New Bands Bring Changes to Aluminum & Stainless Steel Apple Watch Collections

[MacRumors]

One of the more significant behind-the-scenes changes that took place following Apple's media event yesterday was an overhaul of the collections the Apple Watch is offered in. With the introduction of new colors to pre-existing bands like the Modern Buckle, Classic Buckle, and Sport Band, along with an entirely new offering in the Woven Nylon band, the configurations offered to customers who don't yet own an Apple Watch can be a bit daunting to decipher.

To make room for the new bands in its Apple Watch collections without significantly expanding the number of models, Apple has phased out several previous models from its collections. For example, Apple no longer offers bundles with the (PRODUCT)RED Sport Band, White Sport Band, Black Classic Buckle, Midnight Blue Modern Buckle, Soft Pink Modern Buckle, Midnight Blue Leather Loop, or Stone Leather Loop.

Each of the bands remains available to purchase separately, but anyone with an eye for these particular styles looking to buy an Apple Watch for the first time will have to put down money for another collection first or try to pick up one of the discontinued combinations on closeout.

Since there are so many new configurations replacing older bands, all at varying prices and availability, MacRumors has put together this breakdown of all of the new collections in one place. Starting with the ten new collections of the stainless steel Apple Watch, these are the new options available for you to purchase from the Apple online store.


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Article Link: New Bands Bring Changes to Aluminum & Stainless Steel Apple Watch Collections

 

[ButteryScrollin]

some really nice bands.
will wait till the new colors trickle down to the knock off brands.

 

[Aluminum213]

Imagine if all these bands are incompatible with the Apple Watch 2

 

[ihonda]

My target has the product red SS still on sale. Wonder if they will mark it down hmmm.

Also: the new sport colors have been available via knockoff route for months now.

 

[dannyyankou]

By the way, I just spoke to someone at an Apple Store and he said the new bands should be available in store tomorrow.

 

[CmdrLaForge]

I have a stainless steel 42 mm watch and ordered a nylon-band-royalblue. I bought mine about a year ago on launch day with the black sports band. I hope it looks good and I do not have to return it.

 

[oneMadRssn]

I would be in for an Apple Watch at $149-$199. I think I would derive about as much usefulness and enjoyment out of it as my AppleTV.

 

[2010mini]

Did apple really need to waste time at an event just to introduce new bands? They have have been known to drop a new laptop on their website without announcing it so why all the fuss about new watch bands?

 

[2457282]

some really nice bands.
will wait till the new colors trickle down to the knock off brands.

I bought the Milanese loop knock off for my wife. looked great, but 30 days in it was tarnishing. She threw it away and we got her an Apple band (a different one). We agreed not to do knock offs again. The prices are high, but there does seem to be some justification - quality, fit, material, feel.

 

[ThaRuler]

This is proof that the Apple Watch was a flop

 

[RadioGaGa1984]

This is proof that the Apple Watch was a flop

And this is proof you clearly have no clue.

 

[Someyoungguy]

Can't innovate anymore , my a**

 

[The Economist]

I might be tempted to buy a black Apple Watch with the nylon band, it sure looks nice and the new price is more realistic. I think the ideal price would be $249 though.

 

[blasto2236]

The odd thing to me is that the bands which match the Gold aluminium Sport watch appear to only come with gold buckles if purchased with the gold watch. For instance, if I try to buy the Royal Blue woven nylon band on their site, all images show a silver buckle rather than gold. Yet in the images with the gold watch, the band has a gold buckle.

So can the gold-buckled bands which match the gold watch only be purchased with a new watch? If so, that's unfortunate. I'd like the Royal blue band, but not if the buckle doesn't match the finish of my watch.

 

[JohnApples]

Can't wait to get my hands on the black nylon band. Wish it was an option from the beginning— it looks much better than the sport band imo.

Also, why don't they just let you pick an Apple Watch iPhone-style? Start off by picking Sport or SS, then the color, then the size, then the available bands for that specific configuration.

 

[robotica]

Did apple really need to waste time at an event just to introduce new bands? They have have been known to drop a new laptop on their website without announcing it so why all the fuss about new watch bands?

My guess would be to keep the hype up about it.
I have a feeling they have sold not as many as they were hoping to sell.

 

[Mr Kram]

the colors of the nylon bands are wonky to me, even the black one. plus if you go aftermarket with attachment hardware, the strap can be wider which appeals to me personally.

 

[Schizoid]

If anyone's finding the Apple Watch choice "too daunting to decipher" let me explain:

the watches are the same but there's one big one and a small one
Get a strap that's cheaper than the actual watch, unless you're mad.

 

[Cwolk]

The odd thing to me is that the bands which match the Gold aluminium Sport watch appear to only come with gold buckles if purchased with the gold watch. For instance, if I try to buy the Royal Blue woven nylon band on their site, all images show a silver buckle rather than gold. Yet in the images with the gold watch, the band has a gold buckle.

So can the gold-buckled bands which match the gold watch only be purchased with a new watch? If so, that's unfortunate. I'd like the Royal blue band, but not if the buckle doesn't match the finish of my watch.

That's right. You can't buy them separately. If you order just the band it will be silver colored by default (unless you order the one space black exception).

 

[doelcm82]

Imagine if all these bands are incompatible with the Apple Watch 2

Ooooh, that imaginary thing makes me so angry!

 

[0098386]

Did apple really need to waste time at an event just to introduce new bands? They have have been known to drop a new laptop on their website without announcing it so why all the fuss about new watch bands?

Because they have to speak about them. Folk who buy Macbook Pros buy them because they need them, they know they exist. Smart watches are still pretty new and they need the exposure.

 

[Kobayagi]

Did apple really need to waste time at an event just to introduce new bands? They have have been known to drop a new laptop on their website without announcing it so why all the fuss about new watch bands?

To kill time during the event because they didn't have much else to show. That's also why they went on for almost 30 minutes about the enviromment and health kit.

 

[73b]

The Apple Watch should be bought through a build-your-own style process. Pick a collection, pick a size, pick a band. Show reccommended bands for that model.

 

[Soccertess]

I would be in for an Apple Watch at $149-$199. I think I would derive about as much usefulness and enjoyment out of it as my AppleTV.

I agree with that price point. Don't think it's worth anything more.

 

[robeddie]

Did apple really need to waste time at an event just to introduce new bands? They have have been known to drop a new laptop on their website without announcing it so why all the fuss about new watch bands?

Because Apple is now a g.. fashion company - and technology takes a distant back seat to how things look. All fluff. No function.