Apple Watch Braided Solo Loop (44mm, Size 12, Charcoal, Fall 2020)

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 Charcoal, a shade of dark gray. 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.

Source: Apple

Apple Watch Sport Band (44 mm, Black Unity, Spring 2021)

The Black Unity Apple Watch Sport Band was part of an effort during the first time Apple referred to a product as part of a “collection”—in this case, to celebrate Black History Month in 2021. According to a press release:

“To celebrate Black History Month, Apple is bringing customers a variety of new and updated collections and exclusive content that highlight and amplify Black creators, artists, developers, and businesses. From curated features across the App Store, Apple Music, the Apple TV app, Apple Books, and Apple Podcasts, to new Apple Maps Guides, the Apple Watch Black Unity Collection, Today at Apple sessions, and more, here is a look at what is in store across Apple’s products and services this February.”

The Apple Watch Black Unity Collection included three elements: “a limited-edition Apple Watch Series 6, the Black Unity Sport Band, and a Unity watch face.” In this example, the Black Unity Apple Watch Sport Band is paired with an Apple Watch Series 7 in silver stainless steel.

Apple described the Black Unity Sport Band:

“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.'”

During this effort, Apple reported that they would support six global organizations to “help advance their missions in promoting and achieving equality and civil rights in the US and around the world: Black Lives Matter Support Fund via the Tides Foundation; European Network Against Racism; International Institute on Race, Equality and Human Rights; Leadership Conference Education Fund; NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc.; and Souls Grown Deep.”

Sources: Apple (Newsroom, Product)

Apple Watch Woven Nylon Band (42 mm, Black, Space Gray Stainless Steel Buckle, 2017)

The Apple Watch Woven Nylon Band was available from 2016–2019. This band design was the first to include plastic connecting “lugs” to attach to the watch.

This Black Apple Watch Woven Nylon Band was available beginning in Fall 2017. This example fits the 42 mm Apple Watch. Although this band is called “black,” it is primarily gray. It has a Space Gray Stainless Steel Buckle and features three thick stripes in gray and dark gray with the edges in black.

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. Available in seven vibrant colors”

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 38 mm version was designed to fit wrists 125–195 mm, and the 42 mm fit 145–215 mm wrists.

No new Apple Watch Woven Nylon band styles were introduced after Summer 2018.

Source: 9to5mac, Bandbreite app

Nike Sport Loop (45mm, Black, 2021)

The Nike 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 and 145–220mm wrists . The bands also fit older Apple Watch sizes of 38mm/42mm and 40mm/44mm.

This Black band used a base color of black (it could also be called dark gray) and had the word NIKE woven into the design around the outer band and the NIKE “swoosh” on the part of the band with the hook-and-loop closure on the back. The connector plastics were black to match the base color of the band.

Apple described the Nike Sport Loop band:

“Breathable and lightweight, the Nike Sport Loop is designed for fitness. It’s made from a soft nylon weave featuring the iconic Nike swoosh. 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

Educator Advantage pen (multicolor, black Apple logotype, c. 1990)

This pen is primarily yellow with purple, green, and red accents. The pen is printed in black in the Apple Garamond font, Apple’s corporate font at the time. The printing includes a black Apple logo, a black Apple logotype, and contact information for the Apple Educator Advantage Individual Purchase Program.

The Apple Educator Advantage Individual Purchase Program was a no-interest loan program offered by Apple for school staff in approximately the late 1990s–2000s. The program was executed by individual school districts as a payroll deduction for employees who were interested. Two of the school districts in which I served offered a version of this program.

(My collection includes the same pen, but printed with just a black Apple logotype.)