Nostalgia Meets Modern Tech: Spigen’s Retro iMac G3 Apple Watch Stand
Spigen, a popular name in mobile accessories, has just launched a unique addition to its “Classic C1” series. For Apple fans with a love for the past, this new accessory offers a delightful blend of vintage design and modern functionality: an Apple Watch charging stand cleverly crafted to resemble the iconic iMac G3 computer.
Part of a line designed to pay homage to classic Apple products, the Spigen Apple Watch Classic C1 Charger Stand is more than just a place to power up your wearable; it’s a desk or bedside statement piece.
What the Spigen Classic C1 Stand Offers
The Classic C1 stand serves as a dedicated enclosure for your existing Apple Watch magnetic charging puck and cable. Priced at $34.99, it provides a stylish housing for your charging setup. It’s important to note that the stand itself does not contain charging hardware – you’ll need to supply the charging puck that came with your Apple Watch.
The good news is that if your Apple Watch supports fast charging and you use its corresponding fast-charging puck, the Spigen stand will support those quicker charging speeds, ensuring you don’t sacrifice performance for style.
Bringing Back the Iconic iMac G3 Look
The core appeal of the Classic C1 stand lies in its faithful replication of the iMac G3’s distinctive design. This was the revolutionary all-in-one computer launched by Apple in 1998 under the renewed leadership of Steve Jobs, designed by Jony Ive. Known for its vibrant, translucent plastic casing, the iMac G3 was a radical departure from the beige boxes of the era and became a cultural phenomenon, recognized today by institutions like the Smithsonian for its impact on design and technology.
Spigen’s mini rendition captures this essence perfectly:
Faithful Design Details: The stand adopts the signature tilted display angle of the original iMac G3, which conveniently positions your Apple Watch screen for easy viewing of the time or notifications while it charges. The design includes charming molded details on the front, such as a fake disk drive slot and two control buttons.
Vibrant, Classic Colors: Staying true to the iMac G3’s energetic palette, the stand is available with a translucent plastic enclosure in four specific color options: Tangerine, Graphite, Ruby, and Bondi Blue. Bondi Blue, in particular, is instantly recognizable as the debut color of the original iMac G3.
The stand also incorporates practical cable management, allowing you to neatly route the Apple Watch charging cable through the back, mimicking the original computer’s port placement and helping to keep your desk tidy. A non-slip silicone base ensures stability.
Functionality Meets Form: Charging & Compatibility
Beyond its retro charm, the Classic C1 stand is designed for convenience. By holding your Apple Watch at an ergonomic slanted angle, it functions perfectly as a bedside clock or a quick-glance desk display while powering up.
The stand is widely compatible, supporting a broad range of Apple Watch models, including all models from Series 4 onwards, encompassing the Apple Watch SE, SE 2, and both generations of the larger Apple Watch Ultra (49mm). While primarily designed for the Watch, some reports indicate it may even be compatible with certain AirPods charging cases like AirPods 4 (ANC) and AirPods Pro 2, though its design is clearly centered around the wearable.
More Than Just a Charger: A Piece of Apple History
The Spigen Classic C1 stand is more than just a functional accessory; it’s a nod to a pivotal moment in computing history and Apple’s design legacy. It appeals directly to those who remember or appreciate the vibrant, optimistic era ushered in by the iMac G3.
It joins Spigen’s existing C1 range, which includes similarly styled iPhone cases and AirPods cases, allowing fans to build a collection of modern tech accessories infused with classic Apple DNA. Its blend of retro aesthetics and practical use makes it a fun, unique, and potentially great gift idea for longtime Mac enthusiasts or anyone looking to add a touch of playful nostalgia to their tech setup.
Price and Availability
The Spigen Apple Watch Classic C1 Charger Stand is available for purchase. While primarily listed at $34.99, some initial retail listings or sales may have offered it for around $20. It can be found on the official Spigen website and potentially other online retailers like Amazon. Given its unique appeal, demand may be high, with some colors like Ruby reportedly selling out quickly after launch.
