The Great "Third Party Band/Strap" Thread

[sdallnct2]

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.

http://www.kainheritage.com/home.html

This makes me embarrassed I paid $150 for Apples LL. There are some great bands out there. As I get more adapters I really may have to get one of those Kain....amazing.

 

[batristain]

Didn't you order yours awhile back? How were you able to cancel before they shipped?

I ordered on Monday or Tuesday and cancelled two days after I ordered. I was refunded money back to my credit card in 24 hours.

 

[iVegas]

Here's one I got from eBay. Sort of resembles the Apple link band. The band itself it a little stiff but I think that how bands of this style are. You can get it with or without lugs.

 

[iVegas]

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.

That was me. You explained it much better. I had two failure incidents before I discovered what was happening but have been fine since using the described method.

 

[msink]

If anyone has installed a 26mm strap on the apple style lugs, could you please post a picture. There is 1-2mm extra when using a 24mm and I'd like to see how a 26mm fits.

Thanks.

 

[Mac2me]

If anyone has installed a 26mm strap on the apple style lugs, could you please post a picture. There is 1-2mm extra when using a 24mm and I'd like to see how a 26mm fits.

Thanks.

I think the curved tubular adapter like on Apple's black classic band (which freedomoclock09 sells http://www.ebay.com/itm/Silver-Watc...t=LH_DefaultDomain_0&var=&hash=item4195fbd97b ) with the screws is 24mm across. The description on that seller's ebay page specifically says 24mm or 22mm band. Another thing I noticed is that the tubes are wider than the spring pins adapters so you do need to have a band that has a wider opening at the top where it connects to the case in order to fit the band onto the tubes.

If there's another manufacturer out there that accommodates a larger band size, I'm not aware of it.

 

[AS90]

Has anyone received a leather loop off eBay yet?

 

[kart]

has anyone received their 3rd party leather loop bands? i had 2 orders cancelled on me due to "suppliers not having stock" - I think there may be more to it.. I'm in two minds as to if any have even been produced yet..anyone know anymore?

 

[AlliFlowers]

There's a whole other thread just for the leather loops. So far ONE person has received one. The rest of us have either gotten refunds, or are fighting for refunds.

Has anyone received a leather loop off eBay yet?

has anyone received their 3rd party leather loop bands? i had 2 orders cancelled on me due to "suppliers not having stock" - I think there may be more to it.. I'm in two minds as to if any have even been produced yet..anyone know anymore?

 

[fishkorp]

I messaged the seller on eBay about the button popping out. He immediately shipped a new one at no charge and apologized.

 

[sdallnct2]

If anyone has installed a 26mm strap on the apple style lugs, could you please post a picture. There is 1-2mm extra when using a 24mm and I'd like to see how a 26mm fits.

Thanks.

I have two sets of "lug" style adapters and a 3rd party band that came with lug style adapters. I thing anything bigger than 24mm would not fit. I have 24mm bands on all and just don't see anything bigger fitting.

 

[msink]

I have two sets of "lug" style adapters and a 3rd party band that came with lug style adapters. I thing anything bigger than 24mm would not fit. I have 24mm bands on all and just don't see anything bigger fitting.

I have both lug styles and 10 bands and see 1-2mm of extra space.

 

[heyyitssusan]

Are there any bands that don't go well with the Sport edition? So far I've seen different third party ones and they look good, but I'm sure there are some that don't.

 

[RyanMonkey7]

Can anyone recommend a SGS stainless steel strap with adapters? Been looking at the HOCO ones on eBay but wondering if anyone had any experience with others?

 

[sdallnct2]

Are there any bands that don't go well with the Sport edition? So far I've seen different third party ones and they look good, but I'm sure there are some that don't.

Silver or SG? It is all a bought what you like and even mood. I only have 4 bands right now (more coming) and I change our daily. Both for color, style and mood.

But it's up to you. I personally don't like the ML style. Not the Apple one or third party. But that is just me.

 

[heyyitssusan]

Silver or SG? It is all a bought what you like and even mood. I only have 4 bands right now (more coming) and I change our daily. Both for color, style and mood.

But it's up to you. I personally don't like the ML style. Not the Apple one or third party. But that is just me.

Silver. And you mean milanese loop? I like it, but I probably won't get one till I get to try it on. I'm more of a classic buckle type of girl. I like the classy leather types of bands.

 

[sdallnct2]

Silver. And you mean milanese loop? I like it, but I probably won't get one till I get to try it on. I'm more of a classic buckle type of girl. I like the classy leather types of bands.

I got the red from here for my SGS and like it enough considering ordering the brown. However, I may hold out for a seperate adapter and go a more distressed look.

http://makergrafix.com/product-cate...er-smart-watch-bands/apple-smart-watch-bands/

It was a little stiff, but breaking in nicely.

 

[Mac2me]

Frogstir and I both bought the same 24mm rice grain link band (Hadley-Roma) recently and both of us are very happy with it. It's a link bracelet that has a flat appearance on the wrist as opposed to raised beads and I find it super comfortable. Comes in high polish SS, yellow gold, rose gold and two toned SS/gold metal. If you are interested we posted photos under the freedomoclock adapter thread which we bought and used for the band: https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...ss-steel-adapters-from-freedomoclock.1892681/ - photos on Pages 1 and 2.

 

[mguti]

Here is my 38mm space gray with black stainless hoco band from eBay. Adapters were included and they are a perfect fit. I had too remove 3 links to make it fit my wrist snug.

 

[jwilson25]

This is by far the best looking SS link bracelet I have for the 42mm SG minus the adapter. Link bracelet is from Fossil, please don't ask where the adapter is from :

Why can't we ask where the adapter is from? That's the exact one I'm looking for to go with my SG watch.

 

[advan031]

Got this from etsy...should get it this week

 

[paulgandersman]

so how are the hoco leather bands? I've got some black 42mm adapters on the way but no band to plug into them. I'd like to get either a red or blue leather band (to go with my space gray sport). I really want a band that fills up as much of the adapter width as possible (I think that should be 24mm?) because I don't want the watch to slide back and forth in the band. So does anyone know what the width on the hoco bands are for a 42mm watch? And if hoco is no good, any other good recommendations? Thanks!

 

[linhromrom]

for the 42mm, common adapters are 24mm. For 38mm, 22mm bands.

I havent got a Hoco myself so cant comment on how wide the straps are.

So far people are ok with the Hoco bands, good value for money, its nothing amazing, a bit thin but for 30$ or so, its worth it.

 

[linhromrom]

Here is my 38mm space gray with black stainless hoco band from eBay. Adapters were included and they are a perfect fit. I had too remove 3 links to make it fit my wrist snug.

thanks very much for posting this, I havent seen it anywhere. Im quite surprise they match the colour of the band quite good, i would have though it was completely black (would have been easier to make)

 

[ianfann]

so how are the hoco leather bands? I've got some black 42mm adapters on the way but no band to plug into them. I'd like to get either a red or blue leather band (to go with my space gray sport). I really want a band that fills up as much of the adapter width as possible (I think that should be 24mm?) because I don't want the watch to slide back and forth in the band. So does anyone know what the width on the hoco bands are for a 42mm watch? And if hoco is no good, any other good recommendations? Thanks!

Here are some photos of the HOCO Classic leather straps. The width of the strap is 24mm. Quality not very good IMO.