Apple’s limited-edition Black Unity Watch Series 6, sport band now available

Apple is adding a new limited-edition version of its Apple Watch Series 6 as well as a new sport band as part of its celebrations for Black History Month. Available starting Monday, the new hardware is part of what the company is calling the Black Unity Collection, a group of products designed to “celebrate and acknowledge Black history and Black culture.” 

The limited-edition Watch, which starts at the same $399 (£379 and AU$599) for the 38mm GPS version or $499 for the 38mm cellular model, looks largely similar to other Apple Watches but has the words “Black Unity” laser-etched into the back crystal.

The sport band, which runs $49 (£49 and AU$69), uses colors “inspired” by the pan-African flag and has the words “Truth. Power. Solidarity.” laser-engraved onto the inside of the fastening pin. 

Apple says the limited-edition Watch is available in over 38 countries and regions.

In addition to the new hardware, Apple unveiled a new Unity watch face as part of WatchOS 7.3 and a limited-edition award notification for those who close their Move rings for seven days in a row in February. 

Both devices are available at Apple and Target stores, though the limited-edition Watch will only be available for the month of February. Apple says that the new band will be available year-round. 

The company also plans to donate and “support” six global organizations as part of the Black Unity Collection: the Black Lives Matter Support Fund via the Tides Foundation; the European Network Against Racism; the International Institute on Race, Equality and Human Rights; the Leadership Conference Education Fund; the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund; and the Souls Grown Deep Foundation.

It is unclear, however, if any of the proceeds of the Collection’s hardware sales will go to the groups. For its Product (RED) devices, Apple donates a portion of those sales to help fund HIV/AIDS treatment programs. CNET has reached out to Apple for comment and will update if they respond.  

The new hardware and Watch features are just a part of Apple’s plans to celebrate Black History Month. The company says it will also highlight Black-owned businesses, developers and apps in the App Store and curate and spotlight content in a number of its apps including Apple TV, Apple Music, Apple Podcasts and Apple Books starting on Monday.