This Luggage Identification Card is metal with a silver brushed stainless steel finish. The metal edges of the card are folded in to secure a clear plastic front, a white card that reads “YOUR BUSINESS CARD HERE,” and a matching stainless steel back plate. The metal back plate and card housing have holes that match positions so when threaded, the Luggage Identification Card remains secure.
The stainless steel back plate on this Luggage Identification Card is printed in white with the words “2009 Education Sales Club” in the Apple Myriad font. Apple Myriad was Apple’s corporate font used approximately between 2003–2017.
This Apple-branded Desk Clock was likely purchased at the Apple Company Store at the Infinite Loop Campus in Cupertino, California. It is packaged in a gift box with a UPC code, the part number T5134LL/A, and is priced at $34.95.
The clock base is made from solid metal and is relatively heavy for its size. The metal base is polished stainless steel in a champagne color with a textured Apple logo etched into the front under the clock. The bottom of the base is covered in a black, non-scratch, velvet-textured fabric to protect the surface on which it sits.
The clock is battery-powered and mounted in a hole through the top-center of the base. The outer ring of the clock is polished silver. The clock face is a matte version of the champagne-colored base. The clock has silver hands and no numbers, but marks the 12, 3, 6, and 9 positions with thin, black triangles.
The front of the clock is rectangular with a gentle arch across the top. The back of the clock is elegantly curved from top to bottom. The metal clock base is 2.25 inches wide, 2.5 inches tall, and 0.75 inches deep at the base. The circular clock is 1.5 inches in diameter.
The colors, finishes, and overall weight give this desk clock a luxurious look and feel.
The Milanese Loop was among Apple’s original Apple Watch band designs. In the press release in September 2014 announcing the original Apple Watch, Apple wrote: “Apple also created an entire range of watch straps [including] the Milanese Loop in a flexible magnetic stainless steel mesh.” The original Milanese Loop was available only in silver, but has been offered in a total of five colors: Silver (Spring 2015), Space Black (Spring 2016), Graphite (Fall 2020), and two shades of Gold (Fall 2018, Fall 2020).
This example is the Generation 1 version of the Gold Stainless Steel Milanese Loop. (The Generation 2 version released in Fall 2020 had a slightly less red tone.)
Apple describes the Milanese Loop:
“A modern interpretation of a design developed in Milan at the end of the 19th century. Woven on specialized Italian machines, the smooth stainless steel mesh wraps fluidly around your wrist. And because it’s fully magnetic, the Milanese Loop is infinitely adjustable, ensuring a perfect fit.”
Apple specifies that the Milanese Loop is not water resistant and cautions that the band contains magnets that may cause interference with the Compass on the watch.
The 38/40/41mm version of the band band fit 130–180mm wrists, while the 42/44/45/49mm version fit 150–200mm wrists. Although this design and color was released in 2015, this Milanese Loop is dated 2019 on the packaging, and the product was still available on the Apple website as of March 2023 (for $99).
The Apple Watch Hermès features a “classic Hermès design.” According to Apple’s website, the band is “Handmade by artisans in France from supple Swift leather. The stainless steel buckle recalls those on the straps of a saddle, a nod to the equestrian heritage of Hermès.”
Apple’s Hermès Leather collection included both “single tour” and “double tour” styles. The double tour offered the unique style of wrapping twice around the wrist, while the single tour was the traditional single wrap. Depending on the style, Apple Watch Hermès bands were offered at premium prices between $319–$849 in nylon and leather.
The Apple Watch Hermès designs were a part of what Apple described as an “iconic collaboration” and said, “Apple Watch Hermès brings innovation and style to the forefront of your wrist.” Like other Apple Watch bands, the colors and patterns change seasonally and offer “a sophisticated palette of energetic brights and subtle seasonal tones on leather and woven nylon bands. Available in a wide range of styles and colorways in Double Tour or Single Tour.”
Interestingly, the Hermès website offered details about this band not provided on Apple’s website. Namely, Hermès describes Swift leather:
“This extremely supple, sophisticated leather is named after Jonathan Swift, the author of Gulliver’s Travels, to highlight its resemblance to Gulliver calfskin, which is no longer featured in today’s collections. First appeared in the collections: 2004 Appearance: Almost smooth with a delicate shine; lightly marked grain that is sometimes hardly noticeable Feel: Soft and tender Hand: Supple and generous Change over time: Becomes even more supple”
Editorial comment: It’s like butter.
Further, Hermès provided a description that is arguably clearer than Apple’s:
“You can match this band with any stainless steel Apple Watch case (Series 7 or previous versions). The 41 mm band works with the 38 mm, 40 mm and 41 mm cases; the 45 mm band works with the 42 mm, 44 mm and 45 mm cases.”
Technically, this band fits any Apple Watch, but stainless steel on aluminum is apparently considered très gauche. Although seemingly non-standard, I have titled this post using the product name provided by Hermès.
Finally, I don’t get the opportunity to use my four years of high school French often, but I have noticed that Americans frequently mispronounce the brand name Hermès. This video provides a great example of a native French speaker pronouncing the name. [Roughly, it’s pronounced air-MEHZ, but it’s best to hear it.]
The Apple Watch Classic Buckle was made in two sizes and fit wrists measuring 130–195 mm (38 mm version) and 150–215 mm (42 mm version). Apple described this band as a traditional design “made from a calf leather that ages naturally over time to acquire a beautiful patina. A contrasting interior lining creates a dramatic two-tone look, and the color-matched edge stitching provides a subtle complement.”
This version of the Classic Buckle is the third generation of the design (the fourth generation added a spring-loaded square buckle to make it easier to insert the band). Its color is Red, but the band is not part of Apple’s (PRODUCT)RED collection.
In this example the Red Classic Buckle is paired with an Apple Watch Series 7 in silver stainless steel.
