There's a variety of reasons, but most of the time it's because the color gets discontinued and stores need them gone to make room for the next set of colors. For example, Best Buy has Dark Cherry, which was a Fall 2021 color, for $24.99 right now depending on store availability.
Used bands can be one reason they're resold cheap, but they're still Apple braded, so they keep their value when you resell them. I have over 100 OEM bands and I'd say a good majority are used off eBay and other secondhand sites. As long as you clean them when you get them, I don't see why you wouldn't wear it any less than you would a used shirt.
Knockoffs are cheap. This means there are a lot of small differences between them and the real bands that these companies just don't bother to accurately recreate. There's a large thread in the watch accessories forum called How to detect fake versus genuine authentic OEM Apple bands that goes over pretty much everything you need to know to discern fakes from real Apple branded bands. Even if you're still unsure about authenticity, you can reply with pictures of the band there and any number of collectors will reply and give you their thoughts. If you collect these bands, you pick up on what makes them fake and authentic pretty quick.
Hmmm -- I probably should drop by the Apple store and actually try on the alpine band. I assumed that a large one would fit, but maybe it will end up one loop too loose or too tight. Didn't realize that might be a problem. Thanks for the heads up!
Ocean wouldn't be any diff could be imbetween too, trail band would be best fit for that issue
I use the L with a 190mm or so wrist, on loop 6 casually and when I surf on 5
I surf in mine and not convinced the ocean band end will not pull out, the trail loop maybe ok depends on how strong the velcro is, the nike velcro I wouldn't it got weaker over time, had a UAG velcro and it was good.
Yeah, that’s what I’m afraid of: lugs that don’t slot in quite perfectly and rattle. That would annoy the hell out of me
Yeah, Trail band would be the best for fit, but boy is it ugly.
I have the Sports loop for my Series 4 and it’s essentially the same thing. And yes, it is ugly, but very comfortable and works
Yeah, Trail band would be the best for fit, but boy is it ugly.
I picked up a large alpine loop today. I have 8 inch wrists so I probably could have got by with a medium. Either way, it’s extremely comfortable. Because the band is a lightweight polyester, it does make the weight of the watch more noticeable as opposed to the ocean band, but ever so slightly. There is slight flexibility and the loops are just as close together as the slots in the OB. I found it pretty easy to find an appropriate loop to hook into. No issue with “to tight” or “too loose” for me, but it certainly doesn’t flex as much as the ocean band does. The large sized band gives more material to work with and maybe it was just enough to have the flexibility to be comfortable, idk.
You mean that you need one? I don't need one whatsoever so please don't speak for me!! Or are you royalty perhaps??
Yep, same here.....and thus I ordered one. And then I saw a green one available locally so I tried that and knew straight away that this was the better colour for me!! Cancelled my order for orange and went green!
Well, my blue woven nylon band did outlast a third party band bought a few months later. So there’s that.
For someone with picky skin, non-OEM may as well be the only choice going forward. I never understand why apple never made another woven nylon band, but so far that’s the only material works with my skins. It’s not about price, it’s about availability.
Yeah it rocks. I think most people don’t even know it exists though.
I’m confused. How are you afraid of the ocean band coming off? You do know that the second titanium clasp is removable right? You can then place it through the hole of BOTH the tail end and a hole on the primary end wherever they meet up making it nearly impossible to come off. Unless of course the band rips altogether. That’s the whole point of the band. It’s hard to explain in words but it’s like a locking mechanism for your band. The clasp is not just designed to move up and down to slide the end into. The clasp is supposed to slide into the hole on your tail end when engaged in water sports.
Ok didn’t know that, in the photos it just looks like it works like a band that comes with most divers watches. I got mine with alpine so haven’t tried the ocean yet.
Well, I assumed that was the case. I’ve been looking for photos showing that but I’m not seeing any. I could be wrong… but I don’t see why that wouldn’t be possible. That would make it a pain to take off - so you wouldn’t always do that, but it would certainly the most secure band available. Just double clasp it when doing water sports. Let’s see if someone with the band corrects me.
The link bracelet is one of my favourites. I’ve never seen a single other person wearing one though!
