The Apple Watch Leather Link was an Apple Watch band released in 2020. The design is similar to the 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 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 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 Baltic Blue, a shade of dark blue with a hint of green, for the 44mm Apple Watch, and fit wrists in the M/L size range.
Presumably, this color is named for the color of the Baltic Sea, an part of the Atlantic Ocean that is enclosed by Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Russia, Sweden, and North and Central Europe.
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 Starlight, a shade of off-white/light tan. 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.
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 Inverness Green, a shade of olive 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.
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 Flamingo, a shade of bright pink. 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.
The Apple Watch Sport Loop band was woven from nylon thread to create a hook-and-loop closure. These bands were available for the 41mm and 45mm Apple Watch models, and were offered in sizes to fit 130–200mm wrists (41mm) and 145–220mm wrists (45mm). The bands also fit older Apple Watch sizes.
This Oat Milk/Lemon Zest band used a two-stripe design first introduced in Fall 2021. One stripe was “Oat Milk,” a shade of off-white, and the other was “Lemon Zest,” a shade of bright yellow. The edges were black and provided a striking contrast to the lighter stripes. The connector plastics were off-white—a similar shade to the “Oat Milk” color—and the closure plastic was black.
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.”
The Apple Watch Sport Loop band was woven from nylon thread to create a hook-and-loop closure. These bands were available for the 41mm and 45mm Apple Watch models, and were offered in sizes to fit 130–200mm wrists (41mm) and 145–220mm wrists (45mm). The bands also fit older Apple Watch sizes.
This Nectarine/Peony band used a two-stripe design first introduced in Fall 2021. One stripe was “Nectarine,” a shade of shade of bright orange, and the other was “Peony,” a bright red/pink. The edges and connector plastics were off-white, and the closure plastics matched the Peony stripe.
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.”
In my opinion, the shade of Nectarine does, indeed, match the orange gradient that can be found on an actual nectarine. However, as an Indiana native where the peony is the state flower, this shade of “Peony” is not representative of the actual plant’s flower.
The Apple Watch Sport Loop band was woven from nylon thread to create a hook-and-loop closure. These bands were available for the 41mm and 45mm Apple Watch models, and were offered in sizes to fit 130–200mm wrists (41mm) and 145–220mm wrists (45mm). The bands also fit older Apple Watch sizes.
This Lavender Gray/Light Lilac band used a two-stripe design first introduced in Fall 2021. One stripe was “Lavender Gray,” a shade of shade of light purple-gray, and the other was “Light Lilac” a light pale purple (almost white). The edges and connector plastics were a contrasting yellow (similar to the “Lemon Zest” shade used in Apple’s Spring 2022 collection), and the closure plastics matched the Lavender Gray stripe.
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.”
The Apple Watch Sport Loop band was woven from nylon thread to create a hook-and-loop closure. These bands were available for the 41mm and 45mm Apple Watch models, and were offered in sizes to fit 130–200mm wrists (41mm) and 145–220mm wrists (45mm). The bands also fit older Apple Watch sizes.
The Spring 2023 Black Unity Sport Loop is the third Apple Watch band in the Black Unity collection. The band was released with a matching Apple Watch face, iPhone wallpaper, and Mac wallpaper. Apple describes the band and collection:
“Inspired by the creative process of mosaic, the new Black Unity watch band and matching watch face symbolize the vibrancy of Black communities and the power of unity.”
This is the first Apple Watch Sport Loop design to use a relatively complex design with multiple textures. Placed flat, one side of the design reveals abstract letters spelling “UNITY” using different thread textures. The other side is black. The color palette matches those that of the Pan-African flag. Apple describes the design:
“Designed by Black creatives and allies at Apple, this band honors Black history for anyone committed to ending systemic racism and building a more equitable world… Featuring the colors of the Pan-African flag, this adjustable, soft and lightweight Sport Loop band contains the word ‘unity’ woven in layers for a three-dimensional texture.”
One of the band’s edges is bright red, and the other edge is bright green. The connector and closure plastics are black.
Apple says that they are “supporting five global organizations focused on uplifting Black and Brown communities by unlocking creative potential with technology:”
Art Gallery of New South Wales (Sydney, Australia)
Ghetto Film School (New York City, Los Angeles, London)
Music Forward (Los Angeles, CA)
Shout Mouse Press (Washington D.C.)
The National Museum of African American Music (Nashville, TN)
The box and interior packaging are primarily black with white text. The packaging includes an insert that features a “UNITY” design on the front and a further explanation about the Black Unity collection inside (in English and five additional languages).
I find this design particularly striking, unique—and perplexing! The “UNITY” pattern is on the inside of the band, while the primary, out-facing color is solid black. Thus, when wearing the band, the artistic pattern is barely visible. In my case, the band appears mostly black (with the red and green edge stripes), and the only part of the pattern exposed is part of the “U”—while more than two-thirds of this eye-catching design is facing my wrist.
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 Nectarine, a shade of bright orange. 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.
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 Marigold, a shade of bright yellow/orange. 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.
