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The Great "Third Party Band/Strap" Thread

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Dino F

Dino F

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Sep 16, 2010
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Dino F said:
...anyone have the Nomad Vulcanized Silicone band:

https://macsources.com/nomad-vulcanized-lsr-silicone-strap-review/

Thinking of buying one - seems to change how the watch actually looks due to the extra parts on the lugs, which wrap around the wrist.
Click to expand...

Dino F said:
...I pulled the plug and ordered one! Delivery is via USPS to myself in the U.K. so could be about a week before I receive it!

I'll post up a mini review here + pics once I get it.
Click to expand...

....well, as promised, here is the Nomad band which arrived the other day (beware purchasing from Nomad if you're in the U.K - I got stung for an additional £35 Customs Charges on top of the price of the product + shipping!!)

First, some pics:


upload_2017-3-13_10-10-46.png


upload_2017-3-13_10-11-22.png


upload_2017-3-13_10-11-47.png


upload_2017-3-13_10-12-13.png


upload_2017-3-13_10-12-41.png


upload_2017-3-13_10-13-27.png


upload_2017-3-13_10-13-56.png




As you can see, the massive lugs (which fit the watch, 100% perfectly - no movement at all + they fit totally flush with the watch, unlike a big majority of third party lugs) give the watch a totally different look. It kinda makes the watch face look longer (elongated!).

Comfort wise, its pretty comfortable! There are plenty of holes on the strap for the buckle - I have mine in the second to last hole, but I have fairly narrow wrists! The strap itself is a silicone type which feels quite nice. Its pretty wide (which I like) and doesn't seem to pick up much lint (which most silicon bands do).

The only thing which I don't like (but isn't too big a deal!), is that when the watch is off your wrist, the pins holding the actual strap to the lugs, 'rattle' inside their enclosure in the lugs - its as if the pins themselves are too small for the pin holes in the lugs and the pins are rattling around within the pin holes (if that makes sense?!)?! There is no rattling once the band is on your wrist though. I have also pulled on the strap with some force, to try and pull the pins out (to test the rattling) but they seem to be in there pretty good so no chance of the strap coming away from the lug (one YouTube review I watched for this band, said this was a problem but this doesn't seem a problem for mine!).

I'm gonna wear this for this week to see how I feel with it as not sure at the moment if it will replace my existing Belkin leather strap (see some of my other posts), which is my daily driver!
 
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nieks

nieks

macrumors 6502
Apr 7, 2016
401
332
The Netherlands
9LmzgmD.jpg

This one is from Moko. Purchased it on Amazon (as I live in the Netherlands, I purchased from the neighbors (Amazon.de), you can probably get it on the USA Amazon store. Quality is good, it's just a bit more shiny than top-notch-quality straps from genuine thick leather. Only this one was only 12 euros, which comes down to about 14 or 15 dollars. As an Hermès Single Tour ripoff, I think it looks just fine (especially on my tiny 150 mm man wrists). And 14 dollars is no 339 dollars. Yeah, that's what you pay for a genuine Hermès Single Tour. So: no.

0wacnfG.jpg

My current "collection" (can we call 3 bands a collection? :p )
The Stainless steel strap is from Hoco, bought on amazon as well. Price: 33 euros ( = about 35 dollars). This one differs from Apple's strap in 2 ways:
1. Lug removal (with a pin in the side, instead of push buttons on the inside)
2. Price (35 vs 449 dollars).
Quality is pretty good, love the butterfly closure and overall look. Sure, Apples original will probably be of better quality, but I'm not willing to pay the extra 410 in price difference.

PS: it's the 38mm watch I'm wearing.

@Dino F : not to be rude, but the plastic strap you're wearing gives it a cheap look. Especially in combination with the plastic screenprotector. I don't really like the band...
 
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Dino F

Dino F

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nieks said:
@Dino F : not to be rude, but the plastic strap you're wearing gives it a cheap look. Especially in combination with the plastic screenprotector. I don't really like the band...
Click to expand...

...don't worry - no offence taken! To be honest - I'm not sure if I like it or not either (the strap is silicone anyway, not plastic). I was thinking of taking the overly large lugs off this silicone strap and attaching them to my Belkin black leather band (the band below) instead but not sure if that would look better!?!?!

upload_2017-3-13_17-5-35.png


upload_2017-3-13_17-6-20.png
 
kgenova

kgenova

macrumors 6502a
Sep 19, 2013
936
409
Really impressed with the Arrow and Board Porter Watch Band. It's an excellent quality product:


Kristin
 
ascender

ascender

macrumors 603
Dec 8, 2005
5,021
2,897
Thanks for the tip about E3 Motorcyles. Received a leather strap from them which was delivered exceptionally quickly.

It's a lovely chunky strap, nice soft leather, quality buckles and a real premium feel.
 
ascender

ascender

macrumors 603
Dec 8, 2005
5,021
2,897
I'm still surprised to see anyone with a screen protector on an Apple Watch tbh. I've got a launch day SS watch which has been used pretty much every day in all sorts of conditions and lots of miles up and down mountains without a single mark on the screen. Its by far and away the toughest screen I've seen on any Apple device ever.
 
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J

Jacoblee23

macrumors 65816
Nov 10, 2011
1,482
736
What is going on? Ixcc just pulled all of their 42mm apple bands off of amazon. I was pleased with the ones that I ordered minus that they attract lint easier than the real bands. A lot of third party bands are disappearing. Something is up.
 
xDKP

xDKP

macrumors 68020
Feb 27, 2011
2,481
2,626
Denmark
Dino F said:
....well, as promised, here is the Nomad band which arrived the other day (beware purchasing from Nomad if you're in the U.K - I got stung for an additional £35 Customs Charges on top of the price of the product + shipping!!)

First, some pics:


View attachment 692080

View attachment 692081

View attachment 692082

View attachment 692083

View attachment 692084

View attachment 692085

View attachment 692086



As you can see, the massive lugs (which fit the watch, 100% perfectly - no movement at all + they fit totally flush with watch, unlike a big majority of third party lugs) give the watch a totally different look. It kinda makes the watch face look longer (elongated!).

Comfort wise, its pretty comfortable! There are plenty of holes on the strap for the buckle - I have mine in the second to last hole, but I have fairly narrow wrists! The strap itself is a silicone type which feels quite nice. Its pretty wide (which I like) and doesn't seem to pick up much lint (which most silicon bands do).

The only thing which I don't like (but isn't too big a deal!), is that when the watch is off your wrist, the pins holding the actual strap to the lugs, 'rattle' inside their enclosure in the lugs - its as if the pins themselves are too small for the pin holes in the lugs and the pins are rattling around within pin holes (if that makes sense?!)?! There is no rattling once the band is on your wrist though. I have also pulled on the strap with some force, to try and pull the pins out (to test the rattling) but they seem to be in there pretty good so no chance of the strap coming away from the lug (one YouTube review I watched for this band, said this was a problem but this doesn't seem a problem for mine!).

I'm gonna wear this for this week to see how I feel with it as not sure at the moment if it will replace my existing Belkin leather strap (see some of my other posts), which is my daily driver!
Click to expand...


Wow I completely missed your post mate. I've been waiting on your day in this, because it kind of remind me of the rubber bands from the diver mechanical watches I have. Looks great for a day on a boat for example and a active day on a bike etc.

How do you like it now that some time has gone by?
 
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PhillyGuy72

PhillyGuy72

macrumors 68040
Sep 13, 2014
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Philadelphia, PA USA
SpicySpaceRat

SpicySpaceRat

macrumors newbie
Mar 27, 2017
10
3
sgchick said:
Yes, I've noticed that. :-(
Click to expand...

You can still find most of this stuff on ebay, there is a reason why Amazon does that.

To sell on Amazon, you have to send your product to their warehouse first and then they will distribute it.
So if someone violates copyright, Amazon will pull that out right away, but on ebay it is much harder to persecute every single violators since they store their products elsewhere.
 
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Dino F

Dino F

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Sep 16, 2010
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Croydon, South London, UK
xDKP said:
Wow I completely missed your post mate. I've been waiting on your day in this, because it kind of remind me of the rubber bands from the diver mechanical watches I have. Looks great for a day on a boat for example and a active day on a bike etc.

How do you like it now that some time has gone by?
Click to expand...

...apologies - have only just seen this post as well ?!! :oops:

Yea, the strap is still pretty nice and definitely has that 'rugged' look! Would be perfect for wearing the watch outdoors for an activity!

A couple of things I have noticed with it:

1. For me, when the weather is a little warmer, the strap tends to give me a slightly sweaty wrist. I guess because the strap is so wide, it's a little difficult for the skin to breath under there but that's just me!

....and,

2. When wearing underneath a long sleeve top (like a shirt or jumper)' the strap tends to accumulate a very small amount of lint. Not a massive amount but I have noticed some lint in the crevasses of the strap. Again, other people may not notice this but I'm just pointing this out.

All in all, it's a superb strap which I will keep for the cooler wintery months - I've now gone back to using my Apple Nylon band for the warmer Spring/Summer time as it lets my skin breath more freely and is pretty much the only strap I tend not to sweat with!
 
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xDKP

xDKP

macrumors 68020
Feb 27, 2011
2,481
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Denmark
Dino F said:
...apologies - have only just seen this post as well ?!! :oops:

Yea, the strap is still pretty nice and definitely has that 'rugged' look! Would be perfect for wearing the watch outdoors for an activity!

A couple of things I have noticed with it:

1. For me, when the weather is a little warmer, the strap tends to give me a slightly sweaty wrist. I guess because the strap is so wide, it's a little difficult for the skin to breath under there but that's just me!

....and,

2. When wearing underneath a long sleeve top (like a shirt or jumper)' the strap tends to accumulate a very small amount of lint. Not a massive amount but I have noticed some lint in the crevasses of the strap. Again, other people may not notice this but I'm just pointing this out.

All in all, it's a superb strap which I will keep for the cooler wintery months - I've now gone back to using my Apple Nylon band for the warmer Spring/Summer time as it lets my skin breath more freely and is pretty much the only strap I tend not to sweat with!
Click to expand...

Or maybe wearing it during summer, but best with t-shirts etc.?
 
R

Ronin317

macrumors newbie
Oct 3, 2013
20
0
Anyone find any good XL nylon straps out there? Can be with or without lugs...I'm having a really hard time finding a quality 2-piece nato-style strap that is long enough for my wrist.

I've got the official Apple XL spot band, and I like it, but I wanted something a little lighter to swap out (and not a milanese loop, which I have and is nice and fits). The official Apple black nylon strap fits on the last hole, but doesn't feel secure at all.
 
jermy4

jermy4

macrumors 6502a
Jun 27, 2010
564
406
Ronin317 said:
Anyone find any good XL nylon straps out there? Can be with or without lugs...I'm having a really hard time finding a quality 2-piece nato-style strap that is long enough for my wrist.

I've got the official Apple XL spot band, and I like it, but I wanted something a little lighter to swap out (and not a milanese loop, which I have and is nice and fits). The official Apple black nylon strap fits on the last hole, but doesn't feel secure at all.
Click to expand...
You should just buy some lugs and find a generic watch band that is a good size for your wrist.
 
AZhappyjack

AZhappyjack

Suspended
Jul 3, 2011
10,184
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Happy Jack, AZ
Just a word of caution... I just got a new Nato band from Clockwork Synergy and it doesn't fit my Series 2... the strap part fits perfectly... but the buckle side of the strap does not fit into the watch body... I contacted them for a replacement, but they have no idea why or what might have changed...
 
AZhappyjack

AZhappyjack

Suspended
Jul 3, 2011
10,184
23,659
Happy Jack, AZ
dwfaust said:
Just a word of caution... I just got a new Nato band from Clockwork Synergy and it doesn't fit my Series 2... the strap part fits perfectly... but the buckle side of the strap does not fit into the watch body... I contacted them for a replacement, but they have no idea why or what might have changed...
Click to expand...

By way of an update... got my replacement Nato band... and same situation... one half of the band won't fit into either side of the watch... clearly, their quality is slipping... writing off Clockwork Synergy bands for the time being.
 
H

have24

macrumors newbie
Sep 14, 2016
22
14
IMG_0194.JPG IMG_0195.JPG IMG_0196.JPG IMG_0198.JPG
Ordered the Brown Vintage leather band from Clockwork Synergy and its not too bad. Kind of thicker than what I was expecting so a little stiff but hopefully it will wear good. The SG lugs seem to match really good. I got the SS clasp but now wishing I would have gone with the brushed steel. Overall I'm happy though and it will make for good use at work and other dressier settings.
 
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