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Question about authenticity of Link Bands

The real telltale sign (other than the markings) is that none of the fakes I have seen have polished sides. On the real link bracelet, the links are polished all the way down the side to match the SBSS Apple Watch. The bracelet also has it's own distinctive colour - it has a greyish tint to it (because it's DLC and not paint).

It is a thing of beauty, and I do have 3 clones, but none compare to the real deal.

I forked out $400 tax in CAD for mine in brand new condition, or about half price.
 
I now have a Stainless Steel and a Space Black SS in my possession, both in mint condition. I figured I'd post back with my impressions, after having been nearly duped by a fake.

Wow-HUGE difference in quality and overall ease of adjustment over the knockoffs. Not to mention the unmistakable finish of the Space Black. The fakes may photograph almost identically, but in the hand it's no contest.

Also, both have the clasp and lug engravings.
 
good luck, I've got 1 or 2 link bands coming from ebay too. they had the correct latch markings, but we'll see.
I saw some even cheaper ones shipping from China that 'looked' legit I but avoided those.
How many removable links orig came with the 42mm (black link bracelet) 12? I had one before but forgot.
 
Interesting timing with this topic. I received my "e-bay China legit looking" link bracelet today. I had a brief Q&A with the seller before buying the bracelet. His answers seemed legit, and the images looked like it was worth a try. The band arrived, and it has the 42mm markings on the clasp, and one end does have the Assembled in China engraving. Fit and finish are great.

Each side has 5 of the removable links, and the fixed links match the count from images on the Apple site.

The fit for me is slightly tight. For sport bands, I use the second to largest hole, and with all links this is slightly tighter. I'm expecting to have to order the spare links from Apple.

FYI, I'm just a happy purchaser, no financial interest, blah blah blah blah .

-Eric
 
Nice, I was very tempted by some of the auctions from China, they looked legit, but I was too cautious. One of my black link bracelets came in today. Beautiful, looks brand new, but has only 8 of the 12 removable links. I ordered 6 more links from Apple, still a great deal, under 200. I have another link bracelet coming with a SS SB Series 0 watch for about the same price, we'll see. I had forgotten how amazing the link band is..
 
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Quick update. I had to buy the 42mm extra links from Apple, and they are working fine and the band fully matches.

Not sure what else would be needed to confirm my e-bay used from China band is authentic...... $145 FYI.....

-Eric
 
I got the link kit from Apple yesterday to fill mine out. The way they drop and change bands I wonder how long Apple will sell the link band, at $550 sales have to be very low now, as the initial release was over 2 years ago.
 
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EricTheWatchGuy said:
Quick update. I had to buy the 42mm extra links from Apple, and they are working fine and the band fully matches.

Not sure what else would be needed to confirm my e-bay used from China band is authentic...... $145 FYI.....

-Eric
Click to expand...
Can you post a link? I have an original black one but would like a silver one as the aftermarket silver one I have obviously pales in comparison.
 
EricTheWatchGuy said:
I hope it's kosher to post this. Again, I have no financial interest in this, just found it to be a good deal.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Original-Apple-Watch-Link-Bracelet-band-316L-stainless-steel-alloy-42mm-SILVER/401311369303?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

-Eric
Click to expand...
For anyone who might want to buy one of these I made an offer of $100 and it was accepted. It will take awhile for delivery but if it's genuine this is a deal for sure.
 
EricTheWatchGuy said:
I hope it's kosher to post this. Again, I have no financial interest in this, just found it to be a good deal.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Original-Apple-Watch-Link-Bracelet-band-316L-stainless-steel-alloy-42mm-SILVER/401311369303?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

-Eric
Click to expand...

I made this seller an offer of 100$ too, and he accepted. Received the bracelet today and it indeed is a original Apple link bracelet. Few scratches on it as the listing stated, but a little cape cod and it looked new again. Really happy with it..
 
Man this guy lol. He won't accept 100 and is only willing to take 2$ off. How'd you guys get 100?
 
Zenga13 said:
I was wondering the same thing too.. maybe the 98 is more scratched then the 145.. No idea.
Click to expand...
I asked him. We have been going back in forth on offer claims. He stopped replying around 13 hours ago so ill let you know what his reply is...eventually.
 
Zenga13 said:
I was wondering the same thing too.. maybe the 98 is more scratched then the 145.. No idea.
Click to expand...
So its the conditions thats why.

Finally got him at 100 for the new OTHER band. Ill update here in a month when I get it lol
 
AndrewR23 said:
So its the conditions thats why.

Finally got him at 100 for the new OTHER band. Ill update here in a month when I get it lol
Click to expand...

Yeah, that's what I suspected too. Great you got the other one for 100, it's a bargain for the real link.
I am really very happy with it.

Hope you will receive it soon, I got it in a week in Holland (was send 3/7, arrived 11/7)
 
Zenga13 said:
Yeah, that's what I suspected too. Great you got the other one for 100, it's a bargain for the real link.
I am really very happy with it.

Hope you will receive it soon, I got it in a week in Holland (was send 3/7, arrived 11/7)
Click to expand...
Yeah Im in the US so it says between July 25-Aug 14

We went back and forth for 3 days lol it was pretty funny in the messages. Good seller.
 
AndrewR23 said:
Yeah Im in the US so it says between July 25-Aug 14

We went back and forth for 3 days lol it was pretty funny in the messages. Good seller.
Click to expand...

With me it said July 31 - Aug 24, but it arrived on July 11 so I was pleasendly surprised. Wasn't expecting it yet.
 
I got about $5 off after a poor attempt at haggling. It took over two weeks to arrive in the US (east coast), but at $145 it looked basically new. I am definitely not complaining......

-Eric
 
Now that I look at it, I've made a mess of the band. There weren't any scratches when I got it, but I've been wearing it alot..... suppose I should clean it, and give it a once over with some scotch brite.

The image that shows the "Assembled in China" has both my bought at the Apple store Milanese band, and the link band ends.

The image that shows the links, shows the nice new and clean spare links I bought from Apple, and the original band links.

If you want more pics, let me know. Hard to get the Assembled text without a real macro lens though.

-Eric
 

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