New 2019 Black Leather Loop Band

[BoneHead001]

I have noticed that the new Apple brand 2019 black leather loop bands are noticeably a lighter black in color and the "genuine leather" and "44mm" stamps on the other side is barely visible.

 

[Otflyer]

I have noticed that the new Apple brand 2019 black leather loop bands are noticeably a lighter black in color and the "genuine leather" and "44mm" stamps on the other side is barely visible.

they aren’t as black as the original. Totally normal.

 

[BoneHead001]

What about the "genuine leather" and "44mm" stamp? Mine is almost not visible and very faint.

 

[BoneHead001]

Has anyone else's 2019 leather loop have faint stamped "genuine leather" and "44mm" on the back?

 

[YatBob]

My short sections has 44mm and the long section has M (for medium) both markings are faint, do not see genuine leather

 

[BoneHead001]

I had to look at my marking in a bright light with a magnifying glass. Yes, I have an "M" as well and below the "M" is the "genuine leather", also very faint.

 

[YatBob]

Also on the long section on the metal tab that slides into the watch "Assembled in China"

 

[BoneHead001]

Also on the long section on the metal tab that slides into the watch "Assembled in China"

Yes, I was more concerned about the very faint inked labels on the band. My point is that they never used to be that faint — the ink on previous leather loops used to be brighter in contrast.

 

[YatBob]

The black leather loop band I purchased in October has started to break/tear in one of the joints near the connector . I went to the Apple store today hoping to get a replacement, spoke with a genius who agreed that the band was defective and needed to be replaced but did not know how to proceed, she consulted another genius who I thought was going to handle my request, so much for my thoughts, she, the second genius, proceeded to tell me that in order for them to process the band return/replacement I had to unpair my watch from my phone, asked why and was told that was what they do, I said no I do not want to unpair my watch because it will erase it, the genius told me unpairing does not erase the watch but if it does I can restore it from a backup, if I have one, she went on to tell me she unpairs customers watches using her iPhone. Saw I was getting nowhere took my defective band and left.
Genius is a word that does not apply at my local Apple store.
Will follow up with Apple Cust service tomorrow but was too annoyed after todays experience to do any follow up today

 

[techno-Zen]

The black leather loop band I purchased in October has started to break/tear in one of the joints near the connector . I went to the Apple store today hoping to get a replacement, spoke with a genius who agreed that the band was defective and needed to be replaced but did not know how to proceed, she consulted another genius who I thought was going to handle my request, so much for my thoughts, she, the second genius, proceeded to tell me that in order for them to process the band return/replacement I had to unpair my watch from my phone, asked why and was told that was what they do, I said no I do not want to unpair my watch because it will erase it, the genius told me unpairing does not erase the watch but if it does I can restore it from a backup, if I have one, she went on to tell me she unpairs customers watches using her iPhone. Saw I was getting nowhere took my defective band and left.
Genius is a word that does not apply at my local Apple store.
Will follow up with Apple Cust service tomorrow but was too annoyed after todays experience to do any follow up today

Speak with a store manager. They’ll swap you on the spot With an override

It’s amazing how absolutely clueless so many apple store employees are these days. They should’ve connected you with the floor manager instead of a wild goose chase