Prototype Apple Watch Bands!

[mikedis]

Hello!

I often take discussion in other threads on here on the topic of Apple Watch bands, and over the past few months, I’ve learned a lot about different OEM bands that I never even knew existed. Unfortunately, this content often gets buried, and anyone who doesn’t see the Post before the next page is introduced misses out. That’s why I’m making this thread!

What counts as a “rare” band?
Great question! I define rare bands as the bands that you’d be surprised to find at retail value. For example, rare bands include...

- Discontinued seasonal releases that are now HTF, such as Ultra Violet or Marine Green.
- Employee releases, such as Close Your Rings 2.0 & 3.0
- Unreleased colors, such as the Chinese New Year
- Location based releases, such as the Rio Olympics collection
- Bundled bands exclusive to certain watches, such as Hermès Orange or Light Bone

These definitions are not absolute, and should only serve as a reference. Feel free to post any photos, links, articles, listings, or other content of OEM bands you consider rare!

Quick Links:

2018 Close Your Rings
2019 Close Your Rings
2016 Olympics Collection
2017 Chinese New Year
“Apple Park” Woven Nylon

 

[jwlbel]

Here are a few "rare" bands.

 

[kcmo]

Interesting!

 

[PurBle]

I’d add Hyper Grape loop, and maybe flash and flash light loops, at least in 38/40 mm for these last two.

 

[mikedis]

Close Your Rings 2018, which I don’t deserve to wear.

 

[iChernov]

What about these ones:

1) Hermes Medor Bands (super-limited)
2) Apple International Collection Bands (unique)
3) Apple Empolyee Rewards Band (Pride 2016, Close Your Rings Woven Nylon + Sport Loop)
4) Dual-tone bands - White/Pebble with white ceramic pin, Grey/Black with grey ceramic pin

 

[mikedis]

What about these ones:

1) Hermes Medor Bands (super-limited)
2) Apple International Collection Bands (unique)
3) Apple Empolyee Rewards Band (Pride 2016, Close Your Rings Woven Nylon + Sport Loop)
4) Dual-tone bands - White/Pebble with white ceramic pin, Grey/Black with grey ceramic pin

Yep, yep, yep, & yep! Anything exclusive or relatively unknown is welcome!

 

[Totalshock]

Watching this thread like a nine-year-old playing trading cards.

Got it, got it, need it, got it, need it, need it...

 

[BarryL]

Nike Labs band / Watch.

Apple Watch NikeLab in pictures

How does Apple Watch NikeLab compare to the standard Apple Watch Nike+? Take a look!

www.imore.com

 

[mikedis]

Nike Labs band / Watch.

Apple Watch NikeLab in pictures

How does Apple Watch NikeLab compare to the standard Apple Watch Nike+? Take a look!

www.imore.com

View attachment 934871

Have one sitting at home for me when I get back. So excited!

 

[addictive]

I have both Ultra Violet or Marine Green and I was over the moon when I found them. Took me a year or so after they were released but got them brand new. Love the colours.

 

[1196403]

Sports Loop hyper grape is still my favorite, glad I got it before it became rare. Anything similar that has come out lately?

 

[MostlyARMless]

I honestly didn’t know that the Marine Green band was a rarity, but I picked it up alongside my wife’s Series 3 when it was current, so haven’t been looking for it. A quick eBay search for current and complete listings has been a bit of an eye-opener...

 

[PeterRollback]

close the rings challenge - 2019

 

[mikedis]

close the rings challenge - 2019 View attachment 935139

I have one of these waiting for me in the mail as well! Excited to get home.

 

[MrMacintoshIII]

Quite a few rare ones here. My entire band collection so far. I only own OEM, no knockoffs. All in either 42 or 44mm.

 

[mikedis]

View attachment 935140
Quite a few rare ones here. My entire band collection so far. I only own OEM, no knockoffs.

Celestial Teal SB...

 

[PeterRollback]

I have one of these waiting for me in the mail as well! Excited to get home.

You haven’t been home since 2019 mate? Lol

 

[mikedis]

You haven’t been home since 2019 mate? Lol

Nope, just been buying more than I probably should. I’ve since stopped.

 

[PeterRollback]

Nope, just been buying more than I probably should. I’ve since stopped.

Ah didn’t expect Employees to be selling theirs. You’ll love the band.

 

[mikedis]

Ah didn’t expect Employees to be selling theirs. You’ll love the band.

Oh, they sell them alright. They’re on eBay now for $100-150. I lucked out at $49.

 

[Deep.sky]

I, being poor, resorted to a knockoff 😢 It’s actually not bad. Lugs fit nice, the loop looks pretty good, but the blue lug is a very pale blue instead of what it should be. Financial realities for me dictate that some of the super rare (and thus super expensive) bands will require either doing without or resorting to a decent knockoff.

 

[86939]

I have a ton of bands. Here’s a couple of my Hermès bands. The comments about the Hyper Grape Sport Loop got me thinking that I haven’t seen mine in a while. I moved recently so it’s probably in a box somewhere...I hope.

 

[mikedis]

I have a ton of bands. Here’s a couple of my Hermès bands. The comments about the Hyper Grape Sport Loop got me thinking that I haven’t seen mine in a while. I moved recently so it’s probably in a box somewhere...I hope.

Where’d you move from? Gonna go buy the place and hopefully get a free hyper grape loop!

 

[86939]

Where’d you move from? Gonna go buy the place and hopefully get a free hyper grape loop!

Durham, NC. It’s yours if you can find it! ?