Black Unity Apple Watch’s powerful symbolism: Black History Month marked with a Sport Band in Pan-African flag colours, ‘Truth. Power. Solidarity’ engraving and more

Feb 3 , 2021

Apple has launched the Black Unity Collection for Black History Month. The collection is made up of three parts: a limited edition Apple Watch Series 6, the Black Unity Sport Band, and a Unity watch face. Photo: Apple

The limited edition Apple Watch collection has ‘Black Unity’ etched on the crystal case; CEO Tim Cook says the project sends a signal of ‘enduring commitment’

Apple Watch users can take part in a February Unity Activity Challenge: close the ‘Move’ ring seven days in a row to earn a limited edition award

Apple has released a limited edition Black Unity Collection for the Apple Watch to commemorate Black History Month.

The collection is made up of three parts: a limited edition Apple Watch Series 6, the Black Unity Sport Band and a Unity watch face, which are “designed to celebrate and acknowledge Black history and Black culture”, Apple said in a press release.

“We are all accountable to the urgent work of building a more just, more equitable world – and these new projects send a clear signal of Apple’s enduring commitment,” said Apple CEO Tim Cook.

Apple also committed to supporting six organisations that promote civil rights: Black Lives Matter Support Fund via the Tides Foundation; European Network Against Racism; International Institute on Race, Equality and Human Rights; Leadership Conference Education Fund; NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund; and Souls Grown Deep.

Apple’s limited-edition watch has ‘Black Unity’ etched on the case back. Photo: Apple

The Apple Watch Series 6 has “Black Unity” etched on to the crystal case back. The words “Truth. Power. Solidarity” are laser-engraved on the fastening pin of the Sport Band, which is red, white and black in honour of the Pan-African flag. The Unity watch face is part of the WatchOS 7.3 update.

“Red for the blood that unites people of the African diaspora and was shed for their liberation, black for the people whose existence is affirmed by the flag, and green for the vibrant natural wealth of Africa, the motherland,” Apple explained in a press release.

The Sport Band is red, white and black in honour of the Pan-African flag. Photo: Apple

The colours of the watch face coordinate with the Sport Band. Both were designed by “members of the black creative community and allies throughout Apple”, as part of the ongoing fight for racial justice, Apple said. The face is dynamic and changes as the Apple Watch “moves”.

Apple Watch users can also participate in a February Unity Activity Challenge by closing the “Move” ring seven days in a row to earn a limited edition award.