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sinophilia

macrumors regular
May 7, 2008
148
76
Italy
Not really, the stainless steel lugs look much better than I thought on the aluminum Watch... but to each their own! ;)
 

studIOS5

macrumors 6502a
Oct 14, 2011
523
111
Oregon, OH
My band is aging pretty gracefully, no nasty scratches or gouges in the leather recently. Just picked up the matching case today. Love the quality of both products. You get what you pay for.
 

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Mac2me

macrumors 6502a
Jun 10, 2015
965
446
I like having the phone case match the band. I have a white silicon case for my white SB since that's my go-to kind of every day casual band (I do have other color bands too though). I originally thought I might regret getting a white band and case but have been pleasantly surprised that they don't seem to attract the marks I thought they might and the case gets thrown in my purse and such all the time. I'd be interested to hear after a while how your leather case holds up (scratches, marks, etc).

The saddle brown looks nice, kind of sophisticated more upscale pairing. I have an original black classic leather band and love the feel of it on my wrist. The saddle brown is tempting. I do kind of feel like the brown saddle has more of a manly or rugged look to it than the original classic band style. Maybe the channels on the side of the band give me that impression; the orig black classic is a flat, more textured leather. It's funny I never once felt that way about the orig black classic one. Nice color brown leather in any event. I do like the look of it with the black Watch bases and just don't get why Apple doesn't offer the choice of adapter colors with them, especially on the more expensive bands. That is one of the nice things about the sport bands--not needing to match anything.
 

Thai

Suspended
Feb 2, 2016
1,459
883
Colorado
Just joined the club. Have had AW for a while now, but new owner of Saddle Brown! Love it!
 

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mhoutman

macrumors 6502
Feb 8, 2016
498
254
I bought this saddle brown strap last week. I also own the black Classic Buckle (rev 2), black Sport band and of course the fauve Single Tour which came with my Hermès Edition.

I love the buckle design, simple but the straps are very Apple like (over-deigned). Although I actually love the color (very similar to Hermès fauvecolor), the strap does not look nor smell like leather. It actually smells like some cheap chemicals ....well Ecco's ;)

What I don't understand is that the black Classic Buckle has some grain while the Saddle bron is complete without. I hope Apple will release new colors like red old dark brown. Also other leather sorts would be great and please give it a stitching.

Nice article to read below: https://medium.com/@flyosity/inconvenient-truths-about-the-apple-watch-11bafa44551b#.ebezojio1
 

Thai

Suspended
Feb 2, 2016
1,459
883
Colorado
I bought this saddle brown strap last week. I also own the black Classic Buckle (rev 2), black Sport band and of course the fauve Single Tour which came with my Hermès Edition.

I love the buckle design, simple but the straps are very Apple like (over-deigned). Although I actually love the color (very similar to Hermès fauvecolor), the strap does not look nor smell like leather. It actually smells like some cheap chemicals ....well Ecco's ;)

What I don't understand is that the black Classic Buckle has some grain while the Saddle bron is complete without. I hope Apple will release new colors like red old dark brown. Also other leather sorts would be great and please give it a stitching.

Nice article to read below: https://medium.com/@flyosity/inconvenient-truths-about-the-apple-watch-11bafa44551b#.ebezojio1

Well, if you ever want to sell your Hermes Single Tour, then please PM me. I will gladly buy it.

Is the Saddle band thicker than the Hermes?

For me, i actually like the smoothness of the Saddle band (returned the Black Classic 2nd ed because the Saddle felt much better to my fingers)...i have an expensive couch ($5k) at home that has the same smoothness. But, i admit that i am no leather expert.
 

mhoutman

macrumors 6502
Feb 8, 2016
498
254
Well, if you ever want to sell your Hermes Single Tour, then please PM me. I will gladly buy it.

Is the Saddle band thicker than the Hermes?

For me, i actually like the smoothness of the Saddle band (returned the Black Classic 2nd ed because the Saddle felt much better to my fingers)...i have an expensive couch ($5k) at home that has the same smoothness. But, i admit that i am no leather expert.


The Hermès strap is definitely thinner and also feels smoother. It has a different built up than the Ecco's (aApple) .I agree, the saddle brown Classic Buckle feels different (smoother) than the black Classic Buckle. But what I like about the black Classic Buckle is its grain.

Please find below two excellent movies on how Hermès crafts the strap:

making of:
Part 1https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaADWGGKMSM
Part 2https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dw43Isosh_s

general info:
http://www.hautetime.com/hands-on-the-hermes-apple-watch/70452/
http://superphen.co

I must admit I have a leather fetish, since I bought my first Leica M. There are some beautiful leather cases from Italy or even Japan. .The beauty of leather is that it ages and good quality leather will become nicer and nicer (patina). At home we have some 20 year old Eames and Cassina leather furniture which gets nicer very day. )

So that is my main concern with the Apple leather. It is leather but doesn't behave as such ;)

That all said, it might be an idea to start an exclusive leather band thread. I really like to see and talk about some premium leather bands which do not appear in the great strap thread. :)
 
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Thai

Suspended
Feb 2, 2016
1,459
883
Colorado
The Hermès strap is definitely thinner and also feels smoother. It has a different built up than the Ecco's (aApple) .I agree, the saddle brown Classic Buckle feels different (smoother) than the black Classic Buckle. But what I like about the black Classic Buckle is its grain.

Please find below two excellent movies on how Hermès crafts the strap:

making of:
Part 1https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaADWGGKMSM
Part 2https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dw43Isosh_s

general info:
http://www.hautetime.com/hands-on-the-hermes-apple-watch/70452/
http://superphen.co

I must admit I have a leather fetish, since I bought my first Leica M. There are some beautiful leather cases from Italy or even Japan. .The beauty of leather is that it ages and good quality leather will become nicer and nicer (patina). At home we have some 20 year old Eames and Cassina leather furniture which gets nicer very day. )

So that is my main concern with the Apple leather. It is leather but doesn't behave as such ;)

That all said, it might be an idea to start an exclusive leather band thread. I really like to see and talk about some premium leather bands which do not appear in the great strap thread. :)

Dude, you are NOT helping me by showing Hermes videos! :D

For me (again, not expert), i did not like the Classic buckle BLACK because the grain looks kinda like beef jerky. The black band also was not as soft as Saddle Brown (oddly enough for me)...so, the excess part of the band "hang" down (i have small wrist), while the saddle brown excess strap hugs my wrist. The smooth texture on the Saddle Brown has made me feeling it with my fingers throughout the day...i just like the soft smooth texture.

Well, according to Apple website, patina is what we can expect from the calf leather on these Classic Buckle bands. And seeing that saddle brown leather iPhone CASES from Apple does indeed develop patina, i see no reason to not believe Apple.

See:

I am good with leather band thread!
 

mhoutman

macrumors 6502
Feb 8, 2016
498
254
I hope Apple are right when writing this 'This traditional design has been updated with a new calf leather that ages naturally over time to acquire a beautiful patina. The contrasting interior lining creates a dramatic two-tone look, and the filleted edge detail provides a clean geometry." http://www.apple.com/shop/product/MLE02/42mm-saddle-brown-classic-buckle.

Actually I started rubbing the strap with my fingers and some patina is showing :)

But my guess is that the leather from the phone case is completely different from the Classic Buckle. Also thinner. There is also a lot of discussion on the iPhone cases not keeping color. My son has a PRODUCT red iPhone 5s case which was after a few days already showing black ;)

To be honest, I got the Hermès Edition as a gift. Sure it has a very nice strap and you have the additional type faces, but is still is an Apple Watch you need to charge with a cable. And yes I do not wear the Hermès strap a lot, just to preserve it. That made me also start to hunt for an perfect alternative....
 
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///M Powah

macrumors regular
Oct 22, 2012
216
66
Hawaii, US
I really love my new Pad & Quill Classic Band compared to Apple Saddle Buckle. Very nice quality leather!
 

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Thai

Suspended
Feb 2, 2016
1,459
883
Colorado
I really love my new Pad & Quill Classic Band compared to Apple Saddle Buckle. Very nice quality leather!

Did you have Apple's Saddle Brown buckle before? I am sure that P&Q uses nice leather but the look is off to me for some reason...but then again, i have never seen P&Q in real life.
 

///M Powah

macrumors regular
Oct 22, 2012
216
66
Hawaii, US
Did you have Apple's Saddle Brown buckle before? I am sure that P&Q uses nice leather but the look is off to me for some reason...but then again, i have never seen P&Q in real life.

Nope, I haven't but I have tried it on at the Apple Store but I prefer this band more than the Apple band. The pictures don't justify the quality.
 

mhoutman

macrumors 6502
Feb 8, 2016
498
254
Did you have Apple's Saddle Brown buckle before? I am sure that P&Q uses nice leather but the look is off to me for some reason...but then again, i have never seen P&Q in real life.
Definitwly nicer leather than Apple's but I would prefer a white beige stitching, but that is all a matter of taste.

When I first saw some reviews of the expensive Nomad strap (probably made in China) I loved the leather aand stitching but still hesitate on the huge buckle Panerai style. And again probably far east made.
 

Thai

Suspended
Feb 2, 2016
1,459
883
Colorado
I hope Apple are right when writing this 'This traditional design has been updated with a new calf leather that ages naturally over time to acquire a beautiful patina. The contrasting interior lining creates a dramatic two-tone look, and the filleted edge detail provides a clean geometry." http://www.apple.com/shop/product/MLE02/42mm-saddle-brown-classic-buckle.

Actually I started rubbing the strap with my fingers and some patina is showing :)

But my guess is that the leather from the phone case is completely different from the Classic Buckle. Also thinner. There is also a lot of discussion on the iPhone cases not keeping color. My son has a PRODUCT red iPhone 5s case which was after a few days already showing black ;)

To be honest, I got the Hermès Edition as a gift. Sure it has a very nice strap and you have the additional type faces, but is still is an Apple Watch you need to charge with a cable. And yes I do not wear the Hermès strap a lot, just to preserve it. That made me also start to hunt for an perfect alternative....

I think that i found more info on the type of leather Apple is using: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/classic-buckle-leather-ecco.1955308/
 

andreyirra

macrumors regular
Oct 27, 2014
173
19
Mexico
Question. Does the second gen classick buckle still uses leather made by Ecco? There are no references to them in any page after the release of the 2 gen.
 

mhoutman

macrumors 6502
Feb 8, 2016
498
254
Question. Does the second gen classick buckle still uses leather made by Ecco? There are no references to them in any page after the release of the 2 gen.

Only Apple and Ecco know, just kidding, the Ecco leather is not that special and are also made in China...

My guess, Apple was not satisfied with the initial Classic Buckle quality and choose another manufacturer for rev 2 and the saddle brown and Edition colors. I also noticed that the Edition blue strap is now also in two tone :)
 

Thai

Suspended
Feb 2, 2016
1,459
883
Colorado
Only Apple and Ecco know, just kidding, the Ecco leather is not that special and are also made in China...

My guess, Apple was not satisfied with the initial Classic Buckle quality and choose another manufacturer for rev 2 and the saddle brown and Edition colors. I also noticed that the Edition blue strap is now also in two tone :)

Being made in China is irrelevant. I care more about quality control and materials used. If you dislike China made products, then you might as well give up on 90% things around you, including your iPhone!
 

mhoutman

macrumors 6502
Feb 8, 2016
498
254
Being made in China is irrelevant. I care more about quality control and materials used. If you dislike China made products, then you might as well give up on 90% things around you, including your iPhone!

of course, but what i meant was that Apple make a lot of fuzz on Dutch leather made by Ecco. Well I am from Holland and believe me, our cows are not that special ;)
 

mhoutman

macrumors 6502
Feb 8, 2016
498
254
I really love my new Pad & Quill Classic Band compared to Apple Saddle Buckle. Very nice quality leather!

You spoiled me. Today I ordered both their Classic bands in whiskey and black. It was quit a hassle to get them as the black one was only available through thier Etsy store (which is the same warehouse as their own store). Especially the whiskey is growing on me also because it has almost the same color as the band of my favorite IWC 5441. Will have to wait a couple of days before they arrive here...
 

Thai

Suspended
Feb 2, 2016
1,459
883
Colorado
You spoiled me. Today I ordered both their Classic bands in whiskey and black. It was quit a hassle to get them as the black one was only available through thier Etsy store (which is the same warehouse as their own store). Especially the whiskey is growing on me also because it has almost the same color as the band of my favorite IWC 5441. Will have to wait a couple of days before they arrive here...

Dude, can you adopt me? I don't require much maintenance (no diapers, no milk needed)...i will accept your Hermes band and i won't ask for another thing.
 

ZEEN0j

macrumors 68000
Sep 29, 2014
1,569
721
Not mine, but here is a picture. View attachment 588273

I recognize that arm haha. I love this band, came with my watch. I've had the watch for maybe 4 months now and the band looks brand new. Has some small aging marks that has a slight orange tint, looks great. I also have a Milanese loop but I use the leather band 5 days a week. It's very comfortable. You can bend the tip of the band so it follows your wrist instead of sticking out.
 

Thai

Suspended
Feb 2, 2016
1,459
883
Colorado
I recognize that arm haha. I love this band, came with my watch. I've had the watch for maybe 4 months now and the band looks brand new. Has some small aging marks that has a slight orange tint, looks great. I also have a Milanese loop but I use the leather band 5 days a week. It's very comfortable. You can bend the tip of the band so it follows your wrist instead of sticking out.

Good to hear! The band is high quality then. I just love the feel of it. :)
 
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