No one can copy a few of Apple's Watch Bands now that patents have been granted along with a patent for what maybe a new feature on its next-gen iPhone smartphone.
The three Apple Watch band patents (Link bracelet/Sport Band/Modern Buckle) and a 'push-to-talk' technology are part of a list of 47 patents granted by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The 'push-to-talk' patent is Apple's second on the technology that provides instant communication between users over a wireless packet data network. The first patent was granted in the spring of 2013.
Given Apple's extremely heavy focus on design regarding its first-ever wearable, the Watch patents are a crucial element for the product portfolio. The three bands now patented are part of seven bands created for the three various Watch options. A month ago the patent agency granted Apple a patent for its modern buckle band. The remaining three wristband designs, which weren't noted in the most recent patent approval news, are the leather band, leather loop and the Milanese loop.
The patent approval comes just three days before the Watch's official shipping date of April 24, though Apple has already acknowledged Watch owners who preordered and those who order on Friday likely won't have a Watch on their wrist until early June.
In announcing the Watch, Apple put a huge spotlight on its design and form factor in a near fashion-show approach, especially regarding its high-end Edition featuring 18-karat gold. Industry watchers noted how Apple took a fashionista strategy in its debut over a more traditional computing product marketing approach.
Swapping out bands on the Watch products is a crucial aspect of the Watch, as is the diverse array of band options for at least two Watch devices. In describing its philosophy behind the band designs, Apple makes the case that everyone's style is different and so is everyone's wrist. To compensate for that, the Watch comes in two different sizes, a 38mm and a 42mm and can be set up to work on either wrist.
"A different band can really change the look of Apple Watch. So we created a full range of them in a variety of materials. The grooves in each case are precision engineered and CNC machined to ensure a perfect fit with any band. And beautifully designed buckles and closures provide the perfect finishing touch," states the Apple Watch website.
The basic Watch offers "stylish" bands, the Sport features "colorful and durable" bands, and the Edition, which starts at $10,000, boasts "exquisitely crafted bands and closures."
In designing the leather strap bands, Apple says its designers hand-selected hides from three of the world's top artisan tanneries. Apple clearly takes its leather seriously: "the subtly grained Dutch, pebbled Venezia, and supple Granada leathers are chosen for their superior quality and uniform texture. The dyes we use ensure consistent, long-lasting color. And each design departs from tradition in its own way."
The same high-end leather is used on the interior and exterior of the classic buckle. The band's "infinitely adjustable fit" aspect is due to magnets hidden in the quilted leather loop band and the modern buckle features an inner, hidden layer of stretch-resistant polymer that Apple claims is stronger than Kevlar.
When it comes to the Sport Watch, the big factor is a material called fluoroelastomer, which Apple says offers an "industrial-strength" color and is a high-performance material that is water resistant, thermal and flexible.
"We knew that if we made fluoroelastomer as beautiful as it is durable, it would be ideal for Apple Watch Sport. So we custom-engineered our own to make it more pliable and gave it five vivid colors. The result is a resilient band with a soft feel and just enough weight to drape smoothly across your wrist."
