Apple Watch Black Unity Sport Loop (45mm, Spring 2023)

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.

Source: Apple (bands, Sport Loop), Bandbreite

Black Unity Braided Solo Loop (45mm, Size 12, 2022)

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.

Source: Apple

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)