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pcall1128

macrumors 6502a
Apr 13, 2015
584
697
Pennsylvania
Taupe came in yesterday at my local Apple Store.

The leather feels thinner. My main issue with it is that the buckle is off center on my wrist as it is big enough to be noticeable. I also have concerns with the durability of bending the leather through the buckle.

I like the colour though.

View attachment 694232 View attachment 694233
Could you post a few more photos? I really like the color, thanks can't find any RL pics of the new Classic buckles anywhere.
 
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Ixidor

macrumors regular
Mar 22, 2016
161
116
I'm not a photographer so I'm not sure if my photos do the band justice but here you go.

My watch is the 42mm version and looks a little big on my wrist (38mm on the other hand, is way to small), even then, I use the third hole for the classic buckles and sports bands.

Not sure if it's clear in the photos but the buckle is not exactly centered (closer to the thumb). Bothers me a little because of the buckle is very noticeable (aka large).
 

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pcall1128

macrumors 6502a
Apr 13, 2015
584
697
Pennsylvania
I'm not a photographer so I'm not sure if my photos do the band justice but here you go.

My watch is the 42mm version and looks a little big on my wrist (38mm on the other hand, is way to small), even then, I use the third hole for the classic buckles and sports bands.

Not sure if it's clear in the photos but the buckle is not exactly centered (closer to the thumb). Bothers me a little because of the buckle is very noticeable (aka large).
Thank you! Your watch looks fine for your wrist size and the band looks awesome. That's cool you found a 42mm classic buckle, I've been looking and can't fine anything but the 38mm of the new ones. I need to see one in person to get a feel for that buckle...it really does look great, but trying it on will be the key. Appreciate the photos, hope you enjoy the band.
 
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Ixidor

macrumors regular
Mar 22, 2016
161
116
The 42mm classic buckles were delayed, but the shipping times of various colors have been shortened (I've been checking the Australian Apple stores). Originally, all of them were scheduled to arrive on the 28th of April. Then the dates were updated for some colors to 12 April.

Right now, Taupe arrived early (last Thursday) while some colors (i.e. Red and midnight blue) will arrive around 5 April.

Just need to keep checking.
 

pcall1128

macrumors 6502a
Apr 13, 2015
584
697
Pennsylvania
The 42mm classic buckles were delayed, but the shipping times of various colors have been shortened (I've been checking the Australian Apple stores). Originally, all of them were scheduled to arrive on the 28th of April. Then the dates were updated for some colors to 12 April.

Right now, Taupe arrived early (last Thursday) while some colors (i.e. Red and midnight blue) will arrive around 5 April.

Just need to keep checking.
Yeah, I'll take your advice on that. it's still 3-4 weeks in the US so maybe I'll see the wait times decrease in a few days. Have you owned any of the earlier gen classic buckles? If so, how would you compare the thickness?
 

Ixidor

macrumors regular
Mar 22, 2016
161
116
I have the previous generation saddle brown, black and sea blue. Those are very noticeably thicker and stiffer than the current ones.

In addition to the fact that you have bend the band through the buckle, I am a little concerned about the durability.
 

Thai

Suspended
Feb 2, 2016
1,459
883
Colorado
I have the previous generation saddle brown, black and sea blue. Those are very noticeably thicker and stiffer than the current ones.

In addition to the fact that you have bend the band through the buckle, I am a little concerned about the durability.

What?!?!?! The new leather band is THINNER???
 

MacDevil7334

Contributor
Oct 15, 2011
2,552
5,816
Austin TX
What?!?!?! The new leather band is THINNER???

Yeah I'd have to agree. Stopped by my local Apple Store today to see if they happened to have any of the old design still in stock (they didn't). They had the new style (4th gen?) classic buckle on display and it did feel a bit flimsy compared to the 3rd gen black classic buckle I have on my watch currently. Also, the Apple employee I talked to actually mistook the new classic buckle bands for the modern buckle because they look so similar. Not sure why Apple decided to change the design but I'm definitely not a fan after seeing the new bands in person.

For anyone wanting to buy an old design classic buckle band, Best Buy still has them available for sale online. I just ordered a saddle brown before they sell out. Still charging $150, which is a bummer. But it looks like Best Buy is the only store out there (in the US at least) that still has the old band style for sale.
 
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Ixidor

macrumors regular
Mar 22, 2016
161
116
Do you guys think this buckle would wear out faster than the previous generations? Due to the excessive bending at the buckle?
 

Thai

Suspended
Feb 2, 2016
1,459
883
Colorado
Do you guys think this buckle would wear out faster than the previous generations? Due to the excessive bending at the buckle?

I doubt it. Most normal leather bands have a small loop just after buckle.

Apple classic buckle leather bands are exceedingly durable and water resistant. You will get rid of your Apple Watch before it wears through.

Biggest problem I see is that the "lower" part of buckle will show tons on scratches vs the other parts of buckle due to it being constantly scrapped on desk. But there is always cape cod clothes!
 

Ixidor

macrumors regular
Mar 22, 2016
161
116
The way I view these bands is that they should last for multiple generations of Apple Watches, until Apple replaces the connectors. In my case, my leather bands probably will as I don't wear the same strap everyday. At home, I use the sport/nylon/steel straps. These ones should last ages.

I guess for people that only intend to use one or two bands, the Milanese loop is a much better "investment" than the classic buckles (at the same price point) as it'll last until Apple changes the connectors.
 

wineandcarbs

macrumors 6502a
May 2, 2008
904
137
I'm not a photographer so I'm not sure if my photos do the band justice but here you go.

My watch is the 42mm version and looks a little big on my wrist (38mm on the other hand, is way to small), even then, I use the third hole for the classic buckles and sports bands.

Not sure if it's clear in the photos but the buckle is not exactly centered (closer to the thumb). Bothers me a little because of the buckle is very noticeable (aka large).

Thanks so much for posting these! I noticed you said you also have a black classic buckle. Do you think the taupe classic buckle can dress up the watch as much as the black one?

I made a post about it here: https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...e-dressed-up-as-much-as-the-black-cb.2040342/

but am not sure if I'll get any responses. Would appreciate your input since you actually own both!
 

pcall1128

macrumors 6502a
Apr 13, 2015
584
697
Pennsylvania
I own the black CB and have tried on the taupe, both are very classy especially with the new buckle. It really comes down to what color will go better with your formal style clothing. Black is bold but goes well with anything, and the taupe is more muted but elegant. I like to match my band to bring out colors in whatever attire I'm wearing, so instead of just wearing a black band with a solid black shirt I'll wear a shirt with gray accents and a Watch band to match those accents. So you can go both ways, it's all about how you wear it.
 
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wineandcarbs

macrumors 6502a
May 2, 2008
904
137
I own the black CB and have tried on the taupe, both are very classy especially with the new buckle. It really comes down to what color will go better with your formal style clothing. Black is bold but goes well with anything, and the taupe is more muted but elegant. I like to match my band to bring out colors in whatever attire I'm wearing, so instead of just wearing a black band with a solid black shirt I'll wear a shirt with gray accents and a Watch band to match those accents. So you can go both ways, it's all about how you wear it.

Thanks for the input! It's good to know that the taupe is also elegant looking. It's funny, when I first bought my watch I figured I'd only be buying one classic buckle (I went with the saddle brown because I figured it worked well for every day and that I could always wear my non-AW in the event it wouldn't look appropriate with my outfit)...that ship has sailed, I love having multiple band options!
 

pcall1128

macrumors 6502a
Apr 13, 2015
584
697
Pennsylvania
That ship is on the other side of the world by now!!! I hear you on the one band for everyday, I originally bought the SS with black sports band. I thought the same thing, and now I have a different band for everyday of the month.
 
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the future

macrumors 68040
Jul 17, 2002
3,637
5,927
New classic buckle, 42 mm "Berry". Slightly thinner than earlier classic buckles, but also softer. Buckle is centred on my wrist, but I think I like the old, smaller buckle a bit more. Loving the color though, very deep and rich.

View attachment 694458

View attachment 694459

Update to my own post. After wearing the new band a few times, I like the new buckle better than the old one. It gives the watch as a whole a very nice symmetry, and the spring is a nice detail. Black classic buckle on order now …
 
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