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What makes you buy a new strap?

The Cockney Rebel

The Cockney Rebel

macrumors 68040
Original poster
Jul 17, 2010
3,750
5,051
Is it because you love the aesthetics?

Is it because you just want to add to your collection?

Do you just feel the need?

Personally, I can be quite compulsive.
 
I just got a braided solo loop. It was on sale from Woot for $30! I love it!

As I probably mentioned before, I almost never buy bands. Mainly because I don't like changing them -- even though Apple has made it fairly easy to take the bands on and off, the process is still a bit too fiddly for me to want to do it often. Also because the genuine Apple bands are pretty expensive.

But when I see all the new colors and styles, I do feel a temptation to get them. I can well understand how some people end up collecting many! ;)
 
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I bought a new strap to match my outfit and for special occasions. I also like to buy discounted straps to add to my collection or try new styles I haven’t tried before.
 
Night Spring said:
I just got a braided solo loop. It was on sale from Woot for $30! I love it!

As I probably mentioned before, I almost never buy bands. Mainly because I don't like changing them -- even though Apple has made it fairly easy to take the bands on and off, the process is still a bit too fiddly for me to want to do it often. Also because the genuine Apple bands are pretty expensive.

But when I see all the new colors and styles, I do feel a temptation to get them. I can well understand how some people end up collecting many! ;)
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Care to share a photo?

Also, what do you think of this? £15 from eBay.

IMG_2228.jpeg
 
The Cockney Rebel said:
Care to share a photo?
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I don't have one of me wearing it.
I also put a case on the watch -- it's a subtle green. I decided to keep the S8 for at least another year, so this gives it a new feel. ;)
1735828295771.jpeg

The Cockney Rebel said:
Also, what do you think of this? £15 from eBay.
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I love those colors. And that's a band style I've been thinking of trying. I like that it's light and adjustable, not so sure about how it feels fiddly to get on and off.

If the seller is reputable, I'd certainly go for it.
 
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Night Spring said:
I don't have one of me wearing it.
I also put a case on the watch -- it's a subtle green. I decided to keep the S8 for at least another year, so this gives it a new feel. ;)
View attachment 2468225

I love those colors. And that's a band style I've been thinking of trying. I like that it's light and adjustable, not so sure about how it feels fiddly to get on and off.

If the seller is reputable, I'd certainly go for it.
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Looks great.

I love BSLs.

Thank you for the advice, re the one I showed you.

I also love the colours.
 
I'm on my third Apple Watch, and have always used the band that came with it. I'm reluctant to try another band, as it could lead to serial band purchases. Some of them are pretty cool. But I'm happy with my dark blue band and my blue AW S6.

To me, the quality of the standard bands is quite impressive. Considering what that band has to do, Apple apparently got this right. I've not had one fail, or even show much wear, and I wear my watch every day.

Maybe someday I'll try a new band.
 
Matz said:
To me, the quality of the standard bands is quite impressive. Considering what that band has to do, Apple apparently got this right. I've not had one fail, or even show much wear, and I wear my watch every day.
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The only band that hasn't lasted is the solo loop. I've been through four of those, and they've all lasted less than a year. All the stretching as I take it on an off eventually causes the rubber to break. :(

But the Sports band that I got with the original watch never showed any sign of wear. Neither did the Nike Sports band -- I still use that as backup when my solo loops fail.
 
Night Spring said:
Ah, braided solo loop! Gotcha.

I can't believe it's even lighter than the rubber solo loop. Also much easier to take on and off than the rubber version. It somehow doesn't need to be stretched much to get on/off.
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Definitely.

Especially in summer, when you’re sweaty, as the rubber grips to you and it can become a battle to get on!

BSLs don’t have that issue, and look more classy.

Enjoy 🙂.
 
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I have several. A leather loop to dress it up a bit. A couple of sport bands that I got way back in the series 2/3 time frame, but I don’t wear them much. Now I wear the sport loop almost exclusively. I have a couple of colors and I have 5 Nike loops with the reflectivity for when I run in the dark. Any extra bit helps. Oh and I have 1 Christmas band with the grinch on it for fun.
 
Changing tastes. I normally love the braided solo loop, they're supremely comfortable, but now I daily the new link bracelet because it is also very comfortable and looks great in my opinion.
 
The Cockney Rebel said:
Is it because you love the aesthetics?

Is it because you just want to add to your collection?

Do you just feel the need?

Personally, I can be quite compulsive.
Click to expand...
Through three AWs, now an AW Ultra1, I have never even dreamed about buying a new strap. Obviously no haute couture here...
 
To answer your question directly, I pick up bands when they're on sale or when one wears out, either in color or size.

I don't have a watch currently, but have several bands. I picked up a few during the recent woot sale, primarily BSL since my other one is fairly loose. I also got some SLs in colors I like.

My last watch was an Ultra, and I used the orange Alpine Loop. The Alpine Loops are probably the best band to release in my opinion, always comfortably adjustable and secure. I later picked up the blackish trail loop for formal wear. I wish Apple would continue offering true black and white options for most, if not every band type. The Ink Sport Loop of Series 10 is so close but still off.

I only use genuine bands since the aftermarket bands feel cheap to me. Before AWU I had a stainless S3, and I usually wore the milanese loop with it. I sold all of my bands I had when I sold that watch, however.
 
I like to try them on and live with a couple days, so I buy knockoffs from AliEx that are close to identical to apple’s to evaluate. I’m really into the new black titanium 49mm on my Series 10 jet black watch. I’m keeping an eye out for a sale so I can get a real Apple one. I’ve heard that knockoffs are pretty unreliable.

I did the same for the alpine loop style and it is my second favorite and one I switch to sometimes .

I also have to say the original leather link bracelet that is magnetic—it has really stood up tremendously well over time.
 
It can be anything from what outfit I have on to what I have planned for work that day. If I’m hiking I prefer the alpine loop as the fabric makes my skin sweat less whereas if I’m doing anything concrete related at work I’ll wear silicon in case it gets dirty. I like my watch to hang a little loose rather than constricting my wrist. I have an assortment of red, orange and British racing green colours.
 
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I have kept various bands through the years from doing routine AW upgrades.
I have on hand for use as needed: Milanese loop, Link, Bracelet, Braided Solo Loop.
My favorite for all occasions including wearing the watch to bed at night is the Blackberry Magnetic Link (photo from Apple Store app):
IMG_0220.PNG
 
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I have one watch and two bands. One orange sports band and one blue sports loop. No need for more.
 
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