I received the Pad & Quill leather strap yesterday. While it's definitely a premium leather I'm somewhat disappointed with it. My two main grips are it's incredibly stiff. I know leather will soften up, but even after a day of bending it back and forth to loose it, it needs to be about a quarter as still as it is to be comfortable (to me). The strap is also wider than the metal buckle. I can't image why it's like this. Combined with the stiffness it makes it a five minute job to get it on, very frustrating. Finally the whole thing seems a bit oversized for the 38mm watch. Below are some posts with picture comparisons with the new Apple classic buckle strap.
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Pad & Quill leather strap vs Classic Buckle
- Thread starter bcaslis
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I am sorry to see you didn't care for the Pad & Quill. I love mine. I agree, it takes time to break in but I just left it buckled to the size I wanted for a few days and I have no problem with it now. It was worth it to me for the cost savings, but yes, if they had cost the same, and if Apple gad made the chocolate brown, I probably would have chosen the Apple OEM one.
Was yours wider in the strap than the metal buckle? This this is the part that is driving me crazy, it's awful trying to put it on.
Ive been having this exact debate. Love pad and quill's leather style, and the cheaper price was tempting, but the stitching design and colour of the Apple buckle appeals to me more.
Thanks for posting. Is it safe to say that after a few days of use?, you prefer the Apple strap?
Thanks for posting. Is it safe to say that after a few days of use?, you prefer the Apple strap?
No, mine slides through just fine, it isn't wider than the buckle. It is no problem at all to put it on.
I thought of this too. The metal buckle on mine was even smaller than the metal buckle on the Apple 38mm band. I tried emailing them but only got a response that it seems normal and wait a month for it to break in. I finally asked how to return it and never got a response. Finally I checked their website and found the address for returns and sent it out. It should be delivered today. If only the strap fit through the metal band I would have gladly kept it. But struggling just to put it on make no sense. If they had told me it was a mistake on this strap, I would have gladly exchanged it. As it is, it's all left a bad taste. Their leather was clearly better than Apple's but the fit was just terrible.
Received my 38mm British Tan band today. Gotta say, while I do like my first gen official Classic Buckle, and while I have been very tempted by the official Saddle Brown Classic Buckle, I ultimately went for Pad & Quill based on their reputation and the incredible effort they've put in their other product lines.
Out of the box it was very stiff, and is clearly a newly built band. The quality is unlike any leather product I've ever owned, and the stitching shows an absurd attention to detail.
Definitely gonna take time to break in, but after 12 hours of wearing, its started to mould a little to the shape of my wrist. I love the fact its signed on the inside, and adds a level of personal touch you just don't get with Apple's bands.
The band slots into the watch perfectly though, no gaps as mentioned by others, but I do own the 38mm Apple Watch, not the 42.
It remains to be seen how it'll fair in the long term, but so far, so good. Might write a more detailed review after a few days of usage.
Out of the box it was very stiff, and is clearly a newly built band. The quality is unlike any leather product I've ever owned, and the stitching shows an absurd attention to detail.
Definitely gonna take time to break in, but after 12 hours of wearing, its started to mould a little to the shape of my wrist. I love the fact its signed on the inside, and adds a level of personal touch you just don't get with Apple's bands.
The band slots into the watch perfectly though, no gaps as mentioned by others, but I do own the 38mm Apple Watch, not the 42.
It remains to be seen how it'll fair in the long term, but so far, so good. Might write a more detailed review after a few days of usage.
How long ago did you order it? Did you get a shipping notification when it hit the mail? (waiting on a 42mm chocolate brown)
Ordered last Wednesday morning, arrived Friday morning (sent from Minneapolis to Wales, UK). Rapid response time.
Got a shipping notification as soon as the shipping label was created, and got updated every step of the way by FedEx. Credit to them, they emailed me the minute it was at my door, which gave me just enough time to drive back for it before jumping on the train to work haha.
My Pad & Quill band shipped today. 42mm SS Chocolate. I'll post pics and feedback once I receive it.
