Apple decided to go all red for the year of the monkey. 

They released their Apple Watch sport model in two new finishes – yellow gold aluminum and silver aluminum. Then, they went one step further and paired them with bold red straps for good luck as well as to celebrate the Chinese New Year and the Year of the Monkey. The watches were available in parts of Asia only through February 22.

Let’s look at how Apple is all red for the Year of the Monkey.

What is the Year of the Monkey?

The Year of the Monkey began on February 8, 2016, which is the Chinese New Year. The Year of the Monkey continues until January 27, 2017.

The Monkey is the ninth in the 12-year cycle of the Chinese Zodiac. The last Year of the Monkey was in 2004, and the next one will be in 2028.

Why a monkey? Legend says that in ancient times, Buddha asked all the animals to meet him on the Chinese New Year. Only 12 came, and so Buddha named a year after each one. He told his followers that people born in each animal’s year would bear some of that animal’s traits.

The Chinese zodiac celebrates the monkey as a clever animal. People born under the sign of the monkey are often fun, energetic, curious and mischievous. Yet, other people think the monkey years bring bad luck to those born in the year of the monkey.

What do you think about the claim of bad luck? Here are some famous people born in the year of the monkey: Tom Hanks, Eleanor Roosevelt, Harry Truman, Charles Dickens, Elizabeth Taylor and Will Smith.

Why red? During Chinese New Year celebrations, the people wear red clothing, decorate poems on red paper and give children lucky money in red envelopes.

To the Chinese, red symbolizes fire, and according to legends, fire can drive away bad luck. Additionally, the color red was said to frighten away evil spirits.

Why the Chinese New Year Launch?

Analysts agree that Apple demonstrated the importance of the Chinese market with its launch of the red Apple Watch.

Their move to launch a limited-edition Chinese New Year watch shows how important the growing Chinese market is to tech giant, Apple.

China is one of the world’s largest smartphone markets, and Apple is China’s most popular smartphone brand. Yet, Apple currently faces stiff competition from home-grown smartphone brands. So, it was no surprise when Apple launched a special Apple Watch to meet Chinese demand.

The launch of the red Apple Watch wasn’t solely about China, though. Apple also wants to increase its market share across the Asia-Pacific region, and the Chinese New Year is celebrated throughout Asia. So, they launched the watch in neighboring Asian countries, too.

Apple has sold over one million smart watches in China which represents nearly 25% of the estimated global sales of Apple Watch.

Final Thoughts

If you missed out on the red Apple Sport Watch that was only available in China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore and Taiwan until February 22, you can find the red band for your Sport Watch which is available on the Apple website.

While it isn’t the Apple Watch that’s all red for the Year of the Monkey, it’s a comparable substitute if you’d like a year of good luck and good fortune.

If you have an Apple Watch, or you’re thinking about purchasing one, you’ll want to make sure your Apple Watch is charged and protected with a Studio Proper case. The Watchkeeper protects the Apple Watch while providing a simple and elegant way to charge and travel with your watch.

You’ll enjoy the sleek protective carrying case and charging dock with room for hidden internal cable storage.

Studio Proper iPad, iPhone and Apple Watch products are designed to enhance your technology while increasing your productivity. Our products help simplify your use of your iPad, iPhone and Apple Watch and protect them while you work or play. Visit our website for more great products.