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 Pistachio, a shade of light grren. It was available in 40mm and 44mm widths, and was among the first Apple Watch bands to be sold in specific wrist sizes. The 40mm Solo Loop was sold in wrist sizes 1–9 and the 44mm 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.
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 Pink Punch, a shade of bright pink. It was available in 40mm and 44mm widths, and was among the first Apple Watch bands to be sold in specific wrist sizes. The 40mm Braided Solo Loop was sold in wrist sizes 1–9 and the 44mm 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.
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 Tomales Blue, a shade of royal blue. I can find no “official” explanation for the name of the shade “Tomales” blue. However, Tomales Bay is a 15-mile-long, narrow inlet of the Pacific Ocean in Marin County, northern California. Presumably, the blue is named for the color of the bay.
The band was available in 40mm and 44mm widths, and was among the first Apple Watch bands to be sold in specific wrist sizes. The 40mm Solo Loop was sold in wrist sizes 1–9 and the 44mm 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.
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 Clover, a shade of dark green. It was available in 41mm and 45mm widths, and was among the first Apple Watch bands to be 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.
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 Deep Navy, a very dark blue. It was available in 40mm and 44mm widths and was among the first Apple Watch bands to be sold in specific wrist sizes. The 40mm Solo Loop was sold in wrist sizes 1–9, and the 44mm 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.
The Black Unity Braided Solo Loop was released at the beginning of Black History Month (February) 2022 as a limited edition band. The band material is shown as “polyester yarn braided around silicone thread.”
Apple described the band:
“Designed by Black creatives and allies at Apple to celebrate Black history and culture, the Black Unity Braided Solo Loop is inspired by Afrofuturism, a philosophy that explores the experience of the African Diaspora through a narrative of science, technology, and self-empowerment. It honors generations of Black people who have been seen and unseen, and symbolizes the necessity for a more equitable world.”
Apple added:
“Featuring the colors of the Pan-African flag, the band is created by weaving 16,000 recycled polyester yarn filaments around ultrathin silicone threads using advanced precision-braiding machinery, then laser-cutting the band to an exact length for a custom fit. It offers a soft, textured feel and is both sweat and water resistant. The band is complemented by the Unity Lights watch face, with clock hands emitting light that changes dynamically throughout the day. The lugs are laser-etched with ‘Black Unity’.”
This example is a size 12 for the 45mm Apple Watch.
The Apple Watch Leather Link was an Apple Watch band released in 2021. The design is similar to the previous Leather Loop design, but while the Leather Loop included a metal “eye,” the Leather Link is secured solely by magnets.
Apple describes 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.”
The Leather Link came in sizes including 40mm in S/M (130–160mm wrists) and M/L (140–180mm wrists), and 44mm in S/M (140–180mm wrists) and M/L (165–205mm wrists).
This example is Sequoia Green to fit the 45mm Apple Watch and fits wrists in the M/L size range.
The Apple Watch Hermès features a “classic Hermès design.” According to Apple’s website, the band is “Handmade by artisans in France from supple Swift leather. The stainless steel buckle recalls those on the straps of a saddle, a nod to the equestrian heritage of Hermès.”
Apple’s Hermès Leather collection included both “single tour” and “double tour” styles. The double tour offered the unique style of wrapping twice around the wrist, while the single tour was the traditional single wrap. Depending on the style, Apple Watch Hermès bands were offered at premium prices between $319–$849 in nylon and leather.
The Apple Watch Hermès designs were a part of what Apple described as an “iconic collaboration” and said, “Apple Watch Hermès brings innovation and style to the forefront of your wrist.” Like other Apple Watch bands, the colors and patterns change seasonally and offer “a sophisticated palette of energetic brights and subtle seasonal tones on leather and woven nylon bands. Available in a wide range of styles and colorways in Double Tour or Single Tour.”
Interestingly, the Hermès website offered details about this band not provided on Apple’s website. Namely, Hermès describes Swift leather:
“This extremely supple, sophisticated leather is named after Jonathan Swift, the author of Gulliver’s Travels, to highlight its resemblance to Gulliver calfskin, which is no longer featured in today’s collections. First appeared in the collections: 2004 Appearance: Almost smooth with a delicate shine; lightly marked grain that is sometimes hardly noticeable Feel: Soft and tender Hand: Supple and generous Change over time: Becomes even more supple”
Editorial comment: It’s like butter.
Further, Hermès provided a description that is arguably clearer than Apple’s:
“You can match this band with any stainless steel Apple Watch case (Series 7 or previous versions). The 41 mm band works with the 38 mm, 40 mm and 41 mm cases; the 45 mm band works with the 42 mm, 44 mm and 45 mm cases.”
Technically, this band fits any Apple Watch, but stainless steel on aluminum is apparently considered très gauche. Although seemingly non-standard, I have titled this post using the product name provided by Hermès.
Finally, I don’t get the opportunity to use my four years of high school French often, but I have noticed that Americans frequently mispronounce the brand name Hermès. This video provides a great example of a native French speaker pronouncing the name. [Roughly, it’s pronounced air-MEHZ, but it’s best to hear it.]
The Apple Watch Classic Buckle was made in two sizes and fit wrists measuring 130–195 mm (38 mm version) and 150–215 mm (42 mm version). Apple described this band as a traditional design “made from a calf leather that ages naturally over time to acquire a beautiful patina. A contrasting interior lining creates a dramatic two-tone look, and the color-matched edge stitching provides a subtle complement.”
This version of the Classic Buckle is the third generation of the design (the fourth generation added a spring-loaded square buckle to make it easier to insert the band). Its color is Red, but the band is not part of Apple’s (PRODUCT)RED collection.
In this example the Red Classic Buckle is paired with an Apple Watch Series 7 in silver stainless steel.
The International Collection Sport Loop was released at the time of the Summer Olympics played in 2021 (referred to as the 2020 Olympics due to the COVID-19 delay). The bands came in 22 designs “representing nations across the globe, each with a downloadable matching watch face.”
The bands used the Sport Loop design, described by Apple as, “Soft, breathable, and lightweight, it 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.”
The packaging for each band was highly customized and featured the Apple Watch logo on the box exterior in metallic gold (presumably a reference to Olympic gold medals). The interior packaging used the design of the sport band (as opposed to the generic design used in other Sport Loop designs) and included an App Clip Code (Apple’s custom circular QR Code design) that led directly to a downloadable Watch face that matched the band.
According to an Apple Newsroom release from June 29, 2021:
“To celebrate the indescribable drive and competitive spirit of all athletes and fans, Apple is launching the International Collection bands for Apple Watch, featuring 22 limited-edition Sport Loop bands with colorful designs that represent those nations across the globe. Each band also features a matching downloadable Stripes watch face showcasing color combinations that customers around the world can use to personalize their Apple Watch and boldly show their country support.
The soft, breathable, and lightweight International Collection Sport Loop bands are available representing the following countries: Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, and the US.”
The colorful designs used a variety of designs including one-color bands, one- and two-color facing bands, and some bands were split vertically with two colors (a first for Apple Watch band designs). All bands used a contrasting edge color, and many bands featured contrasting plastic connectors/closure colors. Bands matched the flags of each country and featured two to five colors each.
These are my descriptions of each of the band designs:
Australia—2-sided bright green and yellow band; bright green edges; bright green plastic connectors/closure.
Belgium—yellow gold band; red edges; black plastic connectors/closure.
Brazil—bright green band; yellow edges; dark blue plastic connectors/closure.
Canada—vertical striped white and red band; white and red edges; white plastic connectors, white closure.
China—red band; yellow-gold edges; red plastic connectors, yellow-gold closure.
Denmark—red band; white edges; white plastic connectors/closure.
France—white band; blue and red edges; white plastic connectors, blue closure.
Germany—2-sided black and yellow-gold band; red edges; black plastic connectors/closure.
Greece—vertical striped white and blue band; blue and white edges; white plastic connectors/closure.
Italy—bright blue band; white edges; green plastic connectors, red closure.
Jamaica—2-sided bright green and black band; yellow edges; black plastic connectors, yellow closure.
Japan—white band; red edges; white plastic connectors, red closure.
Mexico—white band; green and blue edges; white plastic connectors, green closure.
Netherlands—bright orange band; white edges; white plastic connectors, blue closure.
New Zealand—black band; white edges; black plastic connectors, white closure.
Russia—2-sided blue and red band; white edges; white plastic connectors/closure.
South Africa—2-sided red and blue band; green edges; black plastic connectors, yellow closure.
South Korea—white band; black edges; blue plastic connectors, red closure.
Spain—2-sided yellow-gold and red band; red edges; red plastic connectors/closure.
Sweden—2-sided yellow and medium-blue band; medium-blue edges; medium-blue plastic connectors/closure.
United States—vertical striped white and blue band; red edges; white plastic connectors, red closure.
Great Britain—2-sided red and blue band; white edges; white plastic connectors/closure.
This example is a 44 mm Sport Loop representing Canada.
