Every Apple Watch band Apple released. Ever.

[techtechtech]

Just opened Desert Stone band, have to say, dissapointing quality control, collection of the chopped colored pieces to the rear on the outside edge of darker shade, the old style 'two piece' colored sections of previous Nike bands gone, seems the second shade is now applied over the primary color, this application is also misaligned with some holes. Is this normal, I did read comments about quality of these latest bands, production date on this is April 2025. Shall be buying up some of the old bands if this is the future, also no stainless pin - sorry for not being a nicer image unlike most on the thread, also the poor white point/matching, images were taken under articifical lighting.I have attempted to get them accurate in post.

*Edit - after reviewing some other images/clips showing this band, seems common for the flakes to group like this on the rear, ah well, shall keep eyes peeled for Desert Sand version and decide whether to hold onto this one. In the meantime I picked up some more bands today including 4x Nike older releases:

Ironstone/Black
Celestial Teal/Black
Spruce Aura/Green
Royal Pulse/Black

One week ago I owned just three black sports bands !

 

[goldmac2006]

Just opened Desert Stone band, have to say, dissapointing quality control, collection of the chopped colored pieces to the rear on the outside edge of darker shade, the old style 'two piece' colored sections of previous Nike bands gone, seems the second shade is now applied over the primary color, this application is also misaligned with some holes. Is this normal, I did read comments about quality of these latest bands, production date on this is April 2025. Shall be buying up some of the old bands if this is the future, also no stainless pin - sorry for not being a nicer image unlike most on the thread, also the poor white point/matching, images were taken under articifical lighting.I have attempted to get them accurate in post.

*Edit - after reviewing some other images/clips showing this band, seems common for the flakes to group like this on the rear, ah well, shall keep eyes peeled for Desert Sand version and decide whether to hold onto this one. In the meantime I picked up some more bands today including 4x Nike older releases:

Ironstone/Black
Celestial Teal/Black
Spruce Aura/Green
Royal Pulse/Black

One week ago I owned just three black sports bands !

View attachment 2516190


View attachment 2516189

Oh, you mean the newer Nike bands since Series 9? Yeah, they have those matted pins now.

Yesterday, I wore the Unity Rhythm Sport Loop for HAAS Band of the Day finale while cleaning the machine shop. I’ll miss it a lot because it was my last day of machining class in the machine shop, the building is going to get demolished soon when it’s summer break. We had to thoroughly clean the HAASes and drill presses after we finished our last parts at 4 pm yesterday. At least I don’t have to wear the clear case anymore for a while and can wear more bracelets to match my straps!

 

[techtechtech]

Oh, you mean the newer Nike bands since Series 9? Yeah, they have those matted pins now.

Yesterday, I wore the Unity Rhythm Sport Loop for HAAS Band of the Day finale while cleaning the machine shop. I’ll miss it a lot because it was my last day of machining class in the machine shop, the building is going to get demolished soon when it’s summer break. We had to thoroughly clean the HAASes and drill presses after we finished our last parts at 4 pm yesterday. At least I don’t have to wear the clear case anymore for a while and can wear more bracelets to match my straps!View attachment 2516287View attachment 2516288View attachment 2516286

Exactly, the new bands are no longer two colors moulded together, rather they apply it over the base? and the pin is now alloy (I believe) rather than stainless, matte finish. Honestly the Desert Stone could easily pass for a cheap copy, unlike the older Nike bands I own which are pretty much flawless!

The clear case guard will save your watch in that environment!

 

[goldmac2006]

Exactly, the new bands are no longer two colors moulded together, rather they apply it over the base? and the pin is now alloy (I believe) rather than stainless, matte finish. Honestly the Desert Stone could easily pass for a cheap copy, unlike the older Nike bands I own which are pretty much flawless!

The clear case guard will save your watch in that environment!

Nike band the series 9 use the flakes design to reuse ♻️ the elastomer pieces from past straps into the primary colour of the band. That way Apple is also cutting away waste from their products including the fact that their nylon straps like trail and sport loops are carbon neutral.

These clear Apple Watch cases come in handy when I have to use CNCs, mills and drill presses. It protected my Apple Watch from slamming into doors, tools ⚒️ and vises.

 

[techtechtech]

Nike band the series 9 use the flakes design to reuse ♻️ the elastomer pieces from past straps into the primary colour of the band. That way Apple is also cutting away waste from their products including the fact that their nylon straps like trail and sport loops are carbon neutral.

These clear Apple Watch cases come in handy when I have to use CNCs, mills and drill presses. It protected my Apple Watch from slamming into doors, tools ⚒️ and vises.

Totally understand their flake recycling, just the distribution of them is poor in samples I've seen, there are quite a few visible on the front areas, be nice if maybe the ones collected at the back were spread around. I feel for the price these are just poor reflection on the quality standards, compared to the older versions. It is a shame since I like the colour and design of the Desert but 🤷‍♂️

The printing/overlay of the inset colour is equally poor in comparison to generations before, this is just plain and simple cost cutting, it annoys me, no excuses for it really.

Need to keep the watch safe in that environmment, way too many objects to take chunks out ⚠️

Sorry for getting off topic, roll on more watch band shots 🎉

 

[athousandbands]

Pride sport loop 2019 (silver aluminum)

 

[goldmac2006]

Deep Navy

 

[athousandbands]

Pride sport band 2020 (silver aluminum)

 

[dmccombs]

I would like to get a Solo Loop or Braided Solo band that is similar in color to the "Hermes Orange" color (or slightly lighter).

What do you think the closest color of the Solo Loops?
And what do you think is the closest color of the Braided Loops?

 

[athousandbands]

I would like to get a Solo Loop or Braided Solo band that is similar in color to the "Hermes Orange" color (or slightly lighter).

What do you think the closest color of the Solo Loops?
And what do you think is the closest color of the Braided Loops?

Kumquat solo (this face color also best matches the Hermes face color, though I think most people prefer “orange”)

Electric Orange bsl

 

[dmccombs]

Kumquat solo (this face color also best matches the Hermes face color, though I think most people prefer “orange”)

Electric Orange bsl

Thank you for the information. Do you think the Gen 1 Braided Loops are worth buying, knowing that they stretch more? Both these bands came out before the Fall 2021 improvements.

 

[athousandbands]

Thank you for the information. Do you think the Gen 1 Braided Loops are worth buying, knowing that they stretch more? Both these bands came out before the Fall 2021 improvements.

For BSL I would say no. Honestly I’m pretty disappointed with my second gen ones for the smaller watch. There’s something about the larger watch braids that just feels like they hold their size better.

But the silicone solo loops have never had stretching issues. They do stretch a little if you wear them every day but nothing like the yarn loops.

Also kumquat has always been one of my favorites and is much lighter than Hermes so should suit you.

And those first series 6 silicone loops have better color and feel than their sport band counterparts, though I’m not sure how much this applies to Kumquat which is fairly frosty.

I can speak better to Deep Navy and Plum which I’ve seen in person, and back then someone posted a Cantaloupe comparison that was quite striking as far as the sport band not popping.

 

[dmccombs]

For BSL I would say no. Honestly I’m pretty disappointed with my second gen ones for the smaller watch. There’s something about the larger watch braids that just feels like they hold their size better.

But the silicone solo loops have never had stretching issues. They do stretch a little if you wear them every day but nothing like the yarn loops.

Also kumquat has always been one of my favorites and is much lighter than Hermes so should suit you.

And those first series 6 silicone loops have better color and feel than their sport band counterparts, though I’m not sure how much this applies to Kumquat which is fairly frosty.

I can speak better to Deep Navy and Plum which I’ve seen in person, and back then someone posted a Cantaloupe comparison that was quite striking as far as the sport band not popping.

Thank you for the feedback. I haven't ordered any of the older 44mm Braided Loops because of the additional stretching issue.

I do have one of the older 44mm solo loops, and some of the newer 45mm solo loops for comparison. So far I don't have any issues with the older 44mm solo.

 

[fridayxiii]

By chance does anyone have pics of the Navy Alpine and Blue Alpine loops side by side? Thx AW fam!

 

[athousandbands]

By chance does anyone have pics of the Navy Alpine and Blue Alpine loops side by side? Thx AW fam!

Unedited

Blue—Navy

 

[fridayxiii]

Unedited

Blue—Navy
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Big thanks!! This is exactly what I was looking for