The Apple Watch Woven Nylon Band was available from Spring 2016–Summer 2018. This band design was the first to include plastic connecting “lugs” to attach to the watch.
This Apple Watch Woven Nylon Band in Red was available during the Spring 2017 season. This example fits the 42mm Apple Watch and had a Stainless Steel Buckle. Although its color is “red,” it includes red plastic connectors and three stripes in yellow, red, and gray.
According to Apple:
“Every Woven Nylon band is made from over 500 threads woven together in a unique, colorful pattern. Monofilaments connect four layers of the weave to create a single durable band with a comfortable, fabric-like feel.”
Unlike the Apple Sport Loop bands that shipped with two sizes in one box, each Woven Nylon box included one size band with twelve notches. The 38mm version was designed to fit wrists 125–195mm, and the 42mm fit 145–215mm wrists.
Apple Watch Woven Nylon band styles were discontinued in Summer 2018.
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.”
This band is White, and was also available at release in Pink Citrus, Deep Navy, Cypress Green, Ginger, Black, and (PRODUCT)RED. 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 the Apple Watch Series 6 sensors to retain constant and consistent skin contact, allowing accurate blood oxygen and heart rate measurements to be maintained.
The Black Unity Apple Watch was Apple’s first “limited-edition Apple Watch Series 6” and was described as being part of a collection including the watch, the Black Unity Sport Band, and a Unity watch face.
Apple described the Black Unity Watch: “Inspired by the colors of the Pan‑African flag, the Black Unity Collection celebrates a symbol that unites people across the African Diaspora. Apple supports organizations dedicated to advancing racial equity and justice.”
The Apple Watch Series 6 was nearly identical to the Series 5 models, but the Series 6 added some new internal features: faster chip, a new Blood Oxygen sensor (SpO2), and an altimeter that was always on. Like all previous Apple Watch models, the Apple Watch Series 6 uses a Digital Crown and a touch display. The screen is OLED at 368×448.
On Apple’s product page dedicated to the Black Unity Apple Watch, detailed information was provided about the design and symbolism behind the watch:
“Designed by Black creatives and allies throughout Apple to celebrate and acknowledge Black history and culture, the Black Unity Sport Band is inspired by the colors of the Pan-African flag and pays homage to the rich tradition and craft of quilt-making. Three individual pieces of colored fluoroelastomer are assembled by hand and compression-molded as one. Complemented by the dynamic Unity watch face, which displays an ever-changing pattern of irregular shapes as Apple Watch moves, these colors are brought together in a unique tapestry. The innovative pin-and-tuck closure is laser-etched with ‘Truth. Power. Solidarity.'”
Like Apple’s (PRODUCT)RED efforts to provide charitable donations in support of HIV/AIDS and COVID-19, Apple took this opportunity to show support for organizations dedicated to advancing racial equity and justice:
Black Lives Matter Support Fund via the Tides Foundation—The Black Lives Matter movement fuels campaigns for justice, combats and counters acts of violence, and creates space for Black imagination and innovation.
European Network Against Racism (ENAR)—ENAR, a pan-European anti-racism network, is the voice of the anti-racist movement in Europe.
International Institute on Race, Equality and Human Rights—The institute works to protect the human rights of marginalized and vulnerable people who suffer from discrimination.
Leadership Conference Education Fund—The Leadership Conference Education Fund promotes and protects civil and human rights and builds public education campaigns that empower and mobilize advocates around the United States.
NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. (LDF)—LDF seeks structural changes to expand democracy, eliminate disparities, and achieve racial justice to fulfill the promise of equality for all Americans.
Souls Grown Deep—The partnership is dedicated to promoting the work of African American artists and supporting their communities by fostering economic empowerment, racial and social justice, and educational advancement.
The Apple Watch Sport Loop band is woven from nylon thread to create a hook-and-loop closure. They were available for the 38/40 mm and 42/44 mm Apple Watch models, and fit 130–200 mm wrists (40 mm) and 145–200mm wrists (44 mm).
The Apple Watch Sport Loop band has been available in several styles. The 2019 designs were comprised of a base color and one or more accent colors. In this Cerulean example, the edges and plastics are light blue, and the inside pattern is comprised of threads in light blue, royal blue, light orange, and white.
Apple describes 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.”
On September 9, 2014, Apple announced the Apple Watch as its “most personal device ever—featuring revolutionary new technologies and a pioneering user interface with a beautiful design.” The Watch debuted the Digital Crown that Apple described as the “most revolutionary navigation tool since the iPod Click Wheel and iPhone Multi-Touch.”
The original Apple Watch required that the user pair it with an iPhone 5 or later and carry an iPhone to access all of the Watch’s functions. The original Apple Watch was available in three collections: Apple Watch, Apple Watch Sport, and Apple Watch Edition.
This Apple Watch Sport model featured a 312×390 Retina display. Apple described the display as featuring “Force Touch, a technology that senses the difference between a tap and a press, providing a new way to quickly and easily access controls within apps.”
The original Apple Watch had only 11 available faces that allowed customization:
“Apple Watch comes with 11 watch faces ranging from traditional analog faces to new faces like the dynamic Timelapse face; the Astronomy face with its interactive, real-time 3D model of the earth, sun, moon and planets; and the Solar face, a contemporary sundial. Apple Watch can be personalized in appearance and capability with additional information such as upcoming events, moonphases or your activity level, enabling millions of possible configurations.”
The Apple Watch Sport was available with a space gray or silver anodized aluminum case and Sport Band. The original Sport Band colors available were available in black, blue, green, pink, and white. This example is a space gray anodized aluminum case with a black Sport Band.
The Apple Watch Magnetic Charging Dock was a 4.1-inch diameter, 0.5-inch thick charging pad for the Apple Watch that used the same inductive charging connector that shipped with the Apple Watch. The white base of the dock had a microfiber, padded texture. The polished-chrome charging disc was mounted on a hinge that could pivot from a flat position to a 45-degree angle.
According to Apple:
“With the Apple Watch Magnetic Charging Dock, you can charge your Apple Watch in a flat position with its band open, or on its side. When docked on its side, your watch automatically goes into Nightstand mode, so you can also use it as your alarm clock. The Apple Watch Magnetic Charging Dock uses the same inductive charging connector that comes with Apple Watch. It charges all Apple Watch models and sizes. And it connects via the Lightning to USB Cable and Apple 5W USB Power Adapter.”
The Apple Watch Magnetic Charging Dock has also shipped with Apple Watch Edition models and has been available since 2015 with a Lightning connector built into the base. As of 2020 it still shipped with a Lightning-to-USB (USB-A) cable.
This example is the standalone product with the original packaging.
The Apple Watch Sport Loop band is woven from nylon thread to create a hook-and-loop closure. They were available for the 38/40mm and 42/44mm Apple Watch models, and were offered in sizes to fit 130–190mm wrists.
The Apple Watch Sport Loop band has been available in several styles, including (PRODUCT)RED, Spicy Orange, Nectarine, Electric Pink, Hibiscus, Hot Pink, Pink Sand, Flash Light, Flash, Marine Green, Tahoe Blue, Cape Cod Blue, Midnight Blue, Indigo, Dark Olive, Storm Gray, Black, and Seashell.
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.”
This Cape Cod Blue Sport Loop has an overall bright bright blue appearance, but is comprised of a bright blue base color with light blue and dark blue accents. This example also includes unboxing photos, and the internal packaging includes installation instructions.
The Apple Watch Sport Loop band was woven from nylon thread to create a hook-and-loop closure. These bands were available for the 38/40mm and 42/44mm Apple Watch models, and were offered in a size to fit 130–190mm wrists.
Beginning around 2018, Sport Loop designs were comprised of a base color and one or more accent colors. This Kumquat band uses an orange base color with edges accented in dark green and dark blue. In addition, the plastic connectors are orange while the closure plastic is dark blue.
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.”
Beginning in 2020 Apple began including a Band Compatibility statement on its website:
“You can match most bands with any Apple Watch Series 3 or newer case of the same size. (For Apple Watch Series 3, the 40mm band works with the 38mm case; the 44mm band works with the 42mm case.) The Solo Loop and Braided Solo Loop bands are only compatible with Apple Watch SE and Apple Watch Series 4 or newer. The 40mm case works with band sizes 1–9; the 44mm case works with band sizes 4–12.”
This Nike Sport Loop Apple Watch band was released in 2018. The packaging described this product as “Hook and Loop Closure Reflective Thread Detail.”
The Apple Watch Nike Sport Loop band has been available in several color combinations that matched one or more Nike shoe or clothing products upon release. Style names have included Bright Crimson/Black, Pearl Pink, Smokey Mauve, Midnight Fog, Celestial Teal, Cargo Khaki, Black/Pure Platinum, Black, Summit White, Desert Sand/Volt, Pink Blast/True Berry, Royal Pulse/Lava Glow, and Summit White. This example is Olive Flak. Most Nike styles tended to use an “interpretive” word in addition to a color, while Apple styles were arguably more concise, color-focused names.
Apple described the Apple Watch Nike Sport Loop band:
“Soft, breathable, and lightweight, the Nike Sport Loop is designed for fitness, with select colors matched to the new line of Nike running shoes. It features a nylon weave with reflective thread designed to shimmer when light strikes it. A hook-and-loop fastener makes for quick and easy adjustment, and dense loops on the skin side provide soft cushioning while allowing moisture to escape. On the reverse side, the attachment loops are securely anchored for superior durability.”
The Apple Watch “Edition” is the name Apple gave to its most exclusive models of the Apple Watch. Original Apple Watch Edition models were considered highly exclusive with a price tag to match—the 38mm 18-Karat gold version was priced at $10,000, the 42mm version was $12,000, and the most expensive option went for $17,000. The Edition version that was released along with the Series 2 Apple Watch models reimagined the original Apple Watch Edition idea.
The Apple Watch Edition Series 2 was still exclusive, but instead of a precious metal, its material was a new, scratch-resistant ceramic. Apple described the composition and finish: “Sleek, light, and extremely durable, ceramic is more than four times as hard as stainless steel — with a pearly, lustrous finish that won’t scratch or tarnish.” The ceramic Apple Watch Edition started at $1,249 for the 38mm model, and the 42mm model was $1,299.
Apple touted a high level of craftsmanship behind this Apple Watch Edition. “The process of creating the Apple Watch Edition case begins with a high-strength zirconia powder that’s combined with alumina to achieve its rich, white color. Each case is then compression molded, sintered, and polished using a diamond slurry, which results in a remarkably smooth surface and an exquisite shine. With this precise level of workmanship, every Apple Watch Edition case takes days to make.”
For some reason, the Apple Watch Edition Series 2 models were slightly wider and taller than the aluminum and stainless counterparts by 0.1mm. It measured 42.6mm x 36.5mm x 11.4mm. The watch weighed in at 45.6g (for comparison, the 42mm aluminum was 34.2g and the 42mm stainless steel version was 52.4g). Like the stainless steel model, the OLED Retina display with Force Touch on the Edition used a Sapphire crystal at 312×390 pixels on the 42mm version.
All Series 2 Apple Watch models featured GPS and GLONASS, water resistance to 50 meters, a dual‑core processor, and a display twice as bright as the previous Apple Watch. Wireless connectivity included Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n) and Bluetooth 4.0. Sensors included a heart rate sensor, accelerometer, gyroscope, and ambient light sensor. The Edition included a Cloud Sport Band (a shade of light gray), and a Magnetic Charging Dock was included in the box.
One of the impressive features I found about this Apple Watch is in a small detail of the included band. Apple needed a band to show off the white ceramic case, but instead of including a white band, they included a light gray color they call “Cloud.” The Cloud color was never available separately, making it as exclusive as the Edition Watch. Since the band is a fluoroelastomer Sport Band, it requires a pin closure. Apple took the opportunity to make the closure pin in pearl white, a perfect complement to the case (most Sport Bands use stainless steel pins).
