Apple Watch sales set new 'record' during holidays, but no numbers revealed

A "record" number of Apple Watches were sold in Apple's fiscal first quarter of 2017, CEO Tim Cook said on Tuesday, though the company is still refusing to break out specific figures.

During a call with analysts, Cook noted that that the Watch achieved records in "both units and revenue." Holiday sales were so intense, the executive suggested, that the company "couldn't make enough."

Since the Watch's launch in 2015, Apple has relegated the device to an "Other Products" category in its financial results, placing it alongside the Apple TV, iPods, Beats gear, and various other accessories, including some third-party offerings.

Cook's statements hint that the Apple Watch is largely supporting the category, since segment revenues fell 8 percent year-over-year to just over $4 billion. Sibling products presumably saw losses, though there's no indication as to which, or how badly.

The Watch was likely lifted by the September release of the Series 2, which added a faster processor, waterproofing, a brighter display, and built-in GPS. The company also released the Series 1, a cheaper version of the first-generation Watch but also equipped with a faster chip.

In total Apple pulled in $78.4 billion in revenue during the December quarter, driven mostly be sales of 78.3 million iPhones. Mac sales were up to 5.4 million, but iPads fell 19 percent to about 13 million.

19 Comments

slprescott 759 comments · 10 Years

About 7 years ago

I wonder if Apple will report a "Wearables" category in the future, as Watch and AirPods become larger. And possibly AR/VR glasses in the future.

Tim used the term today.

Apple could promote this as a new growth category, similar to their highlighting of Services during the past few earnings calls.

damn_its_hot 1213 comments · 15 Years

AppleInsider said:

...the company is still refusing to break out specific figures.

So !? Hardly anyone gives the details of the number of units for desktop, laptop, tablets, phones... yet Apple does. But when they feel like they should play it close to the vest they are hiding something. The freaking analysts are gonna make up some number and plug it in to the crap reports they generate that causes the stock to see/saw up/down. Of course they always attribute it to some well placed source.

qwwera 282 comments · 8 Years

Wow! This is odd. Just a few weeks ago pundits lauded Fitbit as the leader and woe is Apple.

Now we see Apple had record sales while Fitbit had to fire people because of lack of sales.

i wonder how reality tastes to pundits who are always wrong?
Probably like isht but they proclaim it's delicious!

lkrupp 10521 comments · 19 Years

qwwera said:

Wow! This is odd. Just a few weeks ago pundits lauded Fitbit as the leader and woe is Apple.

Now we see Apple had record sales while Fitbit had to fire people because of lack of sales.

i wonder how reality tastes to pundits who are always wrong?
Probably like isht but they proclaim it's delicious!

And now Fitbit stock tanked and they’re laying off a couple hundred people.

Soli 9981 comments · 9 Years

slprescott said:

I wonder if Apple will report a "Wearables" category in the future, as Watch and AirPods become larger. And possibly AR/VR glasses in the future.

Probably not, because it doesn't do them any good.