Apple Stores begin selling Watch bands in advance of device's own retail debut

Via Twitter user Apple Radar

One of the first pieces of evidence was a photo shared by Twitter user Apple Radar, showing Sport bands on shelves at The Falls Apple Store in Miami. The person also mentioned the Classic Buckle being available.

Not all Apple Stores have units in stock yet. AppleInsider contacted a store in Austin, Texas and was told that while the shop is expecting to sell bands soon, a shipment was not due to come in until next week, and clerks hadn't been informed which bands would be included. Similarly, Apple's SoHo location does not yet have bands in stock.

Online or offline, a Sport band costs $49, while the Classic Buckle, Leather Loop, and Milanese Loop each sell for $149. A Modern Buckle is $249, and the Link Bracelet is $449. Notably Apple's website isn't offering some variants separate from a Watch, like any gold band or the space black Link Bracelet. This policy will presumably continue at retail, at least for the foreseeable future.

The Watch itself is only expected to show up in Apple Stores sometime next month, possibly in tandem with an international expansion. People have been able to try on the device at outlets since April 10, but actual orders have been channeled online or through the iOS Apple Store app. Even then, orders are typically taking weeks to arrive.