Link Bracelet Owners - Long Term Impressions?

[Dino F]

I bought a replica steel band which is a identical to the real mccoy. Personally, I find Apple's steel bands, far too thin for my liking.

You can see the difference in thickness between the two bracelets below - the one which is off the watch, is basically a carbon copy of Apple's genuine steel bracelet, compared to the one on the watch, which is a third party band off Amazon. If I had bought the real deal from Apple, ok, I admit, it may have looked better, however, the actual thickness of the band would have been the same.

 

[CharlesShaw]

It's those links that make me expect the bracelet to be good for daily wear.

Also, the links on the authentic version are what makes it possible to remove the band from the watch without stressing it (per Apple's instructions). This might not matter to someone who never changes the band, but I change bands very frequently (daily workouts with a sport band, casual Friday with a leather band, etc.). After a little practice, it's quick and easy to open a link.

18 months later, my SS link bracelet is still my favorite, still works perfectly, and thanks to the Scotchbrite treatment I learned about here at MR, it still looks like new when I get around to brushing it out.

 

[FrisbeeK9]

Also, the links on the authentic version are what makes it possible to remove the band from the watch without stressing it (per Apple's instructions). This might not matter to someone who never changes the band, but I change bands very frequently (daily workouts with a sport band, casual Friday with a leather band, etc.). After a little practice, it's quick and easy to open a link.

18 months later, my SS link bracelet is still my favorite, still works perfectly, and thanks to the Scotchbrite treatment I learned about here at MR, it still looks like new when I get around to brushing it out.

Hi Charles Shaw, what is the "Scotchbrite treatment"?

 

[warburg]

Hi Charles Shaw, what is the "Scotchbrite treatment"?

Yes, I'd like to know that also. Doesn't the link bracelet have a kind of matte finish that would be harmed by polishing it with an abrasive substance?

 

[CharlesShaw]

Yes, I'd like to know that also. Doesn't the link bracelet have a kind of matte finish that would be harmed by polishing it with an abrasive substance?

First off, this is only for the stainless steel link bracelet. You're not polishing it, you're actually scratching it on purpose. The original brushed finish consists of very tiny parallel scratches in the steel. Over time, other scratches show up because they don't line up with the original scratches and/or are deeper.

Some people like the gray Scotchbrite (less abrasive). I and others like the green one. I remove the band from the watch, open the clasp and lay it on a towel. Using a dry Scotchbrite, I gently brush the surface of the band lengthwise, being careful to keep the motion (and the tiny scratches I'm creating) totally parallel. If I mess up, I just have to brush some more to cover up anything that is not parallel.

I also try to avoid the black parts that secure the band to the watch body, as I don't want to wear those pieces down.

 

[BarracksSi]

Just to be clear here --

Yes, I'd like to know that also. Doesn't the link bracelet have a kind of matte finish that would be harmed by polishing it with an abrasive substance?

The finish on Apple Watches that would be closest to matte would be what's used on the anodized aluminum models -- and, for that matter, on all of Apple's laptops, the iMac, and almost every iPhone (with the exception of the glossy Jet Black iPhone 7).

Yes, you can, with enough elbow grease, burnish the matte anodized aluminum into shiny aluminum. But it'll take a long time unless you use power tools.

As CharlesShaw said, the Link Bracelet has a brushed finish, and he's exactly right about how to refresh and maintain it.

Finishes used on traditional stainless steel watches include brushed, polished, and bead blasted. We know brushed and polished because they're used on the SS AW and its bracelet. Bead blasted steel looks matte, pretty much like anodized aluminum, and can be treated to have a harder surface than usual.

Polished surfaces are the simplest to maintain because... well, just polish them, and that's it. Brushed surfaces need a little skill and the right choice of abrasives to be done right -- not all brushing is equal. Blasted surfaces are usually pretty durable and don't show minor scuffs as easily, and although they're a little harder to repair (gotta blast them again), they're often used on "tool watches" where some marks on the case are no big deal.