This thread contains guidelines and pictures for helping people determine if a band is a genuine OEM Apple band or a fake. Early on in the run of the Apple Watch, it was really easy to tell these two apart. However, better fakes have been popping up in recent years, making it harder to spot them. This guide is organized by band type and also has a few tips for spotting eBay/Mercari listings that try to pass off a fake band as genuine.
LAST UPDATED: September 20, 2022
General Buying Advice for eBay/Mercari/etc.
While buying directly from Apple or reputable resellers like Best Buy and Amazon are obviously the best way to ensure you get a genuine band, you can find genuine bands at a huge discount on sites like eBay if you are patient. Unfortunately, these sites are rife with scammers trying to pass off cheap fakes as genuine bands. While you should check the sections below to evaluate the band itself, here are a few guidelines for evaluating the listing.
| Signs the listing is for a Genuine Apple Band | Signs the listing is for a Fake Band |
|---|
- The seller posts pictures of the actual band being sold from multiple angles that clearly show all the markings.
- If the band is new, the seller posts pictures of the actual box, both front and back.
- Seller writes a real description of the band and its condition rather than using the generic pre-populated eBay wording.
- Seller responds to questions when asked and is not evasive.
- Seller has established feedback and seems to be a real person or store that consistently resells genuine Apple items.
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- The seller only uses Apple’s marketing pictures in the listing and refuses to post real pictures if asked.
- NOTE: Stock images in the listing is not a big deal on its own. But, the seller refusing to post real images after being asked is a big red flag.
- Seller uses (non-stock) pictures taken identical to another listing. Google image search can help catch these.
- Seller does not include a description, the description is just the generic eBay language, or the description is deceptively worded to try and confuse the reader.
- The listing contains the words “replacement band”.
- Seller does not respond to questions or responds by restating information in the listing rather than answering the question asked.
- Seller has little or no feedback, or the feedback is very recent and all from a single user.
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Sport Band
Sport Bands are the most commonly faked bands because they are so popular. Luckily, they are also the easiest to tell apart from the genuine bands because the fakes are often made of a completely different material.
| Signs the band is Genuine Apple | Signs the band is a Fake |
|---|
- The color of the connectors (the 3 indenting parts that click into the watch on the lugs) matches the color of the band itself. This is the quickest way to spot a fake.
- The underside of the strap with the pin is marked with the watch case size (38/40/41 mm or 42/44/45 mm) in a circle near the lugs.
- The underside of the straps with the holes are marked "S/M" or "M/L" in a circle.
- The words “Assembled in China” are marked on the edge of the M/L strap for 42/44/45 mm bands and on the edge of the S/M strap for 38/40/41 mm bands.
- This likely has changed as of Fall 2022 since Apple has stopped selling all 3 pieces with sport bands in the US.
- Made of fluoroelastomer and have a different feel from non-OEM silicone bands.
- There is no Apple logo anywhere on the band
- Bands made prior to Fall 2022 include both the S/M and M/L hole pieces in the box.
- Starting in Fall 2022, US sport bands only come with either the S/M or M/L piece (not both - thanks Tim Apple)
- Fall 2022 bands sold outside of the US continue to have both S/M and M/L pieces.
- Some newer ones have serial numbers inscribed in one of the connectors (see thread), but the oldest ones (2015-early 2016) don't.
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- The connectors are black instead of matching the color of the band.
- The middle connector is made of metal instead of plastic.
- The band is made of silicone (will feel different and collect lint) instead of fluoroelastomer.
- There are no markings for case size or band size (i.e. S/M or M/L).
- No markings for "Assembled in China" and no S/N in one of the pins.
- NOTE: If your band does not have a serial number but has all the other signs of a genuine band, it is probably genuine.
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Nike Sport Band
Nike Sport Bands get their own section because, while they share mostly the same characteristics as the regular sport bands, there are a few key differences to be aware of when trying to figure out if a band is genuine.
| Signs the band is Genuine Apple | Signs the band is a Fake |
|---|
- The color of the connectors (the 3 indenting parts that click into the watch on the lugs) is black, with only a few exceptions. This means you can't use the connector color to spot fakes for Nike bands.
- The underside of the strap with the pin is marked with "
 WATCH|Nike Swoosh" branding.
- Older bands will have a "+" after the Nike Swoosh
- The color of this marking often does not match the colors of the band.
- The edge of the lug on the strap with the pin is marked with the watch case size (38/40/41 mm or 42/44/45 mm) with no circle.
- The underside of the straps with the holes are marked "S/M" or "M/L" in a circle.
- The words “Assembled in China” are marked on the edge of the M/L strap for 42/44/45 mm bands and on the edge of the S/M strap for 38/40/41 mm bands.
- Made of fluoroelastomer and have a different feel from non-OEM silicone bands.
- Bands made prior to Fall 2022 include both the S/M and M/L hole pieces in the box.
- Starting in Fall 2022, US sport bands only come with either the S/M or M/L piece (not both - thanks Tim Apple)
- Fall 2022 bands sold outside of the US continue to have both S/M and M/L pieces.
- Some newer ones have serial numbers inscribed in one of the connectors (see thread), but the oldest ones don't.
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- The band is made of silicone (will feel different and collect lint) instead of fluoroelastomer.
- The middle connector is made of metal instead of plastic.
- There is no "WATCH|Nike Swoosh" branding.
- There are no markings for case size or band size (i.e. S/M or M/L).
- No markings for "Assembled in China" and no S/N in one of the pins.
- NOTE: If your band does not have a serial number but has all the other signs of a genuine band, it is probably genuine.
- The band is in a funky color scheme that was never actually released (check the Bandbrite app for a full list of OEM bands).
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Sport Loop
Sport Loops are among the easiest to fake. The genuine Apple bands do not have many identifying marks and the nylon weaves are easy to reproduce. Still, it is possible spot a fake if you look carefully.
| Signs the band is Genuine Apple | Signs the band is a Fake |
|---|
- The color of the connectors (the 3 indenting parts that click into the watch on the lugs) is black, with a few exceptions.
- The velcro patches are aligned, evenly spaced, and run most of the width of the band.
- The loop where the band folds over is just wide enough to allow the band to pass through. There is not a lot of extra room to allow the band to wiggle left and right.
- The underside of the strap on the end of the loop opposite of the velcro is marked with the watch case size (38/40/41 mm or 42/44/45 mm) in a circle near the lugs.
- WARNING: A few fakes have popped up that also have this marking. It is not common but look for other signs before deciding your band is genuine.
- The words “Assembled in China” are marked on the edge of the lug opposite the velcro.
- There is no Apple logo anywhere on the band
- Some newer ones have serial numbers inscribed in one of the connectors (see thread), but the oldest ones don't.
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- The middle connector is made of metal instead of plastic.
- The velcro patches are sloppy (unevenly spaced), off center, and/or smaller.
- The loop where the band folds over is too big and the band has room to wiggle. Also the plastic of the loop might be really thin.
- There are no markings for case size (though some fakes have them).
- No markings for "Assembled in China" and no S/N in one of the pins.
- NOTE: If your band does not have a serial number but has all the other signs of a genuine band, it is probably genuine.
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Nike Sport Loop
Nike Sport Loops have a few extra identifiers that make it easier to tell them apart from the knockoff bands.
| Signs the band is Genuine Apple | Signs the band is a Fake |
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- The color of the connectors (the 3 indenting parts that click into the watch on the lugs) is black, with a few exceptions.
- All bands made from Spring 2019-Fall 2021 have reflective threads that are clearly visible in sunlight or under bright directional lighting (like a flashlight). A few of the 2018 bands also have reflective threads.
- The velcro patches are aligned, evenly spaced, and run most of the width of the band.
- The band is marked with "WATCH|Nike Swoosh" branding right below the velcro patches.
- Older bands will have a "+" after the Nike Swoosh
- The color of this marking often does not match the colors of the band.
- The loop where the band folds over is just wide enough to allow the band to pass through. There is not a lot of extra room to allow the band to wiggle left and right.
- The underside of the strap on the end of the loop opposite of the velcro is marked with the watch case size (38/40/41 mm or 42/44/45 mm) in a circle near the lugs.
- WARNING: A few fakes have popped up that also have this marking. It is not common but look for other signs before deciding your band is genuine.
- The words “Assembled in China” are marked on the edge of the lug opposite the velcro.
- Some newer ones have serial numbers inscribed in one of the connectors (see thread), but the oldest ones don't.
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- The middle connector is made of metal instead of plastic.
- There are no reflective threads on a band that should have them.
- The velcro patches are sloppy (unevenly spaced), off center, and/or smaller.
- No "WATCH|Nike Swoosh" branding below the velcro patches.
- The loop where the band folds over is too big and the band has room to wiggle. Also the plastic of the loop might be really thin.
- There are no markings for case size (though some fakes have them).
- No markings for "Assembled in China" and no S/N in one of the pins.
- NOTE: If your band does not have a serial number but has all the other signs of a genuine band, it is probably genuine.
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Woven Nylon
The Woven Nylon line was discontinued back in late 2018. However, they were heavily copied and there are still plenty floating around on eBay.
| Signs the band is Genuine Apple | Signs the band is a Fake |
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- The side of the band with the holes has "WOVEN NYLON" stamped on the underside near the lug.
- The side of the band with the buckle has the watch case size (either 38 or 42mm) stamped on the underside near the lug.
- Lugs are color-matched plastic.
- Clasp is stainless steel (or black SS) and matches the buckle of the 1st-3rd gen classic buckles.
- Band is glued into the lugs and into the buckle. No stitching is visible at either end.
- Some woven bands have serial numbers inscribed in one of the connectors (see thread).
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- Markings are missing.
- Band is attached via bar-style lugs similar to those found on the Modern and Classic buckle lines.
- Different clasp style and/or the clasp is sewn rather than glued on
- Band material feels rough to the touch
- Keeper looks loose or oversized
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Solo Loop
Solo loops were a new addition to Apple's lineup starting with the Series 6 in Fall 2020. They are made of silicone, which makes them harder to tell apart from the fakes.
| Signs the band is Genuine Apple | Signs the band is a Fake |
|---|
- 40/41 mm or 44/45 mm is stamped on the lug edge.
- Band Size (1-12) in is stamped a circle on the end of the lug.
- Stretchy. Made of silicone and feel different from Sport Bands which are made of fluoroelastomer.
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- Only available in a few sizes (e.g. S, M, L) rather than the numbered sizes used by Apple.
- Missing the size markings on the band.
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Braided Solo Loop
The Braided Solo Loops were another new addition to Apple's lineup starting with the Series 6 in Fall 2020. The woven yarn weave is easily reproduced, which makes them harder to tell apart from the fakes. However, very few fakes reproduce how Apple does the lugs on these bands, which can make fakes easier to spot.
| Signs the band is Genuine Apple | Signs the band is a Fake |
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- The lugs are made of metal and go over the weave.
- The weave of the band gets wider as it gets to the lugs (like the sport bands do so that it looks like the band is coming together organically with the watch)
- 40/41 mm or 44/45 mm along with a numerical size marking (1-12) is laser etched in on the metal edge of one of the lugs.
- Assembled in China is etched on the other lug.
- Because of how they are made, the braided solo loops are not quite as wide as the width of the Apple Watch.
- Because of this, you may notice that you can see a bit of the inside of the lug channel on either side of the band when it is attached to your watch. This is normal and NOT a sign the band is fake.
- Starting with Series 7 (41/45mm markings) the weave is more dense and metallic looking and the bands have a better tensile strength.
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- The band has plastic lugs
- The woven part of the band is a constant width and does get wider at the lugs
- Missing the laser etching on the lugs
- The weave pattern looks different from the Apple bands
- The band looks like a textile band but is made of silicone (no joke, there are actually a ton of these out there)
- Only available in a few sizes (e.g. S, M, L) rather than the numbered sizes used by Apple.
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Leather Loops
Leather Loops were available from 2015-2021. The band seemed to be challenging to make, which means there aren't a ton of fakes out there. Genuine Leather Loops only fit the 42/44 mm watches.
| Signs the band is Genuine Apple | Signs the band is a Fake |
|---|
- The long piece of the band has the following markings stamped on the underside near the lug:
- The band size (either M or L) inscribed in a circle.
- The words “NATURAL LEATHER” and the leather symbol below the band size marking
- The short piece of the band has the watch case size (either 42 or 44 mm) stamped on the underside near the lug.
- The words "Assembled in China" are stamped on the edge of the metal connector on the long piece of the band.
- The official Leather Loop is only available in 42/44 mm sizes.
- Leather feels soft.
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- Markings are not present.
- The leather feels stiff or cheap.
- Sized to fit a 38/40 mm watch
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Leather Modern Buckle
Like the Leather Loop, the leather Modern Buckle is one of the oldest bands in Apple's lineup. The design is not as complicated, which makes it easier to fake.
| Signs the band is Genuine Apple | Signs the band is a Fake |
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- The adjustable piece of the band with the bottom portion of the clasp has the following markings stamped on the underside near the lug:
- The band size (either S, M or L) inscribed in a circle.
- The words “NATURAL LEATHER” and the leather symbol below the band size marking
- The piece of the band with the top portion of the buckle has the watch case size (either 38 or 40 mm) stamped on the underside near the lug.
- The words "Assembled in China" are stamped on the edge of one of the lugs.
- The inside of the top portion of the clasp is engraved with the words “316L STAINLESS STEEL”.
- The clasp is attached to the leather using pentalobe screws.
- The official Modern Buckle is only available in 38/40 mm sizes.
- Leather feels soft.
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- Markings are not present.
- The leather feels stiff or cheap.
- Designed to fit a 42/44 mm watch
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Leather Link
Another new addition in 2020 that ended up replacing the Leather Loop. Unlike the Leather Loop, the Leather Link is available for both watch sizes.
| Signs the band is Genuine Apple | Signs the Band is a Fake |
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- Band has dyed leather on the outside and tan leather on the underside.
- Has a case size (40 or 44mm) marking stamped on the underside of one piece of the band.
- Has "Natural Leather" and the leather symbol on the underside of the other piece.
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- Band is only a single color on both the outside and underside.
- Markings are missing from the underside of the band.
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Leather Classic Buckle
This style was discontinued in late 2018, likely to remove competition with the Hermes leather bands. However, there are still quite a few in circulation on eBay and other platforms. Also, the Classic Buckle went through 4 different designs, making spotting fakes harder.
| Signs the band is Genuine Apple | Signs the band is a Fake |
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- Identifying which band generation you have:
- Gen 1: Band is a single color on both front and back and there is no stitching. Oval shaped buckle is attached to the band with a spring bar that is hidden inside the clasp itself. The end of the piece with the holes is squared off. Markings are stamped on rather than embossed. Only ever available in Black (and Midnight Blue with Edition watches, which will have gold hardware in place of silver.)
- Gen 2: Band has colored leather on the outside and tan leather on the underside. The band has a filleted line that runs parallel to the edge of the band but there is no stitching. Oval shaped buckle is attached to the band with a spring bar that is hidden inside the clasp itself. The end of the piece with the holes is rounded. Markings are embossed rather than stamped. Only ever sold in Black and Saddle Brown.
- Gen 3: Exactly the same as Gen 2 except color-matched stitching has been added running around the edge of the band. Available in multiple colors that changed seasonally.
- Gen 4: Band styling is the same as Gen 3. However, the oval clasp has been replaced by a larger square clasp. The new clasp features a spring action.
- The long piece of the band with the adjustment holes has the words “NATURAL LEATHER” and the leather symbol on the underside near the lug.
- On gen 1 bands, this marking is stamped on in white.
- On gen 2-4, the marking is embossed into the leather
- The short piece of the band with the clasp has the watch case size (either 42 or 44mm) stamped (gen 1) or embossed (gen 2-4) on the underside near the lug.
- The words "Assembled in China" are stamped on the edge of one of the lugs.
- OEM buckles on gen 1-3 are attached directly to the leather, not embedded within it. If the leather goes over the buckle and a full oval cannot be seen, the band is fake. gen 4 classic buckles are exempt from this, as they feature a square buckle in place of the oval buckle.
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- The buckle style is one of the biggest giveaways. Fake bands will usually use a buckle that looks like it came from a mechanical watch. Very few will try to match the buckle on the genuine band.
- Band lacks the size and leather markings.
- Looks like a 2nd-4th gen band but is missing the stitching or the leather is the same color on both the outside and underside.
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Milanese Loop
One of the most popular styles of band for the Apple Watch, the Milanese Loop is also routinely copied. Pay close attention if buying one second hand.
| Signs the band is Genuine Apple | Signs the band is a Fake |
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- The case size (38/40/41 mm or 42/44/45 mm) is engraved on the underside of the non-loop lug.
- "Stainless Steel" is engraved on the underside of the loop that the band passes through.
- "Assembled in China" is stamped on the edge of the lug opposite the case marking.
- The edge of the magnetic clasp has a small indentation for your fingernail to make the band easier to take off.
- On most genuine Milanese Loops, the magnetic clasp cannot be pulled through the loop lug.
- However, there was a period in 2018-2019 where the Milanese Loop was made so that the magnet could be pulled through the loop and the band would come apart so the watch could be used with AirPower.
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- Engraved/stamped markings are not present.
- The coating wears off easily if it is a black or gold band.
- The band is offered in funky colors like bright blue, red, or even metallic rainbow.
- The magnetic clasp is a half-dome or circular shape.
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Link Bracelet
There are quite a few knockoff link bracelets floating around out there because Apple's version is so, so expensive. It is pretty easy to spot the fakes though.
| Signs the band is Genuine Apple | Signs the band is a Fake |
|---|
- The links are removed with buttons on the inside of the band. No tools are needed.
- NOTE: Some third party link bracelets use this button mechanism. Look for other markings as well before deciding your band is genuine.
- "316L Stainless Steel" is engraved on the inside of the clasp.
- 38mm or 42mm is engraved in a circle on the inside of the clasp.
- "Assembled in China" is stamped on one lug edge.
- Newer link bracelets have a serial number in the lug but older ones do not.
- Only publicly offered in Silver and Space Black
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- Links must be removed with a tool.
- No markings on the band.
- Offered in other colors like gold.
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Hermes Leather
Be very careful when buying Hermes bands used (or even new) from sites like eBay and Mercari. There already exists an whole industry of fakes for Hermes bags and this has extended to their Apple Watch bands. The high (for Apple) sticker price of an Hermes band also makes faking them more worthwhile to scammers and means the fakes are better quality than for other bands. Some fakes even reproduce the markings found on the genuine bands. To make matters worse, if you buy the band direct from Hermes, it comes in an
unsealed and unmarked Hermes orange box tied with a ribbon. So, it is trivially easy for a scammer to put a fake band in genuine Hermes packaging. Hermes bands bought from Apple are sold with sticker on back of the box identifying the band and then the whole box is sealed in plastic.
| Signs the band is Genuine Hermes | Signs the band is a Fake |
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- The surest way to tell is to buy the band still sealed in plastic. Check the pictures to make sure the band is the one the seller is advertising.
If you are buying a loose band or one that is new but was bought from Hermes (and therefore was never sealed to begin with), look for the following markings.
- The edges of both metal connector lugs should have "Made for Apple Watch" laser etched on them.
- The underside of the piece of the strap with the holes should have "HERMES PARIS BRACELET MADE IN FRANCE" embossed in the leather near the end where the band comes to a point.
- The underside of the piece of the strap with the clasp should have a series of letters and numbers embossed in the leather. The first letter identifies the year the band was manufactured and the rest identify the workshop and artisan who made the band.
- The year of manufacture can be used as a check if the band is genuine. If the the year code does not match when the band was available, it may be fake.
- Older bands (2018 and earlier) have a size marking (38/40/42/44MM) embossed higher up on the strap near the lug. Newer bands omit this marking.
- The underside of the clasp itself should have "STAINLESS STEEL" engraved on it.
- There should be visible stitching on the underside of the keeper loop.
- The shape of the clasp is NOT a good indicator of a fake. Hermes seems to either make the clasps by hand or source them from several suppliers. So there are subtle variations in the thickness and shape of the clasp between individual bands.
Note that there have been fakes that have reproduced nearly all of these markings. If you are unsure, compare the band with others on eBay. If the one you are looking at is an outlier, it's probably a fake.
If you have the band in hand, look for the following characteristics
- The leather is very supple. It drapes naturally around your wrist and does not need a break in period.
- The stitching should be close to the edge of the band and should be mostly uniform. However, stitching may not be absolutely perfect (these are made by hand after all)
- If you look closely at where the leather wraps around the lug bars and the clasp, you may notice slight variations/imperfections that indicate the band was made by hand. That's a good thing!
Also, sellers routinely misrepresent the condition of a band by listing it as New or Open Box when it clearly has been used. This is (weirdly) actually a good sign the band is genuine. But, be sure to look closely at the pictures in the listing so that you know what you are getting.
Year Codes
2014 - R (AW Hermes wasn't available until 2015 but it is possible some bands were made in 2014)
2015 - T
2016 - X
2017 - A
2018 - C
2019 - D
2020 - Y
2021 - Z
2022 - U
2023 - B |
- Band is missing any of the markings of a genuine band
- Leather is stiff or thick
- Stitching looks too uniform (like it was done by machine)
- Stitching sits too far away from the edges of the band.
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Hermes Jumping Single Tour
This is a newer style of Hermes band introduced in Spring 2021. But, it carries a price almost as high as the Hermes leather bands. So, all the warnings for buying the leather bands off of eBay apply here too. The good news here is that fakes are a bit easier to spot. As with the leather bands, if you buy the band direct from Hermes, it comes in an
unsealed and unmarked Hermes orange box tied with a ribbon. Jumping single tour bands bought from Apple are sold with sticker on back of the box identifying the band and then the whole box is sealed in plastic.
| Signs the band is Genuine Hermes | Signs the band is a Fake |
|---|
- The surest way to tell is to buy the band still sealed in plastic. Check the pictures to make sure the band is the one the seller is advertising.
If you are buying a loose band or one that is new but was bought from Hermes (and therefore was never sealed to begin with), look for the following markings.
- The edges of both metal connector lugs should have "Made for Apple Watch" laser etched on them.
- The underside of the piece of the strap with the holes should have "HERMES PARIS BRACELET MADE IN FRANCE" embossed in the nylon near the end where the band comes to a point.
- The underside of the piece of the strap with the clasp does not have any embossing.
- The underside of the clasp itself should have "STAINLESS STEEL" engraved on it.
- There should be visible stitching on the underside of the keeper loop.
- The shape of the clasp is NOT a good indicator of a fake. Hermes seems to either make the clasps by hand or source them from several suppliers. So there are subtle variations in the thickness and shape of the clasp between individual bands.
If you have the band in hand, look for the following characteristics
- The nylon weave is very smooth if you run your finger across it.
- The nylon is rather stiff (especially if the band is new) when you try to bend it. Buckling the band may be a bit difficult at first.
- Bands made in 2022 on appear to be a bit more supple out of the box.
Also, sellers routinely misrepresent the condition of a band by listing it as New or Open Box when it clearly has been used. This is (weirdly) actually a good sign the band is genuine. But, be sure to look closely at the pictures in the listing so that you know what you are getting. |
- Band is missing any of the markings of a genuine band
- Nylon is rough to the touch
- The H-vbiration pattern looks sloppy
- The band comes in colors not released by Hermes.
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Please reply and I'll update this or edit the wiki yourself.
