A new video posted to YouTube offers a really interesting look at what is being called one of the “rarest Apple products on earth”: the 10-year award. This is a gift that Apple gives to employees after they have crossed this 10-year milestone. It is made from the same aluminum as Apple products, with a stainless steel Apple logo in the center…
10 Year Award for Brand New Aluminum
Video provided by DongleBookPro, one of the best curators of rare and prototype Apple hardware. The video explains that Apple switched to this new aluminum design for its 10th Anniversary Awards around 2020 or 2021. The company has given employees a similar award in the past, but it was made from crystal rather than aluminium. (You can see the previous design below.)
The aluminum used for this award is the same as that used in Apple products. The front features a stainless steel Apple logo with the number “10” engraved on the side, along with the employee's name. You will also receive an Apple Polishing Cloth in the box.
The award note explains the manufacturing process in more detail:
Your 10 Year Award is made from the same 6000 series aluminum we use to make our products. The leftovers from the manufacturing process are collected and reformulated to create a special alloy that is 100% recycled. The alloy is cast into long ingots, then each ingot is cut into blocks, which are machined to final size. The surface is sandblasted and the edges are diamond-cut. The block is then anodized to seal the finish and create a protective layer. Finally, the stainless steel Apple logo is set in the center.
There is also a congratulatory note signed by Apple CEO Tim Cook:
Congratulations on reaching this milestone. The work you've done, the challenges you've faced, and the breakthroughs you've made possible are all significant and lasting contributions to Apple's mission to change the world. a better world.
On behalf of everyone at Apple, thank you for all you have brought to our journey together.
DongleBookPro announces that there are versions of this award. as well as for the 20th and 30th anniversaries. Below is an image captured by 9to5Mac showing a darker 20 year old space gray version next to a 10 year old crystal version.
The full video is definitely worth watching. I have seen a crystal version of this award before, but this is the first time I see a recycled aluminum version. If you know more about this award, you can find my contact information here.
The glass version
Here is a video from 2012 showing the glass version Apple 10 Year Service Awards:
