Apple is set to release its long-awaited smartwatch product in spring 2015, according to a leaked memo.

A memo allegedly from Apple’s senior vice president of retail and online stores Angela Ahrendts confirms that Apple Watch will be released “in the spring”.

Until now, the brand has only stated that Apple Watch will reach the market by “early 2015”.

According to the memo, published by website 9to5mac.com, Ahrendts – who joined from her role as Burberry CEO earlier this year – encourages Apple staff to “take a breath” ahead of a busy 2015.

The memo states: “You guys were hired because you’re the best people in the world. And you know how to service customers, but we are sprinting in a marathon right now, and it’s not going to stop. Right? 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.

“So, I just, I really wanted to say, stop for a moment, take a breath. Realise that every customer you touch – and again I know you know this, but you’re really busy” – so just every customer that you touch, how do you make sure that they will walk away feeling very different, very positive, than before they walked into that store or they interacted with you?”

Last week, Apple CEO Tim Cook admitted that Apple Watch will require daily recharging.