US (BBN)-Apple Watches- or at least watches that appear similar to the new devices and are suspiciously affordable- have gone on sale across China, as consumers jump the gun before the genuine items are available next month.
On ecommerce websites such as Alibaba’s Taobao, the watches appear nearly identical to Apple’s product, right down to the distinctive digital crown controller on the side of the device and four sensors on the underside, reports CNBC.
Most do not have a brand marking, and cost Rmb250-Rmb500 ($40-$80)- about a tenth to one-fifth of the price of the cheapest Apple watch exhibited this week by Tim Cook, chief executive of the Cupertino-based group.
Revealed on Tuesday and scheduled to go on sale on April 24, Apple’s gold-cased luxury model costs up to $17,000 and appears to be aimed at wealthy Chinese buyers.
In his multimedia presentation at the launch, Mr Cook highlighted that WeChat, China’s most popular chat app, could be used on the Apple device.
BBN/SK/AD-16Mar15-1:50pm (BST)
