Tech tapestry: Apple unveils woven nylon straps for the Apple Watch

The new Apple Watch woven nylon band features an innovative weave structure and design unique to the tech and lifestyle giant.
The new Apple Watch woven nylon band features an innovative weave structure and design unique to the tech and lifestyle giant.
(Image credit: David Sims)

An Apple launch is always an exciting affair, and today's big reveal is no exception. Among its new offerings, the tech giant is launching a new line of woven wristbands – and Wallpaper* has the inside track. 

Complementing and further expanding its Apple Watch range, the launch marks the company’s first ever foray into woven products, which were developed by the in-house design team in close collaboration with a specialist Japanese manufacturer.
 
The current Watch family includes fluoroelastomer bands for the sport range, and stainless steel in both woven mesh and link bracelet versions, as well as a wide variety of leather options which also includes the Wallpaper* Life Enhancer of the Year award-winner, the Apple Watch Hermès 'Double Tour', available in four shades and developed in collaboration with the French maison. 

For this latest launch, the Apple team was influenced by the textile wristbands that traditionally complement military watches. They studied the technical side of textiles for maximum performance, and chose the new partner manufacturer for its ability to combine traditional craftsmanship with the most up-to-date weaving technology.
 
A process-based product, the band is the result of a four-layer weave, using different types of nylon yarn produced in the USA. The weft and the warp of the weave (the two weaving directions) were studied in detail and were instrumental in creating the blended colours. The seven shades on offer include pink, scuba blue, royal blue, a gold weave combined with both red and blue, and pearl and black. Each wristband is woven to precision and features different colour compositions on the top and bottom of the band, as well as an accent shade on the edge. The loop holding the band in place was achieved with a three-dimensional weave and features three colours to fit in with each side of the band.
 
As part of their research into design and manufacturing processes, the team also devised techniques such as debossing and laser cutting, applied to the finished product to ensure its durability. To top it all off, the material and composition were developed to ensure that more the band is worn, the more it adapts to the contours of the wrist, enhancing the wearer’s experience.

Customers will be able to purchase an Apple Watch Sport with the best Apple watch bands, meaning they can mix and match if they already own an Apple Watch.
 
In true Apple style, the new family of wristbands carries on the tradition of a product that seamlessly merges aesthetics, technology and comfort.

The more the band is worn, the more it conforms to the contours of the wrist, for ultimate comfort.

The more the band is worn, the more it conforms to the contours of the wrist, for ultimate comfort.

(Image credit: David Sims)

While the nylon materials are made in the US, Apple has worked with a Japanese textile vendor to refine the yarn, precision and aesthetic of the weave, using a new system that takes references from traditional Japanese looms

While the nylon materials are made in the US, Apple has worked with a Japanese textile vendor to refine the yarn, precision and aesthetic of the weave, using a new system that takes references from traditional Japanese looms

(Image credit: Imagery courtesy Apple)

Made from hundreds of threads, the nylon band features a four layer construction that is intricately woven, resulting in a beautiful multicoloured, textured look

Made from hundreds of threads, the nylon band features a four layer construction that is intricately woven, resulting in a beautiful multicoloured, textured look 

(Image credit: Imagery courtesy Apple)

For this latest launch, the Apple team was influenced by the textile wristbands that traditionally complement military watches

For this latest launch, the Apple team was influenced by the textile wristbands that traditionally complement military watches 

(Image credit: Imagery courtesy Apple)

After stydying the technical side of textiles for maximum performance, the Apple team chose the new partner manufacturer for its ability to combine traditional craftsmanship with the most up-to-date weaving technology

After stydying the technical side of textiles for maximum performance, the Apple team chose the new partner manufacturer for its ability to combine traditional craftsmanship with the most up-to-date weaving technology 

(Image credit: Imagery courtesy Apple)

Each wristband is precision woven and features different colour compositions on the top and bottom of the band, as well as an accent shade on the edge

Each wristband is precision woven and features different colour compositions on the top and bottom of the band, as well as an accent shade on the edge

(Image credit: Imagery courtesy Apple)

Apple Watch straps are as carefully considered as the watch itself. The existing range of straps includes stainless steel, leather and fluoroelastomer, made interchangeable with elegant buckles and sophisticated closures

Apple Watch straps are as carefully considered as the watch itself. The existing range of straps includes stainless steel, leather and fluoroelastomer, made interchangeable with elegant buckles and sophisticated closures

(Image credit: Imagery courtesy Apple)

INFORMATION

Apple Watch Sport with woven nylon band: 38mm, from $299 and 42mm, from $349

Woven nylon band, sold separately, $49. Available in pink, scuba blue, royal blue, gold/red, gold/royal blue, pearl and black

Imagery courtesy Apple

Rosa Bertoli was born in Udine, Italy, and now lives in London. Since 2014, she has been the Design Editor of Wallpaper*, where she oversees design content for the print and online editions, as well as special editorial projects. Through her role at Wallpaper*, she has written extensively about all areas of design. Rosa has been speaker and moderator for various design talks and conferences including London Craft Week, Maison & Objet, The Italian Cultural Institute (London), Clippings, Zaha Hadid Design, Kartell and Frieze Art Fair. Rosa has been on judging panels for the Chart Architecture Award, the Dutch Design Awards and the DesignGuild Marks. She has written for numerous English and Italian language publications, and worked as a content and communication consultant for fashion and design brands.