iWatch Gains Traction with 5% of Consumers "Very Likely" to Buy One

Five percent of consumers surveyed are "very likely" to buy an iWatch. An additional 14 percent are "somewhat likely." These results come from a new study conducted by ChangeWave Research. The study, which was published on Wednesday but not publicly announced until today, shows an interesting correlation between the pre-release desire for the iWatch and the desire for other unannounced Apple AAPL products. For example, in January 2010 ChangeWave asked consumers about their interest in purchasing an Apple-made tablet. Four percent said they were "very likely" to buy one; fourteen percent said that they were "somewhat likely." Similarly, when ChangeWave asked consumers about the Mac in August 2005, four percent of consumers said that they were "significantly more likely" to buy one, presumably if it included an Intel INTC chip (ChangeWave did not specify -- it merely said that the survey was for the Intel Mac). An additional fourteen percent were "somewhat more likely." Both of those surveys were conducted before the products were officially unveiled. For the iWatch survey (conducted March 4, 2013 through March 19, 2013 -- just days after the iWatch frenzy in February), ChangeWave interacted with 1,713 North American consumers. "Apple's track record of delivering ultra-convenient, easy to use products with a perceived 'cool factor' is driving pre-release demand for the rumored Apple 'iWatch,'" Andy Golub, ChangeWave's Director of Operations, wrote in an e-mail announcement this morning. "While an 'iWatch' doesn't yet exist -- and if it ever does it will have to live up to super high expectations -- it has the potential to be another huge success for the Cupertino, CA manufacturer." Bear in mind that 66 percent of respondents said that they were "unlikely" to buy an iWatch. The rest of the respondents said they didn't know if they would buy one. Regardless, it seems that Apple may have what it takes to turn the iWatch into a hit. By matching the survey results of the iPad and Intel-powered Mac before they were officially unveiled, the company has shown a tremendous amount of strength in a product that is almost entirely a question mark. Louis Bedigian is the Senior Tech Analyst and Features Writer of Benzinga. You can reach him at 248-636-1322 or louis(at)benzingapro(dot)com. Follow him @LouisBedigianBZ