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The Great "Third Party Band/Strap" Thread

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M

Mac2me

macrumors 6502a
Jun 10, 2015
965
446
swandy said:
The band does look cool. And seeing your photo, I also got the same adapters from the Utica guy and did not notice until I put a new brown leather band on them that the top and bottom of the adapter were not the same polished SS look as the sides. Thought that perhaps mine were faulty, but yours looks the same - at least from the pictures.
BTW - do you find that the watch band slides back and forth on the adapter? Looks like there is quite a bit of space on either side.
Click to expand...

I've been buying my adapters from Utica guy and just the ends facing outward are polished SS. So far no issues with sliding as you described. Are all of your black buttons facing up like the watch face when you insert your band? Also another tip, as you slide in your adapter/band insert it in part way until you get to the middle button then depress the button downward as you slide the rest of the way in. Some people have reported the middle button popping off and we think it's because of the stress on the button if slid without easing that button down first.

I have 5 more adapters coming next week from Utica guy (3 classic style and 2 spring). If I have any issues I'll mention it. But like you I was hoping the entire adapter was SS finish. Haven't heard anyone mentioning buying one. Probably cost related and most of it gets covered up.
 
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S

swandy

macrumors 6502a
Oct 27, 2012
987
322
Mac2me said:
I've been buying my adapters from Utica guy and just the ends facing outward are polished SS. So far no issues with sliding as you described. Are all of your black buttons facing up like the watch face when you insert your band? Also another tip, as you slide in your adapter/band insert it in part way until you get to the middle button then depress the button downward as you slide the rest of the way in. Some people have reported the middle button popping off and we think it's because of the stress on the button if slid without easing that button down first.
Click to expand...
Thanks for answering but I think you might have mis-understood my "sliding" question. It was not about the adapter sliding when in position in the Watch, I meant that it looks from the photos that the BAND would slide back and forth on the ADAPTER. Like there is a gap between the ends of the BAND itself and the sides of the adapter.
But thanks for clearing up that only the sides of the Utica adapters are polished SS.
 
aawil

aawil

macrumors 6502a
May 18, 2008
542
165
Has anyone else had the screws loosen up while wearing the watch? I did today, came home and tried putting threadlock on them. 1 out of 3 sets I ordered had some type on the screws already.
 
M

Mac2me

macrumors 6502a
Jun 10, 2015
965
446
swandy said:
Thanks for answering but I think you might have mis-understood my "sliding" question. It was not about the adapter sliding when in position in the Watch, I meant that it looks from the photos that the BAND would slide back and forth on the ADAPTER. Like there is a gap between the ends of the BAND itself and the sides of the adapter.
But thanks for clearing up that only the sides of the Utica adapters are polished SS.
Click to expand...

Yeah I did misunderstand. The place I have bought a few bands from has some really good close up photos of that particular band. It's MB9246W and it has a 20mm-26mm Squeeze End. I notice that you select the size of the spring bar you need. Beyond that I'm not familiar with that style of end. Hopefully Afroman will see your post and illuminate us. I'd like to know too.

Here's a link to their web page for that band: https://www.globalwatchband.com/wide-metal-stainless-steel-watch-band-squeeze-end-20-26mm.html Click on the watch photo and it will expand to a really useful closeup.
 
G

greygrey

macrumors newbie
Jun 22, 2015
4
1
PhillyGuy72 said:
I like these!

tQ3FEY9.png
[/



Thanks for posting these... i wasnt sure what i wanted but now i know:)

QUOTE]
Click to expand...
 
The Afroman

The Afroman

macrumors regular
Jul 20, 2009
174
78
Austin,Tx
Mac2me said:
Yeah I did misunderstand. The place I have bought a few bands from has some really good close up photos of that particular band. It's MB9246W and it has a 20mm-26mm Squeeze End. I notice that you select the size of the spring bar you need. Beyond that I'm not familiar with that style of end. Hopefully Afroman will see your post and illuminate us. I'd like to know too.

Here's a link to their web page for that band: https://www.globalwatchband.com/wide-metal-stainless-steel-watch-band-squeeze-end-20-26mm.html Click on the watch photo and it will expand to a really useful closeup.
Click to expand...


Yeah so the band is universal 20mm-28mm so the ends squeeze a bit. the adapters are 24mm on the dot. so if you want a band that fits without "play" you need a 24mm one.

it's hardly noticeable

https://vid.me/qSI4
 
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easheer

easheer

macrumors regular
Sep 12, 2010
119
102
supajoe33 said:
View attachment 564348 View attachment 564348 i went with these guys at Bandrbands.com. Loved the strap (came with the adapters) so ended up buying them in a few more colors. love the fit of the bands(velcro snug) and the price was great. http://www.bandrbands.com/Apple-Watch-Bands-42mm.aspx
May look into picking up some leather bands from them too when I see some feedback.
Click to expand...

A few pages back, myself and I believe one other person posted some photos of a few leather B and R bands.

https://forums.macrumors.com/posts/21477248/
https://forums.macrumors.com/posts/21477321/


They are good quality leather bands. I've used them previously for my Bell & Ross watches prior to ever owning the AW. They're reasonably priced and much better than most of the garbage being peddled on eBay/Amazon.
 
S

sdallnct2

macrumors regular
May 3, 2015
198
19
So....I'm looking for a leather band for my SG Sport. I think I want distressed dark brown w/very dark or black accents. I prefer the 24mm. I'll have my own adapter.

I want quality. Perhaps handmade. I've been looking for a bit, and just haven't found the right one.
 
ReardenMetal

ReardenMetal

macrumors 6502
May 1, 2015
263
120
Los Angeles
sdallnct2 said:
So....I'm looking for a leather band for my SG Sport. I think I want distressed dark brown w/very dark or black accents. I prefer the 24mm. I'll have my own adapter.

I want quality. Perhaps handmade. I've been looking for a bit, and just haven't found the right one.
Click to expand...

Maybe one of these? some of them come with adapters, but maybe you could work something out with the vendor?

http://www.bexargoods.com/products/apple-watch-strap

https://www.etsy.com/listing/237897942/horween-shell-cordovan-color-8-leather?ref=related-7

https://www.etsy.com/listing/236904953/apple-watch-strap-coffee-color-vegetable?ref=related-1
 
T

taff2003

macrumors member
Jun 18, 2013
46
1
UK
I ordered a James Bond-style NATO band in black/grey. It's a 24mm width for my 42mm AW. It came as a two-piece set, so no adaptation was required.

I ordered the band from here.

I ordered the stainless steel-look adapters from here.

Overall, I'm very pleased with the result!

image.jpg image.jpg
 
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sdallnct2

macrumors regular
May 3, 2015
198
19
ReardenMetal said:
Maybe one of these? some of them come with adapters, but maybe you could work something out with the vendor?

http://www.bexargoods.com/products/apple-watch-strap

https://www.etsy.com/listing/237897942/horween-shell-cordovan-color-8-leather?ref=related-7

https://www.etsy.com/listing/236904953/apple-watch-strap-coffee-color-vegetable?ref=related-1
Click to expand...

I really like that bexargoods. And if it had a SG or black adapter that would be great! Just so few do.

Found a wine color that I kind of like,

http://www.kainheritage.com/html/strap24mm/theheritage2/th2026b.html
 
G

GBR

macrumors 6502
Mar 19, 2012
360
18
Just got my adapter in, loving the new look! Band is from one of my old Skagen watches I won't be wearing anymore

image.jpg image.jpg image.jpg image.jpg
 
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S

sdallnct2

macrumors regular
May 3, 2015
198
19
GBR said:
Just got my adapter in, loving the new look! Band is from one of my old Skagen watches I won't be wearing anymore

View attachment 564595 View attachment 564596 View attachment 564597 View attachment 564598
Click to expand...

Good looking band. 22mm? I love the texture on it and the somewhat subtle red stiching breaks up the all black nicely.

I got a new band and adapter as well. Tho I "stole" it from someone that posted from Amazon. Leather, black, texture. Good looking band for $25.
 
M

Mac2me

macrumors 6502a
Jun 10, 2015
965
446
Yankeegirl said:
View attachment 564591 View attachment 564590 Love my new pink band. From eBay. StrapsCo 24 mm leather 15.99 free shipping. Used Utica guy adapters. 17.84 and free shipping 42mm.
Click to expand...

I like the bubble gum pink color and it goes great with your sport aluminum. Did you add a hole on your band to fit tighter? If so you must have really small wrists.

I didn't order the pink leather but after looking through their bands ordered the Vintage Distressed Edge Canvas Denim bands in blue and light blue. http://www.ebay.com/itm/StrapsCo-Vi...t=LH_DefaultDomain_0&var=&hash=item23538b35a9

Like that they come with a buckle and spring pins (as not all watch bands do). The buckle comes in a polished stainless which will match my AW SS. Think they will look cute with jeans and not expensive at $20 and free ship. Thanks for getting me to take a look at what they had.
 
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G

GBR

macrumors 6502
Mar 19, 2012
360
18
sdallnct2 said:
Good looking band. 22mm? I love the texture on it and the somewhat subtle red stiching breaks up the all black nicely.

I got a new band and adapter as well. Tho I "stole" it from someone that posted from Amazon. Leather, black, texture. Good looking band for $25.
Click to expand...

Thanks! I haven't measured it but I believe ur right. If it was 24 it would fill the gaps a little better, kinda wish it was 24.
 
M

Mac2me

macrumors 6502a
Jun 10, 2015
965
446
sdallnct2 said:
So....I'm looking for a leather band for my SG Sport. I think I want distressed dark brown w/very dark or black accents. I prefer the 24mm. I'll have my own adapter.

I want quality. Perhaps handmade. I've been looking for a bit, and just haven't found the right one.
Click to expand...

I bought a Dassari band tonight and while looking noticed this distressed one that comes in a faded brown with blackish accents in 24mm. It's been reduced and only 2 available. I assume the buckle could be changed out with a different color (from descrip think it takes a 22mm buckle) to better go with your SG Sport watch. Ships from the U.S. Thought it might compliment a SG Sport case but it's all so subjective. Not sure how you feel about lighter stitching.

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/DASSARI-Salv...Domain_2&var=460479542077&hash=item2596922ef2

A more reddish dark brown distressed band with matching stitching, dark accents. Still silver buckle, not on sale. Ships from U.S. as well.

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/24mm-Hirsch-...822?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4d172e4bce
 
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