I prefer the look of a lot of Casio's bands - not the mono-link 80s versions, more the modern Edifice ones - but I'd agree that Apple's band is much better engineered.
This link band is way too minimal to me, definitely making this look more like a smartwatch than a traditional wristwatch. But I've no doubt it's better engineered than most others. However, the weak link are the pins which connect the bands. On my Citizen titanium EcoDrive, I had a pin break every couple of years -- granted I wore it almost 24/7. But I do wonder if Apple's will be any more durable, and what their policy will be to repair them when they do break. Once one pin would break, I'd have the jeweler replace them all. I'm sure Apple's solution would be to just replace the band.