Koa Wood, Titanium & Rubber, A Masterpiece of an Apple Watch Ultra Band

by Brett Gontarek
Koa Wood, Titanium & Rubber, A Masterpiece of an Apple Watch Ultra Band

Our new Koa wood inlayed, Titanium Apple Watch bands are one of my favorite new projects.. We've been hard at work trying to create the most amazing product line that sings (or maybe chants) Hawaiian vibes while being unique and the best possible expression of the product we are creating. I feel like we nailed this one.  We always like to create products that stand up to everyday abuse (and we dish it out a lot) while looking on point in any setting (from boardroom to paddling out) and infuse a bit of Hawaiian Koa soul into an otherwise digitally superb but sterile product.

For these Apple bands, we use only the most amazing curly grained Koa that we get from private ranches on the Big Island of Hawaii.  We hand finish and inlay the bands in our shop in Honolulu, HI.  While we don't cast the titanium parts, these bands qualify for Made in Hawaii and each one is unique. I try and line up the grain so it creates a uniform flowing look over the links...chefs kiss!  If you'll notice, I keep saying "we".. .it's really just me, but that sounds conceited : )..  Just know, you're buying from a small shop in Honolulu, trying to carve out a living for his family.

Back to Everything from the world of Pono Woodworks...

Why a titanium, rubber and Koa band for the Apple Watch Ultra?

Because the world full of boring stuff...spice it up a bit...infuse some soul into the machines!  The Ultra is Apple's toughest and most capable watch - it deserves a band with the same DNA that plays in the deep end. Our titanium or black finish match the Ultra's case finish and keeps the band light and strong.  The titanium links are joined with tough rubber links that provide a smidge of flexibility for a secure, perfect fit. The combination of these materials, makes a masterpiece of a Ultra watch band.

What makes this band special?

For these bands, I use only the most amazing curly-grained koa, sourced from private ranches on the Big Island. I hand-finish and inlay every band in my shop in Honolulu. The titanium brings the toughness and the upscale look; the rubber brings the comfort and grip; the Koa brings the Hawaiian vibes. Every band is one of a kind, because every piece of koa is.

You’ll notice I keep saying “we” — it’s really just me, but “we” sounds less conceited. Just know you’re buying from a small shop in Honolulu, trying to carve out a living for his family. I use the best curry Koa I can get my hands on and a lot of care poured into creating a one-of-a-kind piece... that's the whole point.

Get Yours: Ready? Shop the Titanium + Koa Ultra Band

Black with Orange Rubber

a peak-a-boo of lava-orange under the surface

SHOP

Titanium with Orange Rubber

a bit of lava-orange to spice up the watch

SHOP

Titanium with Black Rubber

Perfectly matched to the Ultra Watch

SHOP

Black with Black Rubber

The Blackout...just pure Koa Aloha

SHOP

THINGS WORTH HAVING: What makes your creations the best?

We started with a straightforward belief: create Hawaiian Koa infused designs that are built to last. So we built products where everything is chosen carefully, presented honestly, and backed by service that doesn't disappear after you check out. 

I think we all want to surround ourselves with to things that bring meaning and a feeling of pride. To that end, we create unique designs, use other-worldly looking wood, mix in a cultural story and a sense of place -- and you get the warm fuzzy of supporting a small maker trying to carve out a business in Hawaii.

Want the background on the wood? Here's the full Hawaiian koa story, and here's the info on all our Koa Apple Watch bands.

Tough enough for how you actually use an Ultra

Ultra owners don't baby their watch - and you shouldn't have to baby the ban. Titanium shrugs off daily abuse (and we dish it out), and the Koa is sealed to live on your wrist, not sit in a drawer. 

FAQs

Yes, of course, that's the whole point : ).. it fits the 49mm Ultra lineup and it also fits the 44mm, 45mm, 46mm Apple Watches

Yes —titanium hardware paired with real curly koa from Big Island private ranches, hand-inlaid and finished in our Honolulu shop. Less than 1% of koa has this curly grain, so every band is one-of-a-kind.

the band comes with a sizing tool and instructions on how to remove links.  It's simple and easy.

Absolutely yes, we've designed this band to stand up to the punishment the ultra watch can take. Ready for any adventure.

Because each band is made to order, and curly koa has chatoyance -- the figured grain shifts in the light - no two pieces are alike.  I try and line up the grain so it has a flow to the piece.

A small shop in Honolulu - I hand finish and inlay each band, one at a time.