The Great "Third Party Band/Strap" Thread

[Mac2me]

Got my local watch-store-24mm-leather-band today and put the SG Amazon adapters on it.
Now I only need the  Watch here......2 more days.

The 24mm looks like the right size for 42mm adapters to me....

TBH I don't know if I put them the right way on the band....we'll see in a couple of day!

edit: mmmmm....looks like I put them on the band upside down: the middle metal thingie has to face down I think.

Yep! I noticed the mistake as soon as I saw the middle button area. I've done that too but with the spring bar adapter. I found it really helps to lay everything out face up with the watch base too before you attach anything just to avoid that happening.

Did you use threadlocker on the screws? Should be using threadlocker or the screws will come out (based on the experience of others on here and Apple's guidelines). If you did use threadlocker, the screws should be tossed and new ones used with threadlocker. Did your adapter source send extra?

The band looks great BTW! Nice rich brown and the adapters look like a nice color. Please post when you get them installed. Welcome to the watch club LOL.

 

[slvrscoobie]

Got my local watch-store-24mm-leather-band today and put the SG Amazon adapters on it.
Now I only need the  Watch here......2 more days.

The 24mm looks like the right size for 42mm adapters to me....

TBH I don't know if I put them the right way on the band....we'll see in a couple of day!

edit: mmmmm....looks like I put them on the band upside down: the middle metal thingie has to face down I think.

Im interested to see how it looks, did you order the SB or SG watch for those black/grey adapters? I havent decided if the brown leather on the black body would look good or silly. (black shoes, brown pants kinda thing)

 

[Mac2me]

I'd rather have yours. I got my 42mm loop from the Utica guy and I'm not happy with it. The band is not edge to edge with the lug and just look horrible IMO. The band doesn't seem wide enough for the 42mm. It's already on the way back for a refund.

View attachment 570123

Wow that's weird they would have the mesh band way shorter width-wise than the adapter. Almost like the mesh was suppose to go on a 38mm adapter instead of the 42mm. Thanks for sharing the pic and review.

 

[soya]

Just received my CLONE Milanese Loop in the mail. Not happy with it...

Doesn't look that bad. Apart from the creases (maybe you got a defective model) the rest of the band looks pretty good..at least for the price.

 

[soya]

I'd rather have yours. I got my 42mm loop from the Utica guy and I'm not happy with it. The band is not edge to edge with the lug and just look horrible IMO. The band doesn't seem wide enough for the 42mm. It's already on the way back for a refund.

View attachment 570123

The pics of the product are not the same apparently. IS that the one you've ordered?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Apple-Watch...t=LH_DefaultDomain_0&var=&hash=item8736da3cd4

 

[iVegas]

Wow that's weird they would have the mesh band way shorter width-wise than the adapter. Almost like the mesh was suppose to go on a 38mm adapter instead of the 42mm. Thanks for sharing the pic and review.

It's almost like whatever factory made them took the cheap road and used the same width bands for both versions.

The pics of the product are not the same apparently. IS that the one you've ordered?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Apple-Watch...t=LH_DefaultDomain_0&var=&hash=item8736da3cd4

Yes, I clicked on your link and it said "you bought this item". It's too bad, other than the width issue the band was nice. The magnet was super strong, too.

I failed to get a picture of it but on the other lug there was a enough room for the band to move side to side a bit, too.

 

[soya]

It's almost like whatever factory made them took the cheap road and used the same width bands for both versions.




Yes, I clicked on your link and it said "you bought this item". It's too bad, other than the width issue the band was nice. The magnet was super strong, too.

Wow so misleading.. You should tell utica guy to update his pics.. That's not right to do such thing.

 

[Mac2me]

I'd rather have yours. I got my 42mm loop from the Utica guy and I'm not happy with it. The band is not edge to edge with the lug and just look horrible IMO. The band doesn't seem wide enough for the 42mm. It's already on the way back for a refund.

View attachment 570123

I took a look at the listing and it definitely differs from the photo. Wonder if all of the 42mms he has are like that and/or if he is aware of it. If they are, he should send them all back to his supplier and get a credit. No one would be happy with a band that doesn't fit the adapter.

 

[iVegas]

Wow so misleading.. You should tell utica guy to update his pics.. That's not right to do such thing.

I'll go ahead and shoot him a message with the photo.

 

[icanboogie]

....thought you might like these:
(repost from 'show off your apple watch')

Default apple black classic buckle, 3rd party thick brown leather, 3rd party nato strap.
(adapters extra)

 

[bsbuggs]

WOW..lots of great info here, thanks to ALL of you that posted your orders and reviews of the various bands and adapters.

Now I have read this post front to back..Question.
I have the Hoko black/space 3 lug stainless band ordered and the 5 lug just to see which one fits and looks best on me...i have the SGS, the question I have is would It be best to order the pins style adapter which is an extra 18.00 or is the Hoko adapter sufficient. ?

 

[Armski]

WOW..lots of great info here, thanks to ALL of you that posted your orders and reviews of the various bands and adapters.

Now I have read this post front to back..Question.
I have the Hoko black/space 3 lug stainless band ordered and the 5 lug just to see which one fits and looks best on me...i have the SGS, the question I have is would It be best to order the pins style adapter which is an extra 18.00 or is the Hoko adapter sufficient. ?

The general consensus is the pin style (Spring bar, Utica Guy, Freedomoclock09) looks why better. Less of a gap between the band and the watch, also no gaps on either side. It's looks flush.

 

[bsbuggs]

The general consensus is the pin style (Spring bar, Utica Guy, Freedomoclock09) looks why better. Less of a gap between the band and the watch, also no gaps on either side. It's looks flush.

I was just about to refine my question, as Im am really tired from reading all this info.. You hit it on the head.. thanks placing order now.

 

[toph2toast]

Did anyone one pick up the milanese mesh loop that was on groupon last week? Mine just arrived and I'm not too impressed with the adapters. They don't seem to fit snug on the watch. There is also some "play" to the adapters if you move the bands side to side. Has anyone else had similar issues with theirs?

 

[annay49]

Did anyone one pick up the milanese mesh loop that was on groupon last week? Mine just arrived and I'm not too impressed with the adapters. They don't seem to fit snug on the watch. There is also some "play" to the adapters if you move the bands side to side. Has anyone else had similar issues with theirs?

That makes me sad, I picked one up from them last week, but it hasn't even shipped yet. Pretty sure it's lost. Can you post some photos

 

[Reytiros]

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)

 

[ianfann]

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)

Great collection there! I am still waiting for the 1:1 clone of the link bracelet to come out. How is the one that you have now? Is the workmanship good?

 

[Reytiros]

Great collection there! I am still waiting for the 1:1 clone of the link bracelet to come out. How is the one that you have now? Is the workmanship good?

the quality is outstanding, the built in adapters fit seamlessly and doesn't wobble
i'm very satisfied

 

[ianfann]

the quality is outstanding, the built in adapters fit seamlessly and doesn't wobble
i'm very satisfied

Can you post a few photos of it? Thanks!

 

[Reytiros]

i posted some in the NON-OEM Apple Watch Bands thread below

 

[toph2toast]

That makes me sad, I picked one up from them last week, but it hasn't even shipped yet. Pretty sure it's lost. Can you post some photos

I'll take a few pics over my lunch break. If I have time I'll try to make a video to so you can see how the adapters move around.

 

[Ridder]

Yep! I noticed the mistake as soon as I saw the middle button area. I've done that too but with the spring bar adapter. I found it really helps to lay everything out face up with the watch base too before you attach anything just to avoid that happening.

Did you use threadlocker on the screws? Should be using threadlocker or the screws will come out (based on the experience of others on here and Apple's guidelines). If you did use threadlocker, the screws should be tossed and new ones used with threadlocker. Did your adapter source send extra?

The band looks great BTW! Nice rich brown and the adapters look like a nice color. Please post when you get them installed. Welcome to the watch club LOL.

There was some blue thread locker /Locktite stuff on the little bolts.
Maybe put some extra on...or nail polish , there are no extra bolts with the adapter.

I corrected my mistake and the adapters should be correctly installed on the band now....we'll know in a day

 

[Ridder]

Im interested to see how it looks, did you order the SB or SG watch for those black/grey adapters? I havent decided if the brown leather on the black body would look good or silly. (black shoes, brown pants kinda thing)

The adapter is for a 42mm Space Gray Sport....let's see how it looks.
I also have some reservation about the black/brown combo...

 

[pixelwix]

Got my newer band attachment adapters from Utica guy / freedomoclock And they are stellar!! The black is a perfect match and they look way better than what came with the clockwork synergy strap! Gonna have to buy more for other bands. Really put the old 'pin style' to shame.
View attachment 570119
View attachment 570120
View attachment 570122

can you post a link for both the strap and the adaptor?

 

[toph2toast]

That makes me sad, I picked one up from them last week, but it hasn't even shipped yet. Pretty sure it's lost. Can you post some photos

Here you go. I wasn't able to make a video because I have nothing around to hold my phone stead and it takes two hands to show the "wobble" between the watch and adapter. You can position the adapter to look flush, but it won't stay that way for long. Maybe I'm being picky but given the fact groupon says this band goes for $100 normally, I'd have expected more.

EDIT - also as an FYI, the adapters do not have a consistent finish. The sides are polished by the front and backs are brushed. The clasp is also brushed.