Can't Seem to Find the Answer to these Things Anywhere (Link Bracelet Replica Questions)

[IphoneIssues]

I was wondering if I could get some help here. I've pretty much decided to pull the trigger on a link bracelet replica. I understand there are different generations of them. Not sure what the difference between the 3rd and 4th are, but I heard the 4th pretty much doesn't have the gap issue?

Looking for sellers on Ebay or Amazon, what are you supposed to be able to see that tells you which generation of bracelet you're looking at? The price points I seem to see are for $39.99, $65.99 and $99.00.

And does anybody know of a black model that doesn't show gaps? That alone may be the most desired answer to any of these questions. The only thing I hate about the gaps is there's silver beneath.

 

[Simche]

I bought a Silver Link Band on eBay, the brand is "Caloics" and is the 3:rd/4:th gen. It basically is a 1:1 copy of the original band but for $80 instead of $500. You can remove links and it has this beautiful butterfly clasp. I don't know how their "black" SS Link band is compared unfortunately, but the overall quality and function + box presentation is good

 

[IphoneIssues]

I bought a Silver Link Band on eBay, the brand is "Caloics" and is the 3:rd/4:th gen. It basically is a 1:1 copy of the original band but for $80 instead of $500. You can remove links and it has this beautiful butterfly clasp. I don't know how their "black" SS Link band is compared unfortunately, but the overall quality and function + box presentation is good

How do you know which gen though? I really can't tell with a lot of these listings.

The problem with the black ss bands seems to be there are gaps and in between the gaps there is silver showing. For the regular SS, it's not really bad, because it's the same color as he band.

 

[andreyirra]

As far as I know the 3 and 4th ge have the 1:1 butterfly clasp but the 3 gen needs a tool to remove the links (has holes on the sides to insert the tool and lacks the removable links buttons) and the 4th gen has removable links like the ones from the Original Link Bracelet.

 

[Simche]

How do you know which gen though? I really can't tell with a lot of these listings.

The problem with the black ss bands seems to be there are gaps and in between the gaps there is silver showing. For the regular SS, it's not really bad, because it's the same color as he band.

I have looked it up and mine's a 4:th gen AKA the same mechanism of removing bands as the orginal. So you puch the oval/round buttons instead of having a separate tool to remove them as in the 3:rd gen...

It's as close as you can get to the real deal and it's wonderfully priced at around $80 (at least when I bought it a month ago)
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As far as I know the 3 and 4th ge have the 1:1 butterfly clasp but the 3 gen needs a tool to remove the links (has holes on the sides to insert the tool and lacks the removable links buttons) and the 4th gen has removable links like the ones from the Original Link Bracelet.

Exactly, thanks. I've got the 4:th gen one, very satisfied and saved about $420

 

[dooku77]

I have looked it up and mine's a 4:th gen AKA the same mechanism of removing bands as the orginal. So you puch the oval/round buttons instead of having a separate tool to remove them as in the 3:rd gen...

It's as close as you can get to the real deal and it's wonderfully priced at around $80 (at least when I bought it a month ago)
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Exactly, thanks. I've got the 4:th gen one, very satisfied and saved about $420

What brand is it?

 

[Simche]

What brand is it?

Caloics

 

[nicho]

What brand is it?

i'm not sure but... does it make a difference? there can't be that many factories making knockoffs in china.

 

[dooku77]

i'm not sure but... does it make a difference? there can't be that many factories making knockoffs in china.

Actually there are so many, it's hard to keep track of. Some offer the same style butterfly buckle and some have some weird closing systems. There's a few who claim that they have the same link removal system also, but it's hard to find actual user reviews for longevity of hardware and color. Even though they are 400 cheaper than factory, 100 is a lot to spend on a band that will fall apart in 1 week. I've heard that Caloics makes a decent link band.

 

[dooku77]

Caloics

Thank you. I'm looking at the black link band from them. Some people say that you can see silver in between the links, but I'll most likely get the Caloics band because of the link removal system.

 

[nicho]

Actually there are so many, it's hard to keep track of. Some offer the same style butterfly buckle and some have some weird closing systems. There's a few who claim that they have the same link removal system also, but it's hard to find actual user reviews for longevity of hardware and color. Even though they are 400 cheaper than factory, 100 is a lot to spend on a band that will fall apart in 1 week. I've heard that Caloics makes a decent link band.

what i mean is they're all the same thing packaged up differently. caloics is the trading name of just another chinese reseller, who likely buys from the same factory as moko/hoco etc.

the only differentiation is really the "gens" which, as you say, give weird closing systems/gaps/different sizing systems etc.

 

[Simche]

Thank you. I'm looking at the black link band from them. Some people say that you can see silver in between the links, but I'll most likely get the Caloics band because of the link removal system.

I do hope the "in-between" parts are black. I'll post some pictures here later today so you can see how it really looks like, it's not easy on eBay when most pictures are from Apple's web...

 

[dooku77]

I do hope the "in-between" parts are black. I'll post some pictures here later today so you can see how it really looks like, it's not easy on eBay when most pictures are from Apple's web...

That's also the other problem. Most of the sellers have these mock up photos or apples photos and it is very difficult to see the actual product. Thanks. Can't wait to see them when you can.

 

[IphoneIssues]

Damn thing stopping me is having heard issues with the bracelet snapping apart...in one video it seems like they were really trying to pull the thing apart. Still concerning though.

 

[loxllxol]

For anyone that has a black link bracelet, how is the color holding up?

 

[srsub3]

mine is keeping good after 1 month of everyday usage. I got it from amazon... it's the moko band

 

[Dino F]

I went into my local Apple Store over the weekend and tried on a genuine link steel bracelet on the 42mm Apple Watch.

I own a replica steel bracelet (from Amazon) and although the genuine and replica look somewhat similar, the main 2 differences I noticed were as follows:

1. The genuine bracelet is ALOT heavier than the replica ones.
2. The genuine bracelet is ALOT thicker than the replica ones.

If it wasn't for the ridiculous extortionate price of the genuine one, I would have bought one on the spot!
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mine is keeping good after 1 month of everyday usage. I got it from amazon... it's the moko band

Yep, same here, that's the one I have as well.

 

[Phima256]

I bought the OULUOQI bracelet and, while almost indistinguishable from Apple's, it is really really stiff. Annoyingly stiff. The company has been really responsive and is checking into it to see if it's just my particular band or not. Links come off like Apple's, no major gaps, no silver showing through (except one), but it actually hurts to wear. Might not be a problem at all for those who don't need most of the links out like I do, but if you do, it's a problem.

Looks like $500, but certainly doesn't feel like it. How much am I willing to pay for that?

I have bought other replicas, but I really like the link look. 4th get bracelets are close, but not the same.

Just afraid that I'll pay $549 and scratch it a week later. Some reviews have been negative of the OEM too.

Contacted an Apple Rep and they said they don't cover the band.

So looks like I'll be wearing my pain in style.