Non-OEM (FAKE/CLONE) Apple Watch Bands

[mrgossett]

Here is a problem I have with the fake leather loop for 38mm watch.
Lock mechanism doesn't work properly on one piece of the band, as seen in my video here:

It doesn't fall out or anything while wearing, so I don't think I should be concerned, right?
The lock mechanism is just not well made, but it doesn't slide out too easily, it's just not locked.

Also, some of the metal of the lock mechanism is visible on the top (See picture), but sometimes it's less visible.
I have put it in upside down already to make it look better.

I would send it back. I have a fake 38mm leather loop in red and don't have either of those problems.

 

[Binarymix]

Just Received my Red Leather Loop from eBay seller jennyliushi.

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Genuine-Ston...t=LH_DefaultDomain_0&var=&hash=item463d36c576

Fast Shipping and the Band is perfect! Well it is a tad short on the connections, but all of them are. It's $180 (Canadian) less than the Original so I'm not fussed about it.

Looks Great! Magnets seem fine. (Don't mind my scrawny, hairy wrist):

FFIW my wrist size is 165mm and it does fit fine unless you super tighten it (to the point where I would feel uncomfortable).

 

[waxlabo]

This seems to look very similar to the link bracelet. It appears the resizing is done with spring bars or pins. Seems pretty decent for the price. I would probably get it if they had it in black.

www.ebay.com/itm/281757190392

 

[slvrscoobie]

not sure if anyone is looking for a SS link bracelet from a US Seller, but Freedomoclock / Utica guy just sent me a note about this one:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Apple-Watch...d-Tool-/281757190392?var=&hash=item87380f801f
From what Ive bought from them before, i would certainly be interested to see how it looks in person!

 

[StophMac24]

I just ordered this one, thanks. It's a preorder and will ship within two weeks. Last preorder I did from them came earlier. It's worth the wait for the ease of the return if necessary. If you guys decide to order this check the coupons/promotions area when you checkout (iOS app). There was a "$10 off when you spend over $50 on jewelry" in there that worked plus an extra 1$ off when you spend so much with that seller. So I got it for $48.99 total.

Trying to find that $10 off. Did you have to enter in a coupon code?

 

[iVegas]

Trying to find that $10 off. Did you have to enter in a coupon code?

Nope, I just pressed the button and it was there as an option to select.

 

[Joshoon]

I would send it back. I have a fake 38mm leather loop in red and don't have either of those problems.

Not that easy, it's from China
Will also cost me 20 bucks

 

[sean000]

Not that easy, it's from China
Will also cost me 20 bucks

If the straps don't slide out too easily I might consider wearing it since I have AppleCare ;-)

Have you tried shaking your wrist over the bed to see if it comes apart? Curious...who was the vendor?

I'm waiting for one from China sold by Happycell. They are probably all made in the same place with variable quality control, so I imagine it is a roll of the dice regardless of who you order from. I ordered from Happycell because they had a lot of positive reviews for leather loop knockoffs on Amazon. In hindsight I should have ordered from one of the vendors who ships from the U.S. and offers Prime shipping. I would have gotten it in two days instead of five weeks, and returns would be cheaper and easier. Oh well... lesson learned. Hopefully I will get lucky and get a good band.

I have a more traditional leather band on order from Clockwork Synergy, which is arriving USPS tomorrow (they got it in the mail same day I ordered), so at least that one will be easier to return if it doesn't work out. I will post some photos of it after I get it. Looks like I won't get the leather loop until mid-August to early September.

Sean

 

[GrindedDown]

The leather loop in black. Just made sense when I already have spent a small fortune on the watch itself

Honestly that's a good view to take and that's why I got an OEM.

How you liking it so far?

 

[soya]

This seems to look very similar to the link bracelet. It appears the resizing is done with spring bars or pins. Seems pretty decent for the price. I would probably get it if they had it in black.

www.ebay.com/itm/281757190392

Same here. I own an OEM SS Link bracelet. It's my favorite bracelet out of them all. I'd definitely buy the Space Black version when Utica guy is gonna receive it. The black one is available via chinese sellers just not yet @ utica guy.

 

[StophMac24]

Pulled the trigger on Utica guy's link bracelet replica. Let's see how good it is when I get it.

 

[soya]

There seem to be 2 versions of the replica. One of them has the back of the butterfly clasp that looks like the OEM version (utica one) and the other one just has the Links back to back.

 

[Donstil-nl]

There seem to be 2 versions of the replica. One of them has the back of the butterfly clasp that looks like the OEM version (utica one) and the other one just has the Links back to back.

There are more versions.
There are good and bad ones with the butterfly clasp, there is that one with the butterfly clasp witch looks like OEM and there is this 1:1 clone witch comes out.

From what I have seen there is no good looking butterfly clasp version witch looks like the OEM Clasp (but not working clasp, just optic)

 

[soya]

There are more versions.
There are good and bad ones with the butterfly clasp, there is that one with the butterfly clasp witch looks like OEM and there is this 1:1 clone witch comes out.

From what I have seen there is no good looking butterfly clasp version witch looks like the OEM Clasp (but not working clasp, just optic)

Seems like they are reusing the butterfly clasp I've seen on so many third party bands and just covering it's back with OEM-like back. Hopefully the 1:1 is reliable enough.. 1:1 should be more expensive than the "reused-butterfly clasp" version since they have to machine the whole OEM clasp.

 

[Jmona]

I just ordered this one, thanks. It's a preorder and will ship within two weeks. Last preorder I did from them came earlier. It's worth the wait for the ease of the return if necessary. If you guys decide to order this check the coupons/promotions area when you checkout (iOS app). There was a "$10 off when you spend over $50 on jewelry" in there that worked plus an extra 1$ off when you spend so much with that seller. So I got it for $48.99 total.

Didn't see it. Maybe it was a one day only? The coupon I mean.

 

[doppelganger]

Didn't see it. Maybe it was a one day only? The coupon I mean.

It's in the eBay app. Once you hit the "But it now" button it takes you to the purchase screen. from there, you have to hit "Gift Cards, eBay Bucks, Coupons" and then you get prompted for the $10 off. Try the app.

 

[Jmona]

It's in the eBay app. Once you hit the "But it now" button it takes you to the purchase screen. from there, you have to hit "Gift Cards, eBay Bucks, Coupons" and then you get prompted for the $10 off. Try the app.

It's probably tied to the account. I didn't find any so I went ahead and pulled the plug on it.
Besides at that price for what seems to be a 1:1 clone, is a steal.

 

[doppelganger]

It's probably tied to the account. I didn't find any so I went ahead and pulled the plug on it.
Besides at that price for what seems to be a 1:1 clone, is a steal.

That stinks. It makes me wonder if I should get this one at $49 and abandon waiting for the 1:1.

 

[Joshoon]

If the straps don't slide out too easily I might consider wearing it since I have AppleCare ;-)

Have you tried shaking your wrist over the bed to see if it comes apart? Curious...who was the vendor?

I'm waiting for one from China sold by Happycell. They are probably all made in the same place with variable quality control, so I imagine it is a roll of the dice regardless of who you order from. I ordered from Happycell because they had a lot of positive reviews for leather loop knockoffs on Amazon. In hindsight I should have ordered from one of the vendors who ships from the U.S. and offers Prime shipping. I would have gotten it in two days instead of five weeks, and returns would be cheaper and easier. Oh well... lesson learned. Hopefully I will get lucky and get a good band.

I have a more traditional leather band on order from Clockwork Synergy, which is arriving USPS tomorrow (they got it in the mail same day I ordered), so at least that one will be easier to return if it doesn't work out. I will post some photos of it after I get it. Looks like I won't get the leather loop until mid-August to early September.

Sean

It was from SIKAI on Aliexpress.

The band doesn't fall off when shaking or sliding over something.
Still the metal that's visible on the top looks ugly tbh

 

[sean000]

It was from SIKAI on Aliexpress.

The band doesn't fall off when shaking or sliding over something.
Still the metal that's visible on the top looks ugly tbh

The visible metal at the top seems to be a common issue with many of the knockoffs. It doesn't bother me too much in the photos I have seen, so I'm hoping it won't bother me much in person either. I guess I will have to wait a few more weeks to find out

I would have considered paying $150 for the genuine Apple product if they made it for 38mm watches. The Leather Loop is actually one of their more affordable ones.

 

[Joshoon]

The visible metal at the top seems to be a common issue with many of the knockoffs. It doesn't bother me too much in the photos I have seen, so I'm hoping it won't bother me much in person either. I guess I will have to wait a few more weeks to find out

I would have considered paying $150 for the genuine Apple product if they made it for 38mm watches. The Leather Loop is actually one of their more affordable ones.

Im just a man of perfection sometimes

 

[StophMac24]

Will say this. eBay has this new thing going for certain seller accounts. It's a spin the wheel and win type deal.

They sent me an invite to participate and I won a $5 eBay gift card and a $100 eBay gift card. Needless to say I paid nothing for the 1:1 clone.

Check your messages and see if eBay sent you the invite, if they did, you are in business.

They state that you need to sell something in order to be provided with a code, however, if you see the rules to participate, you'll see they offer a second option in which you provide them with your info and they send you the promo code to spin the wheel.

Any who, check it out and see! $105 for free was not a bad deal.

This is not a troll move, nor a fake. I thought the same thing...until I actually won a verified gift card. Checked the eBay community forums and googled it. Legit

Edit: here is the link https://play.ebay.com/spin/Mobile

Be forewarned. If you don't have an eBay message in your eBay account inbox inviting you to participate , you won't be able to receive a promo code. If you do, on this link, click see the rules and read option 2 on how to participate

 

[Armski]

There seem to be 2 versions of the replica. One of them has the back of the butterfly clasp that looks like the OEM version (utica one) and the other one just has the Links back to back.

I've had extensive talks with Richard (utica guy) and this is A grade as of right now, it's as good as it's going to be until another 3-4 months when the entire resizing mechanism will be replicated and a higher grade butterfly clasp. Richard assured me he has tested the clones that have the hidden butterfly clasp and they aren't as good. Anyway i will have one in my hands in about 2 weeks for review purposes. Will update with lots of pics.

 

[Time Less]

I've had extensive talks with Richard (utica guy) and this is A grade as of right now, it's as good as it's going to be until another 3-4 months when the entire resizing mechanism will be replicated and a higher grade butterfly clasp. Richard assured me he has tested the clones that have the hidden butterfly clasp and they aren't as good. Anyway i will have one in my hands in about 2 weeks for review purposes. Will update with lots of pics.

Sounds hopeful. Thanks for the Intel.

 

[Armski]

Sounds hopeful. Thanks for the Intel.

You're welcome, just a quick update Richard said the clasp is not identical to the original, but here is a comparison picture of the OEM and utica clone. Richard assured me he will have a video up on Youtube showing the clone on Monday.

OEM

Clone

I actually like the clone, hope it's not painful to wear though.