The Great "Third Party Band/Strap" Thread

[Gjwilly]

My watch won't be here till Monday but I've got my strap all ready.

The adapters are from eBay and they're black so I hope they go ok with the Space Grey.

 

[ecschwarz]

My watch won't be here till Monday but I've got my strap all ready.

That band looks nice - where'd you get it?

 

[tenfour808]

Let us know how it goes. I've tried twice now to order a leather loop and have not received anything. The first one says the product shipped and that he has reshipped (but I have not received a new tracking number, and now he says they don't do tracking numbers for items less than $50). (Yes, I have emailed asking how it is that I got a tracking number for the first one.) I've only just gotten to the point where I've emailed the second one asking when it will actually ship.

Yikes. I was in hopes of having someone provide thoughts on this band, but it seems like the seller is super shady. Hope the seller isn't pulling your leg and you will have your item soon!

 

[GrimmsGirl]

My adapter from BandRBands http://www.bandrbands.com arrived yesterday. I was really hesitant about purchasing 3rd party (non Apple approved) adapters and bands. I know people are proudly posting pics of their adapters but most of them look like they are a terrible fit to me. I bought the first set on a whim but I'm really pleased with the fit and finish. They look pretty perfect to me. The price is a bit high, but they come with a screwdriver and 4 extra screws. I think given the fit, the price is extremely reasonable. I just placed and order for 2 more sets of lug adapters. Now I just have to find bands the will fit my 135mm wrists. I'm currently looking at deployment bands/clasps and custom options since I think that will be the best/only option for me.

I haven't taken pictures of these adapters with my watch, but I'm happy to do that tomorrow if anyone is interested. I have the ss watch with a couple of sports bands and the link bracelet, and I think the fit is just as good as the Apple link bracelet and the finish matches the ss perfectly.

 

[scott99]

My watch won't be here till Monday but I've got my strap all ready.

View attachment 559285

The adapters are from eBay and they're black so I hope they go ok with the Space Grey.

Really nice !

 

[AlliFlowers]

I just got a refund for the first leather loop. I hope I don't have to go through this again with the 2nd one.

 

[Gjwilly]

That band looks nice - where'd you get it?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/171089026778?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&var=470275333651&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

I like it cuz it's rubber but looks like leather. It's a 24mm.
I also like the deployment clasp. First one I've seen where you don't have to cut it to size while still hiding the extra strap length under the band. All of the other adjustable deployments that I've seen still look like regular bands and still have a strap retainer on the outside that you need to fiddle with.
The same seller sells 2-piece NATO straps.

 

[Cjhooper]

I got some adapters on Amazon and they are ok but I don't like the gap with this band. I'm looking forward for my click adapters when they get made. The band is a Timex band that I also bought on Amazon. I really like the look of the band and it is very sleek but it is pretty skinny. I have small wrists and I barley pull it off. It's a bit small for my 42mm it might be better for the 38mm watch.
Overall I am really pleased. I think I might order a Casio calculator watch and try the band from that, I think it's a little wider weigh the same look.
TIMEX 16-20MM STAINLESS SILVER EXPANSION FAST FIT STRAP WATCH BAND https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00N5A1VQE/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_tVrDvb0D7T795

 

[Fernandez21]

Not sure if this has been posted before, but I found another Hoco band with a different clasp. This one allows micro adjustments so would be good for those who are between links.

The link is below (sorry it's a link to the Australian eBay store).

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/38-42mm-...=LH_DefaultDomain_15&var=&hash=item2351be7a2e

View attachment 557648

Did you end up ordering that band? I just ordered it, ship times say between the 15th to 30th, which is fine since my apple watch won't come in until 1st.

 

[sdallnct2]

My adapter from BandRBands http://www.bandrbands.com arrived yesterday. I was really hesitant about purchasing 3rd party (non Apple approved) adapters and bands. I know people are proudly posting pics of their adapters but most of them look like they are a terrible fit to me. I bought the first set on a whim but I'm really pleased with the fit and finish. They look pretty perfect to me. The price is a bit high, but they come with a screwdriver and 4 extra screws. I think given the fit, the price is extremely reasonable. I just placed and order for 2 more sets of lug adapters. Now I just have to find bands the will fit my 135mm wrists. I'm currently looking at deployment bands/clasps and custom options since I think that will be the best/only option for me.

I haven't taken pictures of these adapters with my watch, but I'm happy to do that tomorrow if anyone is interested. I have the ss watch with a couple of sports bands and the link bracelet, and I think the fit is just as good as the Apple link bracelet and the finish matches the ss perfectly.

I don't get why so few places have black or gray adapters. They can't be any more to make....so odd to me.

 

[PirateP]

I got my Lunatik Epik black aluminum band/case. I like it a lot! Had to remove about 8 links to make it fit, but it was easy to do.

 

[InAustralia]

Did you end up ordering that band? I just ordered it, ship times say between the 15th to 30th, which is fine since my apple watch won't come in until 1st.

I did not order one. I already have the 3 bead Hoco band and this band is identical to it (except for the clasp). I would have got it if I was between links in my Hoco band, but my Hoco band fits fine.

Interested to hear your thoughts on the band when you get it though as I prefer the look of that clasp.

 

[msink]

Deployant buckle from Holbens website. Made by Hadley-Roma. Band without a buckle from Amazon. Adapters/lugs from cheap Amazon band.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00S7S71O0/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_ggIDvb09Z62V6

http://www.holbensfinewatchbands.com/hadley-roma-bkl100-butterfly-deployment-clasp-stainless-steel/

Mark

 

[PhillyGuy72]

I bought this last night, it shipped today. But it's expected delivery is "July 20th" Does it actually take THAT long to come from China?

Other than my iPhone being shipped from there, I never bought anything online that was shipped from China. I like the band, also the dark adapters can be removed and swapped with other bands I have.

 

[PhillyGuy72]

I got my Lunatik Epik black aluminum band/case. I like it a lot! Had to remove about 8 links to make it fit, but it was easy to do.

I did see this at Best Buy, I like the band, how it protects everything - also like larger watches and this does make the Apple Watch look larger.

BUT I was a little worried if that case protector might scratch the finish (on SS or SG Aluminum)

 

[Andreas Truong]

special for today ^_^

Andreas, where did you get it?

I make it for myself ^_^

Will you be doing this with black lugs at some point, this with the black drop buckle would be ideal for the SB SS i'm awaiting delivery of?

Yes, I plan to get some black lug adapters and design some special strap collections for apple watches.

 

[PirateP]

I did see this at Best Buy, I like the band, how it protects everything - also like larger watches and this does make the Apple Watch look larger.

BUT I was a little worried if that case protector might scratch the finish (on SS or SG Aluminum)

I don't know yet ... I haven't removed it since I put it on. I hope not, but I'm clumsy, and I think the chances of me breaking the screen were more of a worry.

Did they have the aluminum one at your Best Buy? The only one they had at mine was the rubber bracelet band; I wanted something that felt less sticky and plastic. Very pleased thus far.

 

[easheer]

I got some adapters on Amazon and they are ok but I don't like the gap with this band. I'm looking forward for my click adapters when they get made. The band is a Timex band that I also bought on Amazon. I really like the look of the band and it is very sleek but it is pretty skinny. I have small wrists and I barley pull it off. It's a bit small for my 42mm it might be better for the 38mm watch.
Overall I am really pleased. I think I might order a Casio calculator watch and try the band from that, I think it's a little wider weigh the same look.
TIMEX 16-20MM STAINLESS SILVER EXPANSION FAST FIT STRAP WATCH BAND https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00N5A1VQE/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_tVrDvb0D7T795 View attachment 559345

Not trying to be rude, but that looks horrible. As you mentioned, the gap looks really bad, but in addition to that, the width of the band is way too narrow and it looks really out of place with the size of the watch face.

 

[easheer]

Deployant buckle from Holbens website. Made by Hadley-Roma. Band without a buckle from Amazon. Adapters/lugs from cheap Amazon band.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00S7S71O0/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_ggIDvb09Z62V6

http://www.holbensfinewatchbands.com/hadley-roma-bkl100-butterfly-deployment-clasp-stainless-steel/

Mark

This looks really good! Love the thick band and deployant.

 

[Smileyboy]

I ordered a band from SteveO. With a PVD buckle for my stainless steel Space black watch.

 

[scott99]

Deployant buckle from Holbens website. Made by Hadley-Roma. Band without a buckle from Amazon. Adapters/lugs from cheap Amazon band.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00S7S71O0/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_ggIDvb09Z62V6

http://www.holbensfinewatchbands.com/hadley-roma-bkl100-butterfly-deployment-clasp-stainless-steel/

Mark

Really Nice !! I got a black deployment clasp strap for my Space Gray.

 

[scott99]

I bought this last night, it shipped today. But it's expected delivery is "July 20th" Does it actually take THAT long to come from China?

Other than my iPhone being shipped from there, I never bought anything online that was shipped from China. I like the band, also the dark adapters can be removed and swapped with other bands I have.

I don't think it'll take too long. I ordered a stainless on Amazon, said it was coming from China as well, my dates were June 18-July 7, and I got it on June 2nd.

 

[Lspice]

I bought this one and so far, I love it!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00YN9PWUC/ref=ya_aw_oh_pii

 

[msink]

Deployant buckle from Holbens website. Made by Hadley-Roma. Band without a buckle from Amazon. Adapters/lugs from cheap Amazon band.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00S7S71O0/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_ggIDvb09Z62V6

http://www.holbensfinewatchbands.com/hadley-roma-bkl100-butterfly-deployment-clasp-stainless-steel/

Mark

I also just got these. Adapters a different than most, from freedomoclock09 on eBay. Amazon Band I believe. Very chunky, huge buckle, seem to be "Panarai style". It has another keeper (the small loops around the band), I had lost it when I took the pics.

 

[PhillyGuy72]

I don't know yet ... I haven't removed it since I put it on. I hope not, but I'm clumsy, and I think the chances of me breaking the screen were more of a worry.

Did they have the aluminum one at your Best Buy? The only one they had at mine was the rubber bracelet band; I wanted something that felt less sticky and plastic. Very pleased thus far.

I understand, I've always been good with my watches, few bumps here and there..but I can just picture walking through a doorway hitting the watch and leaving a nice scratch on it. Knowing me, it's inevitable(That first bump is going to hurt!)

Best Buy had the same one you have, no aluminum. It was going for $70. The Best Buy near me has the worse selection when it comes to anything, especially when it comes to Apple products. They had a few Zagg screen protectors, cheap - but overpriced - ugly bumpers also.