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The Great "Third Party Band/Strap" Thread

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batting1000

macrumors 604
Sep 4, 2011
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Florida
ladytonya said:
Are those the lugs that came with that knock off nylon band? I don't like those at all, much prefer the look of the Apple lugs.
Click to expand...

iGadget62 said:
Yup, it came with the lugs.
So it's nothing like the original apple bands...
Let's hope we'll see better 3rd party nylon bands in the future.
Click to expand...

Anyone see / try this knockoff nylon band? Ordered one and it comes Wednesday so I'll report back but I didn't see anyone mention it here...the company's other bands have good reviews and it looks like the official Apple band aside from the buckle which isn't color matched.

http://www.amazon.com/Kartice-Repla...&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00
 
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Dino F

Dino F

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Sep 16, 2010
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batting1000 said:
Anyone see / try this knockoff nylon band? Ordered one and it comes Wednesday so I'll report back but I didn't see anyone mention it here...the company's other bands have good reviews and it looks like the official Apple band aside from the buckle which isn't color matched.

http://www.amazon.com/Kartice-Repla...&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00
Click to expand...


These don't actually look too bad - they also have them on the Amazon UK site for £14.99 + free delivery.
 
Dino F

Dino F

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xDKP said:
Arh Damn'it! "This selling doesn't ship to Denmark"...
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That's weird - their shipping page shows rates for everywhere:

upload_2016-5-24_12-24-58.png


.....don't understand why they wouldn't ship to Denmark?!
 
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bonebrain

macrumors newbie
Sep 23, 2008
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rillrill

rillrill

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Jul 27, 2011
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comptr

macrumors 68000
Oct 25, 2007
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Arizona
Looking for a good Third Party Link Band What band would you recommend. I have the 42mm SS Watch. I already own the Official Milanese and Sport Band, So for the Link Band I would like to get a good quality third party band.
 
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Phima256

macrumors regular
Mar 16, 2011
223
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Cleveland
Interesting that Apple's 42mm black link band is showing "currently unavailable" to me. Wonder if that means a new AW2 refresh coming soon? Or issues with the band? I hope the current bands will fit the new AW2 since I've spent a small fortune in accruing quite a few.
 
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IphoneIssues

macrumors 65816
Dec 30, 2010
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Phima256 said:
Interesting that Apple's 42mm black link band is showing "currently unavailable" to me. Wonder if that means a new AW2 refresh coming soon? Or issues with the band? I hope the current bands will fit the new AW2 since I've spent a small fortune in accruing quite a few.
Click to expand...


For Apple to make a $400 band obsolete would be incredibly stupid...

Maybe something is just happening with the site or whatever.

I just checked myself and then clicked on "See more stores". The Space Black Link pops at several stores.
 
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Phima256

macrumors regular
Mar 16, 2011
223
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Cleveland
I think it would be stupid as well. I've checked for a few days now and still unavailable. I only see one store in my area that has it (see pic). Only two out of 24 stores that they list total. Hmmmm....
 

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IphoneIssues

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Dec 30, 2010
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Phima256 said:
I think it would be stupid as well. I've checked for a few days now and still unavailable. I only see one store in my area that has it (see pic). Only two out of 24 stores that they list total. Hmmmm....
Click to expand...

Several have it over here in NY. These are just the ones that would fit on the same page.

CeIS6Ox.png
 
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Phima256

macrumors regular
Mar 16, 2011
223
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Cleveland
IphoneIssues said:
Several have it over here in NY. These are just the ones that would fit on the same page.

CeIS6Ox.png
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Does it also show unavailable for you online?

I wonder why it is no longer available to purchase online then. Even if they have them in the stores, isn't that strange that they don't have them to buy online? I was already somewhat reluctant to buy one until the WWDC announcements but now this just confirms that. I'm really hoping the first watch bands are compatible with the second watch bands.
 
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IphoneIssues

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Dec 30, 2010
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Phima256 said:
Does it also show unavailable for you online?

I wonder why it is no longer available to purchase online then. Even if they have them in the stores, isn't that strange that they don't have them to buy online? I was already somewhat reluctant to buy one until the WWDC announcements but now this just confirms that. I'm really hoping the first watch bands are compatible with the second watch bands.
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Yeah, I can't buy it, but the thing is showing up at those stores.


Apple cares too much about their reputation with customers for them to pull something slick like that.
 
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Phima256

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Mar 16, 2011
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Cleveland
IphoneIssues said:
Yeah, I can't buy it, but the thing is showing up at those stores.


Apple cares too much about their reputation with customers for them to pull something slick like that.
Click to expand...
That would be my assumption too, though it is strange that you can't buy it online. And at least here in my area, you can't really find it either aside from one store 30 miles out and the next 150 miles out.

I would assume that to have it unavailable to purchase online for all to see is not great for their reputation either. Just strange that they don't have it readily accessible online... Not sure what that's about.
 
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IphoneIssues

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Dec 30, 2010
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Phima256 said:
That would be my assumption too, though it is strange that you can't buy it online. And at least here in my area, you can't really find it either aside from one store 30 miles out and the next 150 miles out.

I would assume that to have it unavailable to purchase online for all to see is not great for their reputation either. Just strange that they don't have it readily accessible online... Not sure what that's about.
Click to expand...

Oh, so it is available over there. Just not near by. I wonder if somebody at customer service, if you call in or use their online chat, can tell you why you can't order that thing online. You may even get surprised and they'll put the order in for you.

I was bored, so I went into chat on my own.


HwqkNZNl.png


ExU0QIpl.png



She did tell me that it's available to order online for the 38mm though. I checked and it is there. Maybe they're just having some stocking issues with the 42mm :


iFsgaN1l.png
 
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Phima256

macrumors regular
Mar 16, 2011
223
29
Cleveland
IphoneIssues said:
Oh, so it is available over there. Just not near by. I wonder if somebody at customer service, if you call in or use their online chat, can tell you why you can't order that thing online. You may even get surprised and they'll put the order in for you.

I was bored, so I went into chat on my own.


HwqkNZNl.png


ExU0QIpl.png



She did tell me that it's available to order online for the 38mm though. I checked and it is there. Maybe they're just having some stocking issues with the 42mm :


iFsgaN1l.png
Click to expand...
Hmmm that's very interesting and thanks for checking that. I actually need the 38mm not the 42mm, but seeing that the 42mm is unavailable to purchase online only made my reluctance stronger for purchasing a band for a watch that may shortly be updated (or at least announced) in the next few weeks with WWDC. I love the band and I hope that they will be compatible with the new Apple Watch if it is announced, but I just can't see paying that much upon the small chance that it won't be compatible.

As we said, it would be unlike Apple to make something obsolete that quickly because they care too much about their reputation, but the fact that the 42mm is unavailable (the more popular size for that color/style) is strange and does give me pause, even if that's not even the size that I am getting.
 
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IphoneIssues

macrumors 65816
Dec 30, 2010
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Phima256 said:
Hmmm that's very interesting and thanks for checking that. I actually need the 38mm not the 42mm, but seeing that the 42mm is unavailable to purchase online only made my reluctance stronger for purchasing a band for a watch that may shortly be updated (or at least announced) in the next few weeks with WWDC. I love the band and I hope that they will be compatible with the new Apple Watch if it is announced, but I just can't see paying that much upon the small chance that it won't be compatible.

As we said, it would be unlike Apple to make something obsolete that quickly because they care too much about their reputation, but the fact that the 42mm is unavailable (the more popular size for that color/style) is strange and does give me pause, even if that's not even the size that I am getting.
Click to expand...



People have been assuming something was coming for months. Every little thing has been a reason for a new watch to be on the horizon. Before, there were Christmas sales; definitely an indicator of a definite update in March. And then a few more sales after that. What happened? Nothing. Now, the assumption is June because of the sales, when they're really just trying to get rid of old stock and sell the newer nylon models.

By the way, if they just introduced a Space Black Milanese and a few new nylon bands just 3 months ago, do you really think they're going to screw the people who just bought those? Not going to happen, lol.
 
rillrill

rillrill

macrumors 6502a
Jul 27, 2011
843
654
New York
So I got my my knockoff nylon band from Katrice, and it's pretty good. I haven't tried on the Apple versions or anything, but this isn't too bad. There is a small gap where the connector is, and it seems a thinner material than the Apple photos, but it gets the job done for $17. Also, it was scheduled to be here mid June and I got it yesterday.

Added some pics
 

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speedyyellow

macrumors member
May 22, 2015
84
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Cambs/London
speedyyellow said:
View attachment 629992

My leather bands turned up. The yellow modern buckle is nice supple leather and the clasp seems pretty good. The colour is more mustard than marigold so I don't know if my other half will like it or not. This one was £22.79

The red leather strap also suffers from being much duller in person than in the pictures but it feels nice and soft and at less than £10 is a bit of a bargain (Double checked and this one was £6.79!).

The brown one is not as soft as the red and I'm not massively keen on the buckle but the stitching is nicely done. Again this was cheap at £9.79.

Not pictured is a scuba blue nylon band that looks ok but doesn't actually fit the watch. The adaptor is too big and doesn't slide in so that one is definitely going back.
Click to expand...

Just an update on the modern buckle strap, it's knackered! The colour has started wearing off and the strap has a severe blue tinge to it which I have to assume is dye transfer from clothing or something. It looks really tatty now.

I also have a question. The latest link bracelets with the user removable links - are they any good?
 
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