The Great "Third Party Band/Strap" Thread

[LotsOfBands]

Well got 4 nylon bands from AliExpress today for 85p each with no postage cost (never bought from there before) which took two weeks to arrive and I cant tell the different between any of them and my "legit" Apple one so will def be buying a few more from that seller...

This seller -

Buy Products Online from China Wholesalers at Aliexpress.com

Ive had similar experiences, only thing is that the folks who like to brag about dropping 200 bucks on a band get all antsy about such matters... #thetruthHurts

 

[SisterBlue22]

Well got 4 nylon bands from AliExpress today for 85p each with no postage cost (never bought from there before) which took two weeks to arrive and I cant tell the different between any of them and my "legit" Apple one so will def be buying a few more from that seller...

This seller -

Buy Products Online from China Wholesalers at Aliexpress.com

I just ordered two of these...estimate for free shipping is 30-50 days. We'll see!

 

[deckard666]

Best non-legit band I have bought since owning my AW by a country mile is this one - Fits lovely, powerful magnets and a nice material - i wear it a lot -

For Apple Watch Leather Strap iWatch Genuine Leather Band Magnetic Milanese Loop | eBay

No buckle needed, just easily stick and lock your Apple Watch. 1 x Apple Watch Compatible Leather Watch Strap. The leather for this strap is specially produced. A delicate milling and tumbling process enhances the beautiful pebbled texture.

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[myrtlebee]

Best non-legit band I have bought since owning my AW by a country mile is this one - Fits lovely, powerful magnets and a nice material - i wear it a lot -

For Apple Watch Leather Strap iWatch Genuine Leather Band Magnetic Milanese Loop | eBay

No buckle needed, just easily stick and lock your Apple Watch. 1 x Apple Watch Compatible Leather Watch Strap. The leather for this strap is specially produced. A delicate milling and tumbling process enhances the beautiful pebbled texture.

www.ebay.co.uk

View attachment 1696989

Do you know if there's a US seller who sells the exact same band? Been having a lot of problems with USPS and can't even imagine what would happen if I bought one from overseas.

 

[Dguitarnut]

I have 2 generic straps replicated with oem Apple and they fall a little short. That being said they are about 80% or better there. The sport nylon loop edges are a little off in color, weave is close enough. The black leather loop is showing wear much faster and probably in feel and texture is more off.
But in reality only you would know which one it is unless you point it out.
I have about 6 or 7 my favorite Straps in OEM and I ordered all the maybe I will like, or I will wear it once ones in cheap knock-offs .

 

[AZhappyjack]

Has anyone found an acceptably decent knockoff of the braided loop band?

 

[jaymc]

I ordered these from amazon.com and am satisfied. Have heard many who bought theirs directly from aliexpress get printed silicone bands and only have sizes S/M/L. These are much nicer and come with the same sizing as Apple.

 

[ammorsy]

Just received this one from eBay, and I like it. I actually prefer these lugs over the Apple ones.
I ordered the genuine one from Apple, the size was not accurate, and I ended up getting rid of not. I didn’t feel it’s worth the $99 price tag after seeing it in person. This one has a very similar color (if not the same), and the material and weave is astonishing considering the price. The only downside is the limited sizes, I got a medium, and it a bit loose, but I know a small would’ve been too tight.

 

[khani47]

My 44mm S6 Stainless Steel in Graphite is due to arrive tomorrow. Excited I am and have been following this thread vividly.
I can only find 44mm adapters in colour black, anyone know of any that are in the graphite colour?

Many thanks guys

 

[TeachwithApple]

Has anyone found a third party solo loop or braided loop in a plum that is the same as the iphone plum case? Got the case as. gift, but trying to find a cheaper band to match. Tried ordering a couple and each ends up being more red than the case and it’s just enough to really irk me.

 

[Theryesider]

Have bought a “bundle” from AliExpress and eBay and must admit pretty impressed with them.
The eBay ones are just bought from AliExpress with a mark up so you do get them quicker.
Why is white so hard to get as a solo loop, they all show on the opening page, but you can never select it as an option.

 

[Salazes123]

Does anyone own the official Apple Braided Solo Loop & a replica from Aliexpress. Would you recommend the replica ? If yes, which one ?

 

[deivydas]

Bought it from Etsy. Not cheap by any means (~52 eur with discount), but worth it - amazing quality (soft, 3 layer leather, handmade).

 

[schlupps]

bought via ebay and learned, that apple really should fill the market for braided solo loops with some wider color range

In addition to my braided apple solo loops (black and green), i wanted some more color.. and i ordered these from ebay seller 'bezzos-shop':

i wear my apple braided loops sized 9 (i like it not to be too tight), these straps are sized 'm' .. a little tighter as shown in picture compared to 44/9 braided inverness, but ok so far; will see, how/if it stretches over time.

The reason id still prefer apples braided solo loops, is their (still) smoother haptic and i like it, that the transition of the apple loops from band to the lug is smoother or more rounded, looking more organic =).

(pictures color tone might be a little off, as i am not very familiar with foto editing ☺️.. sorry for that!)

 

[SisterBlue22]

I just ordered two of these...estimate for free shipping is 30-50 days. We'll see!

To reply to myself...my AliExpress knockoff Braided Loops arrived yesterday. I got two colors, pink and blue. Each band has one lug that absolutely will not slide into the watch, and I wasn't about to force it to the point of scratching or damaging my watch, so these are a no-go for me. Into the trash they go...good thing the whole order was less than $10.

 

[schlupps]

i came to a pretty similar conclusion..
after wearing the 3rd party braided loops for about 48 hours i guess they will not be part of my daily use..

- the braided structure looks sort of deranged after being stretched a little (when being stretched/pulled over the hand..)
- after seeing, how the braided stuff/fabric is whiggling in the lug, i really dont trust that strap anymore. Dont want a situation, where i can see my watch fly away =/
- the fit of the lug in the watch is not the best: it can slide in.. but if the if the locking mechanism snaps, the lug is not very snug: occasionally i can hear metal on metal, when the arm/watch is doing fast movements.
- the apple braided loop is about 1.5 to 2mm wider.. 3rd party loop looks thinner.

hmm.. hope, apple will give us some more colors for the braided loops... i want a braided plum solo loop

 

[Theryesider]

To reply to myself...my AliExpress knockoff Braided Loops arrived yesterday. I got two colors, pink and blue. Each band has one lug that absolutely will not slide into the watch, and I wasn't about to force it to the point of scratching or damaging my watch, so these are a no-go for me. Into the trash they go...good thing the whole order was less than $10.

Have bought about 15-20 straps from AliExpress only one did I have problems with.
It was on of the 3 black inserts which slides into the Apple Watch that was sticking out too far on one side, flat bladed screwdriver pressed down on it job done.

 

[SisterBlue22]

Have bought about 15-20 straps from AliExpress only one did I have problems with.
It was on of the 3 black inserts which slides into the Apple Watch that was sticking out too far on one side, flat bladed screwdriver pressed down on it job done.

Hmmm...maybe I got frustrated too quickly...I'll try again now that I'm calmer.

 

[davidholliday]

I got a Grit & Grazia strap from Amazon - the leather is quite nice.

 

[Brettka7]

$5 Hermès Orange sport band sold by deteche on eBay vs. authentic Hermès Orange sport band.

Not the same shade, but quite similar. More in real life than in pictures even.

Neither exactly matches the Hermès orange box. The authentic band is redder, the replica is yellower.

 

[davidholliday]

Red nylon strap from Monowear Design - there are no Apple OEM straps I'm interested in at the moment, but there are some great third-party ones. I really like this one.

I think it goes really nicely with my SpaceBlack Ti watch.

 

[derek0609]

As a native Detroiter, gotta promote a local company

https://www.shinola.com/watch-straps/apple-watch-compatible.html

 

[stanza.richi]

Tasikar from amazon.it : silicone on the inside and leather outside. They seems comfortable and looks nice to me. Just arrived, I will see in the future but for now I like them!

 

[Salazes123]

Well got 4 nylon bands from AliExpress today for 85p each with no postage cost (never bought from there before) which took two weeks to arrive and I cant tell the different between any of them and my "legit" Apple one so will def be buying a few more from that seller...

This seller -

Buy Products Online from China Wholesalers at Aliexpress.com

Thanks ! How's the sizing ? My wrist is 155mm.

 

[Theryesider]

Just beware everyone no standardisation across Ali, what’s medium in one is large in another and vice versa.