After getting my watch with med light pink Modern Buckle, I did some band shopping yesterday at the Indianapolis Apple store. I love my band, and it will probably continue to be the primary one I wear, but I decided I want to have a couple other choices. My only complaint with the modern buckle is that the buckle bumps against my laptop when I'm typing, and as I often spend a large part of my day on my laptop (I'm in IT, doing system requirements and design work), I'd like to have an alternative to switch into much as someone would put on their reading glasses.
I'd worn a link bracelet watch band for years, so before pre-ordering in the wee hours of April 10 I'd debated between the lt pink MB and the Link Bracelet. Because of the substantial price difference I decided to go with the MB initially, then make a later decision on the LB after I could try it on. So doing this try-on was my main mission for visiting the store.
After watching some of the forums here, I also decided having a Sport Band for those more active, or hot, or rainy days would probably be a good idea, too, thinking it might also become my go-to band for long laptop days. I'm not crazy about any of the colors (I'd prefer a med gray, or a true hot pink or fuchsia or deep purple) but as a backup band I could make it work.
So I scheduled an appointment and went in to shop. My observations:
- The LB is VERY heavy. It was lovely, and fit very well, and would be well worth the extra cost, but it overpowered my wrist weight-wise. So with some disappointment I crossed this one off my list.
- Before I tried on the LB I'd also tried the Milanese Loop. I was expecting this one to be my distant second choice for a metal band, but I was very pleasantly surprised. It's lovely, too. It's strong and substantial while also being light and comfortable, and is very attractive on my wrist. Putting it on reminded me of the first time I slipped on a comfortable pair of higher end slippers. I would have bought one on the spot, but they had sold out of them in the store the day before. So I'll either check back in a few days or order one online.
- The Sport Band surprised me -- From pictures I'd seen where it looked like it jutted out from the sides of the watch, not contouring well to the wrist of some wearers, I was expecting it to be stiff and cheaper-feeling. Instead it was strong, smooth, and supple. It has almost a heavy gel-like feeling. It's heaver than I was expecting, but nowhere near the weight of the LB. So I opted for the blue SB (the one I could most live with given that I really didn't like any of the colors), which they did have in stock. The sm/med fit my wrist well, but since the bottom half of a med/lg also comes in the same package (a very smart move by Apple, similar to how Fitbits come with two band sizes), this one should last me for a long time to come.
- Seeing the watch try-on process was interesting in itself. I hadn't been into the store since they'd added the watches, so I was eager to see how they'd designed the display cases and integrated them into the store profile. Very impressive! I also was fascinated watching the associate unlock the drawer locking mechanism electronically. I've used similar devices on office doors for years, but hadn't thought about using the technology on a display case in a retail store. And I was also interested to see that although the demo bands were under strict electronic lock and key, the for-purchase bands themselves, at least the Sport Band and Milanese Loop (had it still been in stock) were stacked neatly on one of the back shelves among the cables and chargers, and not under similar security as the demo versions.
So now, unless I win the lottery and can order that rose gold Edition version I've been drooling over since last fall (that I also had a chance to drool over when I saw it in the display case yesterday), I think I'm all set.
