Apple says working on Apple Watch preorders in email to early-bird customers

As seen in the screenshot above, the messages appear to be going out to customers with preorders scheduled to ship between April 24 and May 8, some of the first to jump online when Apple Watch when preorders went live on April 10.

Along with a link to Apple's online order status webpage, the letter notes that customers will receive a separate email with tracking information when an order ships. As the same information was presented in initial preorder confirmations, today's letter is likely meant to soothe anxious customers who may have heard launch day Watch orders are close to shipping.

Also included in the email is a link to Apple's Guided Tours webpage for Apple Watch, which was just updated yesterday with three more videos covering Apple Pay, Activity and Workout functions. To get ready for arrival, Apple recommends users update their iPhone 5, iPhone 5c, iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, or iPhone 6 Plus to the latest version of iOS.

It is not clear if the correspondence was also sent to people with quoted ship-by dates later than those mentioned above, but AppleInsider has received multiple reports from readers around the world expecting their Watch orders to ship on or near April 24.

On Wednesday, Apple confirmed that certain Apple Watch orders are being fulfilled at rate better than anticipated, but fell short of detailing why the units were shipping out early. Any number of reasons can explain early shipments, from unexpected boosts in production to a glut of canceled orders.

For now, supply is such that Apple has restricted orders to those made through the Online Apple Store and the Apple Store app. The company does not plan to have units available at brick-and-mortar Apple Stores until June. Boutique shops like Dover Street Market and Maxfield, however, will reportedly have Apple Watch in stock for retail sale on launch day.