Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Link Bracelet Review
- Thread starter NovemberWhiskey
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
I've used the link and own the Milanese, to me the Milanese is much nicer looking, costs $300 less and the magnet is great and stays on the wrist snugly
I also have a leather loop and black sports band. I used the sports band only for working out and switch between the leather and Milanese for daily use and end up using the Milanese 60-70% of the time
Epic edgy response brah but Rolex just doesn't make great bracelets. The Pelagos has a bracelet comfier and more groundbreaking than any modern Rolex while Tudor is their "cheaper" brand lol.
I've worn an AP 15400 as my "main" watch for a long time and even compared to the AP, the link bracelet is a great band.
But hey, that's just like, my opinion man!
Okay back on topic!
Does anybody here feel like the stainless steel with link bracelet just looks huge? I have the sport too.
The Link bracelet to me doesn't have the correct proportions for the thickness of the watch face. It is too thin. I actually had to compare the sport and SS watch bodies side by side to see if they were the same thickness.
Also: since you have to uncouple a link to swap bands, I don't think the SS Link is as versatile as other configurations.
Does anybody here feel like the stainless steel with link bracelet just looks huge? I have the sport too.
The Link bracelet to me doesn't have the correct proportions for the thickness of the watch face. It is too thin. I actually had to compare the sport and SS watch bodies side by side to see if they were the same thickness.
Also: since you have to uncouple a link to swap bands, I don't think the SS Link is as versatile as other configurations.
Looks-wise, the link bracelet by a large margin. It is just really impressive.
The Milanese can look exquisite in the right lighting, but in some lighting (dim) it looks more like a dull mesh. In very bright lighting (sunlight) it looks like a glittery toy. It's perfect in the overhead lighting Apple uses in the stores. Very sophisticated with just the right amount of shine.
Comfort wise: Milanese wins by a long shot, out of all the bands in my PERSONAL opinion (bolding that for the people in here who can't accept personal opinions). When I wore the Milanese, I never noticed it on my wrist. It breathes well (unlike the sport bands), it is light, the fit is perfect because it is infinitely adjustable, and it did not feel like metal on my wrist at all. I have heard that it can pull hairs, so if you have a hairy arm, you might want to try it out first. But I am hairless, so I had no problems. It did catch and pull one of the hairs on my head when I was scratching my head once.
Both are great, and you can't really go wrong either way. Milanese is probably a better value considering the $500 tag on the link, but if money isn't a problem, I think the Link is more impressive aesthetically.
Right now I am sacrificing some comfort for looks, and perfectly happy with it.
I just tested mine doing more or less what you're doing and the sound is significantly less pronounced than on yours (almost non-existant while it's on my wrist). I'm not sure if it's the Space Black DLC Coating that's reducing the sound but I can only hear something when it's off my wrist.
Thank you, that really helps
Girlfriend wants to buy me one of the bands and it's my choice
Yeah. It's pretty subtle most of the time. Barely noticeable for about 90%+ of the time you wear it. Only those few times when you move your wrist in a certain way.
Definitely not bad at all.
I just went out to watch the game, and got three compliments on the link bracelet. It's beautiful.
IMHO, the link bracelet from Apple is amazing well machined made. The additional feature of easily to remove the link yourself is a big plus (though if you are a watch fans, removing a link is an easy task and I quite enjoy doing it from time to time for my friends)
But not for $670 AUD price tag
The bands weight almost nothing compare to other link bands that I've tried in the past. And the design is not that good looking in my opinion. It reminds me too much of the old Casio Calculator watch (we taking about design and look) and the sketchy bands that you can find in the drug stores. If thats the look you are going for ...
Anyway just my 2 cents. Also the black links have problems with the coating peeling off inside the bands .... (for that amount of money..)
But not for $670 AUD price tag
The bands weight almost nothing compare to other link bands that I've tried in the past. And the design is not that good looking in my opinion. It reminds me too much of the old Casio Calculator watch (we taking about design and look) and the sketchy bands that you can find in the drug stores. If thats the look you are going for ...
Anyway just my 2 cents. Also the black links have problems with the coating peeling off inside the bands .... (for that amount of money..)
Its been about 2-3 days now and ive gotten used to the added weight of the bracelet. Its still substantially heavier than the bcb and milanese, but comfortable on my wrist now.
Received my SS Link today. It is beautiful and I think it looks way nicer than the third party options out there but there is a problem with it. It just seems so incredibly fiddly to lock the strap into the watch. It just slides left and right eventually locking in place after messing around for 30+ seconds. For 380 nicker I cannot be doing with all the messing around so I'll be sending it back.
I have 6 other straps and they all lock in place immediately with no problem. I haven't heard of this issue with other peoples Link straps so I assume I have just received a lemon but I cannot be bothered to get on the replace/return train.
Shame as she is a beauty....maybe once they have them in store I'll try again.
I have 6 other straps and they all lock in place immediately with no problem. I haven't heard of this issue with other peoples Link straps so I assume I have just received a lemon but I cannot be bothered to get on the replace/return train.
Shame as she is a beauty....maybe once they have them in store I'll try again.
I read somewhere that the best way to remove/swap the link bracelet is to actually separate one of the links so that it pulls from the Watch in two separate pieces. Then reconnect the link that was separated. Give it a try and see if that's less cumbersome.
I did have the link split in two. It's not that I think the link bracelet overall is difficult to fit, I believe my one genuinely has a problem as it is virtually impossible to lock in place.
Ive had this happen with a bcb. If you look at the mechanism, it would actually be more a problem with your watch body, and not the band.
With the watch balanced on top of your wrist with your opposite hand underneath the watch, lock the 12 o'clock side first with your index and middle finger, then close the 6 o'clock side with your thumb. It's a doddle when you know how. I do agree that single enclosures are easier to clasp but the butterfly clasp is so beautiful.
It's not the clasp that is the problem. It is the locking of the strap into the watch itself.
I'm inclined to agree as the watch bottom side seems to lock either strap side in okay but the top watch side takes ages to get a lock (if at all). There are no problems with any of the other straps I have though so I can only assume there is very little tolerance on the steel band or this one has some irregularity. I have 6 other straps and these lock in no problem.
I will try another one in due course but it is not worth the hassle as it is at the moment.
I picked up a link bracelet from the SoHo NY Apple Store. I was overall happy with its appearance but I must have gotten a lemon. The butterfly clasp never closed completely so one side was always "up" and would scratch anything it crossed (so one side wasn't flush with the buckle). I brought it back but they didn't have another to replace it with on a pure exchange. Honestly, soured me on the whole thing, considering the extremely high cost for the band, and I'm not sure if I'll but it when they're more readily available. Don't advertise it as a band commensurate with Swiss watch manufacturers when the quality is clearly not there, but the price is.
Anyway, to echo the sentiment in the thread, I'd no doubt buy this in the $200 range, but for $480 (after tax) it's hard to justify, especially since my first experience with it was so poor.
Anyway, to echo the sentiment in the thread, I'd no doubt buy this in the $200 range, but for $480 (after tax) it's hard to justify, especially since my first experience with it was so poor.
I came from a Milanese to a Link and agree 100%. Additionally I did find the Milanese got irritating because the magnet slipped slightly throughout the day so I was readjusting 3-4 times a day, especially during a workout. I don't miss that.
Clasp takes about a day or two to get the hang of it - I can get it on in under 3 seconds now.
I have got used to the different feel of the Link now and like the look more than Milanese. Not worth $450 but then the whole thing with the Watch is it's not a *necessary* item anyway - you could stick with your iPhone and a cheap fitbit and call it good. But then you'd be missing out on the *pleasure* of it.
I'm able to get this link bracelet for $300 new, I think I'm going to pull the trigger
Is that a good deal?
Is that a good deal?
Last edited: