THE wait is over and for the legions of aficionados the countdown is now on for the release of Apple's revolutionary wristwatch.

The world's first 'smartwatch' has been unveiled by bosses of the technology giant, with a pledge it will hit the UK's shops next month.

Billed as the "most advanced time piece ever created", the Apple Watch will start at $349, around £230, for the smaller model and $399 (£265), for the larger, and be available to pre-order and preview in the US and Europe on April 10 and available to buy from April 24.

However, the limited edition 18 carat gold watch will $10,000, (about£6,611), with the mid-range stainless steel version costing $549 to $1049 around £363 to £694.

The Watch can act as a second screen for an iPhone, showing customisable watch faces, texts, calls and other notifications, as well as running apps powered by the smartphone connected over Bluetooth.

It will be controlled by a dedicated iPhone app, that allows users to change settings, manage notifications and apps with watch face options including a range of analogue and digital faces, as well as a licensed Micky Mouse face, where the cartoon character's arms become the hands of the watch.

Apple chief executive Tim Cook took to the stage in at the Yerba Buena Center in San Francisco to demonstrate Apple's first completely new product since the death of founder Steve Jobs.

Speaking at the highly-choreographed unveiling, Mr Cook said: "The Apple watch is the most personal device we have ever created. It is not just with you, it is on you.

"And since what you wear is an expression of who you are, we designed Apple watch to appeal to a whole variety of people with different tastes and different preferences.

"But the one thing that is consistent is we crafted each one of them with the care you would expect from Apple and used incredibly beautiful materials.

"Like this stainless steel and sapphire crystal, anodised aluminium and a jaw -dropping beautiful 18 carat gold."

He added: "In addition to being a beautiful object, the Apple watch is the most advanced timepiece ever created."

Bosses at the technology giant revealed that thousands of apps are in the process of being developed for the watch.

The watch comes with a multitude of sports, arts and other functions which promise to "enhance people's lives".

Dubbed a "comprehensive health and fitness companion" the watch tracks the user's daily movement, how long they have been exercising and sets fitness targets for the next week.

It can work out how long the wearer has been exercising for and how many calories they have burnt.

Mr Cook told the packed auditorium audience: "It is like having a coach on your wrist."