Question about the original Link Bracelet

[ir0b0t]

I just got an original Apple Link Bracelet in silver for my Series 9 from eBay. It has all the engravings and etchings to look for, has no weird gaps or anything, and generally just feels genuine (I also own a Space Black). The packaging and everything also looked legit. I couldn’t help but notice that the sides weren’t polished, like it doesn’t have a mirror finish like the case of my silver stainless steel series 9. At least that’s what I was expecting it to look like from memory. So I looked up photos again on google and I guess it looks the same as the one I have right now.

My question is, did they change it at some point to a mirror like finish for the sides of the band in one of the later revisions, or am I just tripping? Or did it always have a mirror like finish for the sides, and there’s just something wrong with the one own now?

 

[ir0b0t]

A couple photos. Please don’t mind my hairy arm and the laundry

 

[athousandbands]

I just got an original Apple Link Bracelet in silver for my Series 9 from eBay. It has all the engravings and etchings to look for, has no weird gaps or anything, and generally just feels genuine (I also own a Space Black). The packaging and everything also looked legit. I couldn’t help but notice that the sides weren’t polished, like it doesn’t have a mirror finish like the case of my silver stainless steel series 9. At least that’s what I was expecting it to look like from memory. So I looked up photos again on google and I guess it looks the same as the one I have right now.

My question is, did they change it at some point to a mirror like finish for the sides of the band in one of the later revisions, or am I just tripping? Or did it always have a mirror like finish for the sides, and there’s just something wrong with the one own now?

No that’s how the design is, you’re good

 

[ir0b0t]

No that’s how the design is, you’re good

Weird, maybe because the space black one has the smooth glossy finish on the sides, that I’m misremembering things. But thank you for confirming. In any case I love this new band and watch combo.

 

[athousandbands]

Weird, maybe because the space black one has the smooth glossy finish on the sides, that I’m misremembering things. But thank you for confirming. In any case I love this new band and watch combo.

Looking at mine the space black has a more reflective side, and now you’re jogging my memory that maybe there was a tweak? Or at least a discussion about one

 

[ir0b0t]

Looking at mine the space black has a more reflective side, and now you’re jogging my memory that maybe there was a tweak? Or at least a discussion about one

View attachment 2505116

This is how both my Space Black and now new Silver looks like pretty much. I could’ve sworn the Silver was mirror finished on the sides, but I guess not, judging from both our bands, and old reviews from big sites I’ve looked up just earlier to make sure, and so on. Ofc it doesn’t rule out that there could’ve been a tweak later on. Judging from the packaging of mine, I think mine is a very old model. I’ll look up the product code later.

 

[athousandbands]

This is how both my Space Black and now new Silver looks like pretty much. I could’ve sworn the Silver was mirror finished on the sides, but I guess not, judging from both our bands, and old reviews from big sites I’ve looked up just earlier to make sure, and so on. Ofc it doesn’t rule out that there could’ve been a tweak later on. Judging from the packaging of mine, I think mine is a very old model. I’ll look up the product code later.

@mikedis weigh in??

 

[ir0b0t]

Grabbed a couple photos from Reddit. The sides of the silver band looks like ours

On the other hand looks like the new gold and natural has a mirror/glossy finish on the sides now too, akin to my space black

 

[ir0b0t]

Another review confirming the matte sides on the Silver very clearly

 

[mikedis]

Yes, for a very, very brief period of time Apple pushed out a silver link with reflective sides to match the polished watches, but it was pretty short lived and the polished ones are pretty hard to come by. The vast majority of the bands put out by now have been more of a matte finish.

 

[ir0b0t]

Yes, for a very, very brief period of time Apple pushed out a silver link with reflective sides to match the polished watches, but it was pretty short lived and the polished ones are pretty hard to come by. The vast majority of the bands put out by now have been more of a matte finish.

View attachment 2505167
View attachment 2505168

Damn, I knew I wasn’t tripping. Do you perhaps know the product code or whatever it’s called? Mine says MJ5G2ZM/A, also 03/2019. Also when you say for a short time, was it before they made matte sides, or in-between/after?

 

[mikedis]

Damn, I knew I wasn’t tripping. Do you perhaps know the product code or whatever it’s called? Mine says MJ5G2ZM/A, also 03/2019. Also when you say for a short time, was it before they made matte sides, or in-between/after?

Not sure on the timing, just know they offered these briefly. It would have been the same exact MPN.

 

[mikedis]

View attachment 2505130

This photo you shared is actually one of the polished ones

 

[ir0b0t]

This photo you shared is actually one of the polished ones

OP from the Reddit post I took it from has said it's the Natural colored band, as in the one that came with the 10 Series, so I just took him by word.

 

[ir0b0t]

Not sure on the timing, just know they offered these briefly. It would have been the same exact MPN.

Thanks for the info. Makes it impossible to hunt one down, brand new and sealed unfortunately.

 

[macoroniii]

I just got an original Apple Link Bracelet in silver for my Series 9 from eBay. It has all the engravings and etchings to look for, has no weird gaps or anything, and generally just feels genuine (I also own a Space Black). The packaging and everything also looked legit. I couldn’t help but notice that the sides weren’t polished, like it doesn’t have a mirror finish like the case of my silver stainless steel series 9. At least that’s what I was expecting it to look like from memory. So I looked up photos again on google and I guess it looks the same as the one I have right now.

My question is, did they change it at some point to a mirror like finish for the sides of the band in one of the later revisions, or am I just tripping? Or did it always have a mirror like finish for the sides, and there’s just something wrong with the one own now?

You're not tripping the original silver Link Bracelet has brushed sides, not a mirror finish like the watch case. That’s normal. Apple didn’t change it to a polished side in later revisions either. So your band sounds legit!

 

[williamofockham]

off topic maybe, but it reminds me of the watchband ny 21 jewell seiko had in the late 60's