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Apple Now Selling 'Made for Apple Watch' Lugs for Third-Party Bands

Monday October 5, 2015 11:25 am PDT by Joe Rossignol
Apple has begun selling official Apple Watch lugs through authorized distributor Avnet that may only be used in third-party bands that adhere to the company's Band Design Guidelines for Apple Watch. Apple-designed stainless steel lugs are each marked with "Made for Apple Watch" laser etching to verify their authenticity.

apple_watch_lug
The stainless steel lugs are available in 38mm and 42mm sizes and are compatible with all Apple Watch, Apple Watch Sport and Apple Watch Edition models. However, at the time of publication, Space Gray, Space Black, Yellow Gold and Rose Gold lugs are not listed for sale.

Apple has published Apple Watch Lug Assembly Guidelines that provide accessory makers with step-by-step instructions and a list of required tools for assembly, including a Pentalobe 1.1 screwdriver bit and clamping device. The document also outlines proper screw installation for the lugs.

Avnet is selling Apple Watch lugs in sets of 25 or 200 in both 38mm and 42mm, with prices ranging between $278.75 and $1,866.00 per package and between $9.18 and $11.33 per individual set. The distributor is also selling the Pentalobe 1.1 screwdriver bit required for lug assembly for $12.65. All prices are listed in U.S. dollars.

Apple Watch Lugs - 38mm (25 sets)
  • Price Per Unit: $11.15 USD
  • Package Price: $278.75 USD

    Apple Watch Lugs - 38mm (200 sets)
  • Price Per Unit: $9.18 USD
  • Package Price: $1,836.00 USD

    Apple Watch Lugs - 42mm (25 sets)
  • Price Per Unit: $11.33 USD
  • Package Price: $283.25 USD

    Apple Watch Lugs - 42mm (200 sets)
  • Price Per Unit: $9.33 USD
  • Package Price: $1,866.00 USD

    Avnet currently estimates a shipping lead time of 2 weeks for all lug sets and pentalobe screwdriver bits. Opening a commercial account with Avnet is required to complete the ordering process. Avnet's customer service team will contact customers within 24-48 business hours to complete the ordering process.

    Related Roundups: Apple Watch, watchOS 4, watchOS 5
    Tags: Apple Watch bands, Avnet
    Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Caution)
    • [ 74 comments ]


    Top Rated Comments

    (View all)

    Avatar
    Buschmaster
    37 months ago

    So we have to spend $280 on 25 of them if we want any at all.. And this is why people buy third party.

    I miss the thumbs down button...
    Rating: 25 Votes
    Avatar
    Supermallet
    37 months ago
    Still no space grey? Man, us SG users are getting screwed with the Apple Watch.
    Rating: 10 Votes
    Avatar
    Jeremy1026
    37 months ago

    Really? $280 for 25 of them? And this is why people buy third party.


    These are for wholesale purchases. So Store A buys 25 sets of them, at $11.20 each, and will then sell to the consumer at ~$20 each. These are actually pretty decent prices.
    Rating: 9 Votes
    Avatar
    TechZeke
    37 months ago
    The lack of reading comprehension and common sense in this thread is disturbing...
    Rating: 6 Votes
    Avatar
    Gjwilly
    37 months ago
    Goodbye Click!
    Nice almost knowing you.
    Rating: 4 Votes
    Avatar
    mostlydave
    37 months ago

    Not really - did you read the article - are you going to spend upwards of 283 dollars for lugs - seems ludicrous


    Did you read the article? That price is for 25 sets of lugs
    Rating: 3 Votes
    Avatar
    Zirel
    37 months ago

    These are for wholesale purchases. So Store A buys 25 sets of them, at $11.20 each, and will then sell to the consumer at ~$20 each. These are actually pretty decent prices.


    They will only sell with a band.

    So it's a ~ $10 addition, that's about $5 more than a no-name Chinese manufactured one, but will be worth many times more than $5 to the costumer: the assurance that everything works like the Apple ones, and so it won't cause problems in the future.
    Rating: 3 Votes
    Avatar
    Zoboomafoo
    37 months ago

    I imagine Apple will eventually carry these in store.


    For the DIY band market? It really seems like people are missing the boat on this article. This isn't for the regular customer... Or are we missing something?
    Rating: 3 Votes
    Avatar
    AtheistP3ace
    37 months ago
    Nice! Always great to see apple supporting third party stuff.
    Rating: 3 Votes
    Avatar
    CmdrLaForge
    37 months ago
    Perfect. Looking forward to some more affordable leather bands that feature original lugs.
    Rating: 3 Votes

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