Apple Launches Black Unity Braided Solo Loop With 'Unity Lights' Watch Face

Black History month is celebrated by Apple with a new watch face and a loop for the Apple Watch.

Apple launched the Black Unity Braided solo loop as part of its celebrations for Black History Month this year.

Apple is launching a special edition Apple Watch Black Unity Braided Solo Loop and matching Unity Lights watch face inspired by Afrofuturism, a philosophy that explores the Black experience through a narrative of science, technology, and self-empowerment. As part of this launch, Apple is supporting organizations focused on advancing inclusion in science and technology for communities of color through its Racial Equity and Justice Initiative.

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 special edition of Unity Lights was released by Apple to accompany the Black Unity Braided solo loop. Like many of Apple's other watch faces, Unity Lights comes in full screen and circular dial versions and includes a black and white option.

The band is complemented by the Unity Lights watch face, which is 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.

The Black Unity Braided loop will be available in select retail store locations on Tuesday, February 1. All Apple Watch users with a Series 4 or newer can use the Unity Lights watch face. The Apple website has a range of Afrofuturism-inspired wallpapers for the iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

Black History month is celebrated by the Black Unity Braided solo loop and Unity Lights, as well as a number of other events across Apple's services and platforms.