How to navigate the jungle of Apple Watch bands

If you search for an Apple Watch in our shop, you’ll find over 300 different types. And if you need a strap to go with it, there are four sizes to choose from. Pretty confusing.

A band for eternity

Here’s the good news: Apple’s remained true to its system even after ten years. If you still have a band from the first Apple Watch generation from 2014, it’ll still be compatible with the current watches. However, the range is pretty confusing, as Apple now offers eight different Watch sizes: from 38 millimetres on the first Apple Watch to 49 millimetres on the current Ultra 2.

Incidentally, the millimetre indications aren’t about the width of the strap, but the diametre of the case.

The current straps still come in four different versions. Three for case sizes 40, 42 and 46 millimetres, plus the straps for the Ultra models with a case size of 49 millimetres.

The rule of thumb: 40 and 42 millimetres fit all small watches, 46 and 49 millimetres fit all large watches. As a result, the Ultra wristband isn’t only compatible with the Ultra, but also with the large version of the Apple Watch Series 10 and the large version of the Apple Watch SE.

The same also applies to older watches. The large Series 7, for example, measures 45 millimetres. You can pair it with the 46 and 49 millimetre versions of the current straps. This is possible because Apple uses the same bridge for them.

Apple states that the 40 mm, 41 mm and 42 mm straps are all compatible with the 40 mm, 41 mm and 42 mm case sizes. The 44 mm, 45 mm, and 46 mm and 49 mm straps are all compatible with the 44 mm, 46 mm and 49 mm cases.

Graphic designer and Apple fan Trevor Collins went to the trouble of translating this into a table.

Everything’s compatible, but it doesn’t always look good

However, this is only half the truth. Essentially, you can combine any band with any Apple Watch. But if the differences in the band and bridge widths are too great, it won’t look nice, but faulty.

In our shop, there’s a filter to sort the straps by their bridge width. Or you can simply search directly for bands for your specific Apple Watch.

Incidentally, the new Ultra 2 colour comes with an additional choice – at least as far as the new wristbands go. They’re now available with black or natural titanium-coloured fasteners, meaning they match the colour of the watch case.

To give you an example, here are two versions of the Trail Loop. But you’ll have to create a comparison list to recognise the difference.

Watch straps

EUR99,–

Apple Trail Loop Black Titanium Finish

49 mm, Nylon, Apple Watch Ultra2

Watch straps

EUR92,99

Apple Trail Loop Natural Titanium Finish

49 mm, Nylon, Apple Watch Ultra2

Overall, it’s exemplary of Apple that even the oldest bands can still be used. Even if you now need a guide like this to see the wood for the trees.