A poster on the JW only website makes a good point
"I'm confused as to why there would be a need for all this secrecy - Almost everyone I talk to thinks something is up in that area because so many haven't seen a new bible in a very long time, society has never been this late, how much does it take to get new glue, things are being hush hushed at the branch offices etc...
I don't think anyone that's paying attention will be surprised by its delivery now (should that take place). But it will be cool anyway to finally get my bible that I ordered 7 months ago. ha."
There would be hundreds of people involved in working on a new bible and they've all had to keep this a secret. There are probably a number of reasons why but it just demonstrates they care nothing for the r&f. Surely it would be appropriate for them to have told the brothers that there would be a shortage of english bibles because a new bible was being prepared and to just be patient and make do with the bibles they own for the time being.
Talk about cultish behaviour.