Tag: watch

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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)

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Apple Watch Sport Loop (44 mm, Cerulean, Spring 2019)

The Apple Watch Sport Loop band is woven from nylon thread to create a hook-and-loop closure. They were available for the 38/40 mm and 42/44 mm Apple Watch models, and fit 130–200 mm wrists (40 mm) and 145–200mm wrists (44 mm).

The Apple Watch Sport Loop band has been available in several styles. The 2019 designs were comprised of a base color and one or more accent colors. In this Cerulean example, the edges and plastics are light blue, and the inside pattern is comprised of threads in light blue, royal blue, light orange, and white.

Apple describes 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.”

Source: Apple

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System 7.5 Apple Watch (1995)

The Apple Watch was released in 2015, right? Not exactly.

Twenty years before the (smart) Apple Watch, Apple offered a product they referred to as an Apple Watch as a “FREE gift” for customers who updated their operating system to System 7.5. From May 1 to July 31, 1995, Apple allowed customers who paid $134.99 for System 7.5 to select between two gifts, the software application Conflict Catcher 3 (by Norton to resolve Mac system extension problems) or this Apple Watch. An article written in 1994 that is (surprisingly) still available online (as of February 2020) outlined all the methods to upgrade to System 7.5.

The Apple Watch (1995) was not a smart watch, but it was high-style for the mid-1990s. The watch followed the “Memphis” design aesthetic that originated in Milan, Italy. In an article presenting ten iconic examples of Memphis design, the origin of the style is reported as, “The Memphis Group…a collaborative design group founded by Italian designer Ettore Sottsass” (Creative Bloq). This Apple Watch is included among ten designs in the article. The style itself is “characterized by ephemeral design featuring colorful and abstract decoration as well as asymmetrical shapes, sometimes arbitrarily alluding to exotic or earlier styles” (Wikipedia).

The Memphis Design group is still represented online at www.memphis-milano.com. Even a cursory look at the designs on the site reveals an unmistakable connection to the look of the 1995 Apple Watch.

As an Apple collector, I have been searching for this Apple Watch for many years. I was able to acquire an example from a friend of mine from Minnesota.

If you wish to see the original print advertisement for this Apple Watch offer, I found a version published in the June 1995 MacWorld magazine. The vintageapple.org website has digitized past MacWorld issues and a PDF is available here. Please see magazine page 82 for the full-page ad.

Sources: Cult of Mac, Creative Bloq, Wikipedia, TidBITS

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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

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Apple Watch (original, 42 mm, silver stainless steel with black leather loop, 2015) and Apple Watch Magnetic Charging Dock

On September 9, 2014, Apple announced the Apple Watch and called it its “most personal device ever—featuring revolutionary new technologies and a pioneering user interface with a beautiful design.” The Watch debuted the Digital Crown that Apple described as the “most revolutionary navigation tool since the iPod Click Wheel and iPhone Multi-Touch.”

The original Apple Watch required that the user pair it with an iPhone 5 or later and carry the iPhone 5 to access all of the Watch’s functions.

The original stainless steel Apple Watch models were sold in ten configurations:

  • silver stainless steel body with white Sport Band
  • silver stainless steel body with black Sport Band
  • silver stainless steel body with black classic buckle leather band
  • silver stainless steel body with Milanese loop
  • silver stainless steel body with black leather loop
  • silver stainless steel body with bright blue leather Loop
  • silver stainless steel body with stone leather loop
  • silver stainless steel body with light brown leather loop
  • silver stainless steel body with stainless steel link bracelet
  • space black stainless steel body with space black stainless steel link bracelet

In addition to the Digital Crown, the original Apple Watch had a Retina display with Force Touch capability. The 42 mm Apple Watch featured a 312×390 display with a protective sapphire crystal layer with a zirconia ceramic back and sapphire crystal lenses that connected to the wireless charger.

My original stainless steel Apple Watch was boxed with a black classic buckle leather band, but the Apple Store allowed me to swap the band for a black leather loop band because the classic buckle did not fit my wrist.

Also pictured is the Apple Watch Magnetic Charging Dock, a 4.1-inch diameter charging pad for the Apple Watch that uses the same inductive charging connector that comes with Apple Watch. According to Apple, “you can charge your Apple Watch in a flat position with its band open, or on its side. When docked on its side, your watch automatically goes into Nightstand mode, so you can also use it as your alarm clock.”

Sources: EveryMac.com, Apple.com (announcement, charging dock)

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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

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Read Me First

I began collecting Apple computers, accessories, and collectibles in the 1990s. When iPod, iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch devices were introduced, I began to collect those items as well. About twenty-five years later, I have an extensive collection of all things Apple.

Beginning in late 2018, I began to document and catalog my collection. I use a Nikon D3500 (with 18–35mm lens), iPhone 12 Pro Max, a basic lighting setup, and a white IKEA table. Blog entries include information, photos, and personal commentary. My Instagram account that features highlights from this collection.