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Jul 12, 2016
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What happened to the black leather loop? Has Apple discontinued it?

Apple refreshes there watchbands at least twice a year, and it's no surprise that certain bands that were once available, are now gone. Even a lot of the sport band colors are no longer in existence.
 

will0407

macrumors 6502a
May 20, 2006
609
57
Managed to pick one up on ebay so keep your eyes peeled on there- mostly the midnight blue one on ebay UK but got hold of a black one at a decent price. Really like the blue but think the black looks that bit smarter with the space grey.
 

Boardiesboi

macrumors 601
Sep 3, 2013
4,607
10,674
Sydney Australia
Managed to pick one up on ebay so keep your eyes peeled on there- mostly the midnight blue one on ebay UK but got hold of a black one at a decent price. Really like the blue but think the black looks that bit smarter with the space grey.

I've been looking on eBay AU and they're all just knock offs. Seems impossible to find any genuine Apple bands that have been discontinued.
 
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eVolcre

macrumors 68000
Jan 7, 2003
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I've been looking on eBay AU and they're all just knock offs. Seems impossible to find any genuine Apple bands that have been discontinued.

A high quality knockoff (check Ali express ) is 80% if not more the same as official Apple. A lot of times they’re from the same factory.
 

mhoutman

macrumors 6502
Feb 8, 2016
498
254
A high quality knockoff (check Ali express ) is 80% if not more the same as official Apple. A lot of times they’re from the same factory.

IMO you really have to know which brands are high quality, especially those sold at AliExprees. Perhaps Hoco and some others. The leather might be okay on first sight but after a while you see the quality on difference; most important perhaps is the quality of the lugs or adapters.

Watch this place for excellent and critical reviews: https://superphen.co/category/apple/apple-watch/apple-watch-bands/

I was looking for a black loop too but ended with the charcoal grey, I must admit that I love this color both with SS, SB SS and my next Edition Ceramic grey (for which I have to wait another 3 weeks)

https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...s-9-2017-release.2067384/page-6#post-25184774
 
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eVolcre

macrumors 68000
Jan 7, 2003
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IMO you really have to know which brands are high quality, especially those sold at AliExprees. Perhaps Hoco and some others. The leather might be okay on first sight but after a while you see the quality on difference; most important perhaps is the quality of the lugs or adapters.

Watch this place for excellent and critical reviews: https://superphen.co/category/apple/apple-watch/apple-watch-bands/

I was looking for a black loop too but ended with the charcoal grey, I must admit that I love this color both with SS, SB SS and my next Edition Ceramic grey (for which I have to wait another 3 weeks)

https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...s-9-2017-release.2067384/page-6#post-25184774

Totally. I wouldn't blindly pick a band. Do your research, check reviews and once you've found a good vendor, stick with him. My red leather loop knockoff wasn't dirt cheap. I paid USD 45 shipped but going on 8 months now it still looks great. Lugs are fine as well. There's a slight discoloration on one of the 'scales' but for that price, I'm ok with it. Just picked up a leather cuff which also looks great. And a blue leather loop from the same vendor but this one was only USD 15. Even if it lasts 6 months, I can replace it quite a few times.
 

musicpenguy

macrumors 68000
Oct 29, 2006
1,851
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Anyone have photos comparing the black to charcoal grey? They look pretty close based on photos, have the black and the grey looks similar.
 

mhoutman

macrumors 6502
Feb 8, 2016
498
254
Anyone have photos comparing the black to charcoal grey? They look pretty close based on photos, have the black and the grey looks similar.
Perhaps it is a bit difficult to see, but on my photos Laatste weekje you see the charcoal loop next to a black leather classic band, a anthracite Nike sport band and a black sport band.

The charcoal is really brighter :)

PS also note that the cover I put them on is a charcoal grey iPad Pro 9,7 Smart Cover.... which is even brighter.
 
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