Apple has introduced its all-new Pride Edition Apple Watch strap which is now available for sale in Malaysia. Designed in vibrant colours, you can purchase the Pride Edition Apple Watch Sport Band standalone or as the default strap when you purchase a new Apple Watch SE and Apple Watch 8 online.
The Pride Edition Sport Band is priced at RM199 standalone and it comes in either 41mm and 45mm Watch sizes and either S/M and M/L wrist sizes. The Pride Edition Sport Band is available for purchase on the Apple Online Store and it takes 1 business day to ship.
If you’re looking for a new Apple Watch, the Pride Edition band is also available as an option when you order the Apple Watch SE and Apple Watch 8 online. The base Apple Watch SE (GPS) costs RM1,199 for 40mm and RM1,299 for the bigger 44mm version. If you need cellular connectivity, it costs RM200 extra.
Meanwhile, the Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS) costs RM1,899 for the 41mm version and RM1,999 for the 45mm variant. If you need 4G cellular connectivity support, it costs an extra RM400. There’s no price difference and the Pride Strap costs the same as other Sport Band options.
This isn’t the first time Apple has released a Pride-themed Apple Watch strap and it one of Apple’s ongoing initiatives to support the LGBTQ+ community. According to Apple, the vibrant colours of its strap symbolises the beauty and diversity of the community and it even features a custom laser-etched message “Designed with Pride in California” behind the buckle piece.
To match the strap’s design, Apple has also released a matching Pride watch face which you can download onto your Apple Watch by opening this page on your iPhone. At the moment, it appears that these special edition Pride Watch and straps are only sold online.
We’re excited to make available an all-new Pride Edition Apple Watch band, which helps incredible organizations around the world that support the LGBTQ+ community. pic.twitter.com/oi5ADcYrgv
— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) May 23, 2023
Local Malaysian authorities have recently cracked down on Swatch’s “Pride Collection” which carries rainbow flag themes associated with the LGBTQ community. According to Options by The Edge Malaysia, the raid was conducted by the Ministry of Home Affairs (KDN) and was carried out at several Swatch stores in major malls.
Swatch Group’s CEO Nick Hayek Jr has expressed concern about the seizure while reinforcing the brand’s ethos of championing innovation and diversity. He said Swatch is proud of being the canvas on the wrist for all people worldwide and they strongly contest that their collection of watches using rainbow colours and having the message of peace and love could be harmful to whomever.
