Apple Watch Edition (Series 2, white ceramic case, Cloud Sport Band, 2016)

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).

Sources: Apple, Web Archive (Apple), The Verge, 9to5mac

Apple Watch Pride Edition Sport Band (44mm, rainbow, 2020)

Although Apple has released several Pride Edition bands, this design is the first multicolor fluoroelastomer band. According to Apple’s website:

“The Pride Edition Sport Band is assembled by hand from individual strips of colored fluoroelastomer. The strips are then machine die-cut and compression molded together. This process results in subtle variations in the wavy rainbow design, making each band artfully unique. Durable and strong, yet surprisingly soft, the band drapes elegantly across your wrist and feels comfortable next to your skin. An innovative pin-and-tuck closure ensures a clean fit.”

The packaging states: “Apple is proud to support LGBTQ advocacy organizations working to bring about positive change.” Apple’s website goes on to specify the LGBTQ organizations they support through the sale of this band: Encircle, Gender Spectrum, GLSEN, PFLAG, SMYAL, The National Center for Transgender Equality, The Trevor Project in the U.S., and ILGA World internationally.

Source: Apple

Apple Watch Sport Band (42 mm, XL, White, Spring 2015)

The Apple Watch Sport Band is made from a flexible rubber material called fluoroelastomer with a metal pin closure. Sizes range from S/M, M/L, or L/XL. When purchasing an Apple Watch Sport Band, the S/M and M/L sizes are included in the box, allowing the band to fit wrists 140–210 mm. The XL size fits wrists 160–245 mm and so far the L/XL bands have only been available in black and white.

Apple describes the Apple Watch Sport band:

“Made from a custom high-performance fluoroelastomer, the Sport Band is durable and strong, yet surprisingly soft. The smooth, dense material drapes elegantly across your wrist and feels comfortable next to your skin. An innovative pin-and-tuck closure ensures a clean fit.”

The Apple Watch Sport band has been available in the most colors so far, including, Rose Red, Orange, Spicy Orange, Nectarine, Apricot, Hermès Orange, Yellow, Pollen, Mellow Yellow, Lemonade, Flash, Green, Mint, Dark Teal, Pacific Green, Marine Green, Turquoise, Mist Blue, Sky Blue, Blue, Royal Blue, Lilac, Azure, Denim Blue, Blue Horizon, Ocean Blue, Blue Cobalt, Midnight Blue, Ultra Violet, Lavender Gray, Lavender, Vintage Rose, Light Pink, Pink, Red Raspberry, Hibiscus, Camellia, Peach, Flamingo, Walnut, Pebble, Antique White, Soft White/Pebble (White Ceramic Pin), Soft White, Cloud (White Ceramic Pin), Concrete, Dark Olive, Cocoa, Black (Stainless Steel Pin), Black (Black Pin), Gray/Black (Gray Ceramic Pin), Gray (Black Pin), Fog, White, Pomegranate, Beryl, Khaki, Lemon Cream, Clementine, Pine Green, Alaskan Blue, Stone, Pink Sand, Black, White, (PRODUCT)RED Generation 1, and (PRODUCT)RED Generation 2.

This example is an XL size, White Sport band for the 42/44 mm Apple Watch. Although I find these bands very comfortable to wear, the metal pin is positioned at the base of the wrist and tends to make contact with the laptop surface as you type.

Source: Apple

Apple Watch Sport Band (42 mm, XL, Black, 316L Stainless Steel Pin, Spring 2015)

The Apple Watch Sport Band is made from a flexible rubber material called fluoroelastomer with a metal pin closure. Sizes range from S/M, M/L, or L/XL. When purchasing an Apple Watch Sport Band, the S/M and M/L sizes are included in the box, allowing the band to fit wrists 140–210 mm. The XL size fits wrists 160–245 mm and so far the L/XL bands have only been available in black and white.

Apple describes the Apple Watch Sport band:

“Made from a custom high-performance fluoroelastomer, the Sport Band is durable and strong, yet surprisingly soft. The smooth, dense material drapes elegantly across your wrist and feels comfortable next to your skin. An innovative pin-and-tuck closure ensures a clean fit.”

The Apple Watch Sport band has been available in the most colors so far, including, Rose Red, Orange, Spicy Orange, Nectarine, Apricot, Hermès Orange, Yellow, Pollen, Mellow Yellow, Lemonade, Flash, Green, Mint, Dark Teal, Pacific Green, Marine Green, Turquoise, Mist Blue, Sky Blue, Blue, Royal Blue, Lilac, Azure, Denim Blue, Blue Horizon, Ocean Blue, Blue Cobalt, Midnight Blue, Ultra Violet, Lavender Gray, Lavender, Vintage Rose, Light Pink, Pink, Red Raspberry, Hibiscus, Camellia, Peach, Flamingo, Walnut, Pebble, Antique White, Soft White/Pebble (White Ceramic Pin), Soft White, Cloud (White Ceramic Pin), Concrete, Dark Olive, Cocoa, Black (Stainless Steel Pin), Black (Black Pin), Gray/Black (Gray Ceramic Pin), Gray (Black Pin), Fog, White, Pomegranate, Beryl, Khaki, Lemon Cream, Clementine, Pine Green, Alaskan Blue, Stone, Pink Sand, Black, White, (PRODUCT)RED Generation 1, and (PRODUCT)RED Generation 2.

This version of the Black Apple Watch Sport Band includes a 316L Stainless Steel Pin to match the aluminum and stainless steel Apple Watch models. An alternate version of the same band shipped with a black pin to match the Space Gray Apple Watch. Incidentally, the 316L Stainless Steel designation refers to the grade of stainless steel used for the pin (also referred to as “marine grade stainless steel”). This example is an XL size, Black Sport band for the 42/44 mm Apple Watch. Although I find these bands very comfortable to wear, the metal pin is positioned at the base of the wrist and tends to make contact with the laptop surface as you type.

Source: Apple

Apple Watch Series 1 (42 mm, silver aluminum case with white Sport Band, 2016, unopened)

The Apple Watch Series 1 models were similar to the original Apple Watch, but used a more powerful dual core processor. Like its successor, this Watch was controlled with a Digital Crown and a Force Touch display, and it needed to be paired with iPhone 5 (or newer).

This Apple Watch Series 1 model is a 42 mm version (a 38 mm version was also available) and used a 312×390 display.

The Apple Watch Series 1 was originally sold in four configurations:

  • silver aluminum case with white Sport Band
  • gold aluminum case with cocoa (dark brown) Sport Band
  • rose gold aluminum case with midnight blue Sport Band
  • space gray aluminum case with black Sport Band

The Sport Bands were made of fluoroelastomer rubber.

This Apple Watch Series 1 version is the silver aluminum case with white Sport Band. It is unopened in the original package.

Source: EveryMac.com

Apple Watch Series 1 (42 mm, silver aluminum case with white Sport Band, 2016)

The Apple Watch Series 1 models were similar to the original Apple Watch, but used a more powerful dual core processor. Like its successor, this Watch was controlled with a Digital Crown and a Force Touch display, and it needed to be paired with an iPhone 5 (or newer).

This Apple Watch Series 1 model is a 42 mm version (a 38 mm version was also available) and used a 312×390 display. The battery was reported to last up to 18 hours, but specific functions were reported to use more battery power than others (e.g., 3 hours of talk time, 6.5 hours of audio playback, 8 hours of working out).

The Apple Watch Series 1 was originally sold in four configurations:

  • silver aluminum case with white Sport Band
  • gold aluminum case with cocoa (dark brown) Sport Band
  • rose gold aluminum case with midnight blue Sport Band
  • space gray aluminum case with black Sport Band

The Sport Bands were made of fluoroelastomer rubber.

This Apple Watch Series 1 was purchased with a silver aluminum case with white Sport Band. The band pictured is a black Sport Band.

Source: EveryMac.com

Apple Watch Series 4 (cellular, 44 mm, stainless steel case with white Sport Band, 2018)

The Apple Watch Series 4 was the first major redesign of the Apple Watch family and added several important functions, including health-related features. The display was over 30% larger and filled the entire screen with curved corners, it added more advanced input capabilities, more powerful processing, and more advanced sensors. This model also included GPS and cellular service for use in the United States and Canada.

Like all cellular-capable Apple Watch Series 4 models, this watch could connect to the Internet without an iPhone and send and receive phone calls with an activated cellular service. It was controlled with a Digital Crown with haptic feedback and Force Touch.

This Apple Watch Series 4 model is 44 mm (previous Apple Watch models were 38 mm and 42 mm) with a 368×448 OLED screen. This stainless steel case model used a sapphire crystal to cover the display. All Series 4 models used a ceramic and sapphire crystal back to connect to the wireless charger.

The Apple Watch Series 4 shipped with “revolutionary health capabilities, including a new accelerometer and gyroscope, which are able to detect hard falls, and an electrical heart rate sensor that can take an electrocardiogram (ECG) using the new ECG app.” When announced on September 12, 2018, the ECG feature was not available until it was released on December 6, 2018, through an iOS update.

The ECG feature on Apple Watch Series 4 marked “the first direct-to-consumer product that enables customers to take an electrocardiogram right from their wrist, capturing heart rhythm in a moment when they experience symptoms like a rapid or skipped heart beat and helping to provide critical data to physicians. The irregular rhythm notification feature on Apple Watch can now also occasionally check heart rhythms in the background and send a notification if an irregular heart rhythm that appears to be atrial fibrillation (AFib) is identified.”

In addition, a new accelerometer and gyroscope could detect falls and automatically call 911.

There were 12 different options for this particular Apple Watch Series 4 model:

  • silver aluminum case with white Sport Band
  • silver aluminum case with seashell (gray) Sport Loop
  • gold aluminum case with Pink Sand Sport Band
  • gold aluminum case with Pink Sand Sport Loop
  • space gray aluminum case with black Sport Band
  • space gray aluminum case with black Sport Loop
  • silver stainless steel case with white Sport Band (this Apple Watch)
  • silver stainless steel case with silver Milanese loop
  • space black stainless steel case with black Sport Band
  • space black stainless steel case with black Milanese loop
  • gold stainless steel case with stone Sport Band
  • gold stainless steel case with gold Milanese loop

Source: EveryMac.com, Apple.com (announcement, ECG)