Q: Apple Watch Shipping Notices

Yippee! UK order status for me has just been updated to 'Preparing for Dispatch'.

38 SS white preparing yesterday, preparing today

For those of you wondering, from the very little information that apple does disclose to their employees it does appear that they are rolling the watches out based on popularity of watch/band combo. The least purchased combos are rolling out first with the large bulk of combos coming at the end. That being said, if you ordered a sport space gray 38mm, you will be waiting the longest as it is the most popular at around 65% of the purchases. There are reports of some 42mm space grays shipping here and there. As for the band colors that are few and far between such as the pink and green they will be rolling out just as sparsely as the space gray. The location of your shipment also plays a role as it will take longer to arrive at your central shipping location from China. I'm sure most are just as impatient as I am, but don't fret too much. A preparing to ship does not mean they are getting their watches before you, it could just mean that yours hasn't arrived at the facility as of yet. You could receive a shipment notification all the way up to Thursday and still obtain your watch on release day! 

AAwesome post !!!!!

Don't know where you got this information - basically because everyone I have talked to over the phone, using the chat and in the local Apple Store has repeatedly told me they have absolutely no idea of the place in the queue that anyone's order is.

And if what you are saying is correct - that would be an absolute first for Apple who has always shipped on a first come - first serve basis as long as the product was available.

I am not an absolute believer in that post either. However I think it's safe to say we have seen Apple sway from their traditional launch practices. We've  seen a bunch of absolute first already and I believe there are more to come.

There's nothing telling you to believe the information I have given. That is the info I received from several employees I have talked to as well hence why I said "it appears". I am just as skeptical as you are, but there isn't anything saying Apple has to follow everything they've done in the past as we have already discovered from the horrendous experience thus far with the watch. So as a grown person you can choose to believe what you wish. Just simply relaying what I've been told just like everyone else that has posted on here stating what employees have told them. Draw your own conclusions and wait to see what happens in the end.

IIt's pretty clear they have been preparing them by type not by first come first served. I placed my order the minute the store went live at midnight.

good news here my 38 stainless steel with black sports band finally just got charged and is preparing to ship.

Beyond thrilled.

I hope all of them, regardless, will ship together tomorrow so everyone has them on launch day - fingers crossed.

I Don't understand the password requirement to check on an order either. It wasn't required to order, just my print with Apple pay.

MY card was charged about an hour ago and my status is now preparing to ship.  Yeah!

As I posted earlier, I ordered a 38 mm SS with white sport band.

Preparing for shipment! Yeah!!

Mine too !!!!

Still nothing on my 38mm SS black sport band.

NNothing still here     . Just curious did all of yours say 4/24-5/8 or 5/13-5/27?  I ordered 42 mm silver aluminum white sport

Bohochick what was your email time on the 10th? I wasn't in until 12:08 (was in at 12:03 but screwed that order up royally and ended up canceling and reordering).