The Great "Third Party Band/Strap" Thread

[germanguy]

Attached are the M/L and S/M bands. The Nike knockoff is a different brand (that I didn't like as well) but the sizing should be identical. The two sport knockoffs are the CRESTED ones I listed before and I find them to be very good. So good I just ordered more earlier today and other styles outside of Sport.

(I should have probably lined up an Apple Sport band but I didn't. They seem to fit the same to me though besides the material being slightly different on Apple's.)

My wife wears the S/M on her 42MM Series 3. I wear the M/L on my 42MM Series 2 SS. I personally don't like it when I wear the band and it is on one of the last holes. This is personal preference and some may like it that way though.

Hope this helps.

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How were you able to order the modern buckle? I only see an option for bulk buy (50 piece min).

 

[pkahleeb]

How were you able to order the modern buckle? I only see an option for bulk buy (50 piece min).

This is the link where I purchased the CRESTED branded Modern Buckle
https://is.gd/Z1su5R

I have no idea how the quality is but I always wanted one in this style. I have enjoyed their other bands so I purchased it (with a Ceramic Black and several sport bands) earlier today.
[doublepost=1520372123][/doublepost]

My favourite Taobao seller is now selling the orange Hermès sports band. Obviously a replica but the it’s not cheap.
https://m.intl.taobao.com/detail/de...10763.91617.100200300000000&wp_p=544408336129

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Question for you. I love the look of this band and haven't seen this color anywhere else.

How did you go about ordering and purchasing it? Everything is in a foreign language? Is there a way to view English and have things listed in dollars?

 

[Boardiesboi]

How did you go about ordering and purchasing it? Everything is in a foreign language? Is there a way to view English and have things listed in dollars?

I can read Chinese so I just order it directly.

Others on the forum have been able to translate the website to English? Maybe google can translate the whole page? Sorry but I’m not sure.

 

[pkahleeb]

I can read Chinese so I just order it directly.

Others on the forum have been able to translate the website to English? Maybe google can translate the whole page? Sorry but I’m not sure.

I definitely can't read Chinese and wouldn't feel comfortable ordering this way. Maybe we need to make you our official "middle-man" here on Macrumors and you can sell us some of these bands

 

[ant the ninja]

Does anyone have any recommendations for a third party leather loop band? Love the look but not sure I want to spend $150 on one.

 

[pkahleeb]

Does anyone have any recommendations for a third party leather loop band? Love the look but not sure I want to spend $150 on one.

I have mentioned the Crested brand of bands from Aliexpress before. While I haven't tried their leather loop, I would personally try it or a different brand from Aliexpress.

Here is the link to the Crested one:
https://www.aliexpress.com/store/pr...859.html?spm=2114.12010615.0.0.2631402dgamKxn

The only leather loop I have was purchased on Amazon. I haven't really seen any affordable/high quality bands on Amazon in a while.

 

[macdragonfl]

Received three new bands so made matching faces to the bands.

 

[neoelectronaut]

Picked up my watch Saturday night and man oh man the included sport band does not breathe whatsoever. I keep having to take my watch off every 30 minutes or so because it's uncomfortable.

Gonna poke around online to see what I can find, but I'll probably drop in at Best Buy and nab a $25 Modal nylon band to tide me over until then.

 

[pkahleeb]

Picked up my watch Saturday night and man oh man the included sport band does not breathe whatsoever. I keep having to take my watch off every 30 minutes or so because it's uncomfortable.

Gonna poke around online to see what I can find, but I'll probably drop in at Best Buy and nab a $25 Modal nylon band to tide me over until then.

How tight are you wearing it? I find the Sport bands to be VERY comfortable. I don't really care for the Nylon bands or the new loop sport bands (the ones with velcro...). You might want to look at the Nike Sport band style as well.

 

[neoelectronaut]

How tight are you wearing it? I find the Sport bands to be VERY comfortable. I don't really care for the Nylon bands or the new loop sport bands (the ones with velcro...). You might want to look at the Nike Sport band style as well.

I can only fit the "plug" on the band into the last two holes. The last hole feels a bit too loose and the next one up is likely a bit too tight, but that's where I'm wearing it right now so the hardware on the back of the watch makes proper contact with my skin.

 

[pkahleeb]

I can only fit the "plug" on the band into the last two holes. The last hole feels a bit too loose and the next one up is likely a bit too tight, but that's where I'm wearing it right now so the hardware on the back of the watch makes proper contact with my skin.

It sounds like you are wearing a 38 MM watch. If that is the case, I strongly recommend returning and getting a 42 MM watch. If you are wearing a 42 MM, are you sure that you are wearing the LG band and not the smaller one included in the package? (Apple includes 2 bottoms and one top on their normal Sport Bands.)

I do not find SM 42 MM bands comfortable and I do not like the LG 38 MM. They both are on the last one or two holes. The LG 42 MM sport bands I am normally on hole 3 or 4 depending on how tight I need it.

 

[neoelectronaut]

It sounds like you are wearing a 38 MM watch. If that is the case, I strongly recommend returning and getting a 42 MM watch. If you are wearing a 42 MM, are you sure that you are wearing the LG band and not the smaller one included in the package? (Apple includes 2 bottoms and one top on their normal Sport Bands.)

I do not find SM 42 MM bands comfortable and I do not like the LG 38 MM. They both are on the last one or two holes. The LG 42 MM sport bands I am normally on hole 3 or 4 depending on how tight I need it.

Nah, wearing the 42mm watch with the M/L band, which is what was pre-installed.

 

[1124409]

I can read Chinese so I just order it directly.

Others on the forum have been able to translate the website to English? Maybe google can translate the whole page? Sorry but I’m not sure.

Hey

Have you received your Hermès band for now? Can you post photos of it? Does it look like the one provided by Apple with Hermès watch?
Thanks

 

[Boardiesboi]

Hey

Have you received your Hermès band for now? Can you post photos of it? Does it look like the one provided by Apple with Hermès watch?
Thanks

I posted it a couple of pages back.

Check https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...d-strap-thread.1866289/page-154#post-25734982

 

[1124409]

I posted it a couple of pages back.

Check https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...d-strap-thread.1866289/page-154#post-25734982

I'm sorry, I was speaking about the sport band one, this one #3870

 

[Boardiesboi]

I'm sorry, I was speaking about the sport band one, this one #3870

I have the Hermès watch and the genuine orange sports band... so haven’t tried the replica

 

[1124409]

I have the Hermès watch and the genuine orange sports band... so haven’t tried the replica

oh okay, makes sense

Question for you. I love the look of this band and haven't seen this color anywhere else.

How did you go about ordering and purchasing it? Everything is in a foreign language? Is there a way to view English and have things listed in dollars?

@pkahleeb did you order it? or at least tried to translate the website? can we trust this website?
Looks weird because the band has the Hermes inscription on the back of the pin and the Case and band sizes look just like the original one...

 

[pkahleeb]

Nah, wearing the 42mm watch with the M/L band, which is what was pre-installed.

I was thinking about this more and wonder if the leather loop bands would work better for you. They are longer than the sport bands and very comfortable.

I am not sure about availability on a amazon but they run around 8-14 bucks each on a AliExpress in Black, Blue, Grey, White, Brown, & Red colors.

 

[BigMcGuire]

https://www.etsy.com/shop/TexansWatchbands -- Bought two of these. Had to make sure to ask for the longer band for my arm. Pretty happy with it so far. This is my first leather band and wow does it feel nice. Only first day of usage, so we'll see how it goes.

Pretty happy with it so far! https://photos.app.goo.gl/Zg6s8kHnvExOOxTZ2

Apologies for the smudged screen in this one - https://photos.app.goo.gl/kQLnzG7WiiD8Wwe02

 

[neoelectronaut]

Picked up my first watch band on the day before Easter. I had my watch for a week and decided that the included band isn't very comfortable. Picked up a "Modal" nylon band from Best Buy for $22.50 (Had a 10% off coupon) and I initially liked it but by the end of the week it started fraying a bit at the edges, which was enough for me to return it.

What a shame.

 

[JaysFan1990]

Anyone have any experience with Vario? I found one of their straps I like but can't find many reviews on them.

 

[appleboyy]

anyone seen any of the new colours in 3rd party knockoff straps?

 

[InfiniteJoules]

I just saw these this morning. I can definitely see Apple doing this style when they finish with all of the solid color Loop Sport Bands.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/173268525877

 

[chris_61]

Looking to get a 38mm white sport band but i don't want to pay apple another £50.

Any recommendations and best place to get?

 

[InfiniteJoules]

Looking to get a 38mm white sport band but i don't want to pay apple another £50.

Any recommendations and best place to get?

I’ve gotten couple from this guy with zero issues.

Replacement Silicone Sport Band Strap For Apple Watch 38 42 iWatch 38mm 42mm https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/263540031466