Apple leather classic buckle worth?

[Neo999]

Hi Guys,

I am wanted to buy another strap for my Apple watch series 2 SS. I already have the sport and Milanese loop.

How is the leather classic buckle (Black) from Apple?
Is it worth the price or are there better 3rd party ones for that price. Also, how has the band held up over the years for members who own it?

Please provide your suggestions.

 

[44267547]

I really like Apple's leather band. The stitching and quality of leather is what you would expect Apple to put out for a product. I owned a black leather band at one point and it held up really well. There are other third-party competitors on the market that are cheaper, but I don't have a lot experience with them. I do know Nomad is another company that makes a nice leather band, which I have heard good things about, and it's somewhat cheaper than Apple's pricing.

 

[csurfr]

My sapphire blue arrived today and it seems really nice. The leather is soft, and the color is nice. However, I seem to have a problem with it locking into place though. Sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn't.

I'm sure there are plenty of 3rd party options that are much cheaper (read: less than the 170 I spent), that look as good though.

 

[Thai]

Nothing beats Apple CB leather bands in terms of quality, hardware, elegance (fit with overall Apple Watch design cues), and durability.

 

[perezr10]

The Apple band is quite durable. Apple seems to treat the leather so that it's much more resistant to moisture than a cheap eBay band.

 

[Thai]

The Apple band is quite durable. Apple seems to treat the leather so that it's much more resistant to moisture than a cheap eBay band.

Yup: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/classic-buckle-saddle-brown-water-test.1988189/

 

[warburg]

Can you buy a third-party band for the AW that doesn't require an adapter? If so, where would you recommend my looking?

 

[CarlJ]

Can you buy a third-party band for the AW that doesn't require an adapter? If so, where would you recommend my looking?

The thread "Apple Watch Band website source", up at the top of this sub-forum, has links to a few dozen companies that sell bands they make for the Apple Watch, that have the necessary mounting lugs attached or built in. Most, but not all, are leather (often makers of traditional watchbands venturing into Apple Watch territory).

To the thread topic, the original Classic Buckle design I found quite compelling, but Apple only offered it with bright/shiny attachment hardware (band to watch), leaving Space Gray owners out in the cold (a few enterprising folks have done good jobs of replacing the attachments with 3rd party black ones, but I didn't want to undertake that on a brand new $150 band). The newer revision of the Classic Buckle doesn't appeal to me as much, though it may grow on me. The square buckle on the outside stands out a little more, feels perhaps a bit too traditional.

In any case, Apple's materials and assembly are top notch, whether they're worth the price depends on who you're arguing with. I've bought a handful of their Sport Bands and a Leather Loop, and have no regrets.

 

[warburg]

Thanks very much. I'll keep this list.

 

[SoN1NjA]

3rd gen Saddle Brown Classic Buckle owner here

Love it, holds up well (even against water!) and feels premium

Ask any questions if needed

 

[xDKP]

3rd gen Saddle Brown Classic Buckle owner here

Love it, holds up well (even against water!) and feels premium

Ask any questions if needed

I have a Saddle brown as well - magnificent band.

Have tried several Amazon bands and they have all gone back. Apple leather bands are just way better quality and the finish is stunning. It feels premium and matches my suits perfect

 

[SoN1NjA]

I have a Saddle brown as well - magnificent band.

Have tried several Amazon bands and they have all gone back. Apple leather bands are just way better quality and the finish is stunning. It feels premium and matches my suits perfect

I've yet to buy a 3rd party band out of the 7-8 I've purchased, Apple's look the best and hold up well (mostly, a Woven Nylon band I bought got bent really quickly)

 

[xDKP]

I've yet to buy a 3rd party band out of the 7-8 I've purchased, Apple's look the best and hold up well (mostly, a Woven Nylon band I bought got bent really quickly)

I've returned all of them as well. The stitching often sucks and the quality very quickly goes down hill


Odd with your woven - I've used mine a lot and no issues at all. Great quality as well

 

[Thai]

I've yet to buy a 3rd party band out of the 7-8 I've purchased, Apple's look the best and hold up well (mostly, a Woven Nylon band I bought got bent really quickly)

Woven nylon bent? That's what woven bands do! After a few times on your wrist, it bends/curves to your wrist.

 

[SoN1NjA]

Woven nylon bent? That's what woven bands do! After a few times on your wrist, it bends/curves to your wrist.

I know, but it looks cheap as hell
Also didn't like how the band didn't taper, very abrupt connections

The Link Bracelet, Sport Band, Milanese Loop, and Classic Buckle I own all taper when they connect to the watch

 

[xDKP]

I know, but it looks cheap as hell
Also didn't like how the band didn't taper, very abrupt connections

The Link Bracelet, Sport Band, Milanese Loop, and Classic Buckle I own all taper when they connect to the watch

Agree that some kind of taper adapter could have been a nice option for the nylons

 

[Thai]

I know, but it looks cheap as hell
Also didn't like how the band didn't taper, very abrupt connections

The Link Bracelet, Sport Band, Milanese Loop, and Classic Buckle I own all taper when they connect to the watch

But that is what Nylon does! Any other Nylon band do the same. It is fabric-based and held together.

As for tapering, i am not sure how that could be done with Nylon. I THINK none of the 3rd party Nylons taper either...at least those i have seen.

 

[xDKP]

As for tapering, i am not sure how that could be done with Nylon. I THINK none of the 3rd party Nylons taper either...at least those i have seen.

Not with the nylon itself but maybe some kind of adapter that tapers like the sports bands does

 

[SoN1NjA]

Not with the nylon itself but maybe some kind of adapter that tapers like the sports bands does

Yeah haha I'm not an engineer or designer that's their job

 

[csurfr]

I bought the Sapphire Blue a couple of weeks ago, and after the first couple of times where it kind of had an issue locking into the watch, it has been flawless. In fact I liked it so much that I picked up the new Classic Saddle as well. . . My collection seems to be growing at an exorbitant rate. I have all of the new tri-color Woven Nylon, two Classic Buckle, a Milanese Loop, and two sport bands (one white, one platinum Nike).

Anyone care to have an intervention?

 

[Thai]

I tried on the new CB last weekend with the square buckle...pretty nice!! I like the magnetic action of the buckle to sit tight against the band.

 

[xDKP]

I bought the Sapphire Blue a couple of weeks ago, and after the first couple of times where it kind of had an issue locking into the watch, it has been flawless. In fact I liked it so much that I picked up the new Classic Saddle as well. . . My collection seems to be growing at an exorbitant rate. I have all of the new tri-color Woven Nylon, two Classic Buckle, a Milanese Loop, and two sport bands (one white, one platinum Nike).

Anyone care to have an intervention?

I'm with you... I need to take a pause.. In recent times added a black sport, a stainless steel link bracelet, a blue nylon and a Nike band... And still feel like I need the black classic leather buckle ... Damn those bands

 

[csurfr]

I'm with you... I need to take a pause.. In recent times added a black sport, a stainless steel link bracelet, a blue nylon and a Nike band... And still feel like I need the black classic leather buckle ... Damn those bands

I blame you for this. You didn’t intervene and today I bought the light blue Nike band and the pollen sport band.

My shelf of bands is becoming a bit crowded.

 

[CarlJ]

My shelf of bands is becoming a bit crowded.

Only a shelf. Wait 'til it's a room.

 

[csurfr]

Only a shelf. Wait 'til it's a room.

Indeed! It’s getting there quickly, as I’ll probably order the Sunflower Classic Buckle here at some point.