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3 hours with the Classic Buckle (38mm)

S

SethBoy

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jun 23, 2007
219
635
I’m not in one of the launch countries, so I got my Watch by buying it overseas and then having a friend deliver it to me. Without being able to try on, my first pick was the Milanese Loop, but I couldn’t get that in the first range of shipment dates, so I went for the Classic Buckle.

I’m not a watch wearer and I suppose the Classic Buckle is pretty nice, but putting it on and taking it off just once made me feel like I should have stuck with the Milanese one instead. I think the magnetic closure of the Milanese Loop (or the magnetic clasp of the Modern Buckle) would have been so much more convenient. I love the iPad’s Smart Cover and sometimes take it off while using my iPad because it’s so convenient to take off and put on. Feel like I would enjoy doing this with my Watch band, especially when letting my friends try it on.

The Classic Buckle, on the other hand, is decidedly old school and feels clumsy to put on and take off. I even feel like I should have gone for the Sport band instead since that’d be water resistant at least and I could use it for exercise.

I think there are a few Classic Buckle fans here and I wonder what their thoughts are. Seems to me like the Modern buckle would be much nicer — except for the price — simply for the magnetic clasp.

I know there’s an exchange programme but I think I’d have to bring the thing back to HK and then back again. Oh well, hope it grows on me soon.
 
SethBoy said:
I’m not in one of the launch countries, so I got my Watch by buying it overseas and then having a friend deliver it to me. Without being able to try on, my first pick was the Milanese Loop, but I couldn’t get that in the first range of shipment dates, so I went for the Classic Buckle.

I’m not a watch wearer and I suppose the Classic Buckle is pretty nice, but putting it on and taking it off just once made me feel like I should have stuck with the Milanese one instead. I think the magnetic closure of the Milanese Loop (or the magnetic clasp of the Modern Buckle) would have been so much more convenient. I love the iPad’s Smart Cover and sometimes take it off while using my iPad because it’s so convenient to take off and put on. Feel like I would enjoy doing this with my Watch band, especially when letting my friends try it on.

The Classic Buckle, on the other hand, is decidedly old school and feels clumsy to put on and take off. I even feel like I should have gone for the Sport band instead since that’d be water resistant at least and I could use it for exercise.

I think there are a few Classic Buckle fans here and I wonder what their thoughts are. Seems to me like the Modern buckle would be much nicer — except for the price — simply for the magnetic clasp.

I know there’s an exchange programme but I think I’d have to bring the thing back to HK and then back again. Oh well, hope it grows on me soon.
Click to expand...

Clearly you're not a watch wearer. The classic buckle is about as basic as a leather strap as one can imagine and I'm not sure I've ever thought of them as clumsy. And once my watch goes on in the morning, it doesn't come off until bed. Maybe now you're passing it around to your friends, but one day soon it'll stay put on your wrist.

The sport band is actually harder to put on because of the way it tucks back around (at least it was for me when trying it on).
 
xraydoc said:
Clearly you're not a watch wearer. The classic buckle is about as basic as a leather strap as one can imagine and I'm not sure I've ever thought of them as clumsy. And once my watch goes on in the morning, it doesn't come off until bed. Maybe now you're passing it around to your friends, but one day soon it'll stay put on your wrist.

The sport band is actually harder to put on because of the way it tucks back around (at least it was for me when trying it on).
Click to expand...

Well it is definitely not as easy as just wrapping the Milanese Loop around one’s wrist and just closing the strap. I think the bands with magnetic closures/clasps is yet another way Apple has made improvements to traditional watch hardware, much like tool-less adjustment of the Link Bracelet and the easy switching of bands.

Guess I’m just a bit disappointed I picked the more traditional option… Well, it is called “Classic” for a reason.
 
Classic buckle is the most classy, formal band that Apple makes. I'm not a huge fan of the buckle itself, but the leather is nice and will get even nicer once it is broken in.
 
SethBoy said:
Well it is definitely not as easy as just wrapping the Milanese Loop around one’s wrist and just closing the strap.
Click to expand...

The folks that have that band seem to think it's pretty tricky, actually. Check out the thread about the Milanese Loop scratching the SS. The band doesn't stay threaded through on both sides, so you have to thread it while holding it on your wrist - a bit trickier than the classic band.
 
I'm ok with it so far but I don't like the plastic clasp. I guess it's plastic so it doesn't scratch up but it feels cheap.
 
flur said:
Having tried it on today, I beg to differ.

If you don't like it, return it for something else.
Click to expand...

I am. I'm going to get the Milanese instead. I want the leather loop but can't get it for the 38.
 
bidwalj said:
I am. I'm going to get the Milanese instead. I want the leather loop but can't get it for the 38.
Click to expand...

Yeah it's kind of funny, when they first showed the bands I thought the leather loop was ugly, but seeing them in person, they're pretty sharp. Hopefully they'll decide to make them for the 38 down the line.
 
flur said:
Yeah it's kind of funny, when they first showed the bands I thought the leather loop was ugly, but seeing them in person, they're pretty sharp. Hopefully they'll decide to make them for the 38 down the line.
Click to expand...

I'm the same. I didn't even consider it. Looked at one and I actually like it. I even ordered a 42 to see if that loop can work for me.

Aside from the plastic feel, the classic is just cumbersome when I type all day at work and I really don't like the sticky feeling on a warm day. I'm not sure the loop will be any better in that regard. I guess I really need 2 bands.
 
flur said:
The folks that have that band seem to think it's pretty tricky, actually. Check out the thread about the Milanese Loop scratching the SS. The band doesn't stay threaded through on both sides, so you have to thread it while holding it on your wrist - a bit trickier than the classic band.
Click to expand...

I’m not quite sure what you mean by “threaded”. From the videos I’ve seen, people just put their hands through the Loop and then pull on the end to tighten and then just close the loop.

When I put on the buckle, I have to make sure the watch sticks to my wrist while I tug at the leather to make sure I can get a tight fit, and I worry what would happen to the leather in the long run from such tugging and stretching.

----------

One a side note, I think another argument for picking the Milanese Loop is that it is probably a lot more difficult than the Classic Buckle to copy. I think third parties can easily make a Classic Buckle knock off, but not a good Milanese Loop one.
 
SethBoy said:
When I put on the buckle, I have to make sure the watch sticks to my wrist while I tug at the leather to make sure I can get a tight fit, and I worry what would happen to the leather in the long run from such tugging and stretching.
Click to expand...
The leather will age, stretch and wear. It's supposed to.

It's ok not to like the leather buckle, but leather goods are supposed to age and take on patina. It's considered desirable and unique.
 
SethBoy said:
Well it is definitely not as easy as just wrapping the Milanese Loop around one’s wrist and just closing the strap. I think the bands with magnetic closures/clasps is yet another way Apple has made improvements to traditional watch hardware, much like tool-less adjustment of the Link Bracelet and the easy switching of bands.

Guess I’m just a bit disappointed I picked the more traditional option… Well, it is called “Classic” for a reason.
Click to expand...

Actually, the Milanese Loop doesn't come undone. You slip your hand through the loop and then tighten it.

----------
SethBoy said:
[/COLOR]One a side note, I think another argument for picking the Milanese Loop is that it is probably a lot more difficult than the Classic Buckle to copy. I think third parties can easily make a Classic Buckle knock off, but not a good Milanese Loop one.
Click to expand...

Mesh bands are pretty common.
 
KPOM said:
Actually, the Milanese Loop doesn't come undone. You slip your hand through the loop and then tighten it.
Click to expand...


I know that. It still seems a lot more convenient since I can put my hand through the Loop, and use the other hand to fasten and close the Loop magnetically.

Admittedly, I’m getting used to the Classic Buckle now and can put it on pretty quickly, but it still does not feel as convenient or as… magical as something magnetic.


Mesh bands are pretty common.
Click to expand...

I haven’t seen one with a magnetic closure though.
 
KPOM said:
Actually, the Milanese Loop doesn't come undone. You slip your hand through the loop and then tighten it.

----------



Mesh bands are pretty common.
Click to expand...

Stop making guesses. You can undo the Milanese loop.
 
LiemTa said:
Stop making guesses. You can undo the Milanese loop.
Click to expand...

I tried the Milanese Loop band. Maybe it's possible to undo the loop, but it's designed to remain closed. You loosen the loop and slide your hand through it.
 
LiemTa said:
Stop making guesses. You can undo the Milanese loop.
Click to expand...

When I tested it in store, you could, you couldn't undo it all the way. It always stayed in a loop because the magnet part wouldn't thread back through. I liked that feature. With the Leather Loop that's not the case, sadly. You can de-loop it.
 
WilliamG said:
When I tested it in store, you could, you couldn't undo it all the way. It always stayed in a loop because the magnet part wouldn't thread back through. I liked that feature. With the Leather Loop that's not the case, sadly. You can de-loop it.
Click to expand...

I suspect the leather loop will be easier to re-loop.
 
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