01 a.m. PDT.
Apple CEO Tim Cook discussed some of the aforementioned details of the special discount program in a memo to employees on Monday, and it was obtained by 9to5Mac:
Team,
The day we’ve all been waiting for is almost here: Apple Watch is ready to ship.
Our retail stores are training for a whole new way to engage customers and help them experience Apple’s most personal product yet. On Friday, in over four hundred stores across four continents, we’ll open our doors to people who want to try on Apple Watch for the first time and start deciding which one is right for them.
Tens of millions of people have seen our keynotes and demonstration videos about the watch, and there’s much more to come. Some of the most innovative developers in the world are working on new experiences designed specifically for Apple Watch. More than one thousand apps were submitted in just four days last week when the App Store started accepting them, and the rate of submissions has only been climbing since then.
I know that many of you have been looking forward to choosing an Apple Watch for yourselves, and we want to make it easy for you. Starting Friday, in countries where the watch is available for pre-order, a special Employee Purchase Plan will offer a 50% discount on any Apple Watch or Apple Watch Sport for your personal use.
As we introduce the watch in more countries, the special pricing for employees will be offered in those countries as well. Discounts will begin at pre-order and last for 90 days after availability. AppleWeb has more details, so I invite you to check it out.
Our products enrich people’s lives like no others, and we think Apple Watch is going to delight our customers in ways people can’t yet imagine. We want you to share in that experience right alongside them.
Congratulations to everyone who has worked so hard for years to help this product reach our customers. And thanks in advance to the thousands of retail employees around the world who will start placing it on people’s wrists starting Friday.
Tim
