The Great "Third Party Band/Strap" Thread

[ReardenMetal]

Ok, so I'm a little obsessed with having options. I just got 5 new bands from the clockwork synergy site. I'm really happy with them! The leather bands are very soft and have that true leather smell. It's a pleasure to put them on! I really like the nylon ones too, they will be my sport bands, very durable. These bands all came with the adapters so there was no hassle. They shipped really fast too.

http://www.clockworksynergy.com/shop/product-category/straps-for-apple-watch/

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Thanks for the post. These look cool, especially the nylon ones. Do you like the lug/adapter build quality? Are they a perfect fit with your sport? I'm guessing they use screws, not spring bars.

 

[Scaleo]

Hmm. This item there is confusing:

http://www.arktis.de/arktispro-watchapter-apple-watch-42-mm-universal-armband-adapter/

Based on the pictures it looks like it might be a spring bar as well as tubular style but since I don't read German can't read the description.

From what I understand and I am german, it is indeed a spring bar.

I like this leather band a lot. Thinking about it for my husband if he gets a watch. Can you post a link to it if sold online? Thanks.

That's the band I bought.
http://www.watch-band-center.com/watchstrap-p20648h239s242-Watch-strap-22mm-bla.html

 

[Mac2me]

Thanks. Regarding the band it says waterproof but also that it's leather. Is it both or simulated leather look? I think it's a sharp look.

 

[AlliFlowers]

I'm weak as pond water. I ordered 4 more bands today. Looking for a little less formal now, and found some nylon and velcro mixes. And then I found a leather with the modern buckle.

 

[slvrscoobie]

has no one come out with a leather band similar to the AW that doesnt have the round bar where the lug is? no ones figured out how to mimick the OEM leather loop?

 

[ReardenMetal]

has no one come out with a leather band similar to the AW that doesnt have the round bar where the lug is? no ones figured out how to mimick the OEM leather loop?

I've seen some leather loop clones. Quality is very suspect vs Apple's somewhat overpriced yet cool version. Looked like they didn't sit flush inside the housing area.

 

[pup975]

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 :

Any chance you can post a link to where you got the link bracelet?

 

[ianfann]

Any chance you can post a link to where you got the link bracelet?

http://www.fossilglobal.com/webapp/...53712&pn=&productId=22298425&imagePath=JR1355
You will need to go fossil website and find out your local fossil head office. Fossil don't normally sell the strap without their watch so you gotta find a way to convince them to sell you just the strap. I managed to do it so I'm sure you can too.

 

[toph2toast]

I got my monowear brown leather band in the mail today. Really liking it so far. My only complaint is that the color of the adapter doesn't 100% match my silver aluminum watch. You really can't tell looking at it from the front though.

 

[Scaleo]

Thanks. Regarding the band it says waterproof but also that it's leather. Is it both or simulated leather look? I think it's a sharp look.

No it definitly feels like real leather.

 

[heyyitssusan]

I got my monowear brown leather band in the mail today. Really liking it so far. My only complaint is that the color of the adapter doesn't 100% match my silver aluminum watch. You really can't tell looking at it from the front though. View attachment 563931

How well does it fit?

 

[taff2003]

I ordered the blue band weekend. I'll post a brief review and photos as and when it arrives. Looking forward to checking it out - it looks nice.

I'm late with this feedback as I was overseas for two weeks, and the strap arrived whilst I was away.

Overall, the strap itself is nice, however the adapters suck.

Firstly, despite being advertised on eBay with stainless steel connectors and buckle - to match my SS AW - it arrived with what look like space grey coloured adapters. I contacted the seller and he sold me at discount stainless steel adapters, which I'm waiting on. The buckle looks like stainless steel.

When I tried for curiosity's sake to fit the band with the bundled space grey adapters, the end of the strap which held the buckle fitted and looked fine. However, the other (long) end of the band didn't fit right. There was a reasonable amount of side-to-side movement in the connector, and it was proud of the watch casing, as you can see in the photo. It was also very difficult to remove this connector when I refitted my sports band. I had to use a fair amount of force, which I wasn't thrilled about.

I'm going to wait for the stainless steel connectors to arrive. If they fit ok, I'll live with this. If they don't, it's all going back, and I'll try again somewhere else!

 

[toph2toast]

How well does it fit?

The fit is great! This is the first leather band I've ever owned and am impressed with how comfortable it is. I'd definitely buy from them again if I was in the market.

 

[mjteggy05]

Posted this in the Space Gray additional band thread as well. I'm pretty happy with the result:

I actually just ordered this one from Amazon -- even has a space/dark gray buckle: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009CF3PJC?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=od_aui_detailpages00

I'll be attaching with these lugs: http://www.ebay.com/itm/351392349550

Both items arrived, and are now happily attaching my watch to my wrist. Pictures attached.

Note: The lugs are a bit darker than the Space Gray aluminum, but actually match the watch's clasp pretty closely, so it actually works pretty damn well with this band.

 

[luckyblue]

Thanks for the photos Luckyblue. Nice collection of bands. As a woman I'm not into the big buckles or noticeable big stitching but do think it looks good on a guy. That suede band sure looks soft. I am liking the NATO 2-strap nylon bands a lot for myself though. Are they comfortable, soft or on the stiff side? Assume you'll be able to spot clean those with the adapters on. Also any chance you could show a photo of how the extra metal holddown "straps" look on your wrist? Do you think they will hit into a lot of things as you go about your day with them on?

BTW can't see all the adapters on your bands but did all of them have their adapters in the correct "3 black buttons facing up" like the watch face position for installing? I noticed they were mostly done wrong from what I can tell on their website photos. Correcting that would mean unscrewing those pentalobe screws (which hopefully they used treadlocker on per Apple) and reversing the bands on them. Not something I'd want to do (screws with locker on them shouldn't be reused according to Apple and no idea where to buy more).

I wonder if Apple had any idea how many people would be buying bands and switching them out on a daily basis more or less. I love the idea of having one watch and just easily swapping out the bands like this.

The nylon bands feel a little stiff, but I think that's their nature because they are made to be durable. I'm sure they'll loosen up a little. I slowly bend/curve my new bands with my hands before wearing them so that they fit comfortably around my wrist.

Yes, I don't think you would need to take the adapters off to do any sort of cleaning. I actually took a shower with the black nylon strap after I went paddle boarding at the lake with the watch on. I've had no problem with the apple watch getting wet so far. The band had no issues either. I did take the bands off of the watch and towel dried the adapters just in case to make sure the screws don't rust.

All of the bands were on correctly. I've bought other bands and adapters separately before, and it was nice to be able to put them on right out of the box.

I'll take pics when I get home tonight of the other side of the straps. They haven't been a problem for me because you can lay them down flat against the strap so that they don't stick out. I have small wrists so there is a little extra strap and I'm thinking about cutting it and then using my torch to burn the edges a little.

 

[Javabird]

Thanks for the photos Luckyblue. Nice collection of bands. As a woman I'm not into the big buckles or noticeable big stitching but do think it looks good on a guy. That suede band sure looks soft. I am liking the NATO 2-strap nylon bands a lot for myself though. Are they comfortable, soft or on the stiff side? Assume you'll be able to spot clean those with the adapters on. Also any chance you could show a photo of how the extra metal holddown "straps" look on your wrist? Do you think they will hit into a lot of things as you go about your day with them on?

BTW can't see all the adapters on your bands but did all of them have their adapters in the correct "3 black buttons facing up" like the watch face position for installing? I noticed they were mostly done wrong from what I can tell on their website photos. Correcting that would mean unscrewing those pentalobe screws (which hopefully they used treadlocker on per Apple) and reversing the bands on them. Not something I'd want to do (screws with locker on them shouldn't be reused according to Apple and no idea where to buy more).

I wonder if Apple had any idea how many people would be buying bands and switching them out on a daily basis more or less. I love the idea of having one watch and just easily swapping out the bands like this.

Good catch on noticing the adapters. They do look like they are installed wrong side up, at least in the photos.

They also don't say anything about band sizing for the 2-pc. straps, so I'm guessing they are just one size. I'm trying to find a nice NATO band. I like the Monowear ones, but the sizing on their bands is just slightly too short for me and they don't seem to offer a larger size.

 

[ReardenMetal]

I got my monowear brown leather band in the mail today. Really liking it so far. My only complaint is that the color of the adapter doesn't 100% match my silver aluminum watch. You really can't tell looking at it from the front though. View attachment 563931

If it's not too much trouble, I (and probably other silver sport owners) would love to see more photos of how their adapters match with the watch's silver matte finish. Thanks in advance.

 

[toph2toast]

If it's not too much trouble, I (and probably other silver sport owners) would love to see more photos of how their adapters match with the watch's silver matte finish. Thanks in advance.

No problem, here you go. Like I said, its not a deal breaker for me personally, since its not really noticeable looking at the watch from the front. However I'm surprised its not a closer match, especially for the price.

 

[Jmona]

I'm weak as pond water. I ordered 4 more bands today. Looking for a little less formal now, and found some nylon and velcro mixes. And then I found a leather with the modern buckle.

Hey Alli. Looks like you and I will wind up broke because of our watches eh!

 

[spikesglaring]

No problem, here you go. Like I said, its not a deal breaker for me personally, since its not really noticeable looking at the watch from the front. However I'm surprised its not a closer match, especially for the price.

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That adapter actually looks like it would be almost perfect for the Space Grey Sport...

 

[ReardenMetal]

No problem, here you go. Like I said, its not a deal breaker for me personally, since its not really noticeable looking at the watch from the front. However I'm surprised its not a closer match, especially for the price.

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I agree. They could've come a little bit closer to a match. I guess it does add a decent accent/contrast to the watch's finish, but definitely not a deal breaker.

 

[AlliFlowers]

Hey Alli. Looks like you and I will wind up broke because of our watches eh!

If we lived closer to each other, we could trade off and at least feel like we saved some money!

 

[Jmona]

If we lived closer to each other, we could trade off and at least feel like we saved some money!

LMAO You're right there! I have a couple reviewer friends that trade cases and accessories every month and been doing that for the last couple of years for review and for simply the hell of accessorizing with new stuff every other month. It's a cool concept and you only spend money in shipping.

 

[Mac2me]

I had to laugh when I saw a news article saying that 20% of AW owners are out buying multiple bands. Definitely in that group but not the extent of some here . Yesterday I received a dark brown python band and today I received a soft calfskin padded medium brown/tan band (clearance for $14) that is especially nice for the price and not plastic-y at all (came with springs pins and buckle too). I don't have enough adapters yet for what I now have so that will be my next purchase once I figure out which adapter style I want them on.

Have you guys also been buying watch tools? I picked up a block for changing out links on bracelets, a link pin removal tool with 6 sized tips, and a small tube of Loctite 222 to affix those pentalobe screws on the tubular watch adapter I do have. All I can say is I think stores carrying bands, adapters and tools are probably very happy that Apple released their AW line.

 

[Jmona]

I'm waiting for these to be out!
http://www.case-mate.com/collections/apple-watch-bands-38mm