Like a phone case, which dresses up your smartphone and sets it apart from those around you who share the same hardware, a fun watch band for the Apple Watch lends a sense of personality and style to the increasingly popular wearable device. The latest Apple Watch bands to catch our eye are part of a 3D printed collection by Dutch designer Matthijs Kok and sold under the Freshfiber brand.
As a designer, Kok came onto our radar earlier this year thanks to his 3D printed Fold Case for the iPhone X. At the time, the up-and-coming designer promised more products were on the horizon and we are happy to say that he recently delivered on that promise.
The new Freshfiber Apple Watch band collection comprises of three 3D printed band designs—Pulse, Obsidian and Aurora—each inspired by a different natural element. The three Apple Watch band styles come in a variety of sizes and colours to best fit (and suit) the wearer. The innovative and visually striking watch bands are all made entirely out of 3D printed nylon and integrate a flexible coil structure that ensures flexibility, lightweight and, overall, comfort.
Kok describes the structure of the 3D printed products on his website, saying: “A flat strip of material helix coiled into a flattened spiral forms the basis of Freshfiber’s new Apple Watch Band Collection. By taking the semi-rigid nylon material and wrapping it into a helical spring, the material is set into a versatile material with structural build, making it flexible yet sturdy with memory to return and retain its shape. The outside surface of the strip is decorated with delicate pattern designs, offering a variety of designs to complement your style. The nylon band wraps elegantly and comfortably around the wrist.”
The Apple Watch bands also integrate a 3D printed clasp mechanism which makes removing the watch easy for wearer and doesn’t compromise the product’s overall aesthetic. That is, the clasp is hidden underneath the subtle Freshfiber logo and utilizes a simple press-and-release technique to be unfastened.
In terms of the three different watch band designs, the first model, Pulse, is based on a waveform structure that evokes “an undulating landscape of fluid lines.” The Obsidian watch band, as the name implies, is inspired by a type of igneous rock that is formed by the rapid cooling of viscous lava.
“All all round landscape of interlinking fractiles tesselate to form a surface of obsidian facets,” Kok elaborates. “The landscape gradually evolves from delicate shards on the sides to larger facets in the center. This results in an intriguing gradient pattern, delivering a luxurious, sophisticated style to the Apple Watch.”
The last design, Aurora, was inspired by the curving and rhythmic lights of Aurora Borealis (aka the Northern Lights). The design juxtaposes the 3D printed nylon curves with negative space for a eye-catching, highly contemporary effect.
As mentioned, the 3D printed Apple Watch bands come in a range of sizes and colours, including black, grey, brown, blue and red (all matte). Available for purchase via Freshfiber’s online store, the watch band’s are retailing for €37.15 and are compatible with Apple Watch Series 1, 2, 3 and 4.
