In our previous blog post, we explored in detail how aulumu's headphone case series won the iF Design Award 2026.Besides the headphone case series, another aulumu product also received this award: aulumu's ultra-thin magnetic clasp watch band. Today, we'll discuss the reasons behind the aulumu ultra-thin magnetic clasp watch band's award, as well as other watch band products.
Magnetic quick-release system
Those familiar with aulumu know that the brand has long used its proprietary magnetic quick-release system for watch band clasps. As the name suggests, it incorporates magnets at the clasp location. The attraction between the magnetic poles securely holds the strap in place. The strong magnetic force reduces the chance of the watch falling off due to a loose clasp. Furthermore, the magnetic clasp offers great portability; a simple snap-on action completes the watch's on-screen experience.
In addition to magnetic clasps, aulumu also uses Velcro for this type of watch band, providing double protection so you don't have to worry about the strap falling off or coming off while wearing it.
Currently, aulumu offers two main types of magnetic clasp watch bands: one made of nylon and the other of metal.
- Nylon material: There are three main styles of nylon watch bands: C03, A11, and C11. C03 and A11 are two watch bands suitable for Apple Watch large dial models, while C11 is a watch band suitable for Garmin watches.
- Metal Material: Currently, aulumu only offers one metal watch band with a magnetic clasp, the C01 model. This is also the only aulumu strap designed using metal as its primary material. The entire strap is made of aerospace-grade aluminum alloy, which is 43% lighter than ordinary metals but four times stronger. A diamond-like carbon coating is added to the watch face, increasing the strap's surface hardness tenfold. The lightweight, breathable, and sweat-resistant material ensures comfort on the wrist regardless of the season.
Ultra-thin watch band
In addition to the magnetic clasp, the award-winning watch band also received an award nomination for its ultra-thin design. The ultra-thin strap refers to aulumu's nylon strap series, specifically the A11, C03, and C11 models. All three models utilize nylon material in their design.
Compared to watch bands made of other materials, nylon watch bands are highly breathable, soft, lightweight, and durable. aulumu won the iF Design Award because these watch bands are made of nylon, and specifically utilize aulumu's original microfiber nylon material, making the straps extremely thin and reducing the burden on the wearer's wrist.
The watch band is woven using high-quality yarn with 480 stitches, making it fluffy and breathable. It has passed over 100 bending tests to ensure overall durability and abrasion resistance. Even during prolonged wear in summer or after exercise, it quickly wicks away sweat, keeping the wrist and strap dry. The strap surface uses a twill weave, which is soft and skin-friendly, greatly enhancing comfort during wear.
Minimalist design
As a fusion of mechanical, industrial, and futuristic aesthetics, aulumu's product designs have always maintained their unique minimalist style. The same applies to its watch bands; the integrated design combined with a calm and understated color scheme gives each strap a distinctive aulumu flavor.
In terms of strap design, aulumu tends to favor solid-color straps, adding simple patterns or designs to maintain a minimalist aesthetic. For example, the aulumu C03 appears as a solid color from a distance, but upon closer inspection, the strap surface reveals a unique aulumu pattern.
There's also the aulumu A11 strap, a solid-color strap that embodies a unique aulumu design philosophy. The C11 strap, while maintaining the solid color base, features a distinctive orange accent at the buckle, giving it a sophisticated yet vibrant look. The C01 strap is the most design-oriented, featuring an alternating C-shaped pattern that's simple and fluid. It displays different titanium bimetallic lusters under varying light, giving the strap a smooth and refined appearance. Available in titanium and black, the strap is distinctive yet maintains a composed and sophisticated feel. 
Buckle watch band
Of course, in addition to the magnetic quick-release system strap, aulumu also offers buckle straps. These use an aluminum alloy buckle and an inner clasp design to secure the watch to the wrist. aulumu offers two strap models in this series—A01 and A02—both with a more sporty design.
Both watch bands are made of FKM material, which is soft and skin-friendly. The straps themselves are very lightweight and will not add weight to the watch, causing discomfort to the wrist. The straps are also highly waterproof, so you can rinse them directly after exercise without worrying about damaging them. The buckle is made of aluminum alloy, and the holes are precisely perforated for good ventilation and breathability, allowing sweat to evaporate quickly after exercise.
The A01 watch band comes with two different protective cases: a titanium alloy case and a carbon fiber case. The titanium alloy case uses aerospace-grade titanium alloy, which is lightweight while maintaining the durability of titanium alloy. It features a diamond-like carbon coating that is 10 times more wear-resistant than the standard coating. The carbon fiber case is made of genuine carbon fiber, hand-laid and hot-pressed, ensuring no two pieces are exactly alike, combining durability and lightness.
The A02 watch band does not come with a protective case; it is a single band and is very lightweight at only 35g. The asymmetrical perforation design makes the band more distinctive. It is compatible with many Apple Watches with large face sizes and has a wide size range to accommodate most wrist sizes.
Although these two watch bands do not use a magnetic quick-release system, the latches are designed with great precision, with specially customized aluminum closure pins to ensure that the watch remains secure after wearing and is not easy to fall off or get loose.
Conclusion
The iF Design Award for the magnetic quick-release watch band series is the highest recognition of aulumu's original design. Winning this award also signifies that aulumu has gained wider recognition , and its products are gradually evolving from accessories into works of art. Moving forward, aulumu will continue to improve, ensuring both product quality and unique design artistry, creating more high-quality pieces that showcase the aulumu brand.
