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The Great "Third Party Band/Strap" Thread
- Thread starter appleboyy
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Not sure but their leather bands are phenomenal and their customer service is even better.
I don't believe it's "gray". I believe the clone doesn't have a clear coat that Apple puts on theirs. The coating that is peeling and wearing off on many owners including mine . Eventually, the OEM will lose it's sheen and look just like the clone.
I have one of their leather bands for my 38mm Apple Watch Sport. It's 22mm wide and I really like it. The only thing to be aware of is that they don't sell an adapter that matches the silver aluminum sport. It's a stainless steel adapter. I still like the way it looks on my Sport. Gives it a little contrast. The adapters fit well and feel secure. Good quality all around. The buckles on the leather bands are wide, but they look cool. I think the nylon straps use smaller hardware.
Sean
Here's the link to Pad & Quill Apple Watch bands! Sorry if someone already posted on this, I didn't see anything. Love the look of these, I'll definitely be getting the honey colored one. http://www.padandquill.com/apple-wa...h-leather-bands/classic-apple-watch-band.html
I just received my first strap from Gordon Straps today.
Strap quality is excellent. Easily compares in quality and craftsmanship to several other custom bands I've had made for my mechanical watch collection, at half the cost I paid for those. I was so impressed I just ordered a second. Customer service is top notch as well. Awesome guy making those straps.
I ordered a custom black alligator embossed and I love it!
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So I finally broke down after reading this thread and got a few bands. Here is the first Hoco 5 metal band:
http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ZOR2HL4?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00
For the price it is a really nice band. Fits the watch perfectly and was easy to take out a link I needed and it fits perfectly. My partner could not believe how nice it looked for the price.
and the leather black carbon fiber print:
http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CKINUQQ?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00
I really like the band, it looks cool. However, it is really stiff and I am hoping overtime it will loosen up and feel better on my wrist. I used the band connecter adapters from Utica Guy. They are fantastic and I will order more from him.
http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ZOR2HL4?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00
For the price it is a really nice band. Fits the watch perfectly and was easy to take out a link I needed and it fits perfectly. My partner could not believe how nice it looked for the price.
and the leather black carbon fiber print:
http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CKINUQQ?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00
I really like the band, it looks cool. However, it is really stiff and I am hoping overtime it will loosen up and feel better on my wrist. I used the band connecter adapters from Utica Guy. They are fantastic and I will order more from him.
Just received this band & I'm really liking the look. I have a 38mm watch & this band is 20mm w/pin adapter. The band is heavy & well made. He also sells stainless in many sizes: http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-GOLD-20...L-WATCH-BAND-BRACELET-FITS-ALL-/311410581957?
I'm also posting my watch with the Milanese loop. I know that a lot of people aren't fans of yellow gold, but it suits me.
Which band looks better?
I'm also posting my watch with the Milanese loop. I know that a lot of people aren't fans of yellow gold, but it suits me.
Which band looks better?
Not a fan of yellow gold but the Milanese looks much better. The 5 beads makes the watch looks somewhat of cheap and defeat the purpose of a gold watch 
PS: is that the original Apple loop that you got it gold plated?
PS: is that the original Apple loop that you got it gold plated?
Yes - 18k gold plated original watch Milanese loop.Not a fan of yellow gold but the Milanese looks much better. The 5 beads makes the watch looks somewhat of cheap and defeat the purpose of a gold watch
PS: is that the original Apple loop that you got it gold plated?
arhh, thats why the loop looks so fine in details. They did a great job of gold plating it as well.
Hi guys, my name is Fabian and I am the founder of WRBLS. We are designing and manufacturing a collection of bands for the Silicon. Currently, we are in the process of taking a final decision on which decision on which bands actually to manufacture. In September we are entering the market with these as part of a Kickstarter. Would love to get some feedback. And if you have further questions do not hesitate to contact me via fabian@wrbls.net or through this thread.
Have a good one!
Fabian
https://de.surveymonkey.com/r/TJLJ9PZ
Have a good one!
Fabian
https://de.surveymonkey.com/r/TJLJ9PZ
posted this in the space grey but here you go:
ok so I don't post often, and I am super anal about things matching and furthermore I am one that will gladly spend more money if it means I never have to worry about quality. with that said I was waiting for a metal link that wouldn't piss me off because I just had to return it. I took a chance on this http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ZOR2GTC?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=od_aui_detailpages00
let me say that I feel my watch is of a whole new caliber now. So detail, it comes saying hoco on the band and in the hoco box. says "series 3 limited" or something to that affect. Sorry I'm not posting pictures I'm lazy, I'll give some details though.
the color matches perfectly ALTHOUGH there is a shiny finish instead of a matte finish but the color is 98% perfect (if it was matte finish you wouldn't be able to tell, yet it isn't fully "stainless steel shiny"), hope that makes sense.
the adaptors, well they are about perfect too. The gap between band and watch is minimal and the gaps between the adaptors and watch is near apple fit if not slightly tighter.
the clasp thing, thing that is what it is called, is very nice and sturdy, folds up really shallow to the wrist, near same depth of the links.
my wife, who thinks all this apple watch stuff is "silly", said that it looks like a "really nice dress watch" as in suit type watch. don't know a lot about watches as the Marines didn't really want us wearing "time pieces" in uniform so I never had one but I know about suits and dressing nice and this would make the watch fit in perfectly. I have a clockwork synergy leather strap witch is also very nice, but it doesn't feel classy/dressy/business like this does. I am still waiting on my click adaptors and straps (like 5 total i think lol) so I didn't want to buy anything expensive. This is perfect and is even on prime!
EDIT: BTW with all the good i forgot the one bad. the tool they sent was missing the punch part that actually pushes out the pins. i rigged up the tool they sent to work though and was done in 15 min
ok so I don't post often, and I am super anal about things matching and furthermore I am one that will gladly spend more money if it means I never have to worry about quality. with that said I was waiting for a metal link that wouldn't piss me off because I just had to return it. I took a chance on this http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ZOR2GTC?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=od_aui_detailpages00
let me say that I feel my watch is of a whole new caliber now. So detail, it comes saying hoco on the band and in the hoco box. says "series 3 limited" or something to that affect. Sorry I'm not posting pictures I'm lazy, I'll give some details though.
the color matches perfectly ALTHOUGH there is a shiny finish instead of a matte finish but the color is 98% perfect (if it was matte finish you wouldn't be able to tell, yet it isn't fully "stainless steel shiny"), hope that makes sense.
the adaptors, well they are about perfect too. The gap between band and watch is minimal and the gaps between the adaptors and watch is near apple fit if not slightly tighter.
the clasp thing, thing that is what it is called, is very nice and sturdy, folds up really shallow to the wrist, near same depth of the links.
my wife, who thinks all this apple watch stuff is "silly", said that it looks like a "really nice dress watch" as in suit type watch. don't know a lot about watches as the Marines didn't really want us wearing "time pieces" in uniform so I never had one but I know about suits and dressing nice and this would make the watch fit in perfectly. I have a clockwork synergy leather strap witch is also very nice, but it doesn't feel classy/dressy/business like this does. I am still waiting on my click adaptors and straps (like 5 total i think lol) so I didn't want to buy anything expensive. This is perfect and is even on prime!
EDIT: BTW with all the good i forgot the one bad. the tool they sent was missing the punch part that actually pushes out the pins. i rigged up the tool they sent to work though and was done in 15 min
Nice collection!And my other bands. I wear all of them quite regularly, the green band with the case is my go-to for doing labor intensive work.
Hi Fabian.
I started taking your poll and gave up. It's really difficult to tell design from a drawing. Will this be the same material used in Apple's sport bands? What will the price range be? Why don't you believe people over 60 can have an Apple watch?
I started taking your poll and gave up. It's really difficult to tell design from a drawing. Will this be the same material used in Apple's sport bands? What will the price range be? Why don't you believe people over 60 can have an Apple watch?
Thanks for the link! I prefer tapered bands--these look nice. Wish there were more 24/22 tapers rather than straight 24 mm bands.
I bought one of their non Apple specific bands off of Amazon. It is leather backed and seems nice for the price (about $17--was discounted). It is a bit long on me. I haven't measured, but I am on the last (smallest) hole. To compare, I am on the fourth (middle) hole on the S/M Apple watch sport band. I bought the 20mm to work with the Utica guy's spring adapters. Realize that you are probably asking about the Apple specific band, but hopefully this gives you a bit of info to consider.
Can I ask who did the gold plating for you and if you would recommend? Also how much it cost? Thanks a lot!!
I loved my Clockwork Synergy nylon band (had it for about two weeks) and this happened today. My order took about a week longer to ship since they told me they were waiting for a shipment of adapters to come in. Anyone else order recently and have this happen? Good thing I was sitting on the couch when I noticed. I emailed them about it, but I guess it's time to order some loctite to keep in the toolbox.
Attachments
Glad your watch is ok. what is the consensus about what type of Loctite to use, BTW- blue or purple?
Thanks. The other screws were fairly loose as well, so I gave them all some loctite and waiting for them to cure. Strangely, the clockwork synergy lugs are the only ones in my collection that use philips head screws. I didn't even notice until I went to look at the screwdrivers that came with the other bands and saw they didn't match.
As for purple or blue, the purple is low strength (blue is medium strength) and good when you want to get the screw back out "with the same tool used to put the project together". Since I'd like the screw to stay in there forever, and purple is hard to find at big box stores, I went for blue (quick trip to home depot).
More info here: http://us.henkel-adhesives-blog.com...kers/When-and-Why-to-Use-Purple-Threadlocker/
I used https://thetimepreserve.com. They have 20 years experience "in providing concierge watch restoration services for fine watches, their movements and cases, like Rolex®, Omega®, Cartier®, IWC®, Breitling." They guarantee their work for 2 years, which many others do not. Their their experience & guarantee are the main reasons I chose them. They were a bit more expensive than some of the ones who started gold-plating when the watch was introduced ($450 for watch only - $550 for watch w/sport or leather band). I did not want to trust a different service with my investment in my watch. Communication with them was superior and I received the watch back within 10 days of sending it to them. I had some trepidation when I paired my watch back with my iPhone, but all went well without a hitch. My watch works perfectly! I am very pleased with their work and I highly recommend them.
Wow, I have seen a couple reports of this. Looking at the design of the adapters, I am still surprised there is enough room for the screw to back out far enough to detach.