Tim Cook has delivered an update on Apple Watch sales through the unusual medium of email to Reuters reporter. “Our data shows that Apple Watch is doing great and looks to be one of the most popular holiday gifts this year," Cook said. "Sales growth is off the charts. In fact, during the first week of holiday shopping, our sell-through of Apple Watch was greater than any week in the product’s history. And as we expected, we’re on track for the best quarter ever for Apple Watch."

The timing of Cook’s essentially public comments is notable, coming the day after research firm IDC published a report estimating that Apple Watch sales last quarter were down 71 percent year on year. The figures weren’t surprising considering that Apple released the new Series 2 line right at the end of the July-September period, with supply constraints lasting well into the current quarter — basically, this summer was a bad time to buy an Apple Watch.

However, Cook still isn’t providing specific sales data for the Apple Watch; it’s considered part of Apple’s “other products” category along with more minor lines like iPods and the Apple TV. Without that information, it’s difficult to ascertain the overall success of the product.