The Great "Third Party Band/Strap" Thread

[sean3]

Has anybody actually found a good quality 3rd party 38mm Apple Watch Leather Loop band that hasn't had leather separating from the connector or other issues? I still don't understand why Apple doesn't make these for 38mm watches. If they did they would have my money so fast.

Haven't had luck finding any personally. I caved in and purchased the Apple branded leather loop and love it. Couldn't allow myself to get the smaller watch size so I don't have that issue luckily. Hope you find something!

 

[AlliFlowers]

Has anybody actually found a good quality 3rd party 38mm Apple Watch Leather Loop band that hasn't had leather separating from the connector or other issues? I still don't understand why Apple doesn't make these for 38mm watches. If they did they would have my money so fast.

I got the Bohemian leather loop a few months back. I love it so much it's all I've been wearing. It looks as good as the day I got it. No fraying, no separating, just a great band. I also have a red leather loop, but I don't wear it regularly, so it's hard to compare.

You might also want to check in on the monster thread about leather loops.

 

[myrtlebee]

I got the Bohemian leather loop a few months back. I love it so much it's all I've been wearing. It looks as good as the day I got it. No fraying, no separating, just a great band. I also have a red leather loop, but I don't wear it regularly, so it's hard to compare.

You might also want to check in on the monster thread about leather loops.

Do they offer a solid black version? Where did you get it?

 

[pdxa4]

I got the Bohemian leather loop a few months back. I love it so much it's all I've been wearing. It looks as good as the day I got it. No fraying, no separating, just a great band. I also have a red leather loop, but I don't wear it regularly, so it's hard to compare.

You might also want to check in on the monster thread about leather loops.

How is the fit of the leather loop ? Any of the metal exposed at the adapter ?

And finally, is this the "Happycell" one that you purchased ?

Thanks.

I'm considering one in Brown for 42mm size.

I recently got a blue version from another vendor but it's fit was bad.
here is my example

 

[AlliFlowers]

This is the one I got http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...1450570158&ref_=sr_1_24&s=electronics&sr=1-24,

Definitely no metal exposed. It's perfect.

 

[xDKP]

I bought a hoco link band and the adaptor part of the band broke when I was taking it off my watch.

So I just bought a SBSS watch off of eBay and going to sell my Space Grey Sport. I bought the band off eBay and don't know how I'm going to get a replacement band or refund. Freaking sucks.

That doesn't look good - have had the HOCO Link for four months almost now and its still like new - Contact HOCO directly for assistance maybe?

 

[Qqueenie]

Here's my third party Milanese loop and rose gold AWS. It's a good thing I don't mind mixing metals!

 

[Qqueenie]

Here's another one --- rose gold bracelet. Not the same shade of rose gold, as you can see. I don't think it looks bad at all but I think I'm going to give some of you a heart attack with these unmatched metals. ;-)

 

[pdxa4]

Clockwork Synergy vintage brown strap for 42mm watch

Beside my Product Red "medium" strap

Not sure how I feel about these quick release springs, I would worry that it might engage itself and release. I do have regular springs which I may use instead.

But the adapter itself looks ok (not an exact match for the space gray) , good enough for now. It also slides in ok and appears to be solid.

 

[xDKP]

Clockwork Synergy vintage brown strap for 42mm watch

Beside my Product Red "medium" strap

Not sure how I feel about these quick release springs, I would worry that it might engage itself and release. I do have regular springs which I may use instead.

But the adapter itself looks ok (not an exact match for the space gray) , good enough for now. It also slides in ok and appears to be solid.

That looks pretty good! I've been looking for a very nice brown leather strap, as I feel it would be a great second premium option when I feel like leather and not my Space Black Link bracelet. This looks pretty nice...

Still thinking about this one as my next - looking pretty damn nice:
https://instinction.com/shop/brown-italian-leather-apple-watch-band/

 

[Dbelgard]

Nice, also look at MoKo, they make some really nice products and seem to have better products then JETech

Yep... I am now ordering a MoKo Milanese Loop... the JETech one broke after a few weeks of use...

 

[msink]

I don't have an Apple Watch yet (planning on getting one before Christmas) but have been following this thread for a few weeks to see what kind of straps people are going for!

I'm looking at getting a leather one for when I purchase my watch! Was looking at some from Clockwork Synergy but have also come across this one :

http://www.hellonomad.com/products/strap

I've gotta say that this just looks awesome!!!its pretty pricey but must admit, it's the best leather one I have seen for the Apple Watch - especially the one for the Space Grey watch.

What do people think?!!

Way overpriced. I posted this band awhile back here. It might have been less than $20 then.

https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...nd-strap-thread.1866289/page-37#post-21426810
Just add your adapters and buckle of your choice. Here I chose a deployment clasp.

Here it is with silver buckle

http://www.amazon.com/iStrap-Leathe...869&sr=1-39&nodeID=7141123011&keywords=iStrap

These straps are a little shorter than Nomads. Mine changed color just like Nomad described they would.

 

[AlliFlowers]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B014R4BEH2?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00

I just posted pics in another thread. (We have so many band/strap threads!!!) But here's one:

 

[sean3]

Way overpriced. I posted this band awhile back here. It might have been less than $20 then.

https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...nd-strap-thread.1866289/page-37#post-21426810
Just add your adapters and buckle of your choice. Here I chose a deployment clasp.

Here it is with silver buckle

http://www.amazon.com/iStrap-Leathe...869&sr=1-39&nodeID=7141123011&keywords=iStrap

These straps are a little shorter than Nomads. Mine changed color just like Nomad described they would.

Interestingly enough I've had interest in The Strap as well and was looking for a cheaper alternative. I like yours but would just prefer getting it made already as is instead of tinkering with it. I know. I'm lazy.

 

[msink]

Interestingly enough I've had interest in The Strap as well and was looking for a cheaper alternative. I like yours but would just prefer getting it made already as is instead of tinkering with it. I know. I'm lazy.

$30 + $10 or less for the screw less adapters would take about as much tinkering as it's going to take you to put a completed band on the watch, and cost over $100 less. I wouldn't call that lazy though, more like crazy! it's all good though. But if you do find yourself needing someone to tinker for $6000/hr, Im your guy, just PM me. I'll charge $100 for 1 minute of work, the amount of time to put adapters on a band, all day long. hehe.

 

[Qqueenie]

My wrist is festive as all get-out. (Feat. Third party leather loop)

Merry Christmas everyone!

 

[msink]

Merry Christmas! Nice, which leather loop did you get? Link? It doesn't look like its those really long ones. Hows it holding up?

found it... user jaminfy from eBay.

 

[adamhenry]

Merry Christmas! Nice, which leather loop did you get? Link? It doesn't look like its those really long ones. Hows it holding up?

found it... user jaminfy from eBay.

Or Clixsy on Amazon.

 

[Qqueenie]

Merry Christmas! Nice, which leather loop did you get? Link? It doesn't look like its those really long ones. Hows it holding up?

found it... user jaminfy from eBay.

Jaminfy is the seller I bought from. This was its first full day out so I can't comment on durability yet. So far so good at least!

 

[IphoneIssues]

Anybody know any good sellers on Ebay or Amazon to buy 3rd party sport bands from? Pissed, because I just ordered from somebody with a location in my state. Turns out they lied and they're really in China...

 

[batristain]

Anybody know any good sellers on Ebay or Amazon to buy 3rd party sport bands from? Pissed, because I just ordered from somebody with a location in my state. Turns out they lied and they're really in China...

I have a few sports bands - Moko on amazon - and most are prime. I love them and see no reason to pay full Apple price for a sports band.

Cheers,
Bobbie

 

[noobinator]

Here's my Hoco blue leather band with my SS Watch.

 

[mde8965]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B014R4BEH2?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00

I just posted pics in another thread. (We have so many band/strap threads!!!) But here's one:

View attachment 607010

The band Alliflowers posted about is a nice link band. I bought one based on her post. Here it is, showing with a gold apple sport model...

 

[mde8965]

Here is my complete band collection so far. I have only had the watch for about 3 weeks. The Milanese is a Riega...the link bracelet is Chetoo, the midnight blue sport band is the one the watch came with, and the other sport bands are a mix of Moko and from "sellforless12" on eBay.

My favorite so far is the milanese band, but the link bracelet is close.

 

[AZhappyjack]

Got my bands from Amazon, here's the red MoKo sports band,
nd.
Seems softer then the apple band, and maybe a bit thinner, but at 15 bucks vs. 50. I'm happy with it. I may mix/match it with my green band for Christmas

Ordered the red and the midnight blue sports bands yesterday... they should be here tomorrow... also, looking seriously at the black Milanese band. You voiced some concern about the magnet strength... can you comment on that now that you have it?

UPDATE: Nevermind re: the black Milanese band... just saw your posts on the subject.