Reports claim that Swiss watch exports plummeted following the release of the Apple Watch. (Photo : Reuters/Robert Galbraith)
Apple has historically given consumers few sales, with the exception of the pre-holiday shopping season's Black Friday specials, and price cuts for students. However, it is now rolling out a $50 discount on an Apple Watch Sport, and an Apple Watch when the smartwatch is bundled with one of the tech giant's latest smartphone models: iPhone 6s and 6s Plus.
MacRumors first reported the rare discount on October 30, Friday. This promotion will not include the high-end Apple Watch Edition and Apple Watch Hermès digital timepieces, according to Mashable.
The company will offer the deal in a few brick-and-mortar California and Massachusetts Apple Stores, but not online. It will run from October 30 to November 15.
The Apple Watch promo is only available when the wearable and iPhone are purchased at the same time. Current Apple smartphone owners cannot avail of the discounted smartwatch.
However, there is one grey area. People who purchased their iPhones during the last 14 days are within the return policy's deadline. They might be able to get the reduced-price Apple Watch after returning their new smartphone.
The big question is why Apple would offer a rare price cut.
One common theory is that the smart watch is very popular or not so much. However, the wearable's sales figures hit $1.7 billion during the last five months.
A major objective is getting consumers to make a bigger investment in Apple's ecosystem instead of just a handset. Shoppers who buy a wearable along with a mobile phone will likely exponentially make more purchases such as iOS apps and iCloud storage, according to Tech Crunch.
Convenience is another key issue. For example, after buying a phone-watch combo, switching to the Android ecosystem would be more difficult.
There is also an X-factor. Wearing a smartphone turns a consumer into a walking billboard, compared to a handset that is stuffed into a pocket or purse.
Apple's wrist wearable discount is a $50 investment. If it results in some new lifetime customers in a West Coast and New England state then it is worth it.
Apple's first smartwatch has recently been expanding its presence in retail stores. Target and Best Buy now sell the wearable device in all retail stores and online.
Here is an analysis of Apple Watch's Q3 2015 sales figures:
