The Great "Third Party Band/Strap" Thread

[luckyblue]

Even though my clockwork synergy and failed at the lugs, their customer service response and communications are excellent and a new band will be here tomorrow. I thought that the lug and band looked and fit perfectly (I have the SS AW). Now if this second lug fails ...

Also, they told me that they will work on new clasps/buckles for their leather bands. The current ones are too big and not my style. She also told me that they are "launching a new website soon with additional products in the near future, so keep your eye out "

I emailed them about this too. Some of the original leather bands I got from them had really big buckles. I like them but my wife thinks they are too big. They told me that you can put in the notes when you order that you want the smaller buckle type. They are great/easy to work with!

 

[keastone]

my small collection of bands
only the loops were bought from apple, milanese loop and link bracelet are replicas (btw i switched from sport to steel)

Where did you get the two brown leather ones?

 

[iBighouse]

View attachment 572983
special made for apple watch user

Oh, I wish I had ordered mine with that keeper!

 

[Reytiros]

Where did you get the two brown leather ones?

the bright brown one ist from monowear (pretty expensive in my opinion)
the dark brown one is from here: http://www.uhrenarmband-versand.de/Uhrenbandversand-p23320h492s502-Uhrenarmband-Milano-.html

 

[maflynn]

I've been very happy with my two nylon bands from clockwork synergy! Their customer service is great too.

I decided to get the Olive colored nylon band from Monowear. Its more pricey but I saw too many lug failures on the clockwork synergy bands, while their customer support has largely been lauded here, I'd rather not take a chance on a catastrophic failure at the worst time, i.e, watch falls off my wrist and is ruined.

I have no idea how long it takes Monowear to ship their bands, but at the moment I don't even have an apple watch yet.

 

[broadbean]

I decided to get the Olive colored nylon band from Monowear. Its more pricey but I saw too many lug failures on the clockwork synergy bands, while their customer support has largely been lauded here, I'd rather not take a chance on a catastrophic failure at the worst time, i.e, watch falls off my wrist and is ruined.

I have no idea how long it takes Monowear to ship their bands, but at the moment I don't even have an apple watch yet.

I'm wearing one as I type! Had a surprisingly good write-up in Macworld.

Interesting insight in one of the Creator's comments recently on Kickstarter:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1843570774/monowear-a-band-for-every-occasion

 

[maflynn]

Had a surprisingly good write-up in Macworld.

Thanks for the info, here's the URL for that review: http://www.macworld.com/article/2956256/gadgets/tested-six-third-party-apple-watch-bands.html

They posted this:

Monowear’s Nylon band is probably the sturdiest strap I’ve seen. It’s made of two doubled-up pieces of nylon that are sewn and bonded together, and it features a thick chrome buckle and two chrome loops that are sewn in place. The band is a bit stiff when you first take it out of the box, but it loosens up quickly after you wear it for a few days. I’m a big fan of the bold colors (I tested the red band with matte silver adapters), and this band just looks right with the Watch—even though the material seems like it would be inapposite.

This gives me a little more peace of mind. I emailed support this morning, asking basic questions of ensuring that they received my order (I never got an email notification) and when would it be shipped by. Since they're in SF, I'll not expect any response until this afternoon at the earliest.


Edit: I got a response from monowear and they resent the confirmation (I found out after the resend the original one got caught in my spam filter). Expected turn around time is 2 to 3 weeks, I can live with that.

 

[djibso]

Not entirely sure what you meant by front and side, but here's a couple more:
View attachment 573082 View attachment 573083

thanks..that looks good

 

[djibso]

difference from Monowear nylon and Clockwork synergy nylons???

There is a huge price difference though

 

[Mac2me]

I bought an ebay seller's 2-strap black nylon zulu band (no adapters) that was mostly a single strap and loved it. Only $15. Bought a second one in red, same seller, thinking it was going to be the same construction and it wasn't. Red one was double strapped and sewn together resulting in a very stiff band and not something I wanted to wear. Returned it. ebay seller was great about the return so no complaints. Given that these nylon band materials are super strong to begin with I don't see the need for the doubling up on the fabric. I think it's doubled up because it makes sewing it together faster and simpler for them, nothing to do with comfort or strength. Personally I won't order any nylon band from this point out without inquiring if it's doubled material first.

As for Monowear, I thought these bands were just recently shipped so probably not enough time to know if there will be adapter issues. Has any Monowear owner contacted them to ask about their use and application of threadlocker on their classic adapters?

 

[toph2toast]

View attachment 572983
special made for apple watch user

Will this be available for all of the bands on your page, or just certain ones?

 

[akiraboi]

Please post your impressions when you get it. Thanks!

How long did it take for you to get yours? I'm a day past the estimated delivery date, coming through USPS.

 

[broadbean]

I bought an ebay seller's 2-strap black nylon zulu band (no adapters) that was mostly a single strap and loved it. Only $15. Bought a second one in red, same seller, thinking it was going to be the same construction and it wasn't. Red one was double strapped and sewn together resulting in a very stiff band and not something I wanted to wear. Returned it. ebay seller was great about the return so no complaints. Given that these nylon band materials are super strong to begin with I don't see the need for the doubling up on the fabric. I think it's doubled up because it makes sewing it together faster and simpler for them, nothing to do with comfort or strength. Personally I won't order any nylon band from this point out without inquiring if it's doubled material first.

I can see how it makes sense to double it, and I'm happy with it. Two months on the my Monowear Olive green nylon strap is still "stiff" as far as keeping its slightly rounded shape, but it's not uncomfortable.

As for Monowear, I thought these bands were just recently shipped so probably not enough time to know if there will be adapter issues. Has any Monowear owner contacted them to ask about their use and application of threadlocker on their classic adapters?

Didn't wear mine today, but have been on and off since the beginning of June. I did ask them on Kickstarter back in April or May as I originally planned on getting the Nylon strap with the intention of reusing the adapters. They just said it would be easy enough to unscrew them. I ended up not bothering, but no issues so far whatsoever.

 

[lg251]

I've seen great results regarding the support of the strap, but there seems to be a trend regarding the screws coming off. Also they're quite a bit cheaper then monowear. I'm not saying they're cheap, but I'd like to know the difference between the two.

Thanks for the update and information

Had a screw fall off on my nylon straps from CWS out of the box...emailed them and theycwere very responsive. Sent me another strap (a leather one) with new adapters the next day. However, the adapters on the leather one failed after one day. They click into to place but aren't locked. They slide out easily and fall off. Emailed them again with a video, and they mentioned they've been having issues with the adapters. They would send me another kit, hopefully this will be the last one...the bands are nice, but adapters are pretty shady so far. My other ones from watch shoppe are a lot better! Definitely worth the extra $.

 

[AS90]

Got my leather loop copy from eBay seller lancici1985. VERY happy with it! Cost £25 shipped

 

[pcall1128]

Got my leather loop copy from eBay seller lancici1985. VERY happy with it! Cost £25 shipped

That's amazing. I have the OEM version and it's basically indistinguishable in those pics. How's the sides look in regards to it being flush with the sides of the watch?

 

[vdub2012]

Got my leather loop copy from eBay seller lancici1985. VERY happy with it! Cost £25 shipped

This is the brown loop, correct? I've been debating on getting the beige/stone loop.

 

[MSampson]

But has anyone seen a clone sports band in navy blue yet? My wife would love one that color.

I got the green and white ones. They feel nice but are a tiny hair wider than the watch so they stick out slightly at the join to the body.
Yeah, I wish someone would make different colors and not just the same apple colors.

 

[easheer]

That's impressive workmanship.
Excellent edge work & details.
Is that a 25mm straps for 42mm aw?
Thanks for the pics.

I'm patiently waiting for mine ... stingray

This is a 24mm strap for a 42mm model.

 

[AS90]

That's amazing. I have the OEM version and it's basically indistinguishable in those pics. How's the sides look in regards to it being flush with the sides of the watch?

About 1mm short on each side so pretty good.

 

[AS90]

This is the brown loop, correct? I've been debating on getting the beige/stone loop.

Yes it's brown.

 

[AS90]

Here's a few more showing fit and finish...







Pretty amazing for £25. Arrived quickly too.

 

[maflynn]

Here's a few more showing fit and finish...
...
Pretty amazing for £25. Arrived quickly too.

Very nice looking, I truly do love the space gray looks. I've been debating which model to get but I'm so concerned about the SS being a scratch magnet. So that means the silver or space gray. Of all the pictures (and my looking at the apple store), the space gray looks better imo

 

[AS90]

Very nice looking, I truly do love the space gray looks. I've been debating which model to get but I'm so concerned about the SS being a scratch magnet. So that means the silver or space gray. Of all the pictures (and my looking at the apple store), the space gray looks better imo

Before I started using smart watches I liked black PVD coated mechanical watches with brown leather straps. So this is pretty much my perfect watch now

 

[sahilpatel12]

Got this band from Utica guy a few days ago and was surprise to pay only $23.58 for it. It included space gray adapters and came in a watch box with a mini pillow. It also included a spring release tool which was odd. The band is stainless steel with a brush matte finish which is more of a dark charcoal color but appears lighter in certain lighting and angles. The quality feels quite nice and much better than a previous two tone band that I got for about $45.95 from bandfever View attachment 571185

link?