I think if/when Apple changes the lug connection mechanism, they probably will make it a clean break and not offer replacement lugs. There are a few reasons for this. First, Apple only sells one type of band with replaceable lugs (the modern buckle), so there is not much incentive for them to make user-replaceable lugs. Hermes represents a tiny amount of additional bands relative to the ones Apple sells. Second, when you swap or replace lugs, it is important to put some locktite on the screws that hold the lugs together (Apple actually does this at the factory). If the user fails to do this or does not do it well, the lug will likely come apart, creating a risk that the watch could fall off the user's wrist.Pardon if this topic has already been discussed, but is anyone putting odds on what the new series 10 watch will be with regards to the lugs? I read that Apple sees the current design as not efficient in the sense that the space for putting the lugs into the watch could be better utilized for internal components and a stronger magnet type (which is more flush with the watch body) would be employed instead.
If that's the case then I'd imagine we could all buy new lugs and replace them (as I'm guessing Apple would want to placate previous buyers by at least offering to sell the new lugs as standalone), and I'm also assuming the horizontal sizing won't change (or won't change drastically), but what I am concerned about is that if they are using the lug space for the new watch design that any new lug type will have to have some sort of magnet that will still have have a depth of it's own (in addition to the space used by the new watch design) -- and therefore there's a good chance the length will be longer for this new design and we'll all be using different holes (or in my case creating new holes since I'm already on the last one🥴).
Lots of assumptions I know, but perhaps some of you have more insight into what might happen next fall. I hope I'm explaining all this correctly.
There just isn't much incentive for Apple to offer replacement lugs, and there is some risk to them by doing so.