I think I already saw a real clone on AliExpress (at least claiming to be one) but it is going for 270 USD or something. Considering that you have no service or warranty guarantee on that I think the 230 USD more could be well invested.
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The Great "Third Party Band/Strap" Thread
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I think I already saw a real clone on AliExpress (at least claiming to be one) but it is going for 270 USD or something. Considering that you have no service or warranty guarantee on that I think the 230 USD more could be well invested.
I ordered this "clone" from AliExpress : http://www.aliexpress.com/item/New-...el-With-Metal-Adapter-Case-1/32370099399.html
It's a win or lose, it was $29 three days ago when I ordered it.
I also bought this one earlier -> http://www.watch-band-center.com/watchstrap-p17380h689s711-Watch-strap-24mm-sta.html
I received it and then use the band with a pair of adapters from the Utica-guy, although the adapters are not perfect...they don't fit as close to the watch as I would like them to. Well, I think it's a great match, looks like this :
It's a win or lose, it was $29 three days ago when I ordered it.
I also bought this one earlier -> http://www.watch-band-center.com/watchstrap-p17380h689s711-Watch-strap-24mm-sta.html
I received it and then use the band with a pair of adapters from the Utica-guy, although the adapters are not perfect...they don't fit as close to the watch as I would like them to. Well, I think it's a great match, looks like this :
Attachments
I ordered this Apple link bracelet clone last night for $35.99 and now it's twice the price. I wanted to wait for others to be the guinea pig but I can't wait that long. If I don't like it I still have my HOCO.
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/New-...el-With-Metal-Adapter-Case-1/32369861294.html
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/New-...el-With-Metal-Adapter-Case-1/32369861294.html
Currently most of the offers on AliExpress for the "1:1 Link Band Clone" are all by one shop called "Oatmall". To get higher visibility they run by several names including "Oaec Electronic Company" and "Best Watch Store". I can confirm that the bands you're buying are not 1:1 clones but the one I posted here. The pictures are from this weeks factory sample and the seller is saying it's most likely also the form of what they will ship.
Didn't you order yours awhile back? How were you able to cancel before they shipped?
Can you please post link to the strap. Im in UK and have been looking for brown strap for my SS watch. Thanks
Hey folks, when posting straps /adapters would you please also post the link where you purchased it and the size. Thanks!
I finally just pulled the trigger tonight. Bought a pair of spring bar adapters from Utica Guy and this leather band on eBay from England. I wanted something summery and nautical. This navy blue leather strap with white stitching fit the bill perfectly.
If I like that one, I'll get the brown one that perfectly matches my boat shoes.
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=290711639114&globalID=EBAY-US
If I like that one, I'll get the brown one that perfectly matches my boat shoes.
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=290711639114&globalID=EBAY-US
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Yes the strap is this one:
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=291434388308&globalID=EBAY-GB
And I picked up these adapters:
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=271875930377&globalID=EBAY-GB
Just thought I'd add a few traditional watch strap shops that I've used in the past for my large collection of mechanical watches...
Check out www.kainheritage.com for some really nice strap options. You'll need your own adapters but they make some really nice straps using some more exotic materials and the prices are reasonable for the quality you get. I believe they are out of Asia so the straps take a few weeks to come but they are worth the wait. I've ordered several for my traditional mechanical watches and have never been disappointed.
Another good site that I've ordered from for my mechanical watches that is out of Europe is www.watch-band-center.com. A great selection of leather, metal, etc...if you're looking for a nice metal replacement they've got some very nice link and mesh bands that are of far better quality that most of the garbage people have been buying. Check out Staib and Vollmer mesh bands. Really nice and cheaper than the Apple mesh band.
Finally, if money is no object and you want a truly custom strap, check out either www.thestrapsmith.com or www.stonecreekstraps.com. Quality of materials and workmanship from both Rob (strap smith) and Jenna (stonecreek) are impeccable and well worth the price you pay. All are handmade and can be customized any way you like. Word of warning: they are very pricey.
Check out www.kainheritage.com for some really nice strap options. You'll need your own adapters but they make some really nice straps using some more exotic materials and the prices are reasonable for the quality you get. I believe they are out of Asia so the straps take a few weeks to come but they are worth the wait. I've ordered several for my traditional mechanical watches and have never been disappointed.
Another good site that I've ordered from for my mechanical watches that is out of Europe is www.watch-band-center.com. A great selection of leather, metal, etc...if you're looking for a nice metal replacement they've got some very nice link and mesh bands that are of far better quality that most of the garbage people have been buying. Check out Staib and Vollmer mesh bands. Really nice and cheaper than the Apple mesh band.
Finally, if money is no object and you want a truly custom strap, check out either www.thestrapsmith.com or www.stonecreekstraps.com. Quality of materials and workmanship from both Rob (strap smith) and Jenna (stonecreek) are impeccable and well worth the price you pay. All are handmade and can be customized any way you like. Word of warning: they are very pricey.
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Those are great recommendations. Thanks. I watched a video about the Louis Vuitton strap earlier on the interwebs. I'm also probably going to look into an old fashioned route. I live in a big city with lots of watch shops, so I think I'll also look around locally. Now, if only I could get over my inability to trust all these third party adapters and maybe find a good silver aluminum set for my sport. I know click isn't close to shipping theirs yet. And the made for apple watch program will take even more time to yield fruit.
Funny that you are stating that but still are not showing anything that confirms it.
We'll see when it arrives.
Why do I need to do that?
I talked to all the sellers of these shops and found out they are one and the same person (he / she also didn't try to hide it when asked). The pictures I provided were mailed to me by the seller and I got several mails (including from Oaec and Oatmall) which included the same set of pictures every time.
Now of course they could actually ship a clone that is closer to the real thing if we're lucky (like the one on Taobao) but when asked how the actual model will look like they provided these pics to me showing, as they say, the latest factory sample.
This is just a hint. I don't want to prove anything. If you don't believe me ask yourself.
It was still in processing - I cancelled it 2 days after I ordered. It said it would take 5 days to process before it shipped. They did refund my money within 24 hours. Once I saw the pics I realized it wasn't a 1:1 clone so I'm keeping my hoco for now (my only complaint about the hoco is that it doesn't fit snug against the watch itself). I plan to just suck it and buy the link bracelet in the future.
So, hours after my last reply, the center button piece popped out, figures. Emailed them asking for a replacement. Only on one lug that's happened so far.
I've found the center tab on the lug tends to get caught on the edge of the watch as it slides in. If you press it down a little it as you're sliding it in you can help avoid it getting caught up.
Just had my first lug failure. On a band I've worn two times. Center silver button popped out and I lost the guts. This was the springbar lug from eBay user freedomoclock09. I'll see what they say.
Either these guys found a way to smuggle the Apple bands out the back door or they're using Apple's pic's and shipping you something entirely different. 
http://www.applewatchbandsclub.com/...-steel-link-bracelet-band-apple-watch-iwatch/
Edit: Ignore this one. They're just a front end for apple, amazon and others.
http://www.applewatchbandsclub.com/...-steel-link-bracelet-band-apple-watch-iwatch/
Edit: Ignore this one. They're just a front end for apple, amazon and others.
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Either these guys found a way to smuggle the Apple bands out the back door or they're using Apple's pic's and shipping you something entirely different.
http://www.applewatchbandsclub.com/...-steel-link-bracelet-band-apple-watch-iwatch/
Anyone order from these guys yet?
Link to buy goes to Apple Store
I should have tested that before posting. My bad.
Yep, the others go to other sites as well. This is just a front end for other postings on amazon, etc.
Yes, I saw that Louis Vuitton video, too. (I know what I'm getting my wife for Christmas this year -- a Louis Vuitton watch band for her Apple Watch!!!) The Rawlings baseball glove straps are cool, too.
Saw this post on lug failure as well having ordered from them and have mine. I'll be putting my first 3rd party band on one tonight. Someone on the forum said they think when you push the adapter in the channel that sometimes it catches slightly on the upward middle button and puts stress on it. I kind of agree. He suggested pushing the adapter in to the middle button and using your finger to depress that button while sliding further to complete the install. Sounds like good advice and I will be more conscious now of how I install my bands.