Gold Stainless Link Bracelet

[narenh]

I ordered this ($13) rose gold link bracelet from Aliexpress, and it's SHOCKINGLY close to the right finish. It's definitely not 100% perfect, and the clasp mechanism doesn't fold into the band like the real link bracelet (it includes what looks like a SIM ejector to remove/add links). But so far, it's the best gold band I've found. I think this'll hold me over until URVOI makes a gold with the proper butterfly clasp (though I still wish there existed upscale luxury bands for the gold instead of cheap knockoffs).

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/FOH...089.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.52c34c4d1I2ZGF

 

[smartboy87]

I ordered this ($13) rose gold link bracelet from Aliexpress, and it's SHOCKINGLY close to the right finish. It's definitely not 100% perfect, and the clasp mechanism doesn't fold into the band like the real link bracelet (it includes what looks like a SIM ejector to remove/add links). But so far, it's the best gold band I've found. I think this'll hold me over until URVOI makes a gold with the proper butterfly clasp (though I still wish there existed upscale luxury bands for the gold instead of cheap knockoffs).

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/FOH...089.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.52c34c4d1I2ZGF

How long it took to receive it ?

 

[seatton]

That looks very great. Could you keep us posted after a couple weeks if you still like the band? I ordered a third-party link bracelet once from Alibaba. It was awesome during the first week, but then it fell apart. I ended up getting an OEM band instead afterwards. Unfortunately, there is no OEM SS band for the new gold color and I am considering this.

 

[FriendlyMackle]

I ordered this ($13) rose gold link bracelet from Aliexpress, and it's SHOCKINGLY close to the right finish. It's definitely not 100% perfect, and the clasp mechanism doesn't fold into the band like the real link bracelet (it includes what looks like a SIM ejector to remove/add links). But so far, it's the best gold band I've found. I think this'll hold me over until URVOI makes a gold with the proper butterfly clasp (though I still wish there existed upscale luxury bands for the gold instead of cheap knockoffs).

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/FOH...089.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.52c34c4d1I2ZGF

I would also love to hear an update from you as to how well this band is holding out. I have the gold stainless steel and I almost wish I’d gone with the natural silvery steel finish. There are so many steel band choices, including the OEM from which to choose!
I’m a bit frustrated that I can’t find anything nice in a gold tone that approximates that of the watch.

 

[zaneliu]

I would also love to hear an update from you as to how well this band is holding out. I have the gold stainless steel and I almost wish I’d gone with the natural silvery steel finish. There are so many steel band choices, including the OEM from which to choose!
I’m a bit frustrated that I can’t find anything nice in a gold tone that approximates that of the watch.

Honestly, I most want a gold adapter so I can use my old leather band. Guess it shows how difficult Apple's gold manufacturing method is to match by third parties.

 

[FriendlyMackle]

Honestly, I most want a gold adapter so I can use my old leather band. Guess it shows how difficult Apple's gold manufacturing method is to match by third parties.

Or that the market is too small for those that want the current gold stainless steel color. Just due to the lack of nice bands with a truly matching gold-colored hardware, I now wish that I had purchased the classic stainless steel color. Now, if I want to do that I'll need to sell this one (gold) at a loss in order to then purchase a 'standard' steel finish. You'll note that even Hermes, which sells the $1500 bands (leather!) does not offer a gold-tone hardware finish on their bands. So, even for them, they did not consider it to be worth the effort and investment. Especially since Apple CHANGES their gold finish seemingly each generation. While I do think the latest finish is the nicest one, I can see for a third-party manufacturer how this might be less than desirable.

 

[zaneliu]

Or that the market is too small for those that want the current gold stainless steel color. Just due to the lack of nice bands with a truly matching gold-colored hardware, I now wish that I had purchased the classic stainless steel color. Now, if I want to do that I'll need to sell this one (gold) at a loss in order to then purchase a 'standard' steel finish. You'll note that even Hermes, which sells the $1500 bands (leather!) does not offer a gold-tone hardware finish on their bands. So, even for them, they did not consider it to be worth the effort and investment. Especially since Apple CHANGES their gold finish seemingly each generation. While I do think the latest finish is the nicest one, I can see for a third-party manufacturer how this might be less than desirable.

I found an Etsy shop who has recently started selling a gold series 4 adapter. Will follow up

 

[FriendlyMackle]

I found an Etsy shop who has recently started selling a gold series 4 adapter. Will follow up

Please let me know the shop name, and if you order the adapter, how it looks. Thanks!

 

[zaneliu]

Please let me know the shop name, and if you order the adapter, how it looks. Thanks!

This is the product link: https://www.etsy.com/listing/646670...pple-watch-band?ref=shop_home_active_11&frs=1

It’s expensive but apparently it’s taken a lot of R&D to exactly match Apple’s gold finish. The owner is super responsive though. I will update when I receive it

 

[FriendlyMackle]

This is the product link: https://www.etsy.com/listing/646670...pple-watch-band?ref=shop_home_active_11&frs=1

It’s expensive but apparently it’s taken a lot of R&D to exactly match Apple’s gold finish. The owner is super responsive though. I will update when I receive it

Thanks very much!

 

[zaneliu]

Thanks very much!

I got the adapter. It is a near exact color match to the gold which is amazing! Tolerance on screws and adapter parts are really tight. Tolerance to Apple Watch is a bit more loose than an Apple one but still quite good. I’d say I’m very happy to have the adapter.

 

[the future]

I got the adapter. It is an exact color match to the gold which is amazing! Tolerance on screws and adapter parts are really tight. Tolerance to Apple Watch is a bit more loose than an Apple one but still quite good. I’d say I’m very happy to have the adapter.

Could you maybe take a picture so we can see how close the colors match? I‘d like to be sure it‘s worth it before I order these quite expensive adapters ...

 

[zaneliu]

Could you maybe take a picture so we can see how close the colors match? I‘d like to be sure it‘s worth it before I order these quite expensive adapters ...

Sorry, I made the response fairly last minute because of the holiday weekend and getting the package late night. Here's some images:

 

[the future]

Sorry, I made the response fairly last minute because of the holiday weekend and getting the package late night. Here's some images:

View attachment 822771 View attachment 822772

Thanks so much! The match is not perfect, but pretty damn close. It‘ll probably be extremely difficult for anyone but Apple to get a perfect match, I guess. Apple should really sell OEM „Made for Apple Watch“ lugs in all stainless colours, not just silver ...

 

[zaneliu]

Thanks so much! The match is not perfect, but pretty damn close. It‘ll probably be extremely difficult for anyone but Apple to get a perfect match, I guess. Apple should really sell OEM „Made for Apple Watch“ lugs in all stainless colours, not just silver ...

Yeah I noticed as I was taking the photo that it gives off a red hue in certain lighting especially on the lugs. But at other angles it feels like an exact match.

 

[the future]

Yeah I noticed as I was taking the photo that it gives off a red hue in certain lighting especially on the lugs. But at other angles it feels like an exact match.

Yeah, it‘s quite hard to get colours right in pictures, even more so of shiny objects like stainless steel watches ...

 

[the future]

Sorry, I made the response fairly last minute because of the holiday weekend and getting the package late night. Here's some images:

View attachment 822771 View attachment 822772

I now got one set of those adapters as well. Shipping was pretty quick (considering it came from asia) and the colour is quite close to the Gold of the Watch, but for the price they are asking it would need to be perfect IMO. If it was, I would buy 4-5 more sets for my Classic Buckle bands, but as it is I‘ll just keep this one on the Cosmos Blue strap and not bother with the others.

But if anyone finds perfect gold stainless lugs, I‘ll be very happy to hear about it! Actually, I think I‘ll open a separate thread for this hunt ...

 

[holysmokesbatman]

How is the link band holding up?

 

[applewatchcollector]

Sorry, I made the response fairly last minute because of the holiday weekend and getting the package late night. Here's some images:

View attachment 822771 View attachment 822772

That’s a beautiful band. Where from?