Leather Loop Retrospective
The Leather Loop has been around since the debut of the Apple Watch. To date, Apple has released 18 different colour variations.
The History
The Leather Loop debuted with the Apple Watch when it was released on April 24, 2015. The band has always remained exclusive to the larger-sized watch casing - beginning with the 42mm, then the 44mm. Its design has also remained unchanged since its debut, except for refreshed seasonal colours. With rumours that a new Leather Loop redesign may soon take place, I wanted to take a moment and present a short retrospective on the Leather Loop.
Description of the Leather Loop from Apple.com:
“The Venezia leather for this strap is handcrafted in Arzignano, Italy. With an artisan heritage spanning five generations, the tannery has a history of partnership with some of the most prestigious names in fashion. A delicate milling and tumbling process enhances the beautiful pebbled texture. And magnets concealed within the soft, quilted leather allow you to simply wrap it around your wrist for a precise fit and a trim look”
In Apple’s product video for the Apple Watch, Sir. Jony Ive described the Leather Loop as such:
“The Leather Loop comes in a soft, quilted leather that conceals magnets for fastening and adjustment. We’ve used traditional leather but in a new sports context that designed for optimum comfort.”
The Retrospective
The OG Loops from left to right: Stone, Bright Blue, Black, and Light Brown.
The OG Loops - Released Spring 2015
Four Leather Loops were available at the debut of the Apple Watch: Stone, Bright Blue, Black, & Light Brown. Each of these colours was available alongside the 42mm Stainless Steel version of the Apple Watch or could be purchased separately for $149.
Stone
This particular colour has appeared twice during the lifespan of the Apple Watch. First, from spring 2015 to the fall of 2016, and again from 2018 through to the fall of 2019.
Bright Blue
This colour only lasted two seasons and was replaced with the Midnight Blue Leather Loop in the fall of 2015.
Black (1st Generation)
This band remained on sale until the Fall of 2016. It reappeared in a slightly faded variation (aka. Black 2nd; Generation) during the fall 2019 season and remains for sale as of August 2020.
Light Brown
This band remained on sale until the fall of 2016. Personally, this was far from the most flattering hues of brown Apple could’ve used, and I vastly preferred the Saddle Brown Leather Loop that Apple introduced in the fall of 2019.
from left to right: Midnight Blue, Storm Gray, White, and Smoke Gray.
Midnight Blue
The Midnight Blue Apple band remained on sale the longest of any Leather loop Apple made available for purchase - appearing in the autumn of 2015 and discontinued three years later in the fall of 2018.
Storm Gray
Only available for a single season - appearing in spring 2016 a discontinued by fall 2016.
White
Only available for a single season - appearing in spring 2016 a discontinued by fall 2016.
Smoke Gray
Once the Stone Leather Loop was discontinued, Smoke Gray appeared in fall 2016 and was pulled a year later when Apple refreshed their colours in the fall of 2017.
From left to right: Cosmos Blue & Charcoal Gray.
Cosmos Blue
Released in the fall of 2017, Cosmos Blue was only available until spring 2018. As the owner of an alarming number of Leather Loops (and Apple Watch bands in general), Cosmos Blue competes for the title of not only my favourite Apple band but also one of my favourite colours that Apple has released to date.
Charcoal Gray
Two and a half years into the Apple Watch's lifespan, and we've had Storm Gray, Smoke Gray, and now Charcoal Gray. This band appeared alongside Cosmos Blue in fall 2017 and was discontinued a year later in the fall of 2018.
From left to right: Forest Green & Cape Cod Blue.
At Apple’s fall 2018 keynote, the Leather Loop colour options were once again refreshed. At this refresh, the Midnight Blue Leather Loop was discontinued (it stuck around for three years, no shame in stepping down), Stone made a comeback, while Forest Green and Cape Cod Blue were both introduced.
Forest Green
A nice winter colour that stuck around from fall 2018 before being discontinued in spring 2019. It was nice to see Apple depart from using their blue/black/neutral palette used with the Leather Loops up to this point.
Cape Cod Blue
A much lighter shade than the Bright or Midnight Blue Apple had used up to this date. Cape Code Blue was introduced in the fall of 2018 and discontinued in fall 2019.
Stone
Part of the original four Leather Loops introduced, the Stone Leather Loop, was reintroduced in fall 2018 and made available until fall 2019 when it was discontinued a second time.
From left to right: Cornflower & Sunset.
If you thought Forest Green was bold, you hadn’t seen anything yet. Apple’s colour refresh for Spring 2019 introduced their most daring colours to date: Cornflower & Sunset.
Cornflower
A slightly lighter, pastel blue than the Cape Cod Blue released the previous fall. This band remained in Apple’s lineup until the fall of 2019.
Sunset
Apple had previously been a lot more playful with their leather bands in both the Classic Buckle & Modern Buckle variations, so it was nice to see this bright orange band arrive to the Leather Loop lineup. This band remained in Apple’s lineup until the fall of 2019.
From left to right: Black (2nd Generation), Meyer Lemon, Saddle Brown, & Peacock.
In the fall of 2019, Apple discontinued the Cape Cod, Cornflower, Stone, & Sunset bands and introduced three Leather Loops: Meyer Yellow, Saddle Brown (finally!), & an updated black band. In this update, Apple lowered the Leather Loop bands' price by 33%, from $149 down to $99.
Black (2nd Generation)
Introduced in fall 2019, this new 2nd generation black bands colour is a smidge less inky than the original Black Leather Loop introduced in 2015, resembling a darker, faded gray.
Meyer Lemon
If Apple does decide to phase out this first generation leather loop, you won't be able to say they didn't go out with a bang! Introduced in fall 2019, the look of this band alongside the Series 5 Ceramic is… *mwah* … perfection.
Saddle Brown
For years, every time there would be an accessory refresh, I would cross my fingers & wish for a Saddle Brown Leather Loop. Finally, in fall 2019, Apple either read my mind or data-mined my journal because the Saddle Brown Leather Loop was finally released. Keynote presentation ended a few minutes after 1:00 pm, and I had this band ordered by 1:06. Along with Cosmos Blue, the Saddle Brown Leather Loop is one of my favourite watch bands and begins the process of making amends for the Light Brown loop Apple introduced in 2015.
Peacock
Peacock was the sole Leather Loop released by Apple during a spring accessory refresh.
External Links
This post would not have been possible without the exceptional record keeping of Filip Chudzinski over at Bandbreite.
