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The Great "Third Party Band/Strap" Thread
- Thread starter appleboyy
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Got my red 2 strap nylon band today and disappointed that it was not the same construction as the black Zulu band I had bought from them previously. This one will go back. I like the color but not being soft and flexible is a deal killer. Too bad, I was really looking forward to ending my search for a red nylon band. I'll post a few pics tomorrow so you can see a comparison of nylon bands.
From Amazon. The leather straps are normal watch straps combined with adapters. The metal link is made by HOCO.
Finally got some third party bands. Figured I would post a few pictures since I've used this forum to figure out which bands I like the most.
I got these two bands from Clockwork Synergy. I ordered them during the July 4th sale which gave a 25% discount, so got them both for under $50. Overall I'm happy with the quality and how they look for the price. I haven't worn them for a day so this is mostly first impressions.
Lugs are good but don't always slide in perfectly. They are also a little more lose than the sports band. Neither of these issues really bother me. From the side, the color is not a perfect match to the space gray aluminum, but haven't really seen any that are perfect. The adapter color does look good when you look down onto the top of the watch.
Nylon is a little stiff at first, especially compared to the sports band which I'm used to. Wrist is slowly getting used to the feeling of the nylon. The end of the nylon strap which goes under the rings is just slightly too long on my wrist and has a sharper/scratchier edge. Wondering if I could file some of that edge down.
Leather feels and smells good. More comfortable then the nylon material on first wear. Only thing i don't care for on the leather band is the size and darkness of the buckle underneath. It matches the aesthetic of the watch (the dark screen), but would like to see a stainless steel version in person.
Nylon Navy Blue with Space Gray Adapter
http://www.clockworksynergy.com/sho...2-piece-navy-blue-watch-band-for-apple-watch/
Vintage Brown Leather
http://www.clockworksynergy.com/sho...her-vintage-brown-watch-band-for-apple-watch/
For the price I would recommend them. If you have any questions let me know.
I got these two bands from Clockwork Synergy. I ordered them during the July 4th sale which gave a 25% discount, so got them both for under $50. Overall I'm happy with the quality and how they look for the price. I haven't worn them for a day so this is mostly first impressions.
Lugs are good but don't always slide in perfectly. They are also a little more lose than the sports band. Neither of these issues really bother me. From the side, the color is not a perfect match to the space gray aluminum, but haven't really seen any that are perfect. The adapter color does look good when you look down onto the top of the watch.
Nylon is a little stiff at first, especially compared to the sports band which I'm used to. Wrist is slowly getting used to the feeling of the nylon. The end of the nylon strap which goes under the rings is just slightly too long on my wrist and has a sharper/scratchier edge. Wondering if I could file some of that edge down.
Leather feels and smells good. More comfortable then the nylon material on first wear. Only thing i don't care for on the leather band is the size and darkness of the buckle underneath. It matches the aesthetic of the watch (the dark screen), but would like to see a stainless steel version in person.
Nylon Navy Blue with Space Gray Adapter
http://www.clockworksynergy.com/sho...2-piece-navy-blue-watch-band-for-apple-watch/
Vintage Brown Leather
http://www.clockworksynergy.com/sho...her-vintage-brown-watch-band-for-apple-watch/
For the price I would recommend them. If you have any questions let me know.
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Quick anecdote.
I'm currently on an Alaska cruise. Finally saw my first Apple Watch "in the wild," a couple with silver (sport or stainless...hard to tell) with white bands. Underwhelmed with the white band combined with silver.
Went ashore in Ketchikan and hit the jewelry shops. I had several jewelers stop me to ask what kind of watch I was wearing. I had on my 3rd party silver mesh, and they were amazed that you could put on "any" band.
Looking forward to getting home where I have several more bands waiting.
I'm currently on an Alaska cruise. Finally saw my first Apple Watch "in the wild," a couple with silver (sport or stainless...hard to tell) with white bands. Underwhelmed with the white band combined with silver.
Went ashore in Ketchikan and hit the jewelry shops. I had several jewelers stop me to ask what kind of watch I was wearing. I had on my 3rd party silver mesh, and they were amazed that you could put on "any" band.
Looking forward to getting home where I have several more bands waiting.
Been very busy indeed! Still waiting on my 5 adapters. Added a custom made Gucci to the mix.
Where did you get the two bands to the right of the apple watch. One is grey and the other is like a stone black band?
I have the black and silver nylon of theirs.
It's funny how the navy blue looks like a bright blue on their site but is a true navy blue in your photos.
Depends on the person. My father-in-law is rocking the AWS with a white band. While I'd never wear it, everyone we have talked to agrees it a good look for him.
I received a band for Clockwork Synergy yesterday, and returned it today. 3 issues. First, I order a light brown band, and received a much darker brown. I could have lived with it, as the quality of the band and leather were excellent. Second, I requested a SS buckle as it only came with brushed steel. Having a SS watch the buckle didn't go well with it at all. Third, and the biggest reason was the size of the band. My wrist is 190mm, and the band would only work on the very last hole, and even still it was to tight to wear comfortably.
Emailed them today, and received a prepaid label to send it back for full refund.
Emailed them today, and received a prepaid label to send it back for full refund.
Yeah, no doubt its a dark navy. After almost a day of wearing it I think I like it. Sometimes the slight space in the lugs with movement makes me feel like I missed a taptic alert though. All have been false alarms.
Overall the new bands have invigorated my interest in the Apple Watch. Feels a little more fun with the new look. Only problem is now I'm already thinking of other colors I might like to get in the future.
I held off getting bands until after our longish vacation in June. Started ordering a few for my wife and I.
I ordered a few of the StrapCo bands from Amazon (or was it Ebay?) I also ordered a Hirsch Liberty 24mm brown band for myself.
Picked up the Luvvitt adapters. Also picked up another adapter from Freedomoclock. The Luvvitt adapters seem to lock better than the Freedomoclock adapters.
The Hirsch band is so, so much nicer than the StrapCo. Yes, it cost twice as much...but much thicker, is water resistant, and generally has a much higher quality feel to it than the StrapCo.
I ordered a few of the StrapCo bands from Amazon (or was it Ebay?) I also ordered a Hirsch Liberty 24mm brown band for myself.
Picked up the Luvvitt adapters. Also picked up another adapter from Freedomoclock. The Luvvitt adapters seem to lock better than the Freedomoclock adapters.
The Hirsch band is so, so much nicer than the StrapCo. Yes, it cost twice as much...but much thicker, is water resistant, and generally has a much higher quality feel to it than the StrapCo.
Just received my 24mm SS shark mesh strap from Miklos at myretrowatches off ebay that I ordered on July 9. Wow really nice quality. Nice polish, smallish clasp which I found very desirable. I was expecting it on Friday at earliest (sent Registered via Royal Mail International). Just couldn't be happier with it. Here's a link to his ebay site and some photos. I don't have an adapter to put it on yet, but you get the idea. Comes in widths for both watch sizes. Not many left in each size.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/111709323132?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&var=410710554078&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
As you can see in the closeups, there is a cutout area for using your tool to attach to the spring bar. The clasp has 2 metal sections that need to be pressed down to lock it into place so I feel pretty good about it being securely closed on my wrist.
The band ran me 27.84 USD at time of conversion from GBP which I thought was very much in line with other similar style bands I've seen. Registered shipping came to 16.29 USD. I also sent him an email after I ordered asking him to confirm the size before mailing (which he did). Happy to recommend.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/111709323132?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&var=410710554078&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
As you can see in the closeups, there is a cutout area for using your tool to attach to the spring bar. The clasp has 2 metal sections that need to be pressed down to lock it into place so I feel pretty good about it being securely closed on my wrist.
The band ran me 27.84 USD at time of conversion from GBP which I thought was very much in line with other similar style bands I've seen. Registered shipping came to 16.29 USD. I also sent him an email after I ordered asking him to confirm the size before mailing (which he did). Happy to recommend.
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Do you think it will attach securely to AW adapters? I'd love to see pics once you got it in place!
lg251, are you referring to the classic style adapters (tubular)? I have a pair that I haven't used and can rig one without actually screwing it on to the adapter. Not sure which route I want to go yet and don't have enough adapters for the extra bands I have right now. Let me see what I can dig up before going to dinner.
Not really showing it off, because these are quick/lousy pictures, but I thought some might be interested to see a 42mm Space Gray Sport mounted on a 22mm Hirsch Robby watch band (standard length, on a 7.25" wrist, and using the ubitiquous 3rd party adapters - these from "Blogger" on Amazon - waiting for the good 22mm adapters to come out from Click).
Got a surprise in the mail yesterday! Lost package showed up and my new tungsten band from Android USA. LOVING IT! It's HEAVY
CarlJ, I like the perforated bands and was actually searching for one today. The yellow/black looks good. What's the underside like?
lg251, here's some quick pics of the SS shark mesh band with the classic adapter partially mounted. I doubt there would be a problem using the spring pin adapter. How to answer the classic band adapter style? First attempt I couldn't insert the tube into one of the band connectors, tight and didn't want to force it. Then I decided to try the other band end and it slipped in easily. Here's a couple of close up pics of the adapter ends. The way the band connector end is partially open--not touching the band on one side, I'm thinking if the connector end was a bit tight, it could probably be opened up a bit more to fit the adapter but not sure. Could be you'd get a band needing no adjustment at all, or one that does. I do think even with a 24mm band that there will be a little shifting on the tubes during wear and would wonder if metal on metal wouldn't eventually scape the tubes.
The first pic shows the band threaded on the adapter (backside). Second, the spacing of the band compared to the tubes (face up). Third, side view of the partially open band connector end. As I mentioned one was an easy slip on.
Freedoclock adapter there BTW.
lg251, here's some quick pics of the SS shark mesh band with the classic adapter partially mounted. I doubt there would be a problem using the spring pin adapter. How to answer the classic band adapter style? First attempt I couldn't insert the tube into one of the band connectors, tight and didn't want to force it. Then I decided to try the other band end and it slipped in easily. Here's a couple of close up pics of the adapter ends. The way the band connector end is partially open--not touching the band on one side, I'm thinking if the connector end was a bit tight, it could probably be opened up a bit more to fit the adapter but not sure. Could be you'd get a band needing no adjustment at all, or one that does. I do think even with a 24mm band that there will be a little shifting on the tubes during wear and would wonder if metal on metal wouldn't eventually scape the tubes.
The first pic shows the band threaded on the adapter (backside). Second, the spacing of the band compared to the tubes (face up). Third, side view of the partially open band connector end. As I mentioned one was an easy slip on.
Freedoclock adapter there BTW.
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