We're Celebrating 10 Years of Apple Watch
| Words by Madeline MyersIn 2015, Apple introduced something we hadn’t seen before: a smartwatch. At the time, no one was quite sure where Apple Watch would fit in the grand scheme of things. Was it an iPhone replacement? A fitness tracker? We didn’t know, but we believed in its potential. And more importantly, we believed it deserved great accessories.
From day one, we’ve been building bands, chargers, and other accessories to help you get the most out of your Apple Watch. Over the past decade, we’ve learned what makes Apple Watch gear great and what our community actually wants to see. Now, as we celebrate 10 years, we’re taking a look back on how far we’ve come.
2015: Stand
As soon as Apple announced Apple Watch, we got to work. One of our first accessories was Stand, a sleek, intuitive charging base that matched Apple’s design language and made daily charging feel easy and beautiful.
2015: Stand
As soon as Apple announced Apple Watch, we got to work. One of our first accessories was Stand, a sleek, intuitive charging base that matched Apple’s design language and made daily charging feel easy and beautiful.
Stand was a curved, all-metal charging base for Apple Watch. And it truly was the first of its kind because it was available for purchase the day they announced Apple Watch.
2015: Pod
Around the same time, we launched Pod, a portable battery pack designed for on-the-go charging. One of our favorite things about Apple Watch was how small and unobtrusive it was; it had the potential to change the way we stayed connected while out and about. We wanted a charger that complemented that freedom. With Pod, you could power your Apple Watch no matter where the day took you.
2015: Pod
Around the same time, we launched Pod, a portable battery pack designed for on-the-go charging. One of our favorite things about Apple Watch was how small and unobtrusive it was; it had the potential to change the way we stayed connected while out and about. We wanted a charger that complemented that freedom. With Pod, you could power your Apple Watch no matter where the day took you.
2016: Leather Strap
The next year, we expanded beyond chargers into bands. Our first designs featured genuine leather, a material that’s now central to who we are. Leather Strap blended traditional craftsmanship with modern utility and set a new bar for Apple Watch band quality.
2016: Leather Strap
The next year, we expanded beyond chargers into bands. Our first designs featured genuine leather, a material that’s now central to who we are. Leather Strap blended traditional craftsmanship with modern utility and set a new bar for Apple Watch band quality.
We went with leather for our first strap because it’s relatively easy to work with, yet also this really remarkable material.
2017: Sport Strap
A year later, we expanded our lineup with Sport Strap. It was made of rugged yet comfortable silicone and was well suited for action sports like mountain biking, trail running, and swimming. It quickly became a bestseller and remains a fan favorite to this day. In fact, the name proved so popular, we kept it for the current version of the band: Sport Band.
2017: Sport Strap
A year later, we expanded our lineup with Sport Strap. It was made of rugged yet comfortable silicone and was well suited for action sports like mountain biking, trail running, and swimming. It quickly became a bestseller and remains a fan favorite to this day. In fact, the name proved so popular, we kept it for the current version of the band: Sport Band.
2022: Ultra
When Apple released Apple Watch Ultra, its rugged, outdoor-ready design immediately caught our eye. We knew Sport Band could handle it, but we wanted to design a band from the ground up to match Ultra’s capabilities. Backcountry trail? Mountain summit? We wanted an Ultra-specific band that could handle it all.
2022: Ultra
When Apple released Apple Watch Ultra, its rugged, outdoor-ready design immediately caught our eye. We knew Sport Band could handle it, but we wanted to design a band from the ground up to match Ultra’s capabilities. Backcountry trail? Mountain summit? We wanted an Ultra-specific band that could handle it all.
2023: DesignLab
With the market flooded by endless band options,
we launched DesignLab, an interactive tool that lets
you preview any Nomad band on your specific
Apple Watch model and color. It’s a fun, interactive way
to explore looks and find your perfect fit.
2023: DesignLab
With the market flooded by endless band options, we launched DesignLab, an interactive tool that lets you preview any Nomad band on your specific Apple Watch model and color. It’s a fun, interactive way to explore looks and find your perfect fit.
DesignLab was a challenge to get right. I wanted it to be fun and interactive, but also practical. I think we landed on a perfect balance of each with this latest iteration.
2024: Rocky Point Band for Ultra
After two years of R&D, we launched Rocky Point Band, designed from the ground up to take you and your Ultra to new heights. Rugged, breathable, and fitted with Grade 5 titanium hardware, Rocky Point is designed for adventure but feels right at home in your daily rotation.
2024: Rocky Point Band for Ultra
After two years of R&D, we launched Rocky Point Band, designed from the ground up to take you and your Ultra to new heights. Rugged, breathable, and fitted with Grade 5 titanium hardware, Rocky Point is designed for adventure but feels right at home in your daily rotation.
What's Next?
When it comes to Apple Watch, we’re just getting started. We're excited to explore new materials, new styles, and new ways to elevate your Apple Watch experience. Your ideas and feedback inspire us constantly, and they keep us pushing forward. We’ve got new bands in development now, and we think you're going to love them.
We have several bands coming out this year that are really exciting. And we have potential to build more for women, an area where we're admittedly too light. As far as other accessories, we see Apple Watch as becoming only more and more powerful and will continue to build best-in-class ways to outfit it.
Why Nomad?
A vibrant, fast-paced industry has sprung up around Apple Watch, but we’ve never been about chasing trends or cutting corners. Our goal has always been to make unique, durable gear that enhances your Apple Watch and fits seamlessly into your life.
We’ve been doing this since the very start—one of the few brands to launch Apple Watch accessories in 2015—and we’re proud to still lead the way today. That consistency has built trust: our community knows we show up with thoughtful design, premium materials, and gear that lasts.
Celebrating 10 Years With You!
We wouldn’t be here without our incredible community. You’ve been with us through early experiments, breakthroughs, and all the small refinements along the way.
As a company that launched on Kickstarter, we owe everything to the crowd and are eternally grateful to you.
To mark this milestone, we’re offering $10 off all Apple Watch gear, including some of our most-loved bands and chargers. It’s a small way to say thank you and to celebrate 10 years of doing this together. We hope you find something new to add to your setup, and maybe something to remind you just how far Nomad and Apple Watch have come.
As always, if you’ve got feedback or questions, we’d love to hear from you! Email us at support@nomadgoods.com.
