Tag: 44mm

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Limited Edition Germany International Collection Sport Loop (44mm, 2021)

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 face1 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 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. My band color descriptions include:

  • 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—2-sided 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 44mm Sport Loop representing Germany.

Sources: Apple (product pages, Newsroom, developer)

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Apple Watch Solo Loop (44mm, Size 12, Ginger, 2020)

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 Ginger, a shade of yellow. 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.

Source: Apple

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Apple Watch Braided Solo Loop Pride Edition (44mm, Size 12, 2021)

The Apple Watch Braided Solo Loop is Apple’s first Braided Solo Loop to feature multiple colors in the same band. Like all Braided Solo Loop designs, the band features “stretchable recycled yarn interwoven with silicone threads designed for ultracomfort with no buckles or clasps.” Its multiple colors are explained by Apple to include:

“various Pride flags to represent the breadth of diversity among LGBTQ+ experiences and the history of a movement that has spanned generations. Black and brown symbolize Black and Latinx communities, in addition to those who have passed away from or are living with HIV/AIDS, while light blue, pink, and white represent transgender and nonbinary individuals.”

At the same time this band was released, a matching Apple Watch face was included with the next watchOS update. For the first time, the new face was also accessible from a printed App Clip code in the band packaging.

Apple Watch Pride editions were first introduced in 2016. This version shows that Apple “stands with, supports, and is proudly made up of members of the LGBTQ+ community.” The Pride edition supports “LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations working to bring about positive change, including Encircle, Equality North Carolina, Equality Texas, Gender Spectrum, GLSEN, Human Rights Campaign, National Center for Transgender Equality, PFLAG National, SMYAL, and The Trevor Project in the US, as well as ILGA World internationally.”

Sources: Apple (Newsroom, store)

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Apple Watch Series 5 (Aluminum, Space Gray, 44mm, GPS, 2019)

The Apple Watch Series 5 looked similar to the Series 4, but had an “Always-On” Retina display “that never sleeps,” a faster processor, and more storage. The GPS model required an iPhone tether to use the phone features (higher-end models had built-in wireless cellular). This watch added international emergency calling that allowed calling “emergency services directly from Apple Watch in over 150 countries, even without iPhone nearby.”

Like all previous Apple Watch models, the Apple Watch Series 5 uses a Digital Crown and a touch display. The screen is OLED at 368×448 with haptic feedback and a Force Touch display. New health and fitness features with Series 5 included Cycle Tracking, the Noise app and Activity Trends.

Previous Apple Watch models used screens that went black to conserve power. The Always-On screen in the Series 5 was made possible by the OLED display and other hardware and software. According to Apple:

“Each watch face has been carefully optimized for the new display and to preserve battery life, the screen intelligently dims when a user’s wrist is down and returns to full brightness with a raise or a tap. Several advanced technologies work together to deliver this new feature, including the industry’s only low-temperature polysilicon and oxide display (LTPO), ultra-low power display driver, efficient power management integrated circuit and new ambient light sensor.”

Three different aluminum options were available: Space Gray with Black Sport Band (this model), Silver with White Sport Band, and Gold with Pink Sand Sport Band. Many other combinations were available by customizing the watch online. The Series 5 introduced the “Apple Watch Studio,” both on the Apple website and on the Apple Store app. The Apple Watch Studio allowed the opportunity for buyers to select a “preferred case and band combination to create a look that is uniquely their own.”

New materials were also offered with the Series 5, including natural titanium and space black titanium. Aluminum cases in silver, gold, and space gray were offered in “100 percent recycled 7000 series aluminum.” Stainless steel cases were unchanged and were offered in gold, silver, and space black.

Source: EveryMac, Apple

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Apple Watch Solo Loop (44mm, Size 12, White, 2020)

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.

Source: Apple

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Apple Watch Series 6 (Black Unity, 44mm, GPS, 2020)

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.

Source: Everymac, Apple (Watch, press release)

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Apple Watch Leather Link (44mm, M/L, Black, 2020)

The Apple Watch Leather Link was an Apple Watch band released in 2020. The design is similar to the previous Leather Loop design. While the Leather Loop included a metal “eye,” the Leather Link is held 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.”

When released, the Leather Link was available in Baltic Blue, California Poppy, Saddle Brown, and Black. It 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 a Black 44mm, M/L Leather Link.

Source: Apple

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Apple Watch Sport Loop (44mm, Cape Cod Blue, 2018)

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.

Source: Apple

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Apple Watch Sport Loop (44mm, Kumquat, 2020)

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.”

Source: Apple

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Apple Watch Nike Sport Loop (44mm, Olive Flak, 2018)

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.”

Source: Apple