Apple announces new Apple Watch Black Unity Braided Solo Loop and matching Unity Lights watch face
Apple has launched a a special edition Apple Watch Black Unity Braided Solo Loop and matching Unity Lights watch face to honor Black History Month, with new spotlights planned amplify Black voices and businesses on Apple Books, the App Store, Apple Music, and more.
Announced in a press release on Wednesday, Apple says its new Black Unity Braided Solo Loop and matching Unity Lights watch face has been inspired by Afrofuturism, a philosophy that explores the Black experience through a narrative of science, technology, and self-empowerment.
Apple says the new Unity Lights watch face has been designed using 2D ray tracing, a technology never before implemented for a watch face. Each pixel on the screen simulates the light and shadow falling across it and the movement of the clock hands simultaneously reveal and hide the light, changing dynamically throughout the day.
Designed by members and allies of the Black creative community at Apple to celebrate Black history and culture, the Apple Watch Black Unity Braided Solo Loop and matching Unity Lights watch face honors generations of Black people across the African diaspora. This design symbolizes a communal belief in the necessity for a more equitable world. The vibrant red and green colors of the Pan-African flag appear like speckled light across the black band.
The Unity Lights watch face can be customized to be a full screen or circular dial, and includes a black and white option, tick marks, up to four complications, and a monogram.
The new Apple Watch Black Unity Braided Solo Loop is available now on apple.com and in the Apple Store app, and will be available in select Apple Store locations beginning Tuesday, February 1 for $99 (US). The Black Unity Braided Solo Loop is compatible with Apple Watch SE and Apple Watch Series 4 or newer.
The Unity Lights watch face will be available today and requires Apple Watch Series 4 or later running watchOS 8.3, and iPhone 6s or later running iOS 15.2.