With Apple Watch Series 9 Apple will say goodbye to leather straps. In recent weeks, a rumor has circulated according to which Apple intends to no longer offer leather accessories for the iPhone 15, and now a similar rumor also emerges regarding leather straps, probably no longer offered with the arrival of Apple Watch Series 9.
iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 could be released at the same time
According to the always well-informed Mark Gurman of Bloomberg, Apple will begin to abandon leather as a material also for Apple Watch straps, a move which, however, would call into question the collaboration with Hermès, a luxury brand that offers various straps and other accessories of this type.
To corroborate Gurman’s indiscretion, discounts of 42% have been active on Amazon for days on Apple leather mesh straps size M/L (for wrists from 140-180 mm) in dark cherry and medlar colour, which at the time of writing they cost €54.99 instead of €94.05. These straps, we remind you, are handcrafted in France and are made from Roux Granada leather.
Apple explains that they “wrap elegantly around the wrist” and snap together “like magic”, thanks to flexible magnets that curve slightly to ensure “a perfect and comfortable fit throughout the day”.
Apple Watch Series 9 without leather straps, collaboration with Hermès at risk
In addition to the discounts on Apple’s leather straps for the Apple Watch, Gurman notes that for a few weeks the company’s employees have been able to purchase the expensive and high-quality leather bracelets made in collaboration with Hermès at heavily discounted prices, up to 80-90% of the official list price.
The ongoing internal sale brings to mind the strong discounts always offered by Apple to its employees for the first generation HomePod, indicating a possible desire to eliminate stocks and warehouses in view of the closure of the line.
Out with leather, in comes high-quality synthetic
Both for iPhone leather cases and for Apple Watch leather straps and bracelets, the choice of the Cupertino giant is with a view to environmental sustainability and reduction of the carbon footprint. With the abandonment of leather, FineWoven iPhone cases in synthetic but high-quality materials are expected: similar bracelets will probably arrive for the smartwatch.