Since Apple Watch launched in 2015, Apple has announced new band collections every spring and fall to date. In addition to the original sport, leathers, and metal bands, we've seen woven nylon, sport loops, Nike, and Hermès added to the mix, as have a plethora of new colors. As fall 2018 approaches, what might we see from the next round of Apple Watch bands? Let's take a look.
Check out the current Apple Watch band collection
New colors
New Apple Watch band colors are a given: We're expecting new shades for many of Apple's classic bands, including the sport band and classic leather; they'll also likely match any new silicon and leather iPhone cases that the company releases.
Stripes and co-colors have been the rage as of late, but we could also see diamonds, triangles, zig-zags, or anything at all coming up in the Fall.
New link bracelets
Although Apple gave them to some celebrities, the company never released gold or rose gold link bracelet editions. The same holds true for the new ceramic edition. Other watch vendors that offer ceramic cases offer ceramic bracelets to go with them. No doubt, an Apple ceramic link bracelet would be expensive, but it would also glorious.
Additionally, anodized gold and rose gold (to match the aluminum cases) may not be resilient enough for Apple — but I have a suspicion many people would love to see them anyway.
More Nike+ and Hermes
Since Nike+'s release, we've also seen custom Nike+ bands appear in the store as stand-alones; this season should be no different.
All bands in all sizes
Since launch, the Leather Loop has only been available for the 42mm casing and the modern buckle, the 38mm. Sadly, wrists and tastes come in all shapes and sizes, and some would love smaller loops and bigger buckles.
Making all bands available to all people is simply the right thing to do. Hopefully, Apple does it!
Deploy! Deploy! Deploy!
The deployant (deployment in English, and if you really want to annoy the watcherati) gives you the look of a leather buckle but the convenience of a clasp. Apple currently offers one, but only in partnership with Hermès. An Apple single deployment proper would be great for the ceramic Watch specifically. Many other watch makers currently offer deployment, sometimes by default, because the loop is safer — less chance the ceramics will fall and hit hard tiles or floorboards. Versions for the other Apple Watch finishes would be great in general as well.
Lotsa leather options
Rally straps are leather buckles or deployments that have three or more distinctive holes punched on either side. Based on old-time racing gloves, think of them like the Nike+ bands — stylish yet breathable.
Aviators are another leather option. They feature extra-long bands that, traditionally, fit over pilot jackets, and rivets that give them a distinctly detailed look.
Much more metal
Sure, Apple has the Milanese, but what about the shark mesh? And the link bracelet is great, but what about an oyster or engineer? There's more than one way to make a metal mesh or segments steel, and we'd love to see a clever take from Apple on yet more classics.
Whether there's a market for the higher-end bands, I'm not sure. But perhaps they could serve as part of yet more partner plays?
Speaking of partner plays...
It would be great to see more team-ups like Hermès and Nike+, and even more separate endeavors like Coach. What would be even greater would be some sort of mechanism that allowed you to unlock special watch faces when you buy the bands, even separately.
For example, pick up a Hermès or Nike+ strap, enter the code that comes with it, and get the Hermès or Nike+ watch face. Or, as my colleague, Lory Gil put it — like Amiibo for Apple Watch!
What Apple Watch looks are you looking forward to this fall?
Just because Apple gave us new looks this spring doesn't mean we're guaranteed new looks this fall, but it's one of the easiest ways for Apple to breathe new life into the watch lineup on an ongoing basis. You can change up the look with just a couple quick presses and slides and go from fun to fancy or sport to social.
So, a few new colors would be great. A few new styles, terrific. What do you think we'll see from Apple Watch in Fall 2018?
Updated March 27 2018: Added info about new Apple Watch bands.
