In the wake of Apple's 2016 March event and new Apple Watch bands, the company has overhauled its watch-and-band combinations. Pairings that once were commonplace now may only be available with the purchase of an additional band: If you were hoping to get a steel Apple Watch with a Sport band, for instance, you're now out of luck unless you want the black anodized model and Black Sport band.
Largely, the new pairings seem to focus on promoting Apple's new bands and colors when paired with the aluminum Sport and steel Watch casings. Neither the Hermès nor the Edition lines have changed, though I'm not surprised, given the overall focus on the low- and mid-level bands during the March event.
Apple Watch Sport
Not only did the Apple Watch Sport get a much-celebrated price decrease during Apple's March event, but there are more colors than ever available for the aluminum wearable. There are over 20 colors of Sport band on Apple's website, and now, seven new Woven Nylon bands. Thankfully, there aren't quite that many distinct paired Sport models available for purchase. (To some back-of-house Apple Store employee's great relief, I'm sure.)
The $299/$349 silver aluminum Sport comes with the following color options:
- Yellow Sport band
- Apricot Sport band
- Royal Blue Sport band
- White Sport band
- Pink Woven Nylon band (38mm only)
- Scuba Blue Woven Nylon band (42mm only)
The $299/$349 gold aluminum Sport package comes with the following color options:
- Antique White Sport band (38mm only, with gold pin)
- Midnight Blue Sport band (42mm only, with gold pin)
- Gold/Red Woven Nylon band (38mm only, with gold buckle)
- Gold/Royal Blue Woven Nylon band (42mm only, with gold buckle)
The $299/$349 rose gold aluminum Sport package comes with the following color options:
- Lavender Sport band (38mm only, with rose gold pin)
- Stone Sport band (42mm only, with rose gold pin)
- Royal Blue Woven Nylon band (with rose gold buckle)
And the $299/$349 space grey Sport package now has two band options:
- Black Sport band (with space grey pin)
- Black Woven Nylon band (with space grey buckle)
See Apple Watch Sport on Apple.com
Apple Watch
Though there's been no price decrease for Apple's flagship smartwatch, the steel Apple Watch has seen the biggest band overhaul; a number of band combinations have been eliminated, including most of the Sport pairings. You can get the Watch in two casings: Stainless Steel and Black Stainless Steel.
The stainless steel Watch starts at $549, and comes with the following color options:
- Pearl Woven Nylon
- Milanese Loop
- Saddle Brown Classic Buckle
- Red Classic Buckle (38mm only)
- Marine Blue Classic Buckle (42mm only)
- White Leather Loop (42mm only)
- Storm Gray Leather Loop (42mm only)
- Marigold Modern Buckle (38mm only)
- Blue Jay Modern Buckle (38mm only)
- Link Bracelet
The black stainless steel Watch also starts at $549, and comes with the following color options:
- Black Sport Band (with space black pin)
- Space Black Milanese Loop
- Space Black Link Bracelet
Apple Watch Edition
The $10,000+ Edition watches haven't yet seen a band refresh, which may be in part due to their price tag and limited availability. The Edition is available in two finishes: 18-Karat Rose Gold and Yellow Gold.
The $10,000 - $17,000 Rose Gold Watch comes with the following color options:
- White Sport band (with rose gold pin)
- Rose Gray Modern Buckle (38mm only, with rose gold buckle)
- Midnight Blue Classic Buckle (42mm only, with rose gold buckle)
The $10,000 - $17,000 Yellow Gold Watch comes with the following color options:
- Black Sport band (with yellow gold pin)
- Bright Red Modern Buckle (38mm only, with yellow gold buckle)
- Black Classic Buckle (42mm only, with yellow gold buckle)
See Apple Watch Edition on Apple.com
Apple Watch Hermes
The Hermes bands, likewise, haven't seen a refresh since the fall; they're available in the Apple Watch steel casing, with three different styles: Double Tour, Single Tour, and Cuff.
The $1100 - $1150 Single Tour comes with the following color options:
- Noir Leather Band (grey-black)
- Fauve Barenia Leather Band (brown)
- Capucine Leather Band (red)
The $1250 Double Tour comes with the following color options:
- Fauve Barenia Leather Band (38mm only, brown)
- Etain Leather Band (38mm only, grey-black)
- Capucine Leather Band (38mm only, red)
- Bleu Jean Leather Band (38mm only, teal)
The $1500 Cuff comes with a single, 42mm-only Fauve Barenia Leather Band option.
See Apple Watch Hermes on Apple.com
Spare bands
While a few Sport colors have been discontinued, you still have a large assortment of a-la-carte options and colors available if the band you want doesn't come with your desired Apple Watch. Unfortunately, by default each band comes with a silver aluminum or stainless steel clasp — it doesn't appear that you'll be able to purchase bands with gold aluminum buckles, for instance, to match a gold Apple Watch Sport.
See Apple Watch bands on Apple.com ctashop
Any questions about the Apple Watch lineup?
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