Leather Loop worth $150?

[JerTheGeek]

Hello fellow Apple Watch wearers. I have an sliver aluminum Sport and my band collection is continually increasing....
Anyway, I had a third party leather loop but ended up returning it because it had issues with peeling. I want a good quality leather band, but I'm not sure if the LL is worth it's high price tag. There are 3 sport band colors I also want and I could all 3 for the same price....
So is there anyone who has the Silver Sport and an official LL? Is it worth it?

 

[BSG75]

I have a space grey sport with a midnight blue leather loop. I had a third-party band, but it just didn't hold up. So far, I'm very impressed with my OEM LL. The quality is definitely better than the third-party bands. I do think the OEM LL is a little overpriced, but I don't regret buying it.

 

[JerTheGeek]

I have a space grey sport with a midnight blue leather loop. I had a third-party band, but it just didn't hold up. So far, I'm very impressed with my OEM LL. The quality is definitely better than the third-party bands. I do think the OEM LL is a little overpriced, but I don't regret buying it.

Does the leather feel plasticky like on the clone ones? I'm hoping it is a bit softer feeling.

 

[BSG75]

When I compared them side by side, the third-party definitely had a more "plastic" feel to it. I do think that the leather on the OEM band is higher quality. I'm not sure I could say that it's softer at this point, since I've only had it for a week. However, I do feel that it will soften up with time.

 

[JerTheGeek]

When I compared them side by side, the third-party definitely had a more "plastic" feel to it. I do think that the leather on the OEM band is higher quality. I'm not sure I could say that it's softer at this point, since I've only had it for a week. However, I do feel that it will soften up with time.

That is good to hear, im gonna check it out in an Apple Store soon.

 

[Bobioden]

I have had my Blue LL since June 1 when I got my watch. I have also purchased the Red LL from eBay, and although the price was nice it is no where near the quality of the OEM LL.
The Blue LL is my go to band. I have 6 other third bands that I wear from time to time, but always go back to the OEM LL.
Is it worth $150? For me yes, as much as I wear it, I feel it was worth the price.

 

[JerTheGeek]

I have had my Blue LL since June 1 when I got my watch. I have also purchased the Red LL from eBay, and although the price was nice it is no where near the quality of the OEM LL.
The Blue LL is my go to band. I have 6 other third bands that I wear from time to time, but always go back to the OEM LL.
Is it worth $150? For me yes, as much as I wear it, I feel it was worth the price.

Thanks for the input! I think I'm gonna go for one! I like the midnight blue one the best. I'm glad to hear the quality is much better than the knock offs, as I expected.

 

[vincenz]

No competition between third party and genuine Apple one. I went through 4 or 5 third party ones and came out unsatisfied. $150 is a tad expensive for it, but the quality compared to the third party offerings makes it seem like a good deal. The feel and smell of the leather alone make it worth it. IMO it's the most unique watch band for AW.

GL with your choice.

 

[JerTheGeek]

No competition between third party and genuine Apple one. I went through 4 or 5 third party ones and came out unsatisfied. $150 is a tad expensive for it, but the quality compared to the third party offerings makes it seem like a good deal. The feel and smell of the leather alone make it worth it. IMO it's the most unique watch band for AW.

GL with your choice.

Thank you! I'm excited to get mine soon!

 

[Cowboy1629]

I'm going to try one on the next time I'm at the Apple Store. Price sounds a little salty but too many negative comments about third party leather loops so I'll just check out Apple's.

 

[btrach144]

I looked online at the OEM leather loop bands vs Apple's leather loop. Other bands out there like the link bracelet can be cloned very easily. The leather loop seems to be hard for OEMs to clone. Sure, $40 vs $150 is a big savings on the leather loop but must of the reviews that I saw pointed out that the leather lugs (the part that slides into your watch case) were either too long and stuck out or it was slightly short and left a little gap. I'd rather pay the extra $110 and get quality.

Also ppl complained about it feeling weird or cheap. I don't want something that I wear for 16 hours a day to feel weird or cheap. I bought the midnight blue LL from Apple on Sunday and it has been working great.

On the other hand, I also wanted the link bracelet. This was a difference of $60 vs $450. I compared photos online and tried Apple's version on in store. It wasn't worth the $390 price difference. Plus, most of the OEM link bracelets are near 1:1 clones. I bought a clone link bracelet for $60 and the only difference is that changing sizes is done by removing pins rather than magnets. This was a worthy OEM band.

The OEM leather loop seemed like a serious risk given all the negative reviews for multiple brands PLUS the savings is only $110.

 

[vincenz]

I've not owned a third-party long enough to report on long-term durability but there are many many reports of the leather ripping or falling apart after 1-3 months on the fakes also. The third-party ones are also thinner and plasticky compared to the genuine one. For other bands like the classic buckle or Milanese loop, I don't think the price difference is worth it, but I do for the fake leather loops, especially since most cost $40 already.

A few things stand out for me that the fakes can't compare to:

1. The quality of the stainless steel connector of the lugs and the perfect fit into the slots

2. The sides of the band-- the finish of the wax sealing

3. The feel of the magnets when attaching (think the feel of a luxury German car door closing)

4. The way the very end of the long part of the band still stays put in the metal opening of the short end when not attached magnetically (helps when putting on and taking off the watch)

Devil is always in the details.

 

[Jessem1133]

I looked online at the OEM leather loop bands vs Apple's leather loop. Other bands out there like the link bracelet can be cloned very easily. The leather loop seems to be hard for OEMs to clone. Sure, $40 vs $150 is a big savings on the leather loop but must of the reviews that I saw pointed out that the leather lugs (the part that slides into your watch case) were either too long and stuck out or it was slightly short and left a little gap. I'd rather pay the extra $110 and get quality.

Also ppl complained about it feeling weird or cheap. I don't want something that I wear for 16 hours a day to feel weird or cheap. I bought the midnight blue LL from Apple on Sunday and it has been working great.

On the other hand, I also wanted the link bracelet. This was a difference of $60 vs $450. I compared photos online and tried Apple's version on in store. It wasn't worth the $390 price difference. Plus, most of the OEM link bracelets are near 1:1 clones. I bought a clone link bracelet for $60 and the only difference is that changing sizes is done by removing pins rather than magnets. This was a worthy OEM band.

The OEM leather loop seemed like a serious risk given all the negative reviews for multiple brands PLUS the savings is only $110.

OEM would be Apple.

 

[JerTheGeek]

Now I have another question: is there that much changed from the bright blue leather loop to the midnight blue leather loop? I'm thinking of picking up a used BB LL so i can get it for cheaper. What is different about the MB LL? Just the little rubber gasket?

 

[L.C.W.]

Anyone have a pic of the blue leather loop with Space Black SS?

I have a black LL and love it. Also have black sport band. The blue LL intrigues me.