Report: Apple Expecting To Sell 5-6 Million Apple Watches In The First Quarter

Apple has ordered 5-6 million units of its three Apple Watch models for the first quarter, according to reports.

WSJ reported that Taiwan-based Quanta Computer Inc - the only assembler of the Apple Watch - started mass production earlier this year to get ready for an April launch.

The order is similar to the early sales of Apple's last major all-new product - 7.5 million iPads were sold in the first six months of its release.

The entry-level Apple Watch - starting at $349 - accounts for half the production order, while the mid-tiered Apple Watch will count for third, WSJ reported.

The high-end Apple Watch Edition with 18-karat gold casing, is expected to have relatively small orders in the first quarter, but Apple plans to produce more than 1 million units per month in the second quarter, the Journal reported, citing the person. Reportedly, Apple Watch Edition is expected to be among the most expensive products Apple has ever sold and could likely surpass the $4,000 Mac Pro computer.

Apple declined to comment.

Apple's share rose as much as 1.9 percent to a record $129.45 on the Nasdaq on Tuesday morning.