Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

joshuakrey

macrumors member
Original poster
Jul 2, 2010
49
7
So I got an Apple Watch for my birthday (42 mm, space gray, aluminum) and I am looking to get a third party brown leather watch band to use during work days to go along with the black sports band included. I see there is a GREAT third party band thread above, and I am making my way through it, but I was wondering if someone has bought one they particularly liked and would like to suggest?
 
I have a Nomad brown leather strap for a 42 mm gold aluminum watch. I find it to be very comfortable and very nicely constructed. You should be able to find them at Best Buy for around $50.
 
  • Like
Reactions: joshuakrey
I purchased the Clockwork Synergy brown aged leather band and it arrived yesterday. I put it on my watch, tried it on, immediately removed it, and put it back in the box to return. Several issues for me:
  1. The watch band is thick. At 4mm, it's just too thick for me.
  2. The buckle is ginormous and it looks odd to me with how much wider the buckle is when compared to the band.
  3. The watch adapters didn't fit very well. They slid in well enough, but they were loose so I could rock them back and forth (pivoting around the spring locking mechanism if that makes sense).
  4. The watch adapters are a decent enough color compared to my space grey watch, but they are polished which makes them look strange to me when attached to a space grey case (which is matte).
As a result of my disappointment with the Clockwork Synergy band, I ordered a Monowear Classic Leather band yesterday. According to Monowear, the bands are 2.5mm thick, which should be similar to the Apple leather bands, and their adapters and buckles are supposed to be matte versus polished. So, fingers crossed the Monowear band is a better option for me.
 
Last edited:
I opted for the brown leather loop from MoKo on amazon. So far i have the knockoff link bracelet, milanese and leather loop from MoKo. I have an OEM black leather loop that came with my 42mm SS watch along with an OEM black sports band. the magnet on the 3rd party leather loop is really good. good comparison to the OEM leather loop. I wear it to work the times i wear some brown. though at the moment, it doesn't look like the brown is available right now.

https://www.amazon.com/MoKo-Premium...80994&sr=8-1&keywords=apple+leather+loop&th=1
 
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
I purchased the Clockwork Synergy brown aged leather band and it arrived yesterday. I put it on my watch, tried it on, immediately removed it, and put it back in the box to return. Several issues for me:
  1. The watch band is thick. At 4mm, it's just too thick for me.
  2. The buckle is ginormous and it looks odd to me with how much wider the buckle is when compared to the band.
  3. The watch adapters didn't fit very well. They slid in well enough, but they were loose so I could rock them back and forth (pivoting around the spring locking mechanism if that makes sense).
  4. The watch adapters are a decent enough color compared to my space grey watch, but they are polished which makes them look strange to me when attached to a space grey case (which is matte).
As a result of my disappointment with the Clockwork Synergy band, I ordered a Monowear Classic Leather band yesterday. According to Monowear, the bands are 2.5mm thick, which should be similar to the Apple leather bands, and their adapters and buckles are supposed to be matte versus polished. So, fingers crossed the Monowear band is a better option for me.

I found the thickness of the band to be a plus versus the thin veneers that accessory manufactures like Nomad are pumping out. I don't know what your issue is with the buckle it's exactly what you would expect.
[doublepost=1476497113][/doublepost]I have no affiliation with clockwork, but the squeaking sound the genuine saddle leather band makes when I'm putting it on is something everyone should experience.
 
I recently ordered my wife a blue leather strap from Monowear and she really likes it. It's not as nice as the official Apple straps but considering the price it is worth it.
 
What other color did you order? I'm probably going to get one as well. Just can't decide on the color!

Other than hazel nut I ordered the cobalt blue color. I was interested in navy but felt the cobalt was a little more interesting and distinguishable from black.

I was pretty tempted by lava also, though!
 
Other than hazel nut I ordered the cobalt blue color. I was interested in navy but felt the cobalt was a little more interesting and distinguishable from black.

I was pretty tempted by lava also, though!

Same here. Strongly considering Navy, Lava, or Concrete depending on how flashy I want it to be. Alternatively, Espresso/Cobalt/Pumpkin. The problem is I like all of them!

Looking forward to your impressions.
 
  • Like
Reactions: sh0ebox
I purchased the Clockwork Synergy brown aged leather band and it arrived yesterday. I put it on my watch, tried it on, immediately removed it, and put it back in the box to return. Several issues for me:
  1. The watch band is thick. At 4mm, it's just too thick for me.
  2. The buckle is ginormous and it looks odd to me with how much wider the buckle is when compared to the band.
  3. The watch adapters didn't fit very well. They slid in well enough, but they were loose so I could rock them back and forth (pivoting around the spring locking mechanism if that makes sense).
  4. The watch adapters are a decent enough color compared to my space grey watch, but they are polished which makes them look strange to me when attached to a space grey case (which is matte).
As a result of my disappointment with the Clockwork Synergy band, I ordered a Monowear Classic Leather band yesterday. According to Monowear, the bands are 2.5mm thick, which should be similar to the Apple leather bands, and their adapters and buckles are supposed to be matte versus polished. So, fingers crossed the Monowear band is a better option for me.

The Monowear one looks nice. Let me know what you think when it arrives.
 
It has arrived.

Right out of the box, this band is clearly more of what I was looking for. It's not as thick (2.5mm according to Monowear) as the Clockwork Synergy band I tried, the buckle is hardly wider that the band itself, and the adapters fit much better in the case without wiggling. The adapters and the buckle are a flat black (charcoal, perhaps) which, while not a match for the space grey case, look much better to me than the glossy black buckle and glossy grey adapter that Clockwork Synergy used on their band I tried. The adapter and buckle color resembles the adapter color of the Apple black nylon band, if you've seen that one.

I am very pleased with the Monowear band. So pleased, in fact, that I'm headed to the site to buy a black one to supplement the brown one I have.

IMG_0010.jpg


IMG_0011.jpg


IMG_0012.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: tkukoc
It has arrived.

Right out of the box, this band is clearly more of what I was looking for. It's not as thick (2.5mm according to Monowear) as the Clockwork Synergy band I tried, the buckle is hardly wider that the band itself, and the adapters fit much better in the case without wiggling. The adapters and the buckle are a flat black (charcoal, perhaps) which, while not a match for the space grey case, look much better to me than the glossy black buckle and glossy grey adapter that Clockwork Synergy used on their band I tried. The adapter and buckle color resembles the adapter color of the Apple black nylon band, if you've seen that one.

I am very pleased with the Monowear band. So pleased, in fact, that I'm headed to the site to buy a black one to supplement the brown one I have.

I have the same band and love it. I actually darkened it with brown leather polish and really like the look. It wears nicely.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ifarlow
Count me in as another happy Clockwork Synergy Leather band owner. I have a saddle brown leather band and I absolutely love it. My favorite part about it is that it IS thick. And the buckle looks awesome. It doesn't feel fake like some of the thinner leather bands. When you see this band it immediately looks like real leather.

And you can order polished or matte lugs to match your watch. To be honest, the lugs don't fit as tight as the Apple lugs but I haven't seen ANY aftermarket company have lugs as good as Apple. They do the job though, and I'm not worried about the watch falling off.
 
Last edited:
Count me in as another happy Clockwork Synergy Leather band owner. I have a saddle brown leather band and I absolutely love it. My favorite part about it is that it IS thick. And the buckle looks awesome. It doesn't feel fake like some of the thinner leather bands. When you see this band it immediately looks like real leather.

And you can order polished or matte lugs to match your watch. To be honest, the lugs don't fit as tight as the Apple lugs but I haven't seen ANY aftermarket company have lugs as good as Apple. They do the job though, and I'm not worried about the watch falling off.
Just got another of their bands, this time with gold adapters that match my aluminum gold Watch. It really does work well with the Watch. I agree that a thick band really works well with the thickness of the Watch itself. Also, I can't imagine buying a Watch band from a company that specializes in smartphone accessories, like Nomad, when I can buy a band from a company that actually specializes in Watch bands...
 
Just got another of their bands, this time with gold adapters that match my aluminum gold Watch. It really does work well with the Watch. I agree that a thick band really works well with the thickness of the Watch itself. Also, I can't imagine buying a Watch band from a company that specializes in smartphone accessories, like Nomad, when I can buy a band from a company that actually specializes in Watch bands...


Hi. Can you post some photos of the gold adapter on the gold sport watch itself?
I'm yet to find a company that matches the apple's gold tone and they say theirs is a match.
It would be great if you could share some "real world" photos of the watch with the band and buckle.

Thanks!
 
IMG_0175.JPG
IMG_0176.JPG
IMG_0175.JPG


Here are some picture of the TRIMleather heritage leather band from Etsy.

I've had it about two weeks now on my NIKE+ watch. Looks great. Love it for work and going out.

Attaches very well and not loose at all. Leather is not too thick and the colour is great. I have the black hardware on it.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_0178.JPG
    IMG_0178.JPG
    1.4 MB · Views: 305
  • IMG_0179.JPG
    IMG_0179.JPG
    734 KB · Views: 325
  • IMG_0180.JPG
    IMG_0180.JPG
    695.2 KB · Views: 292
Last edited:
I have a Nomad brown leather strap for a 42 mm gold aluminum watch. I find it to be very comfortable and very nicely constructed. You should be able to find them at Best Buy for around $50.

Does this need an adapter?
 
It has arrived.

Right out of the box, this band is clearly more of what I was looking for. It's not as thick (2.5mm according to Monowear) as the Clockwork Synergy band I tried, the buckle is hardly wider that the band itself, and the adapters fit much better in the case without wiggling. The adapters and the buckle are a flat black (charcoal, perhaps) which, while not a match for the space grey case, look much better to me than the glossy black buckle and glossy grey adapter that Clockwork Synergy used on their band I tried. The adapter and buckle color resembles the adapter color of the Apple black nylon band, if you've seen that one.

I am very pleased with the Monowear band. So pleased, in fact, that I'm headed to the site to buy a black one to supplement the brown one I have.

IMG_0010.jpg


IMG_0011.jpg


IMG_0012.jpg

I like the tone of this strap. It's like a faded brown. Pairs nicely.
 
For my Space Grey Series 2, my version was to buy a Fossil Q leather strap, take out the proprietary adapter and use a lug I purchased from eBay. Fits perfectly and looks brill.
 
http://www.islingtonwatches.com

I've got both their bands. Very happy with quality and feel.

edit: they've got a promotion running now, 10% off with code YN9IYRYQ
 

Attachments

  • 1.jpg
    1.jpg
    1.4 MB · Views: 522
  • 2.jpg
    2.jpg
    1.7 MB · Views: 348
  • 3.JPG
    3.JPG
    1,012.1 KB · Views: 376
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: 480951
Another poster introduced me to this company: Form Function Form.
https://formfunctionform.com/product/button-stud-apple-watch-band/
  1. The watch band is the perfect thickness.
  2. The buckle is a button stud just off the side near watch allowing to type on a MacBook without scratching the finish on the band or the MacBook
  3. The watch adapters fit very well.
  4. The watch adapters are a perfect color compared to my space Black SS
The band at first is tight (warning
On website) but as you wear this product the leather loosened up and it is a perfect sized band. I just ordered my second, In dark brown. I'll post pictures once I get it.

Hand made in Florida. I telling you the quality can't be beat. Simply fantastic! I'm not affiliated with this company in any way I'm just happy to find a designer that has a cool unique design and has extremely awesome quality /hand made workmanship with customer service as important. Take a look above.
Pics attached are the black leather.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_5456.JPG
    IMG_5456.JPG
    830.1 KB · Views: 288
  • IMG_5457.JPG
    IMG_5457.JPG
    908.9 KB · Views: 276
  • IMG_5458.JPG
    IMG_5458.JPG
    886.4 KB · Views: 270
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: sgchick
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.