Category: Accessory

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Apple Watch Sport Loop (44mm, Dragon Fruit Sport Loop, Summer 2019)

The Apple Watch Sport Loop band was woven from nylon thread to create a hook-and-loop closure. These bands were available for the 38/40/41mm and 42/44/45/49mm Apple Watch models. They were offered in sizes to fit 130–200mm wrists (38/40/41mm) and 145–220 mm wrists (42/44/45/49mm).

This Dragon Fuit band appears monochromatic and closely resembles the color of the exterior of a Dragon Fruit. Upon close inspection, the band uses at least three thread colors: pink, bright pink, and dark pink. The connector and closure plastics are all in the shade of pink that most closely resembles the color or the exterior of a Dragon Fruit.

This band’s namesake, dragon fruit, is also known as the pitaya, an edible species of cactus native to southern Mexico and along the Pacific coasts of Guatemala, Costa Rica, and El Salvador. The exterior of the fruit is the color of this Sport Loop. (The interior of a dragon fruit has white flesh peppered with tiny black, crunchy seeds—and is not represented in the design of this watch band.) The dragon fruit is said to taste like a cross between a pear and a kiwi.

Apple described the Apple Watch Sport Loop band:

“Soft, breathable, and lightweight, the Sport Loop features a hook-and-loop fastener for quick and easy adjustment. The double-layer nylon weave has dense loops on the skin side that provide soft cushioning while allowing moisture to escape. On the reverse side, the attachment loops are securely anchored for superior durability.”

Source: Apple, Wikipedia, HealthLine

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Apple Watch Nike SE (Generation 1, GPS+Cellular, 44mm, 2020) with Anthracite/Black Nike Sport Band (Spring 2017)

The original Apple Watch SE was released on September 15, 2020, and was described as “The ultimate combination of design, function, and value.” The Apple Watch SE was released with the Apple Watch 6 as an entry-level model. At the event, Apple COO Jeff Williams said, “Apple Watch SE combines elements of the Series 6 design with the most essential features of Apple Watch, all at a more affordable price.”

This version of the Apple Watch SE is an Apple Watch Nike version. The non-Nike version was available in silver, space gray, and gold aluminum, while the Nike version was available only in silver and space gray aluminum. This example is space gray aluminum and shipped with the Anthracite/Black Nike Sport Band.

Apple noted in the press release:

“Apple Watch SE features the same accelerometer, gyroscope, and always-on altimeter as Apple Watch Series 6, and with the latest motion sensors and microphone, it offers robust health and safety capabilities including fall detection, Emergency SOS, international emergency calling, and the Noise app.”

The Apple Watch SE used the S5 System in Package (SiP) and dual-core processor. Like all Apple Watch models, it used a Digital Crown with haptic feedback.

This 44mm Apple Watch SE had a 368 x 448 pixel display with an area of 977 square mm. It used a Retina LTPO OLED display with 1000 nits brightness.

Its wireless connectivity included LTE and UMTS5 (GPS+Cellular model), Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n 2.4GHz), and Bluetooth 5.0.

The dimensions of the 44mm watch were 44mm high, 38mm wide, and 10.7mm deep. This 44mm GPS+Cellular model weighed 36.36g.

This Apple Watch Nike SE shipped with watchOS 7.

Sources: Apple (specs, Newsroom)

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iPod nano Tubes (5-pack, 2005)

This set of Tubes for the Apple iPod nano was released in 2005 along with the iPod nano Generation 1. Apple described the Tubes:

“Just slip your Apple iPod nano in from the bottom or through the screen window of one of these iPod nano tubes to add a splash of style and protection from scratches and bumps.”

Upon its release, Apple described the iPod nano as “the most fashionable and wearable iPod ever,” apparently because it featured a variety of wearable accessories. The Apple-designed accessories included a lanyard, an armband, and this “optional set of iPod nano Tubes in pink, purple, blue, green, and clear [that] offers fashionable protection in a sheer casing while enabling full operation of all functions including the Click Wheel.”

Each Tube is a “smooth, treated silicon design [that] resists dirt and stains.” The silicone is thinner over the Click Wheel and hold switch to allow operation of the iPod nano while it’s in the case.

Source: Apple

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Xserve Enclosure Key (2003)

The Xserve Enclosure Key shipped with Apple’s Xserve line of racked mounted servers, beginning with the Xserve (Slot Load) model. (The “Slot Load” refers to the slot-loading optical drive built into the server.)

The purpose of the Xserve Enclosure Key was to unlock the physical enclosure (case) of the Xserve. The enclosure lock and status light were located in the upper-left corner of the Xserve over the far-left drive module and next to the power button/light.

According to page 11 of the Xserve User’s Guide: “The lock secures the enclosure and drive modules in the server. It can be locked and unlocked with the enclosure key supplied with the server.”

The Enclosure Key is also pictured on the page of the User’s Guide (page 16) that shows detailed drawings of the Mounting Hardware for the Xserve. This one-color illustration includes various braces, brackets, and screws necessary to mount the Xserve in a rack.

Later in the manual (page 49), the directions specify:

“To secure the drive modules in the server, use the enclosure key to lock them in place.”

Further, when the Security lock was engaged using the enclosure lock tool, further security measures were also in place, namely:

“When the enclosure lock is locked (the light is on), the server may not recognize peripheral devices such as a keyboard and mouse or a storage device. Unlock the lock to use those devices.”

The Xserve Enclosure Key measures 1.5 inches long and the cylinder has a diameter of 0.5 inch.

In my experience, Network Managers who worked in Mac environments in the early-2000s regularly carried an Xserve Enclosure Key with them on their keychain using the handy loop included on the tool. While certainly practical, I also felt like the tool was considered a “badge of honor” among a very specific subset of techies.

Sources: Apple (manuals)

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Apple Watch Solo Loop (45mm, Size 12, Succulent, Fall 2022)

The Solo Loop Apple Watch band was released in 2020 along with the Apple Watch Series 6. The packaging describes this product as a “Silicone Fitted Band.” According to Apple’s website:

“Made from liquid silicone rubber, the Solo Loop features a unique, stretchable design with no clasps, buckles, or overlapping parts that’s ultracomfortable to wear and easy to slip on and off your wrist. Each band is specially treated with UV to give the band a silky, smooth finish. It’s also swim proof and sweat proof so it can go just about anywhere you want to wear it.”

The color of this band is Succulent, a shade of light gray-green. It was available in 41mm and 45mm widths, and was sold in specific wrist sizes. The 41mm Solo Loop was sold in wrist sizes 1–9, and the 45mm Solo Loop was sold in wrist sizes 4–12.

According to Apple’s website, “This band comes in custom sizes because it’s designed for an ultracomfortable fit. An accurate measurement will help you get the size that’s right for you.” The website allowed buyers to download a PDF and cut out a “tool” that wrapped around the wrist to designate the band size needed.

This snug-fitting design allowed Apple Watch sensors to retain constant and consistent skin contact, allowing accurate blood oxygen and heart rate measurements to be maintained.

Source: Apple, Bandbreit app

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Apple Watch Solo Loop (45mm, Size 12, Chalk Pink, Fall 2021)

The Solo Loop Apple Watch band was released in 2020 along with the Apple Watch Series 6. The packaging describes this product as a “Silicone Fitted Band.” According to Apple’s website:

“Made from liquid silicone rubber, the Solo Loop features a unique, stretchable design with no clasps, buckles, or overlapping parts that’s ultracomfortable to wear and easy to slip on and off your wrist. Each band is specially treated with UV to give the band a silky, smooth finish. It’s also swim proof and sweat proof so it can go just about anywhere you want to wear it.”

The color of this band is Chalk Pink, a shade of pale pink. It was available in 41mm and 45mm widths, and was sold in specific wrist sizes. The 41mm Solo Loop was sold in wrist sizes 1–9, and the 45mm Solo Loop was sold in wrist sizes 4–12.

According to Apple’s website, “This band comes in custom sizes because it’s designed for an ultracomfortable fit. An accurate measurement will help you get the size that’s right for you.” The website allowed buyers to download a PDF and cut out a “tool” that wrapped around the wrist to designate the band size needed.

This snug-fitting design allowed Apple Watch sensors to retain constant and consistent skin contact, allowing accurate blood oxygen and heart rate measurements to be maintained.

Source: Apple, Bandbreit app

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Apple Watch Solo Loop (45mm, Size 12, Sunglow, Fall 2022)

The Solo Loop Apple Watch band was released in 2020 along with the Apple Watch Series 6. The packaging describes this product as a “Silicone Fitted Band.” According to Apple’s website:

“Made from liquid silicone rubber, the Solo Loop features a unique, stretchable design with no clasps, buckles, or overlapping parts that’s ultracomfortable to wear and easy to slip on and off your wrist. Each band is specially treated with UV to give the band a silky, smooth finish. It’s also swim proof and sweat proof so it can go just about anywhere you want to wear it.”

The color of this band is Sunglow, a shade of yellow-gold. It was available in 41mm and 45mm widths, and was sold in specific wrist sizes. The 41mm Solo Loop was sold in wrist sizes 1–9, and the 45mm Solo Loop was sold in wrist sizes 4–12.

According to Apple’s website, “This band comes in custom sizes because it’s designed for an ultracomfortable fit. An accurate measurement will help you get the size that’s right for you.” The website allowed buyers to download a PDF and cut out a “tool” that wrapped around the wrist to designate the band size needed.

This snug-fitting design allowed Apple Watch sensors to retain constant and consistent skin contact, allowing accurate blood oxygen and heart rate measurements to be maintained.

Source: Apple, Bandbreit app

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Apple Watch Leather Link (45mm, M/L, Midnight, Fall 2021)

The Apple Watch Leather Link was an Apple Watch band released in 2020. The design is similar to Apple’s previous Leather Loop design, but while the Leather Loop included a metal “eye” that looped back on itself, the Leather Link is secured solely by magnets.

Apple described the Leather Link:

“The Leather Link features handcrafted Roux Granada leather made in France. The strap elegantly wraps around the wrist and magically attaches with flexible moulded magnets that gently flex to help maintain a secure, comfortable fit throughout the day.”

In their press release, Apple mentioned: “The first-of-its-kind Leather Link wraps elegantly around the wrist, effortlessly attaching on the other side with flexible molded magnets.”

The Leather Link came in sizes including 41mm in S/M (130–160mm wrists) and M/L (140–180mm wrists), and 45mm in S/M (140–180mm wrists) and M/L (165–205mm wrists).

This example is Midnight, a shade of black, for the 45mm Apple Watch, and fit wrists in the M/L size range.

Source: Apple

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Apple Watch Braided Solo Loop (45mm, Size 12, Slate Blue, Fall 2022)

The Braided Solo Loop Apple Watch band was released in 2020 along with the Apple Watch Series 6. The packaging describes this product as a “Textile Fitted Band.” According to Apple’s website:

“Each Braided Solo Loop features a unique, stretchable design that’s ultracomfortable and easy to slip on and off your wrist. Made from 100 percent recycled materials, the 16,000 polyester yarn filaments in each band are interwoven with thin silicone threads using advanced braiding machinery then laser cut to an exact length. The 300D construction offers a soft, textured feel and is both sweat-resistant and water-resistant.”

The color of this band is Slate Blue, a desaturated shade of medium blue. It was available in 41mm and 45mm widths. The 41mm Braided Solo Loop was sold in wrist sizes 1–9, and the 45mm Braided Solo Loop was sold in wrist sizes 4–12.

According to Apple’s website, “This band comes in custom sizes because it’s designed for an ultracomfortable fit. An accurate measurement will help you get the size that’s right for you.” The website allowed buyers to download a PDF and cut out a “tool” that wrapped around the wrist to designate the band size needed.

Source: Apple, Bandbreit app

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Apple Watch Braided Solo Loop (45mm, Size 12, Rainforest, Fall 2022)

The Braided Solo Loop Apple Watch band was released in 2020 along with the Apple Watch Series 6. The packaging describes this product as a “Textile Fitted Band.” According to Apple’s website:

“Each Braided Solo Loop features a unique, stretchable design that’s ultracomfortable and easy to slip on and off your wrist. Made from 100 percent recycled materials, the 16,000 polyester yarn filaments in each band are interwoven with thin silicone threads using advanced braiding machinery then laser cut to an exact length. The 300D construction offers a soft, textured feel and is both sweat-resistant and water-resistant.”

The color of this band is Rainforest, a shade of dark gray/green. It was available in 41mm and 45mm widths. The 41mm Braided Solo Loop was sold in wrist sizes 1–9, and the 45mm Braided Solo Loop was sold in wrist sizes 4–12.

According to Apple’s website, “This band comes in custom sizes because it’s designed for an ultracomfortable fit. An accurate measurement will help you get the size that’s right for you.” The website allowed buyers to download a PDF and cut out a “tool” that wrapped around the wrist to designate the band size needed.

Source: Apple, Bandbreit app