The Great "Third Party Band/Strap" Thread

[nieks]

Of course, no problem. I'll get some pictures when I'm back at home

 

[bigjnyc]

Yeah, I've ordered about 30 bands from Urvoi. Including the 6th generation link band. It is the band that comes closest to the Apple original. I've had another before, from a different seller, but that was rubbish. This one even has the Apple link-release buttons. The leather bands are pretty good as well, as are the sport bands. They are however silicon, and not fluorelastomer. This brings some minor issues, like lint pickup with the darker bands, they are a tad bit lighter and a bit less rigid. They are, however, the best knockoffs i've seen so far.

Do you have a link to that 6th gen link band with the release buttons?

 

[nieks]

Do you have a link to that 6th gen link band with the release buttons?

Sure thing. This is the Urvoi store:
https://www.aliexpress.com/store/2061087
and here are some of the bands I purchased:

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The silicone sportband:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/URV...-strap-for-iWatch-sport-band/32810911516.html

The silicone sportband in other colors:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/URV...series-4-3-2-1-with-pin-tuck/32830793796.html

The single tour in 10 different colors:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/URV...-2-1-Swift-Leather-strap-for/32926101072.html

The sport loop in 12 different colors:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/URV...3-2-1-band-for-iwatch-double/32839969603.html

The 6th gen link bracelet:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/URV...Watch-high-quality-stainless/32823452924.html

The classic buckle, 2nd gen, in 9 different colors:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/URV...-3-2-1-strap-for-iwatch-calf/32845642483.html

 

[eedwinn]

Of course, no problem. I'll get some pictures when I'm back at home

Thanks mate! Look forward to it!

 

[Fabian90]

Hi Boardiesboi,

The website to get the link bracelet is it from here: https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a1z10.5-c.w4002-15749665442.17.4f3ca477yvG8Vg&id=551206125089

So I also bought two, according to the seller, genuine watch bands, the white stainless steel link bracelet and the saddle brown classic leather buckle. According to him it was shipped but he had to change carriers and I got a second tracking number. This also does not show up on 17track.com for example... I hope I will get the bands. It has been only a few days so far but I am a bit suspicious. Btw I paid with paypal, so I got buyers protection.

 

[Thejameslavis]

I’ve got 4 urovi bands coming tomorrow. Have the double tour from taobao tho as they are most likely to be swift leather

 

[Zaned303]

Finally took the plunge and got the silver Apple Link holy Moses it’s amazing and doesn’t hair pinch! With my Apple discount it was 300! I figured it will last an eternity

 

[pkahleeb]

What’s your opinion on the band you got? It’s about 50 bucks higher than mot and he states it’s swift leather

My order is currently being fulfilled. I am going off the recommendation from here. I can tell you that ever cheap knock odd that uses leather is pretty terrible.

I have only found one Moko two toned leather that I found to have acceptable quality. All others might look nice but didn’t feel very nice.

My fingers are crossed that this is absolutely amazing quality or I will be asking for a big refund/fighting PayPal on it.

I don’t think it will come to this though. If the quality is that bad, why would they allow a direct PayPal transfer like this and require me to use Friends and Family as the option for payment?
[doublepost=1540908011][/doublepost]

Got myself two knock-offs through AliExpress. Really amazed at the price!

Now I am just waiting to see how their quality is
. View attachment 799136 View attachment 799137

Could I request for some pictures of your collection, especially the sports loop?

Would love to see their quality before I delve into the black hole of getting too many straps!

Yeah, I've ordered about 30 bands from Urvoi. Including the 6th generation link band. It is the band that comes closest to the Apple original. I've had another before, from a different seller, but that was rubbish. This one even has the Apple link-release buttons. The leather bands are pretty good as well, as are the sport bands. They are however silicon, and not fluorelastomer. This brings some minor issues, like lint pickup with the darker bands, they are a tad bit lighter and a bit less rigid. They are, however, the best knockoffs i've seen so far.

So my collection is pretty intimidating and I have a BIG problem. I have bands form all sorts of places but can confirm that Urvoi has really good Sport bands. They may not be fluorelastomer but they are the best non-Apple sport bands out there. My favorite ones have come from them on a AliExpress. They are usually not as cheap as some other sellers but definitely worth more than what Apple charges.

In the photo that is an authentic Milanese. I got it with my current Apple watch series 4. You can tell the difference in quality on these if you start to try and bend them sideways with a knockoff.

I love ceramic link bands on Aliexpress. I have a white and black.

I also have a few bands from the third party seller Nomad. The leather is good and has worn daily well. They sport bands are unique and I love their connectors and buckles.

Apple Leather Loops vary greatly in quality. I will be looking at Taobao next for this. The biggest issue here is the feel of the band and how well they fit in the connector. Most Aliexpress Leather Loop bands will be extremely inconsistent even from the same seller.

 

[xDKP]

My order is currently being fulfilled. I am going off the recommendation from here. I can tell you that ever cheap knock odd that uses leather is pretty terrible.

I have only found one Moko two toned leather that I found to have acceptable quality. All others might look nice but didn’t feel very nice.

My fingers are crossed that this is absolutely amazing quality or I will be asking for a big refund/fighting PayPal on it.

I don’t think it will come to this though. If the quality is that bad, why would they allow a direct PayPal transfer like this and require me to use Friends and Family as the option for payment?
[doublepost=1540908011][/doublepost] View attachment 799449 View attachment 799450 View attachment 799448



So my collection is pretty intimidating and I have a BIG problem. I have bands form all sorts of places but can confirm that Urvoi has really good Sport bands. They may not be fluorelastomer but they are the best non-Apple sport bands out there. My favorite ones have come from them on a AliExpress. They are usually not as cheap as some other sellers but definitely worth more than what Apple charges.

In the photo that is an authentic Milanese. I got it with my current Apple watch series 4. You can tell the difference in quality on these if you start to try and bend them sideways with a knockoff.

I love ceramic link bands on Aliexpress. I have a white and black.

I also have a few bands from the third party seller Nomad. The leather is good and has worn daily well. They sport bands are unique and I love their connectors and buckles.

Apple Leather Loops vary greatly in quality. I will be looking at Taobao next for this. The biggest issue here is the feel of the band and how well they fit in the connector. Most Aliexpress Leather Loop bands will be extremely inconsistent even from the same seller.

You have a problem my friend

Just kidding - love bands my self... I'm with you regarding the cheap leather bands... I'm always let down. What brand is your brown and blue thick leather bands? They look great and seems like good quality leather?

 

[pkahleeb]

You have a problem my friend

Just kidding - love bands my self... I'm with you regarding the cheap leather bands... I'm always let down. What brand is your brown and blue thick leather bands? They look great and seems like good quality leather?

Yes, I do have a problem

I have been collecting bands since I got a Series 2 SS Apple Watch. I tried out Android and Android Wear for a year and ran back to the Apple ecosystem.

The Blue/White two tone came from Moko on Amazon. I also have a Black/Grey from them as well. They were somewhere around $11.99 and are better than almost every single third party leather band I have ever touched. They still look and feel amazing after a year and a half. But they aren’t available on Amazon anymore

The Brown Leather is from Nomad. There is a Blue Leather from them as well in the same photo. I really like Nomad bands a lot.

Photos attached and I can take pictures of them by themselves if you rather see them closer.

The Taobao seller told me that my two bands should ship out in about a day. I am super excited for these. I have never spent this much per band before. ($65 per band for single tour and deployment fastener)

 

[rstark18]

I'm really enjoying the two Carterjett bands. They are nice and wide (24mm).

 

[xDKP]

View attachment 799923 View attachment 799924
Yes, I do have a problem

I have been collecting bands since I got a Series 2 SS Apple Watch. I tried out Android and Android Wear for a year and ran back to the Apple ecosystem.

The Blue/White two tone came from Moko on Amazon. I also have a Black/Grey from them as well. They were somewhere around $11.99 and are better than almost every single third party leather band I have ever touched. They still look and feel amazing after a year and a half. But they aren’t available on Amazon anymore

The Brown Leather is from Nomad. There is a Blue Leather from them as well in the same photo. I really like Nomad bands a lot.

Photos attached and I can take pictures of them by themselves if you rather see them closer.

The Taobao seller told me that my two bands should ship out in about a day. I am super excited for these. I have never spent this much per band before. ($65 per band for single tour and deployment fastener)

Yeah I actually did think it was the Nomads - they do look awesome - Haven't tried them out yet as they aren't exactly cheap

I'm really enjoying the two Carterjett bands. They are nice and wide (24mm).

Is the blue band attached to the watch a Carterjett?

 

[rstark18]

Yeah I actually did think it was the Nomads - they do look awesome - Haven't tried them out yet as they aren't exactly cheap



Is the blue band attached to the watch a Carterjett?

That one is gray and yes it's a Carterjett.

 

[staggerlee41]

I'm really enjoying the two Carterjett bands. They are nice and wide (24mm).

Thanks for this post, I have actually been considering the same gray band from Carterjett. It looks fantastic. What's your opinion on the quality? Any experience on getting it wet? As in does it get water logged and time it takes to dry out?

 

[rstark18]

Thanks for this post, I have actually been considering the same gray band from Carterjett. It looks fantastic. What's your opinion on the quality? Any experience on getting it wet? As in does it get water logged and time it takes to dry out?

I really like them I haven't gotten them wet yet but I have one that I cut down because I wanted to try it without tucking the excess strap. I don't like how it turned out because the edge that I singed with a lighter doesn't look very good. My suggestion is don't cut them.
I will soak that one right now and let you know what the results are.

 

[staggerlee41]

Thanks for the info and willingness to test! I looked at the sizing and I think the smaller size would be borderline too small forcing me to get the L/XL size which I'm almost certainly going to have to cut.

I was thinking this could be a great band to wear while fishing but if it stays wet then maybe the sport bands are the best option in that scenario.

 

[rstark18]

Thanks for the info and willingness to test! I looked at the sizing and I think the smaller size would be borderline too small forcing me to get the L/XL size which I'm almost certainly going to have to cut.

I was thinking this could be a great band to wear while fishing but if it stays wet then maybe the sport bands are the best option in that scenario.

It get very water logged. It stayed wet for more than a few hours in a warm house. The body heat while wearing it might make it dry faster though. Still an excellent band.

 

[staggerlee41]

It get very water logged. It stayed wet for more than a few hours in a warm house. The body heat while wearing it might make it dry faster though. Still an excellent band.

Thanks so much for that info!

 

[Thejameslavis]

Picked up a legit apple leather loop. Will test the quality of my urovi leather loop arriving tomorrow. Legit one is so sweet tho

 

[zerolight]

Is the taobao seller no more? Can't find him on taobao now. Fancy the Feu Epsom clone

 

[TJ82]

Had a package arrive today at work, quick teaser shot

Will get pics of the bands up tonight, but first impression is that these bands are genuinely beyond expectations!

 

[Boardiesboi]

Had a package arrive today at work, quick teaser shot

Will get pics of the bands up tonight, but first impression is that these bands are genuinely beyond expectations!

Are these from taobao I recommended?

I just got the cuff band from him too. It’s a lot shorter and narrower than I thought it would be. But the leather is still very soft and smells like real leather should.

Comparison with offical single tour for scale

 

[TJ82]

Are these from taobao I recommended?

Yessir they are, credit where it's due!

Might have to hold on until tomorrow for those pics.. working later than expected tonight

 

[pkahleeb]

Is the taobao seller no more? Can't find him on taobao now. Fancy the Feu Epsom clone

Still there. I gave contact details before.

I spoke to the seller and asked for their email to post in a forum I was a member of. They told me you can contact them directly at: 630988@qq.com

I was quoted a price of $65 per band for the single tour with deployment adapter in two different colors.

 

[zerolight]

Still there. I gave contact details before.

I just got the cuff band from him too. It’s a lot shorter and narrower than I thought it would be. But the leather is still very soft and smells like real leather should.

How do I order for shipping to the UK? And what's the deal with that very phishing looking email address? I've emailed to see how I buy, but seller has not responded yet. Tried Superbuy.com but it pops up as "sensitive product" and doesn't allow PayPal.

[doublepost=1541505010][/doublepost]

In the UK, but just used a Chinese address for Taobao and the seller said he's send it to the UK himself when labelling it. Did you get any discount for ordering 3? I got free delivery only haha, but can't complain, prices are great and from your earlier pics, quality looks pretty great

Hi TJ - I'm in the UK too. How did you manage to get in touch with the seller? I've tried the email address pkahleeb posted without luck.