Apple Modern Buckle
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Apple Modern Buckle
The Apple Modern Buckle is one of the first Apple Watch bands that Apple released, in the spring of 2015. The elegant leather band has an iconic design that sits as slim as possible around your wrist. Apple chose supple Granada leather for this band, produced at a small French tannery that has been in operation since 1803. The silky-smooth, top-quality leather is lightly tumbled and rolled to preserve its refined texture. Newer models of the Modern Buckle use Venezia Leather, also a premium French leather type.
The inside of the band is reinforced with Vectran, the same material NASA used to manufacture parachute lines for the Mars rover. This makes the Modern Buckle very supple while ensuring it absolutely does not stretch. The clasp appears to be one piece, but is actually a two-part metal lock that is easy to fasten thanks to a magnet. On the inside you can adjust the band to the exact right size through five holes.
The Apple Modern Buckle is available in a wide range of colors: from timeless shades to special limited-edition color combinations. Apple also releases special collections such as the (PRODUCT) RED edition, which contributes to the fight against HIV/AIDS.
Fit & size guide
You get the best results with features like wrist detection, the Taptic Engine, and the electrical and optical heart rate sensors when the back of the Apple Watch makes contact with your skin. When you wear your Apple Watch with a good fit (not too tight, not too loose, and with enough slack for your skin to breathe), the Apple Watch sits comfortably on your wrist and the sensors can do their job.
You may want to tighten your Apple Watch band during workouts. Loosen it again when you're done. Additionally, the sensors only work when you wear the Apple Watch on top of your wrist. If the Apple Watch doesn't stay in place or the sensors aren't measuring your heart rate, tighten the band slightly. The Apple Watch should fit snugly but comfortably.
Choosing your band size: S, M or L?
The Modern Buckle is available in three band sizes per case size. Use the table below to make the right choice based on your wrist circumference.
| Size | Wrist circumference |
|---|---|
| Small (S) | 135 to 150 mm |
| Medium (M) | 145 to 165 mm |
| Large (L) | 160 to 180 mm |
Don't know your wrist circumference? There are two ways to measure it. Method 1: wrap a piece of string around your wrist, hold it in place where the ends meet and lay it against a ruler. Method 2: use a measuring tape directly around your wrist. Always measure before the knuckle on your wrist.
Care
Keeping your Apple Watch and band clean and dry ensures comfortable wear and will keep your Apple Watch and band functioning well in the long run. This is especially important after a workout or exposure to liquids such as sweat, soap, sunscreen and lotions that can cause skin irritation.
How do you clean the Modern Buckle?
It's important to take good care of your Apple Watch bands, so they last as long as possible.
Follow these steps to clean the leather:
Clean the leather parts of the band with a non-abrasive, lint-free cloth. If needed, lightly dampen the cloth with clean water.
Do not submerge the leather parts in water; this can permanently damage the leather.
Let the band dry completely in the open air before attaching it to your Apple Watch. Do not expose the leather to direct sunlight, high temperatures or high humidity.
Follow these steps to clean the clasp:
Clean the clasp with a non-abrasive, lint-free cloth, lightly dampened with clean water.
Dry the clasp with a lint-free, non-abrasive cloth before attaching it to your Apple Watch.
How do you attach and remove the Apple Modern Buckle from your Apple Watch?
Swapping your Apple Watch band is very easy! What you should check beforehand is whether you have the right size for your Apple Watch. There are two different case sizes: 38mm / 40mm / 41mm / 42mm and 44mm / 45mm / 46mm / 49mm. Not entirely sure which size Apple Watch you have? Click here to find out which size Apple Watch you have.
Turn your Apple Watch over so you can see the back.
Press and hold the band release button on the Apple Watch.
Slide the band out of the slot to remove it and slide the new band in. If the band doesn't move, press the release button again and try sliding the band out of the slot.
Fake or genuine band?
Like the Leather Loop, the Apple Modern Buckle is one of the oldest bands in Apple's lineup. The design isn't overly complex, which makes it easier to counterfeit. So pay close attention to the features of a genuine band listed below.
- Original packaging: does it come with the original packaging?
- Size markings: the case size and band size (S, M or L) are printed on the inside
- Leather type: the text Venezia Leather or Granada Leather appears on the inside
- ‘Assembled in China’ printed on the connector piece
- Micro-engraving on the side of the connector pin
- Neater finish: Apple always ensures tightly sealed edges
- Check the color via the Bandbreite app, to make sure the color was actually released by Apple
Follow the checklist below to check step by step whether your Apple Watch band is genuine or fake.↓
✔ Genuine (Original Apple)
- ✔Engravings: On the inside you'll find the case size (e.g.
38MMor40MM), the band size (S,MorL), and the textVenezia LeatherorGranada Leather. - ✔The Clasp: The iconic magnetic clasp clicks firmly into place with a solid 'click' and doesn't come loose easily.
- ✔Material: Made from genuine, premium French leather. The inside is reinforced with a Vectran weave, making the band very supple while ensuring it absolutely does not stretch.
- ✔Edges: The edges are microscopically tight and smoothly sealed against wear.
✘ Fake (Counterfeit / Replica)
- ✘Engravings: No text on the inside, or the size markings are printed in a cheap, smudged font.
- ✘The Clasp: The magnets in the clasp are weak. The clasp comes loose easily when you move your wrist or feels very stiff when opening.
- ✘Material: Made from stiff faux leather (PU). It stretches quickly, creases badly when bent and smells chemical — like plastic or glue.
- ✘Edges: The edges are sloppily finished; you can sometimes see glue residue or the leather layers start to separate quickly.
Tips to prevent skin irritation
No nickel was used in the production of the Apple Modern Buckle. Apple chose to use stainless steel for this product. The Modern Buckle is made from: leather with stainless steel or 18-karat gold.
Apple's tips for skin sensitivitySpecial collections
(PRODUCT) RED Collectie
A classic leather band in ruby that contributes to the fight against HIV/AIDS. Buy this band and support a good cause.
View (RED) Modern BuckleApple released the (PRODUCT) RED collection to support the fight against HIV/AIDS. For the Modern Buckle, Apple designed an elegant band in ruby that seamlessly suits the style of this leather band. By purchasing this band you contribute to charities fighting against AIDS. View all bands in the (PRODUCT) RED collection for more options.
Frequently asked questions
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