I had to stop using leather bands years ago. Even not exercising, the bands would deteriorate from sweat and within less tan a year, they had to be replaced as the leather was badly deteriorated.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Baltic Blue Leather Link - Piece of Junk
- Thread starter SnappingNeuron
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
I highly recommend the Sport Loop band as a middle ground between workout friendly but more dressed up / better looking than the silicon (elastometer, whatever) Sport Band.
I would reserve the leather band to nights out /meetings, etc. If you workout daily get a sports specific band that will last you years.
I'm currently sporting this one:
It's infinitely adjustable which helps depending on the workout / time of day / current activity, and it's fully washable.
I would reserve the leather band to nights out /meetings, etc. If you workout daily get a sports specific band that will last you years.
I'm currently sporting this one:
It's infinitely adjustable which helps depending on the workout / time of day / current activity, and it's fully washable.
TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️
Suspended
Glad it worked out for you.
So it looks like they’re sending you a new replacement. Do you have to send the old one back?
I’ve had my Baltic blue for many months. I wear it 2-3 days per week and it still looks brand new.……What do you people do? These are dressier bands and shouldn’t be used if you’re sweating or around water or whatever.
The OP band looks like severe water or sweat damage.
The OP band looks like severe water or sweat damage.
It looks like sweat (over time) messed up your band. It doesn't take much.
Last edited:
That was my first thought too. When working out you're better off using the nondescript black silicone one that perfunctorily comes with the watch.
I know that's irritating for anyone who buys ia band thinking it's for all purpose use. But it just isn't reasonable to warranty a watchband (especially of certain materials).
Apple never said anything about "not working out with this band" when I talked to the senior tech rep. In fact they laughed when I mentioned "is it because I worked out too much with the band on". It was a joke to them and just a way to troll people on here.
In fact, my first experience was with the "chat" support and their blanket statement that bands are never warrantied was just a script they were reading, they never saw any pictures of the band, or knew anything about it. Just soon as I mentioned the problem was with the band it was an immediate scripted answer. Not much help.
The senior tech was like obviously you don't want to go swimming in a chlorine pool with it on, and if it's a hermes band you have to deal with hermes directly and not apple. There is a reason some of these bands are no longer for sale, because they don't meet apple's standard for quality.
Searching through this forum it's not the first time this has happened, and it's a real issue and just not using the band and treating it like it's some precious item is not a realistic fix for a product that breaks down in less than a year. It shouldn't be acceptable to anyone.
Last edited:
why workout in a leather band? Especially when Apple sales multiple bands for work outs. Would you also sit in the sauna in your leather dress shoes? Cmon man
If you see one in person you will know it's not real leather. There is a coating on them that is suppose to protect them, but it breaks down very quickly. Mix that with the stress of magnets constantly coming on and off, and it fails. There are other leather bands on the market you can work out with.
This is why you don’t exercise with leather bands, especially if you sweat a lot.
Yes, but that scuffing is the coating on the watch coming off, so it exposes the leather underneath to sweat and salt from daily use, which eventually leads to the leather tearing because of the stess the magnets put on it. It's not suppose to come off so easily. I wouldn't listen to the peanut gallery here saying just to baby it and not use it and that will solve the problem, definitely show this to Apple. I am assuming the new versions will have an improved coating on them.
Only thing is Apple might say it's normal until it actually tears the leather, which it eventually will if you use it normally. It won't if you don't wear it obviously, or treat it like it's a delicate egg but that's your choice to make.
Thank you, I hope you get your bands replaced as well. Keep on Apple, eventually they do the right thing. It really seems to be a common problem with these bands, and most of the people saying otherwise don't even own them...lol
I don't know if I have to send the old one back, I would assume so.
[MOD NOTE]
A number of posts were removed. Please be civil and respectful
MacRumors Rules for Appropriate Debate:
A number of posts were removed. Please be civil and respectful
MacRumors Rules for Appropriate Debate:
I feel that the quality of Apple's cases/straps has declined to the point of them being a ripoff. From the alleged leather of the iPhone 12 cases turning to rubber, to the delaminating and elephant skin effect of the plastic iPad folios. And now this. I'm sure some will claim it's all anecdotal, but the plural of anecdote is data.
I have traditionally always bought first party accessories but recently decided there's much better quality and much better value third party alternatives available, and they last more than a few months without falling apart.
I have traditionally always bought first party accessories but recently decided there's much better quality and much better value third party alternatives available, and they last more than a few months without falling apart.
A common problem? You’re the only one this happened to. Because you aren’t supposed to get leather wet. Why is this such a hard concept to understand?
Yeah, I only use my leather bands when I’m going out with my wife or spending time in an air conditioned office.
In the old days, before inter-changeable bands, people wouldn’t wear their Patek Philippe watch to the gym. They’d take it off and put on their $30 Casio. I think Apple is assuming that most people will treat their bands in a similar fashion. If you’re going for a 5 mile run, remove the leather link and slide on your sport band.
To be fair though, I will admit that the older leather loop bands will take more abuse than the newer leather links.
Last edited:
Ummm the words “Genuine Leather“ are stamped on the inside. Seems rather silly apple would lie about that. Just because it’s coated doesn’t make it any less genuine of leather. They even have it in the product description…
Yes, and it’s funny because my “leather” apple case is getting rubbery now. What’s missing in this thread is that there is no standard as to what can be called “genuine leather” and what that actually means. The people on this forum don’t even own these products but have a big opinion on it like anyone really gives a crap what they think…lol
I have a leather wallet that’s been through the wash multiple times and over 20 years old and looks better than new, same with 3 belts. So it’s not an unreasonable expectation that a leather band can hold up to normal wear.
When talking with Apple, it was a joke to them you can’t get it wet. They expect these bands to last during normal wear and won’t ask for a complete run down of what you did with the band because that would be silly.
I would expect lower standards if I bought it for 9.99 on Amazon, then I could see the point of “not getting it wet” as valid, but this is an expensive band that when you pay that premium from apple it’s for the piece of mind your buying a product that will last and not have design flaws.
In conclusion: if you have this problem with your band let Apple know, and keep on them. It’s not acceptable to them either as they don’t want to sell poor quality products, and things like this they won’t know unless people tell them. They replaced my band, told me to wear it anyway I want, and if I have the problem again to let them know.
When I first bought my leather loop and leather link I looked to see if water proof and I read they were not. One of the revolutionary features of the Apple Watch is the quick change of bands which is one of the reasons why I purchased one. One of the most fun things I have with this watch is choosing which band I’m going to wear. I have several Panerai watches with expensive 300 to 600 dollar leather bands and I would not fathom exercising with one on. Instead I had Dive watch which I would put on…..a beater as they call it.
Daily use on a sweaty wrist is worse than going through the wash a couple of times. Of course Apple thinks ”it’s a joke that you can’t get their leather bands wet”. They get wet when you wash your hands and no ill effects happen.
However, when you wear a leather band every day on a sweaty wrist it’s going to fall apart. That’s normal wear.
Your anecdotal stories about a leather wallet and belt are meaningless because I’ve had the opposite experiences with leather belts and wallets.
The moral of this story is that your wore your leather band a lot so it wore a lot. You complained a lot and Apple gave you a freebie, even though you were ignorant, to bump their customer satisfaction stats.
Learn from this experience and treat your bands better. But even if you don’t, people who read this thread will have learned from your mistakes.
Am i being unreasonable in thinking the paint shouldn't come off of a premium 100 dollar band like this after 7 months?
The whole point of a watch band is too look nice. And this isn't patina, this is paint coming off.
Apple considers this normal wear and wouldn't replace when I called them.
I really love the style of this band, but am I being unreasonable?
The whole point of a watch band is too look nice. And this isn't patina, this is paint coming off.
Apple considers this normal wear and wouldn't replace when I called them.
I really love the style of this band, but am I being unreasonable?
