Even before Apple shakes up the lineup with new bands and software next month, the Apple Watch is continuing its initial launch around the world. Israel, which doesn’t have an Apple Retail Store presence and instead relies on authorized resellers, is will be selling the Apple Watch locally for the first time next week.
iDigital, an authorized reseller owned by iCon Group in Israel, is expected to carry the Apple Watch Sport as well as select stainless steel models from 1,999 NIS, or about $430 USD without tax, starting Thursday, February 11th. Apple.com in Israel now lists the launch date as well.
Apple Watch sales in Israel up to this point have gone through unofficial channels with high markup prices or through out of country purchases.
While Apple CEO Tim Cook and company have held meetings in the country over the last year, in part to tour Apple facilities in the country, word that official Apple Watch sales wouldn’t reach Israel until 2016 first spread last year.
Last week during Apple’s quarterly earnings call, Cook shared that the Apple Watch was being sold at 12,000 locations across 48 countries. Apple Watch initially launched in nine countries last April, later reaching seven more countries while steadily adding new locations around the world.
The timing of Apple Watch reaching Israel officially follows recent expansions of which languages Apple’s dictation and voice assistant support. Last year, iOS 8 added Hebrew support for speech-t0-text dictation, iOS 9 improved right-to-left language support, and iOS 9.3 adds Hebrew Siri support which is a major input method on Apple Watch.
Thanks Eytan!
