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Donstil-nl

macrumors 6502a
Jun 27, 2008
523
393
Netherlands
Ah, you ment this post. Indeed you see some kind of gap.

Btw. the way this band is put on the picture says everything, you see the gap, the quality and the clasp. Really hope that more people will make pictures of their bands this same way.

If you want some pictures of my clone band I can make some more, no problem.
Just let me know.
 

terrorsource

macrumors member
Jul 29, 2015
30
10
Off course there is a little gap on the real band, if there where no gaps you cannot wear it on a wrist

Only on the cheap fake bands the gaps are just to big, no problem because they are cheap $50/60 on eBay ($15/$25 from factory) but it's nicer if there are less gaps on it.

The finish on the real and more expensive fake one is also a lot better.

Just tell me, which fake band is perfect in your eyes? which is not the band you have? cause the only band you like and dont talk negative about is the one you have...
 

Nadim-Aziz

macrumors newbie
Jul 15, 2015
10
2
Thanks for the tip, wasn't sure if they would fit if buying elsewhere.

Have you found since replacing spring bars strap is now sturdy with no signs of links coming off?

So I ordered spring bars from Ebay as per link and turns out the spring bars are to thick in diameter and do not fit inside links.

Diameter of spring bars are 1.5mm...

Diaph - can you confirm if 1.5mm spring bars fit on your links?

I'm kinda stuffed now, was hoping to just replace the spring bars but will probably have to refund my band as its way to dangerous to wear...
 

Donstil-nl

macrumors 6502a
Jun 27, 2008
523
393
Netherlands
Just tell me, which fake band is perfect in your eyes? which is not the band you have? cause the only band you like and dont talk negative about is the one you have...

There is not yet one perfect clone band.

They all have something for now, if you want a perfect one you have to wait longer. The 1:1 clone band is delayed again.
 

AppleTech22

macrumors 6502a
Jul 10, 2010
548
126
US

slvrscoobie

macrumors 6502a
Mar 24, 2013
664
207
NJ
Anyone with the clone link have issues getting it on the watch. My SB link band is so 'right' that I can't remove the band one side at a time. It'll pull the other side and cause it to 'lock up' or bind up. I use the underside pop links to disengage the band and do each side independently. Wondered if the looseness of the clone to allow that without the easy removal of links.
 

Billrey

macrumors regular
Aug 3, 2010
145
241
Copenhagen
Hi, did anyone see this link bracelet? It looks far closer to the original than I've seen so far. It's the first one I've see that has a proper clasp that folds into itself rather than adding an extra 'layer' at the clasp.

I had to look closely to confirm that it's not the original.

Can't see any holes though for the links. I wonder how you resize it?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/141747908614
 

soya

macrumors 6502
Jul 30, 2010
433
106
Hi, did anyone see this link bracelet? It looks far closer to the original than I've seen so far. It's the first one I've see that has a proper clasp that folds into itself rather than adding an extra 'layer' at the clasp.

I had to look closely to confirm that it's not the original.

Can't see any holes though for the links. I wonder how you resize it?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/141747908614

I can see holes on the sides of the links..

As for original vs clone, well the most obvious are the buttons to detach each individual links & the marking on the interior of the clasp "42/38mm 316L Stainless Steel"
 

Billrey

macrumors regular
Aug 3, 2010
145
241
Copenhagen
I can see holes on the sides of the links..

As for original vs clone, well the most obvious are the buttons to detach each individual links & the marking on the interior of the clasp "42/38mm 316L Stainless Steel"

Right I see the holes now on some of the additional photos. I guess some of the photos shown are with the band at its smallest size without any added links.
 

soya

macrumors 6502
Jul 30, 2010
433
106
Right I see the holes now on some of the additional photos. I guess some of the photos shown are with the band at its smallest size without any added links.

Also, the hinges of the clasp are not brushed on the OEM + the central part of the main clasp piece. We can't tell from the pics themselves.

I don't know if it's an impression but the Link clones I've seen so far seem to have slightly curved edges (same for the clasp buttons). Original has a completely flat surface. And the clasp buttons should go continuous with the rest of the band.

Pay attention to this section of the clasp hinge and compare it to the clone (photo below is my OEM Link bracelet)

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1439766099.088870.jpg


And this is the clone:

clone.jpg

You can see that the shape is different.
 
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Billrey

macrumors regular
Aug 3, 2010
145
241
Copenhagen
Sure, it's slightly different at that scale. That's a good thing in a way - it proves that it's not a scam, and they aren't just showing photos of the OEM version. The OEM solution for resizing is definitely more elegant than janking sharp things into small holes, but then you only need to do it once.

My main worry is with the gap between the links. I'd find it to be a drag if there was an ugly visible gap between some of the links.
 

peterlaca

macrumors regular
Sep 28, 2014
124
319
Los Angeles, CA
IMG_1085.JPG
Strangely enough...after wearing Richard's band (Utica) for a day...the space between the connector and first link is now smaller. I'm guessing that after the links space out from wearing they become more even. The band is great and until a perfect 1:1 is available....I will be wearing it as my go to band.... (and that used to be the sport)
 

DragonPrime120

macrumors member
Apr 21, 2015
85
60
I'm looking to buy one of these bands from Richard, they look great! Honestly, the non-OEM style of link removal isn't that big of a turnoff, it's mainly the clasp I like. I'm not bothered by the gap at all, so I think I'll be fine. Initially I was doubting my want for the band after seeing some disappointed board members, but I think I'll take the gamble. If anyone is looking to sell theres , I would definitely take it off of your hands.
 
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mamba82

macrumors newbie
Aug 14, 2015
8
0
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1439801258.637359.jpg
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1439801270.438545.jpg


I tried my luck at Alibaba and had a conversation

They promise that there is no gap, has the butterfly clasp and sent me 2 pictures.

I ordered 38mm in silver - I will give an update.
 

championart

macrumors member
Sep 20, 2014
36
4
View attachment 575633 Strangely enough...after wearing Richard's band (Utica) for a day...the space between the connector and first link is now smaller. I'm guessing that after the links space out from wearing they become more even. The band is great and until a perfect 1:1 is available....I will be wearing it as my go to band.... (and that used to be the sport)

is this 42mm or 38mm band
 

Reytiros

macrumors member
Jun 10, 2015
34
40
Germany
so i bought a used link bracelet, it is surprisingly lighter but more comfortable to wear, because of the flat clasp.
the clone isn't bad but the real one is just better
i just took some pictures, see below.
i think the clone is a bit more shiny.
 

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terrorsource

macrumors member
Jul 29, 2015
30
10
I'm giving it a go. Will let you know.

Thanks. Whats your opinion on the Black Milanese Loop so far?
I clearly see damages, dents and color differences on the pictures. Also don't know if the metal version is a bit of a see-through like you see in the 5th picture.
 

zetaplus93

macrumors regular
May 7, 2015
133
59
I was thinking the same thing, that perhaps he 38mm doesn't have this issue.

My 38mm arrives Monday, I'll report back then.

Received my 38mm bracelet from Utica guy today.

Overall, decent quality band. When compared to Apple's OEM bracelet, you can see the difference in quality, especially at the clasp. The big gaps at the release buttons makes it look low quality IMHO. But hey, who looks at the clasp all day? Apple's bracelet looks and feels excellent--it's tight, flawless, and has very little issues, if any.

Back to the Utica band. The gap is there, but not too big for me in real life:

53ab77ce705392e6e7c4be41a871a80a.jpg


And here's Apple's:

9942d2ecbcad576a6ee8893fa27710c7.jpg


The bigger gaps in the Utica 42mm bracelets may be due to either manufacturing problems or the size of the watch & the wearer's wrist. If you have smaller wrists and wear the bigger 42mm AW, the bracelet will almost angle down 90 degrees, thereby exaggerating the gap. My 6.5" wrists, paired with the smaller 38mm, minimizes the gap. Here's a side profile of my wrist with Apple's bracelet. You can see the that first link has a smaller angle, so gaps are minimized:

3b1ebc4ff0771e3c6fab297648d1cba7.jpg


Unfortunately I'm going to return it. The problem is that it's too long. Utica's shortest is 9 links between the clasp and end link. Apple's is 7 links. For my 6.5" wrists, in the summer, I'm wearing 8 and 9 links on each side of he clasp. Utica's only provides 9 & 9 link on each side, so it's 1-2 links too long for me (and will get worse in the winter when my wrist shrinks by about 1 link). Also, Utica's links are longer--compare the left side of the bracelets below (both have 9 links). So realistically, I'd probably need 8/8 or 8/7 links with Utica's bracelet.

Here's a quick shot comparing the bracelets. The shorter one is Apple's (and the Utica band has already been shortened as much as possible):

8a79acbab02a0288256a7d27f24d3b47.jpg


Too bad, I would've kept the bracelet had it worked out. I'll wait longer or just keep Apple's excellent bracelet.
 
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hoogen

macrumors regular
Jun 22, 2010
167
30
Received my Hoco Grand Series 2 watch band today. i am very happy with the quality and fit of the watch band.

vhc60g.jpg


9r6fs4.jpg


30m9x04.jpg


ruuxpd.jpg


2rpv9zs.jpg
 
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Joshoon

macrumors regular
Aug 18, 2014
146
23
Netherlands
Found a Black Milanese Loop band on AliExpress, asked for the pictures and here they are.
Looks OK to me, but still doubting to order one.

Link:
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Orig...le-watch-42mm-38mm-Watchband/32433242834.html

The band looks so transparent on those pictures.
Is that with the original (silver) one as well?

I was thinking about to order this one for my SGS.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Magnetic-Mi...83458?var=550904771759&_trksid=p2056016.l4276

It has a lot of orders, can't go wrong, right?
 
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