The Great "Third Party Band/Strap" Thread

[nicho]

I purchased these springbar adapters but it won't fit.

http://www.amazon.com/Adapter-Conne...89544&sr=8-1&keywords=Apple+watch+adapter+kit

Your local watch shop may be able to help.

The springbars themselves (not the adapter piece) are generic and usually sold in packets of 100+. They can differ in both length (you need a specific length, 20mm for a 38mm watch or 24mm for a 42mm) and thickness - and if the watch shop has multiple thicknesses then there may be one thin enough to fit in.

 

[caligurl]

Nope, it's exactly like I expected! Looks very nice in good lighting, however, on the photos I took it looks a bit darker as it is in real life though!



Thanks, I love it, too! Hmm I bought the one from MoKo, I was actually surprised by the quality of it. Looks very expensive and has become my favorite watch band I own so far. I'm sorry you were unlucky, maybe you should indeed return it and try a new one if you ordered from MoKo as well. Good luck, you're certainly gonna love it in this pink shimmery color!

EDIT: Could it be that you got a wrong color? The color options for this band at MoKo include a color named "coffee", is that what you got? Maybe the one you got was wrongly packaged?

it's definitely the colorful band.... just a LOT of goldish color. I think maybe i need to give them a 2nd chance and order another one and hope it's got better colors. i know that type of finish is different on each item... and unfortunately i got a not so pretty one!

 

[IphoneIssues]

REAL NICE bracelet! Yeah I have few older watches with nice bands, Or I'll see a cheap watch at a store with a nice sturdy decent looking steel band (I'd buy the darn watch for $19.99-25.00..just for the band) but each end is like this. No adapter I've seen that will work..yet.

Lot of these bands we see on Ebay, Amazon..I wish there were stores in the area that sold them. MAYBE they do. Best Buy has some 3rd party bands..eh. I think many of them look like junk and they are way overpriced. Someone mentioned a Pebble bracelet, it looked nice. But it wont fit the AW.

I haven't actually checked but the only thing I can think of would be those small stores you'd find in Chinatown sections of big cities. Not just Chinatown...don't want to single Asians out (You see a lot of these bands and ..well other watches that are not quite Rolex, other high end items coming from China, Hong Kong, etc). But any of those "no name" jewelry stores you'd find in a downtown area.

Sometimes you just want the item in your hand NOW. Not wait 3-5 days, heck...the last band I ordered from Ebay - said it was shipping from NJ - a 7 day delivery. It arrived in 29 days and it sure didn't come from 50 miles east from here. I get impatient when I order something I want ASAP 😉

Did your order say it was coming from some place called Dayton, NJ? I think it's that guy Ink00. He's got multiple stores. He lies about where he ships from. I'm in NJ, and that location is supposed to be 30 miles from here. I followed the travel path, which involved "DHL Global" as a carrier, and it was clear that it was not coming from where I thought it was. The thing went like 50 miles out of the way and claimed to turn back around.

If his leather loop replicas weren't great, I would've been really annoyed, lol.

 

[robertpetry]

Did your order say it was coming from some place called Dayton, NJ? I think it's that guy Ink00. He's got multiple stores. He lies about where he ships from. I'm in NJ, and that location is supposed to be 30 miles from here. I followed the travel path, which involved "DHL Global" as a carrier, and it was clear that it was not coming from where I thought it was. The thing went like 50 miles out of the way and claimed to turn back around.

If his leather loop replicas weren't great, I would've been really annoyed, lol.

I really don't like my Ink00 LLoop replica. It is obviously PU leather and feels like silicone, smells like silicone, and squeaks when it rubs together like silicone. It was a waste at even $22.

 

[///M Powah]

Your local watch shop may be able to help.

The springbars themselves (not the adapter piece) are generic and usually sold in packets of 100+. They can differ in both length (you need a specific length, 20mm for a 38mm watch or 24mm for a 42mm) and thickness - and if the watch shop has multiple thicknesses then there may be one thin enough to fit in.

This Link Bracelet is 24mm and my Watch is 42mm. Do you think the springbars itself can fit into the adapter if it's thin?

 

[nicho]

This Link Bracelet is 24mm and my Watch is 42mm. Do you think the springbars itself can fit into the adapter if it's thin?

the springbar has 3 parts, the main barrel and 2 ends that spring in and out. These are usually uniform size, but the barrel can be different thicknesses (you'd want it to be fairly similarly sized to the hole in your watch band so it's not rattling around). If you can fit the thinner end part in and it gets stuck at the thicker long barrel, there's a good chance that yes a thinner springbar is what you're looking for!

 

[///M Powah]

the springbar has 3 parts, the main barrel and 2 ends that spring in and out. These are usually uniform size, but the barrel can be different thicknesses (you'd want it to be fairly similarly sized to the hole in your watch band so it's not rattling around). If you can fit the thinner end part in and it gets stuck at the thicker long barrel, there's a good chance that yes a thinner springbar is what you're looking for!

Okay, thank you.

 

[IphoneIssues]

I really don't like my Ink00 LLoop replica. It is obviously PU leather and feels like silicone, smells like silicone, and squeaks when it rubs together like silicone. It was a waste at even $22.

I used a couple coats of leather conditioner. It got better.

 

[Simche]

just received HOCO Leather band 2016 saddle brown replica, this thing is perfect, identical to the real thing

the leather fills premium and the quality is great, not feels cheap like the rest of the replicas leather band i ordered by now

and the price? 20$ !

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/HOCO..._2&btsid=e303ff48-d8ef-43aa-997e-55dc82680a5b

Bought this one too, very very satisfied! 😀

 

[robertpetry]

I used a couple coats of leather conditioner. It got better.

It's not helping mine. It is covered in silicone so nothing gets to the leather.

 

[CaptMarvel]

Has anyone seen a sport band in olive green? Thanks

any luck? I am also looking for this color sport band.

 

[Mac2me]

Nice bracelet! I'm still trying to find an adapter for my Tungsten Link Bracelet because this bracelet is the best bracelet I have ever purchased.

I know you posted near the end on the Android-USA Tungsten Band thread, but seeing you are still having trouble getting a spring bar adapter to fit your band, did you happen to see this guy's earlier post on that thread? He posted a photo of his tungsten band on his watch. If you haven't, you might want to see if you can send him a message. Sure he would be happy to tell you what exactly he bought and if he had any problems with the watch on it.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/tungsten-link-bracelet.1898482/page-3#post-21624728

 

[///M Powah]

I know you posted near the end on the Android-USA Tungsten Band thread, but seeing you are still having trouble getting a spring bar adapter to fit your band, did you happen to see this guy's earlier post on that thread? He posted a photo of his tungsten band on his watch. If you haven't, you might want to see if you can send him a message. Sure he would be happy to tell you what exactly he bought and if he had any problems with the watch on it.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/tungsten-link-bracelet.1898482/page-3#post-21624728

I'm not sure if the holes are similar to that link bracelet because I have the newer model.

 

[Mac2me]

I'm not sure if the holes are similar to that link bracelet because I have the newer model.

The 24mm band should fit on a 42mm spring bar adapter, width-wise between the adapter lugs with a little play to insert your spring bar tool. Is the problem inserting the spring bar pins into the band-end tubes (maybe too fat to fit in to it?) or is it that you are having difficulty using your tool to retract and position the pins into the lug holes on the adapter? Unclear what hole you were referring to earlier. Are you using the spring bar pins that came with the adapter? Do those fit into the lug holes securely on their own? Can you post a close up photo of the band and adapter for us to help illustrate?

 

[nicho]

The 24mm band should fit on a 42mm spring bar adapter, width-wise between the adapter lugs with a little play to insert your spring bar tool. Is the problem inserting the spring bar pins into the band-end tubes (maybe too fat to fit in to it?) or is it that you are having difficulty using your tool to retract and position the pins into the lug holes on the adapter? Unclear what hole you were referring to earlier. Are you using the spring bar pins that came with the adapter? Do those fit into the lug holes securely on their own? Can you post a close up photo of the band and adapter for us to help illustrate?

Have you looked at the photos he posted in both threads, and his replies? I'm pretty sure it's the first not the second (which by design should never be a problem. Removal may be another matter but fitting the springbar of the right size into a springbar adapter would never be impossible no matter the band.

The band he has doesn't have a straight end, it is notched (because some watches are notched) and so when a bar does go through there'll be a massive gap. The others had a straight end instead.

 

[///M Powah]

The 24mm band should fit on a 42mm spring bar adapter, width-wise between the adapter lugs with a little play to insert your spring bar tool. Is the problem inserting the spring bar pins into the band-end tubes (maybe too fat to fit in to it?) or is it that you are having difficulty using your tool to retract and position the pins into the lug holes on the adapter? Unclear what hole you were referring to earlier. Are you using the spring bar pins that came with the adapter? Do those fit into the lug holes securely on their own? Can you post a close up photo of the band and adapter for us to help illustrate?

Have you looked at the photos he posted in both threads, and his replies? I'm pretty sure it's the first not the second (which by design should never be a problem. Removal may be another matter but fitting the springbar of the right size into a springbar adapter would never be impossible no matter the band.

The band he has doesn't have a straight end, it is notched (because some watches are notched) and so when a bar does go through there'll be a massive gap. The others had a straight end instead.

I think this will help clarify the confusion.

 

[nicho]

I think this will help clarify the confusion.

Exactly as I thought.

The problem being that if you do get a thinner springbar (they do exist, go to a watch repairer or similar) then it will still look truly horrible where it meets the watch :/

 

[arrowandboard]

Arrow and Board Desert Tan came in!

Only problem now is now it won't be as easy to switch bands. It just got real 😉

Looks awesome, we hope it breaks in nicely!

 

[Mac2me]

///M Powah, Ah got it! Photos did help. As Nicho said I think going to a watch store is probably your best bet. Smaller diameter springbars do exist and a shop should have a few different kinds and be in the best position to know what's out there that might work on the adapters. There really isn't much variation in the 3rd party adapters out there. If you have to go smaller diameter on the springbars, you'll want to be sure they will be strong enough to securely support that heavy band. I think the other guys who bought the flat end tungsten bands used the supplied adapter pins and didn't have to go narrower.

Wonder if a watch guy could customize an adapter set for you by maybe drilling the lug holes larger and using some type of tube and screw set up, where the screws would get mounted to the tube from the outside of the lugs. Before going that route if its even possible, I would try on a springbar set up first to see if you even like the look at the cutout. Nice looking band but too bad the connector ends have that cutout like they do. I see from the manufacturer's website that their band photo doesn't show the ends and just refers you to the watches it works with to see how it connects.
[doublepost=1459964618][/doublepost]///M Powah I don't know if this adapter from Strapcode would lend any help to you, but if you could get these to work (maybe customized with screw and tube and drilling the holes to fit), I think the higher polished look would be nice and the adapter design would put the band a bit further out from the watch case. Take a look at the 3 zoom photos for better look of the adapter lug ends.

http://www.strapcode.com/store/appl...on-watch-strap-combo-p-4092.html#.VwVIZNRHah8

Strapcode does customize I think and if you sent them photos of your dilemna they would probably be able to give you your options.

 

[///M Powah]

Exactly as I thought.

The problem being that if you do get a thinner springbar (they do exist, go to a watch repairer or similar) then it will still look truly horrible where it meets the watch :/

Thank you for your information, but I'll still take the chance to get a thinner springbar to fit into the bracelet, even though it will look horrible where it meets the watch.

///M Powah, Ah got it! Photos did help. As Nicho said I think going to a watch store is probably your best bet. Smaller diameter springbars do exist and a shop should have a few different kinds and be in the best position to know what's out there that might work on the adapters. There really isn't much variation in the 3rd party adapters out there. If you have to go smaller diameter on the springbars, you'll want to be sure they will be strong enough to securely support that heavy band. I think the other guys who bought the flat end tungsten bands used the supplied adapter pins and didn't have to go narrower.

Wonder if a watch guy could customize an adapter set for you by maybe drilling the lug holes larger and using some type of tube and screw set up, where the screws would get mounted to the tube from the outside of the lugs. Before going that route if its even possible, I would try on a springbar set up first to see if you even like the look at the cutout. Nice looking band but too bad the connector ends have that cutout like they do. I see from the manufacturer's website that their band photo doesn't show the ends and just refers you to the watches it works with to see how it connects.
[doublepost=1459964618][/doublepost]///M Powah I don't know if this adapter from Strapcode would lend any help to you, but if you could get these to work (maybe customized with screw and tube and drilling the holes to fit), I think the higher polished look would be nice and the adapter design would put the band a bit further out from the watch case. Take a look at the 3 zoom photos for better look of the adapter lug ends.

http://www.strapcode.com/store/appl...on-watch-strap-combo-p-4092.html#.VwVIZNRHah8

Strapcode does customize I think and if you sent them photos of your dilemna they would probably be able to give you your options.

Yes, I think going to a watch store might be a good option to get the smaller diameter springbars. I might also try the drilling option, if it doesn't look great. Thank you.

Edit: I contacted them and I hope to see a response from them soon.

 

[Davo78]

Very keen to pick up a Nomad strap for my SG Apple Watch, but Aussie dollar stinks against the USD at the moment. Has anyone got a discount code they can post? Ta

 

[///M Powah]

Very keen to pick up a Nomad strap for my SG Apple Watch, but Aussie dollar stinks against the USD at the moment. Has anyone got a discount code they can post? Ta

Have you looked at the INSTINCTION bands? They are cheaper but the quality of the bands are very nice.

 

[Davo78]

Have you looked at the INSTINCTION bands? They are cheaper but the quality of the bands are very nice.

Thanks, they look very good.

 

[Davo78]

Thanks, they look very good.

So I was all ready to buy an Instinction band, and then found out that shipping to Australia was $55usd minimum. Guess that rules that one out.

Still looking for promo codes on Nomad or others so please let me know.

 

[///M Powah]

I went to the watch store today, and they weren't able to fit the smaller spring bars into the adapters because it was incompatible. Would my second best option is to drill the lug holes larger for my current spring bars to fit into the adapters, or contact StrapCode for more options?