The Great "Third Party Band/Strap" Thread

[eVolcre]

I’ve had great luck with AliExpress (over amazon) btw. Amazing quality. I’ll put up some pics later. My gut says these are actually manufactured at an Apple authorized vendor and shipped out the back. Seem pretty identical to official versions to me.

 

[iApPel]

I’ve had great luck with AliExpress (over amazon) btw. Amazing quality. I’ll put up some pics later. My gut says these are actually manufactured at an Apple authorized vendor and shipped out the back. Seem pretty identical to official versions to me.

Do you have a link?

 

[eVolcre]

The link is just AliExpress.com or use the app. They’re China’s amazon and eBay. Absolutely reliable with shipping. You get your money back if an item isn’t delivered in 3 weeks.

If you want specific links and photos of the bands I have that will have to wait till next week. I’m on the road at the moment.

Here’s what I’ve bought from them. Tell me which link you need.

Black Milanese loop
White sport
Red sport
Black stainless link.
Red leather loop
Midnight blue leather loop

And one red leather bracelet thing (photo below) that he also had in tan grey and black. I’ve been impressed. A lot of times amazon reeelerrs are buying from AliExpress in bulk and bumping up the price by 300%

 

[testcard]

Ordered a Clockwork Synergy Desert Tan 42mm nylon band on Monday through their eBay store, and it arrived this morning in the U.K. Total cost, including shipping and import duty, was £35.96.

 

[Fried_Gold]

The link is just AliExpress.com or use the app. They’re China’s amazon and eBay. Absolutely reliable with shipping. You get your money back if an item isn’t delivered in 3 weeks.

If you want specific links and photos of the bands I have that will have to wait till next week. I’m on the road at the moment.

Here’s what I’ve bought from them. Tell me which link you need.

Black Milanese loop
White sport
Red sport
Black stainless link.
Red leather loop
Midnight blue leather loop

And one red leather bracelet thing (photo below) that he also had in tan grey and black. I’ve been impressed. A lot of times amazon reeelerrs are buying from AliExpress in bulk and bumping up the price by 300%

Are they all that same make? "URVOI"

 

[eVolcre]

Just this one and I believe the black steel link one. I can confirm this guy above has fantastic quality and prompt shipping. You can see the other bands he has. Usually if you buy one you get two bucks off by getting a second one at same prize. Oh! My Milanese loop was from him. That’s the reason I picked the other two. I’d say 80% Apple quality. Just a bit thinner and over 6 months I can see two or three scratches. For 10 bucks shipped I’m quite ok with that. Can replace it quite easily.

Do a search on “urvoi” there’s only one seller I believe. If you can wait till next week I’ll check the quality of this specific one in person and post a pic and link right here.

 

[Fried_Gold]

Just this one and I believe the black steel link one. I can confirm this guy above has fantastic quality and prompt shipping. You can see the other bands he has. Usually if you buy one you get two bucks off by getting a second one at same prize. Oh! My Milanese loop was from him. That’s the reason I picked the other two. I’d say 80% Apple quality. Just a bit thinner and over 6 months I can see two or three scratches. For 10 bucks shipped I’m quite ok with that. Can replace it quite easily.

Do a search on “urvoi” there’s only one seller I believe. If you can wait till next week I’ll check the quality of this specific one in person and post a pic and link right here.

Just ordered a black sport band from URVOI for £2.59 with free shipping, even if it's garbage and takes weeks to come it's only £2.59!

 

[eVolcre]

Here’s my two bands in shipment. I’ve used both the stores before. The “maikes” one is superb for all kinds of sports and leather straps. Cooband has great quality leather loops and a huge assortment of steel bracelet type straps. Take a look. I’ve stopped buying from amazon. If you can wait three weeks you save so much money buying straight from China.
[doublepost=1506521871][/doublepost]

Just ordered a black sport band from URVOI for £2.59 with free shipping, even if it's garbage and takes weeks to come it's only £2.59!

I have a feeling you’ll be pleasantly surprised. Ok I can tell it’s not the original. Perhaps it’s a bit stiffer (the sport bands at least can’t easily be replicated except in look) but I do have my Nike band that came with the watch for that. Most of these bands , especially the leather loops , cuff bracelets , and steel Milanese or link bracelets are almost identical in looks and good enough in quality for me. Sorry. I’m simply not paying 500 bucks for a strap. I’ll buy a ceramic edition because to me that’s worth the premium but official apple bands and straps are ridiculously overpriced. Even if the Chinese copy falls apart in two months I’m only out 20 bucks. This way I can indulge having about ten different straps for different looks. With two official hard to copy Apple bands in there that I think are woRth the money (Nike strap and the new sport loop)
[doublepost=1506522291][/doublepost]Oh if you haven’t, get the app. The seller states how long shipment will take. If it isn’t with you in 3 weeks (that’s what was quoted for most of mine) just disputed it on the app. It’s super easy. Your money either gets refunded immediately or the seller HaS to send a replacement. I ended up getting two identical things once. The first one was lost in the mail and then found and to be fair ended up ordering something else from the same guy.

 

[bigjnyc]

How long before replicas start popping up on amazon once Apple introduces a new band? Wondering how long before the sport loop replicas come around.

 

[predation]

Anyone have a link for the leather loops?

 

[AnthonySmith]

Monowear Designs - Red Leather

 

[bruinsrme]

Monowear Designs - Red Leather

How flexible is the leather. Some leather ones I’ve ordered seem to compete with carbon fiber hockey sticks for stiffness

 

[AnthonySmith]

How flexible is the leather. Some leather ones I’ve ordered seem to compete with carbon fiber hockey sticks for stiffness

Right now it’s a little stiff.

I have two other leather bands from Monowear Designs that I have been wearing over the past year and they have definitely loosened up and the colors have worn in as well.

 

[AZhappyjack]

Right now it’s a little stiff.

That's what she said...

I have two other leather bands from Monowear Designs that I have been wearing over the past year and they have definitely loosened up and the colors have worn in as well.

That seems par for the course... leather does tend to stretch a bit, and then it becomes more comfortable to wear, as well.

 

[gatorknight904]

TOMS Apple Watch Bands

 

[rstark18]

How long before replicas start popping up on amazon once Apple introduces a new band? Wondering how long before the sport loop replicas come around.

I was wondering the exact same thing. I want a Sport Loop knockoff also.

 

[KarinvdB]

I was wondering the exact same thing. I want a Sport Loop knockoff also.

Mostly I want to see some different color choices but I think most replicas will be rather different. It is a very different material than I've seen before, and that is a big factor in the comfort of that band. I wouldn't be surprised if we'll see some low quality velcro replicas for this one.

 

[testcard]

Clockwork Synergy Black Perlon (woven nylon) 42mm

 

[Hater]

Has anyone come across a Hermes Rallye band copy? Can't buy the real thing from Apple without buying the whole watch

 

[PDACPA]

Anyone using this case (Supcase)?

https://www.supcase.com/apple-watch-cases.html

 

[testcard]

I bought a couple of bands from Clockwork Synergy through their UK eBay site and received a coupon code for 15%. It only works on the .com website, but thought it might be useful for someone in the US or elsewhere.
The discount code is 15DIS.

 

[eVolcre]

Couple of photos for our guys. This is the urvoi leather band I mentioned up above. It’s good (for 12 bucks shipped). Lugs fit perfectly. Great look with jeans. The leather is a bit stiff but I think that’s by intent. It’s more of a “cuff “ look. My read leather loop knockoff continues to be my favorite. Soft. Comfortable. Stylish. It ticks all the boxes.

I’ve got REALLY skinny wrists btw. That’s a 42mm space black series 2

I’m expecting a blank link and blue leather loop from the same seller this weekend. Will post pics then. Let me know if you want any other angles or info

 

[rstark18]

Just ran across the URVOI Crazy Horse Leather strap. Love the look of the dark brown in the pics. I ordered one I hope it's as good as the pics.

URVOI Crazy Horse Leather strap

 

[eVolcre]

Just ran across the URVOI Crazy Horse Leather strap. Love the look of the dark brown in the pics. I ordered one I hope it's as good as the pics.

URVOI Crazy Horse Leather strap

Oh that’s a good one. No black lugs though. Ali express and especially urvoi what you see is what you get. I’m pretty happy with mine. It’s exactlt as described. The lugs fit perfectly. Maybe it’s not as supple as I’d prefer but that’s the style. Good luck with yours. Enjoy

 

[rstark18]

Oh that’s a good one. No black lugs though. Ali express and especially urvoi what you see is what you get. I’m pretty happy with mine. It’s exactlt as described. The lugs fit perfectly. Maybe it’s not as supple as I’d prefer but that’s the style. Good luck with yours. Enjoy

There are black lugs on request. I added a note to my order. No black buckle though so I'll have to add that myself.