Apple Sea Blue Classic Buckle with Black Adapters

[JSway]

Hey MacRumors I hope the write up is helpful for those looking to do the same sort of thing. I didn't find any instructions online so I figured I would put together information I gathered from various sources together. I'll try to be clear and thorough but if anything doesn't make sense feel free to ask or message me. I definitely made some mistakes along the way but my mistakes are easy to avoid.

Tools:

• Screwdriver for Apple Classic Buckle: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GY8OJX6/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
• MIFA Space Black Adapter: Adapter: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01BUWKEY8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
• Gel Glue for MIFA Adapter Screws: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000HBM564/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
• Patience

Pictures Before Disassembly:











Steps:

1) Use the Wiha 26762 Screwdriver to remove the Stainless Steel adapter from the Apple Classic Buckle. I would recommend, press and screw, lift the screwdriver, and go to the press and screw method. This IMO ensures that you don't thread the OEM screw in case you want to go back.







2) Insert the MIFA adapter as shown in the pictures below, have the facing leather portion of your band be how you assemble the parts:




3) Cover the screws one by one with the Gel Glue (this is honestly the hardest part, read the mistakes section below)



4) Assemble the strap with the provided screwdriver. I would recommend the press and screw method as the screw driver included is pretty easy to break.



5) Clean excess glue with a dry paper towel.

6) Let the glue dry overnight before use with the Apple watch. This is just me being be cautious.

Mistakes and Lessons:

Assemble the MIFA adapter as shown in the pictures, this will ensure:

1. No silver color is exposed
2. The band isn't installed backwards as shown below. All rubber parts on the band must be facing in the direction of the leather band:
3. The gel glue was the worst part, I would dip the screw holes in the adapters with a tooth pick or a cotton swap by removing the excess cotton and then inserting the screw.

Final Product:




https://imgbb.com/

 

[pcall1128]

write up tommorrow when I let the glue dry up! But here are some pics to get interest started.

Ahhh you did it!! Looks fantastic. Are the edges of the band painted almost black? It matches the lugs great

 

[timize]

How did you replace the stainless steel clasp? I was able to find some nice space black adapters, but haven't had any luck finding a space black clasp.

 

[pcall1128]

How did you replace the stainless steel clasp? I was able to find some nice space black adapters, but haven't had any luck finding a space black clasp.

The clasp is permenant, you'll just have get used to that. As far as I know, aside from painting it black, there's no way to replace the clasp...

 

[Thai]

How did you replace the stainless steel clasp? I was able to find some nice space black adapters, but haven't had any luck finding a space black clasp.

IF you find a way to replace the clasp, tell me! I have tried every watch tool to get the "pin" out. I have a nice buckle that i want to use with the Saddle Brown leather band.

 

[pcall1128]

Nice tutorial. This should be made a sticky, a good number of people probably wonder about doing this.

 

[JSway]

Nice tutorial. This should be made a sticky, a good number of people probably wonder about doing this.

I think I'll be adding a tutorial in this thread for the spring adapter from Clockwork Synergy. I reached out to their customer service yesterday to see if I could purchase items at their office since it's 35 minutes away from my house. They informed me that they'll be releasing 42 MM Adapters that accept bands up to 22mm. Their current one accepts up to 24 mm. I think for the Classic Buckle the 22 mm would be better.

 

[xDKP]

Nice tutorial. This should be made a sticky, a good number of people probably wonder about doing this.

In the year I had my Space Black SS watch - this damn this was one of the most noticeable things missing from Apples strap line-up - some Space Black love!

 

[SoN1NjA]

It looks nicer, however I don't think the band matches the watch

The Black Classic buckle would have made much better

 

[pcall1128]

It looks nicer, however I don't think the band matches the watch

The Black Classic buckle would have made much better

Black and blue go together great in my opinion. I would be bored out of my skull just wearing all black all the time, no offense. Colors make the Watch more exciting.
[doublepost=1488238268][/doublepost]

I think I'll be adding a tutorial in this thread for the spring adapter from Clockwork Synergy. I reached out to their customer service yesterday to see if I could purchase items at their office since it's 35 minutes away from my house. They informed me that they'll be releasing 42 MM Adapters that accept bands up to 22mm. Their current one accepts up to 24 mm. I think for the Classic Buckle the 22 mm would be better.

Here's some pics of my Marine Blue CB. I just got it and it's an amazing color. Definitely different then the sea blue, and for the life of me I can't figure out why this color looks different in every picture I see it in!!

 

[Binarymix]

I would like to do this with a black classic buckle I bought.

We need to figure out how to get that buckle pin to release, then we could swap out the black nylon black buckle and have a complete black ensemble.

 

[pcall1128]

I would like to do this with a black classic buckle I bought.

We need to figure out how to get that buckle pin to release, then we could swap out the black nylon black buckle and have a complete black ensemble.

I have a feeling that buckle is either glued in there or tied in somehow. I would actually be really interested in seeing a tear down of the Apple bands, mainly CB and leather loop.

 

[Thai]

I have a feeling that buckle is either glued in there or tied in somehow. I would actually be really interested in seeing a tear down of the Apple bands, mainly CB and leather loop.

It is a pin...and my guess spring-loaded. But, unlike other pins, there are no raised serrations for me to grab with my tools to pull back the pin. One day, i will just use pliers to cut the buckle...very tempting...but damn, the buckle is so nicely designed.

 

[pcall1128]

It is a pin...and my guess spring-loaded. But, unlike other pins, there are no raised serrations for me to grab with my tools to pull back the pin. One day, i will just use pliers to cut the buckle...very tempting...but damn, the buckle is so nicely designed.

Can you actually see it? I had no idea.

 

[Thai]

Can you actually see it? I had no idea.

Yes! That's the frustrating part...i see it but i can't get to it easily! Damn Apple!

 

[JSway]

Update to this, removing the adapter is a HUGE pain. I stripped the screws and the screw driver since they are so cheap, there was no easy way of removing the adapter from the strap besides using wire cutters.

I got an adapter from Clockwork and will be using those. The Apple Classic buckle is a bit bigger than 22mm, so make sure the adapter you get accommodates at least up to 24 mm. This way I have one adapter and various bands.

 

[TorontoSS]

This is such a great thread thank you so much for posting it.

I have a question though. You note a lot of patience, how difficult was it? Can a normal person do this?! Will I ruin the leather band by doing this?

Do you HAVE to use glue?

Thanks!

 

[Pennypacker83]

I actually really like the look of the Classic Buckle in Midnight Blue with the standard Stainless Steel adapters on my Space Grey Aluminium. I receive compliments all the time. You do notice the difference, but in a good way, I think. Changing the adapters seems like a lot of trouble, especially if you plan to change them back in the near future, but it does look good!

 

[JSway]

This is such a great thread thank you so much for posting it.

I have a question though. You note a lot of patience, how difficult was it? Can a normal person do this?! Will I ruin the leather band by doing this?

Do you HAVE to use glue?

Thanks!

Sorry for the late reply! It wasn’t difficult at all. The hardest part was screwing the new adapter to the band because the screws were ruined easily and the screw driver was cheap. So it required patience to make sure not to strip either.

I used glue per recommendation from reading another thread on this forum. I would use the glue due to the fact that the third party adapter was not high quality. So there is always the chance it can fall apart.

 

[bluespark]

This looks *amazing.* Nice work, OP.

 

[MrGimper]

Nicely done

I have the Marine Blue and it's a stunning colour. I also have the black and Storm Grey. I think the grey would look awesome with the black watch.

 

[JSway]

For those who are wondering about an update. I removed the Space Black 3rd parry adapter and put the apple strap in a Clockwork Synergy adapter that can fit up to 22mm. The apple band is 23mm so it does get squeezed in there. This is a spring loaded adapter, so no fuss with glue or anything.

 

[jags828]

For those who are wondering about an update. I removed the Space Black 3rd parry adapter and put the apple strap in a Clockwork Synergy adapter that can fit up to 22mm. The apple band is 23mm so it does get squeezed in there. This is a spring loaded adapter, so no fuss with glue or anything.

Unless they changed the adapter recently, that Clockwork Synergy adapter won’t fit the new series 4 models. I have a band from them with that same style adapter and had to remove the strap and use a different adapter for it to fit my SBSS 44mm Series 4.

 

[JSway]

Unless they changed the adapter recently, that Clockwork Synergy adapter won’t fit the new series 4 models. I have a band from them with that same style adapter and had to remove the strap and use a different adapter for it to fit my SBSS 44mm Series 4.

Interesting to know. Do you have a link to the adapter you purchased that works for your series 4 that works?

 

[jags828]

Interesting to know. Do you have a link to the adapter you purchased that works for your series 4 that works?

I used the ones from your original post. They fit fine. I had to break the clockwork synergy ones off and used the band with those adapters linked below.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01BUWKEY8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1