Im looking to get a leather watch band, i don't mind spending good money on a high quality leather band. I was looking at nomad leather bands, any other recommendations ???
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What are the Best Leather Bands
- Thread starter Qu1ckset
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I’m assuming you are looking for a traditional leather strap rather than the magnetic leather options Apple currently offers. If you have a silver stainless watch (or don’t mind mismatched lugs), there are a bunch of older 1st party Apple Classic Buckle bands on eBay for good prices right now (these bands used to retail for $150 but were discontinued in 2018). Might also have a look at Bandwerk. They make nice straps and the lugs and buckle can be matched to the color and finish of your watch casing.
You can't go wrong with the Hermès bands if you're looking for a high-quality leather band and do not mind the cost. It also has the added benefit of being designed specifically for the Apple Watch in collaboration with Apple designers.
Lmao I don’t mind spending money but I’m not spending that much money on a band… most them are more then I paid for the watch itself
Not sure what size watch you have. Here’s a 42mm Black classic buckle for $60 and the seller will definitely accept lower offers. Seriously though, searching “Apple classic buckle” on eBay will return many more results.
Genuine Apple Watch Band Leather 42mm Black Classic Buckle for sale online | eBay
Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Genuine Apple Watch Band Leather 42mm Black Classic Buckle at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!
www.ebay.com
I have a black 44mm S4 , will the silver look ridicules you think? And lastly how much should I offer ?Not sure what size watch you have. Here’s a 42mm Black classic buckle for $60 and the seller will definitely accept lower offers. Seriously though, searching “Apple classic buckle” on eBay will return many more results.
Genuine Apple Watch Band Leather 42mm Black Classic Buckle for sale online | eBay
Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Genuine Apple Watch Band Leather 42mm Black Classic Buckle at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!www.ebay.com
Only you can decide if you mind the silver lugs on a black watch. Some people don’t care at all. I know it personally drives me crazy (to the point that I have swapped out the silver lugs for black 3rd party lugs when I have had a black watch in the past). I will say the mismatched lugs are probably not very noticeable to the average person looking at your watch. But you will see them every time you raise your wrist. Up to you if that matters or not.
I don’t know what this seller will accept for this band but I have bought other bands from him in the past at a discount.
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How hard was it switching the hardware, and where did you order the parts from!? I ordered the apple classic buckle aubergine purple, comes with silver hardware , if it’s possible I’d love to switch it to black hardware.
Swapping the lugs is not hard. All you really need is the right screwdriver and some Loctite (to keep the new lugs secure). It takes about 10 mins. See this thread. Chargerstore on eBay has some OEM 44mm black lugs for sale right now if you want the real deal.
Unfortunately, on the 4th gen classic buckles with the larger square clasp, the buckle cannot be removed. It is not attached by a spring bar but rather glued into the leather (🤬 Apple). I’ve tried to cut it out (and ended up ruining a perfectly good saddle brown in the process). That buckle is glued into the leather and isn’t coming out. However, the buckle on the older classic buckles (gen 1-3) with the smaller oval clasp can be removed since it is attached with a spring bar in the leather. Removing it requires a spring bar tool and takes some practice since the spring bar is hidden inside the clasp itself. But, it can be done.
Thanks for taking the time to answering all my questions , you’ve been very very helpful! Sucks about the buckle , but I’m happy I can change the lugs!
If you like thick beefy leather, you might want to give Clockwork Synergy a look. They have all kinds of leather and colors available. Plus, you can order them with black hardware. I think I paid $45 for this band in the Vintage Saddle color.
Also, if you have a space gray watch, you can’t go wrong with the leather loops or links. Since they don’t have bright shiny lugs.
Clockwork Synergy
Also, if you have a space gray watch, you can’t go wrong with the leather loops or links. Since they don’t have bright shiny lugs.
Clockwork Synergy
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Somewhat on topic— anyone know a reputable leather vendor that makes leather bands that mimic the same clasp style of Gen 3 Classic Buckle? I found an indiegogo project, but that is from 2019, and it doesn’t appear to be an ongoing item (though I found a backerkit link from the same company for the product, but that too is dated).
Pad & Quill bands have that buckle style. I have the pilot band and I really like it; it's what I imagine Apple would make if they did handmade bands.
Ashland Leather band made with Horween Shell Cordovan.
Ultra comfortable and durable and 100% Chicago made.
Ultra comfortable and durable and 100% Chicago made.
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Wirecutter recently updated their Apple band report:
https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/apple-watch-bands-we-like/
Has anyone got advice on buying Apple-type adaptors and buckles? Someone close is able to do the leather work to make a strap for me, but I'd like to save her the difficulties of identifying good quality hardware. There are loads on the major marketplace sites. It is selecting good ones that is so difficult!
(I'd get a basic strap with the watch and then get a unique strap made in top quality leather.)
https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/apple-watch-bands-we-like/
Has anyone got advice on buying Apple-type adaptors and buckles? Someone close is able to do the leather work to make a strap for me, but I'd like to save her the difficulties of identifying good quality hardware. There are loads on the major marketplace sites. It is selecting good ones that is so difficult!
(I'd get a basic strap with the watch and then get a unique strap made in top quality leather.)
I have been happiest with the lugs made by Strapsco. They have correctly shaped lugs for the 40/44 mm watches. The vast majority of lugs out there are shaped for the 38/42 mm watches and marketed as being for 40/44 as well. Quality seems pretty good as well.
If you happen to have a black 44mm watch, Chargerstore on eBay has official black Apple lugs for sale right now. A bit expensive but you can’t do better than OEM for quality.
Original Genuine OEM Apple Space Black Lug/screw for classic buckle leather band | eBay
Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Original Genuine OEM Apple Space Black Lug/screw for classic buckle leather band at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!
www.ebay.com
Thank you - it is a good start.I have been happiest with the lugs made by Strapsco. They have correctly shaped lugs for the 40/44 mm watches. The vast majority of lugs out there are shaped for the 38/42 mm watches and marketed as being for 40/44 as well. Quality seems pretty good as well.
If you happen to have a black 44mm watch, Chargerstore on eBay has official black Apple lugs for sale right now. A bit expensive but you can’t do better than OEM for quality.
Original Genuine OEM Apple Space Black Lug/screw for classic buckle leather band | eBay
Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Original Genuine OEM Apple Space Black Lug/screw for classic buckle leather band at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!www.ebay.com