Apple Watch won't launch until spring, report says

Consumers have been anticipating the "early 2015" launch of the Apple Watch since CEO Tim Cook unveiled the wearable in September. But recent comments from Angela Ahrendts, the company's newly-hired senior vice president of retail, puts the timing of the release at spring of next year.

In a video message to the company's retail employees, a transcript of which was provided to 9to5mac.com by an unidentified source, Ahrendts stated that the launch would follow the Chinese New Year, on February 19, 2015.

"We're going into the holidays, we'll go into Chinese New Year, and then we've got a new watch launch coming in the spring," said Ahrendts, according to the transcript.

Until now, Apple has said only that the watch will ship in "early 2015," but the company did not specify when exactly this might be. It's debatable what would constitute "early" 2015. March 20 marks the beginning of spring, and it could be argued that something in the March to April timeframe could fit within the definition of "early." A target date later in summer -- in May or June -- however, might seem more like mid-year, suggesting a possible delay.

The company missed its original 2014 launch date, and there were some reports of a rumored Valentine's Day goal. Given Ahrendts' statement, with Valentine's Day being in late winter, that seems increasingly unlikely.

When the watch does come out, Apple is expected to try out a new sales technique for the new devices, according to 9to5mac.com, which reports that the company will train its retail employees to help customers try on the products before purchasing them.