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The Great "Third Party Band/Strap" Thread

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I just got a marketing e-mail from Nomad. I almost dismissed it as "just another link band". Then I realized the new band is made of of Titanium! Now that intrigues me, as shouldn't this be light? It is also cheaper than Apple's. Though I still think Apple's looks set it apart.

https://hellonomad.com/products/tit...VEdt6)&utm_medium=email&utm_source=250OK_SEED

As ever I worry about link adjustment. I see they provide a tool and instructions. I would also have to go black, to match my black Gen. 4. I wonder how well the finish would resist wear/scratches?
 
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jazz1 said:
I just got a marketing e-mail from Nomad. I almost dismissed it as "just another link band". Then I realized the new band is made of of Titanium! Now that intrigues me, as shouldn't this be light? It is also cheaper than Apple's. Though I still think Apple's looks set it apart.

https://hellonomad.com/products/tit...VEdt6)&utm_medium=email&utm_source=250OK_SEED

As ever I worry about link adjustment. I see they provide a tool and instructions. I would also have to go black, to match my black Gen. 4. I wonder how well the finish would resist wear/scratches?
Click to expand...

Looks nice
 
zerolight said:
I'd prefer it not to have the engraving at all. The buckle itself is nice quality and the strap adapters appear to be genuine Apple items. Of course the primary reason to buy the Taobao strap is the leather quality.
Click to expand...
I'm with you. If it had no engraving it'd be nicer. But since it does, Ideally it would be better quality ;).

But realistically it's not really an issue and I don't even notice it.
 
The TaoBao/AliWangWang Black Link Bracelets are out of stock.

He doesnt know when he'll get more in stock. Any alternatives?

any Brits want to sell me theirs?

EDIT: should've learnt chinese in school. it was headache navigating the wangwang app blindly lol.

Going to go for Urvoi seeing the taobao guy is out of stock

can someone confirm this is the the best Urvoi version for the black link bracelets

https://www.aliexpress.com/store/pr...1.pic_1&spm=a2g1y.12024536.hotSpots_6950850.0

payments secure>
 
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jazz1 said:
I just got a marketing e-mail from Nomad. I almost dismissed it as "just another link band". Then I realized the new band is made of of Titanium! Now that intrigues me, as shouldn't this be light? It is also cheaper than Apple's. Though I still think Apple's looks set it apart.

https://hellonomad.com/products/titanium-band-black-hardware?_ke=eyJrbF9lbWFpbCI6ICJoYW1pZmVsbGVyQG1lLmNvbSIsICJrbF9jb21wYW55X2lkIjogImJkUUxqVyJ9&utm_campaign=02.11.19_TitaniumBand_NP+(LVEdt6)&utm_medium=email&utm_source=250OK_SEED

As ever I worry about link adjustment. I see they provide a tool and instructions. I would also have to go black, to match my black Gen. 4. I wonder how well the finish would resist wear/scratches?
Click to expand...
I'm wondering if I'd be wasting my money if I already had Apple's link band. This looks very good.
 
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jazz1 said:
I just got a marketing e-mail from Nomad. I almost dismissed it as "just another link band". Then I realized the new band is made of of Titanium! Now that intrigues me, as shouldn't this be light? It is also cheaper than Apple's. Though I still think Apple's looks set it apart.

https://hellonomad.com/products/titanium-band-black-hardware?_ke=eyJrbF9lbWFpbCI6ICJoYW1pZmVsbGVyQG1lLmNvbSIsICJrbF9jb21wYW55X2lkIjogImJkUUxqVyJ9&utm_campaign=02.11.19_TitaniumBand_NP+(LVEdt6)&utm_medium=email&utm_source=250OK_SEED

As ever I worry about link adjustment. I see they provide a tool and instructions. I would also have to go black, to match my black Gen. 4. I wonder how well the finish would resist wear/scratches?
Click to expand...


This one here is also titanium and has an integrated end link buts it’s a third of the price. Though it’s a different link arrangement and it’s a tradition butterfly clasp.

https://www.amazon.com/LDFAS-Compat...+band+44mm&dpPl=1&dpID=4197DQHEx8L&ref=plSrch
 
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itsmemuffins said:
This one here is also titanium and has an integrated end link buts it’s a third of the price. Though it’s a different link arrangement and it’s a tradition butterfly clasp.

https://www.amazon.com/LDFAS-Compat...+band+44mm&dpPl=1&dpID=4197DQHEx8L&ref=plSrch
Click to expand...

Looks pretty good actually. The problem with many of these is that some might be good but there are massive piles of trash on Amazon - and it’s hard to know the good from the bad before you’ve been burned !
 
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xDKP said:
Looks pretty good actually. The problem with many of these is that some might be good but there are massive piles of trash on Amazon - and it’s hard to know the good from the bad before you’ve been burned !
Click to expand...

Oh I know. You’re 100% correct. I’ve bought many but unfortunately had to return all of them. I’ve given up now. Either links pop off(I’ve actually dropped my watch because of that. Luckily no damaged) rusted pins. Pulling hair. Buckles popping open.
 
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itsmemuffins said:
Oh I know. You’re 100% correct. I’ve bought many but unfortunately had to return all of them. I’ve given up now. Either links pop off(I’ve actually dropped my watch because of that. Luckily no damaged) rusted pins. Pulling hair. Buckles popping open.
Click to expand...

And it’s not just the links. The leathers are a big pile of trash a lot of it as well. Uneven stitching, sloppy adapters or crappy quality.

Got my Nomad leather band on amazon as well, so of course there’s good quality among them as well
 
Just received my first third party bands. These are from Epic Watch Bands.

This one is the fusion link in sandalwood.

E724A19A-3A6E-404E-9259-A5EF7060D1A9.jpeg
C74871B0-CB19-4AEE-8FE6-0C3957C3C3A6.jpeg
9742FF27-2B87-49EE-B9F8-7ABACB5FABB1.jpeg


It looks much better in person than on the site. After you adjust it to your size it’s super comfortable. I have a traditional watch and I definitely prefer the link bands to anything else I’ve worn. The quality for the price is more than reasonable. It included the tool for pulling links.


I also picked up the rugged nylon in blue.

517D20F5-A6F1-4B5C-97B1-F23C20378B83.jpeg
32E03540-B8B7-4F5C-B9AE-2E31F69796AF.jpeg
AF9D0D18-0115-4F0E-9BE4-912C9BED5B2D.jpeg


I’m still breaking this one in. I found it initially stiff for putting on and even taking off. Now that I’ve done it a few times it’s getting better. It’s pretty comfortable. You don’t need to wear it as tight as the one that comes with the watch, which is nice. It will take some time to conform I’m sure.

For both, the adapters aren’t as smooth going in as Apple’s, but they’re tight once in and they come out smooth. The bands size well and the price is right. I would recommend EWB and may buy more in the future. I’m now eyeballing the titanium Nomad link piece.
 
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The taobao black link bracelet is out of stock.

Not convinced by the urvoi one.

There is an ebay one for £190. too much.

any alternatives?
 
OMGwtfBBQwings said:
The taobao black link bracelet is out of stock.

Not convinced by the urvoi one.

There is an ebay one for £190. too much.

any alternatives?
Click to expand...

I have the Urvoy, and if I need a replacement at any point, I would not think twice about getting it again... There are some "Originals" on eBay...
 
The urvoi is okay but the links are a bit thin so the straps kind of looks lumpy just after the lugs.
 
Here is my latest Apple Watch band and carbon case
It’s a Arrow&board Apple Watch band made with full grain leather, it came to my attention because it has a classic Apple Watch band buckle, the leather is very stiff and will soften up with wear.
And I have also purchased a Nevox carbon Apple Watch case it’s a bit expensive but it’s genuine premium carbon none of this plastic crap, it’s kinda like the raw carbon material hardened. I just thought I might share this with you all :apple:
 

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SoJoe said:
Here is my latest Apple Watch band and carbon case
It’s a Arrow&board Apple Watch band made with full grain leather, it came to my attention because it has a classic Apple Watch band buckle, the leather is very stiff and will soften up with wear.
And I have also purchased a Nevox carbon Apple Watch case it’s a bit expensive but it’s genuine premium carbon none of this plastic crap, it’s kinda like the raw carbon material hardened. I just thought I might share this with you all :apple:
Click to expand...

thanks, just to confirm you got this one (6th gen) which is double the price of the non 6th gen version?

https://www.aliexpress.com/store/pr...l?spm=2114.12010612.8148356.42.48635634jILnHB

anyone else got any reviews about these?
 
Thinking of getting an Alto leather strap for a soon to purchase Series 4. Does anyone have any experience with Alto bands?
 
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