Tim Cook in Paris to help with Apple Watch launch, rumor claims

Apple CEO Tim Cook could be in Paris on Thursday, sources for a French website said earlier in the day, possibly for something related to the impending appearance of the Apple Watch in stores.

Mac4Ever didn't have any more information on the matter, but Cook's presence in Paris would make sense given the importance of the city in the fashion industry, and luxury department store Galeries Lafayette being one of the few non-Apple outlets that will let people try on a Watch starting Friday. The others include Isetan in Tokyo, Selfridges in London, and some Apple resellers in China and Japan.

The product is being heavily marketed as a fashion item via spreads in fashion magazines and product placement on the wrists of celebrities. The company be trying to draw further attention to that link by having Cook appear in Paris, whether at Galeries Lafayette or one of the city's Apple Stores.

Cook has frequently made public tours of Apple Stores to support product launches. Last September for example, he appeared at the Palo Alto Apple Store with fellow executive Eddy Cue in order to launch the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus.

Starting Friday, people will be able to preorder a Watch online, or schedule a reservation to try on a model at an Apple Store. The device ships April 24, but even then, Apple will not be offering walk-in sales during the product's initial launch window.