Milanese Loop Quality Gone Down

[jwzimm]

Hey all,

I was able to pick up a SBSS Series 4 40mm with the Milanese Loop yesterday. My previous watch was a SBSS Series 2 38mm which also came with the OEM Milanese Loop. After a day of wear I have to say I am saddened to say Apple has seriously gone down in quality. The new loop that came with my Series 4 feels much less supple than my old loop. I also noticed that the magnetic closure end will actually pass through the attach lug now. That used to be one of the acid tests to tell a knock-off!!

Anyone else seeing this?

 

[solideliquid]

Hey all,

I was able to pick up a SBSS Series 4 40mm with the Milanese Loop yesterday. My previous watch was a SBSS Series 2 38mm which also came with the OEM Milanese Loop. After a day of wear I have to say I am saddened to say Apple has seriously gone down in quality. The new loop that came with my Series 4 feels much less supple than my old loop. I also noticed that the magnetic closure end will actually pass through the attach lug now. That used to be one of the acid tests to tell a knock-off!!

Anyone else seeing this?

Me too! The Milanese loop passed right through the lug when I got it. I about freaked out and almost dropped the watch. My original Apple Watch Milanese loop never had that issue.

 

[Nozuka]

Good to know... guess i'll have to be carefull..

 

[firewire9000]

Some guy in Reddit noticed that as well and he thinks that is because the Watch has to be able to put in a flat surface like the AirPower without having to remove the strap. That make sense to be honest, but I don’t know if it’s the case.

 

[jwzimm]

Some guy in Reddit noticed that as well and he thinks that is because the Watch has to be able to put in a flat surface like the AirPower without having to remove the strap. That make sense to be honest, but I don’t know if it’s the case.

Now that makes some sense actually. It doesn't explain the lack of quality "feel" when comparing to my old loop but that could also be that my old loop is 2 years old and has been worked in.

Also, I realize I can just use my old loop on the new phone and that is, in fact, what I am doing.

 

[pst23]

Hey all,

I was able to pick up a SBSS Series 4 40mm with the Milanese Loop yesterday. My previous watch was a SBSS Series 2 38mm which also came with the OEM Milanese Loop. After a day of wear I have to say I am saddened to say Apple has seriously gone down in quality. The new loop that came with my Series 4 feels much less supple than my old loop. I also noticed that the magnetic closure end will actually pass through the attach lug now. That used to be one of the acid tests to tell a knock-off!!

Anyone else seeing this?

Wow even the magnetic closure on my 10 dollar version doesn't pass through.

 

[ectospheno]

The old loops are still sold at apple.com.

 

[MrGimper]

Glad I got the old mayonnaise loop off eBay last year for s decent price. The magnet clasp not passing thru was a selling point for safety.

 

[twanj]

The old loops are still sold at apple.com.

How do you tell the difference? Is it just the milanese loop that is sold separately?

 

[ectospheno]

How do you tell the difference? Is it just the milanese loop that is sold separately?

At the bottom of the band page there is a link for older bands.

 

[twanj]

At the bottom of the band page there is a link for older bands.

Ohh gotcha, didn't realize that.

Here they are...

Milanese Loop (old MLJJ2AM)

"Designed for Apple Watch Series 3.

Works with Apple Watch Series 4."

https://www.apple.com/shop/product/...766c8aa71cdf6e1c740fc5cbffc36f4aeffdf206dbf16

Milanese Loop (new MTU12AM)

"Designed for Apple Watch Series 4.

Works with all previous versions of Apple Watch."

https://www.apple.com/shop/product/...255af9b4be57c7a2e5b38ffdcbbf4d64a2706ccad09ca

 

[myc5038]

Have the gold SS 44 milanese that came with and it doesn’t pass through the lug even if I apply pressure

 

[twanj]

You guys suggest buying the old Milanese loop over the new one?

 

[emiaj]

You guys suggest buying the old Milanese loop over the new one?

I would prefer the new one if it’s a series 4 watch. Milanese loop sometimes scratches the watch, and as the new watch is a bit wider, the old lug would bring the loop slightly closer to the watch body, making the scratch easier to happen...

 

[firewire9000]

Have the gold SS 44 milanese that came with and it doesn’t pass through the lug even if I apply pressure

I tried with a 44 as well and indeed it doesn’t pass through.

 

[Luba]

It's been a few years when I had the S0 Milanese, but picking up the S4 Milanese it seems a bit different. And the post above with different Apple part #s confirms this. Seems like Apple either had another vendor make the Milanese or redesign it, or both.

It seems the S4 Milanese has less sharp edges, but it's also seems a tad lighter. The steel tabs used to attach to the AW and slot into the AW seem to be better made, smoother. Magnetic strength seems to be more consistent throughout the magnetic tab. It's strong enough, but I recall needing to pull with more effort to get it off with the S0. I prefer it just strong enough because if it's too strong then there's less control taking AW off. I also saw that the magnetic tab can easily be pulled off the Milanese Loop whereas in the S0 you couldn't do that. So not sure if the newer Milanese has gone down in quality, but it's noticeablly different.

 

[jwzimm]

Just an update; I went into the Apple store planning to return the watch due to this issue. When I showed her she was stunned. She at first assumed it was just a defective band but then she grabbed a brand new loop from her case and it did the same thing. She was gobsmacked! She agreed that it should not do that and knew that this was an acid test for a knock off loop. She spoke to her manager and they agreed to do an exchange for any band I wanted. I opted for the normal sport band and they refunded me the $100 difference. Way to go Apple!

 

[Gregintosh]

I bought the gold loop as a standalone loop. It also passes through. Granted, it doesn't do so as easily as the knockoff loops (which I also own) BUT this is definitely different than my original loop from the Series 0 days which did not pass through.

I am not going to be returning though, it looks pretty damn good and I am not going to be wearing it daily or anything, so its fine. I doubt the magnet will loosen up and it will go through on its own. I had to fiddle with it to get it to pass through, I cannot imagine it happening by accident.

 

[twanj]

I recently got the Space Black Milanese Loop for Series 4 44mm.

I never had the original one to compare, but the magnet end does not pass through.

 

[OBirder]

I have the series 0 sliver and the series 4 space black with Milanese. In addition the series 3 Milanese band. Between series 3 and 4 it certainly changed. But can't say lower quality. It feels lighter and yes the magnet end does pass trough, but not without perfect alignment and little push, so I doubt it will fall through by itself.
After the 3+ weeks now it actually seems to wear more comfortable. It just feels a bit smoother. That might be very subjective. Only time will tell quality and how it holds up.
My 3+ year old series 0 Milanese is still great. A few weeks ago the magnet separated from the band. I had to glue it back on.

 

[Ad13]

I have the series 0 sliver and the series 4 space black with Milanese. In addition the series 3 Milanese band. Between series 3 and 4 it certainly changed. But can't say lower quality. It feels lighter and yes the magnet end does pass trough, but not without perfect alignment and little push, so I doubt it will fall through by itself.
After the 3+ weeks now it actually seems to wear more comfortable. It just feels a bit smoother. That might be very subjective. Only time will tell quality and how it holds up.
My 3+ year old series 0 Milanese is still great. A few weeks ago the magnet separated from the band. I had to glue it back on.

I also have the older and newer versions of the silver Milanese bands from my series 3 and series 4 watches. I agree that they feel slightly different but I wouldn’t say cheaper. Incidentally, bands are the same size (42mm) and the newer band weights 41g vs the older band at 38g - so the newer band is heavier and feels slightly stiffer. I think I prefer the newer version to be honest.

 

[twanj]

Ok, now that you explain it that way @OBirder it does pass through! I tried to force it a bit & it wouldn't (& didn't want to mess anything up), but once I got it lined up right I was able to push it though. So I don't think this will ever happen accidentally, & is more for flat wireless charging as mentioned.