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Apple Milanese loop or link bracelet?

Boardiesboi

Boardiesboi

macrumors 601
Original poster
Sep 3, 2013
4,617
10,705
Sydney Australia
I’m on the fence about whether I should get a Milanese loop or link bracelet.

I have smallest wrists for a guy at 155mm and I work in a smart casual office environment (shirt and chino pants are fine). I regularly wear the leather classic buckle or single tours to work. I usually wear the sports loop or sports band on weekends.

I’ve had the Milanese loop for a week but I’m not really feeling it so might return it. I want to try the link bracelet but I’m scared that it will be too heavy and too big for my small wrists.

Does anyone have both and can comment which one you think is better and why?

Thanks!
 
Boardiesboi said:
I’m on the fence about whether I should get a Milanese loop or link bracelet.

I have smallest wrists for a guy at 155mm and I work in a smart casual office environment (shirt and chino pants are fine). I regularly wear the leather classic buckle or single tours to work. I usually wear the sports loop or sports band on weekends.

I’ve had the Milanese loop for a week but I’m not really feeling it so might return it. I want to try the link bracelet but I’m scared that it will be too heavy and too big for my small wrists.

Does anyone have both and can comment which one you think is better and why?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

I can comment on the Stainless link band, as I own both the regular and black stainless band. The removable links are ingenious (Ans easy to do remove within seconds) and the band is incredibly thin and light compared to some other link bands on the market. They are expensive, but if you can justify the price, its a brilliant piece of hardware. I really can’t find any faults, aside from the price. Apple actually discounted the price on both bands.
 
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Relentless Power said:
I can comment on the Stainless link band, as I own both the regular and black stainless band. The removable links are ingenious (Ans easy to do remove within seconds) and the band is incredibly thin and light compared to some other link bands on the market. They are expensive, but if you can justify the price, its a brilliant piece of hardware. I really can’t find any faults, aside from the price. Apple actually discounted the price on both bands.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply!

Do you find the link being very heavy especially after wearing it all day?
 
Boardiesboi said:
Thanks for the reply!

Do you find the link being very heavy especially after wearing it all day?
Click to expand...

I didn’t find it to heavy, more or less, fairly comfortable. But there is added weight of course when its paired with the stainless Apple Watch. For a link band, it really is amazingly thin, Which I think really helps with the weight distribution.
 
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The link bracelet is my favourite Apple band. It’s comfortable and looks really classy.

D7C65016-F50D-468D-81F4-6F621304814A.jpeg

Boardiesboi said:
Do you find the link being very heavy especially after wearing it all day?
Click to expand...

It’s not that heavy and I don’t really notice the weight on a normal days wear. Just swap it for a sports band when you do any strenuous exercise.
 
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Boardiesboi said:
I’m on the fence about whether I should get a Milanese loop or link bracelet.

I have smallest wrists for a guy at 155mm and I work in a smart casual office environment (shirt and chino pants are fine). I regularly wear the leather classic buckle or single tours to work. I usually wear the sports loop or sports band on weekends.

I’ve had the Milanese loop for a week but I’m not really feeling it so might return it. I want to try the link bracelet but I’m scared that it will be too heavy and too big for my small wrists.

Does anyone have both and can comment which one you think is better and why?

Thanks!
Click to expand...
Note that I had the S0 Milanese, but the current Milanese is slightly different. The downside of the Milanese is the magnetic strength diminishes over the time to the point where I had to adjust it like 5x a time, and that was a pain. I also felt I had to sort of wrestle with it when I took it off because the magnet could attach to something randomly. None of the above was a big deal, but still I wanted to move on and try other band styles. The Link is light compared to a traditional link bracelet. I never wore a traditional link bracelet on a daily basis which is one of the reasons why I got the Link for the experience of wearing a bracelet. Besides, I think the Link looks a bit better than the Milanese. Also, I have a feeling the Link might be discontinued in the future, so when somebody on here said it was $100 less than before I ordered it immediately. In previous years it seemed to be plentiful so I waited, when I felt willing to pay $450 it was constantly out of stock and I gave up on it. For whatever reasons it's back, but packaging says 42mm, while the Milanese packaging says 44mm. It doesn't matter for sizing as we all know it'll fit, but I feel that Apple isn't even willing to update the packaging, as if they want to use up the remaining boxes and Link raw materials and then discontinue it.

Sizing could be an issue for you though. I have ~190mm wrists and I believe I have 8 removable links on the Link. If each removable link is 3mm then it'll be too big for you. Also to have the butterfly clasp sit right in the middle of the underside of my wrist the links aren't symmetrically distributed. I think I have 6 on one side and 2 on the other. it's not ideal, but it doesn't bother me. Others have said they didn't like how after adjusting the Link to fit, it wasn't symmetrical.
 
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Luba said:
Note that I had the S0 Milanese, but the current Milanese is slightly different. The downside of the Milanese is the magnetic strength diminishes over the time to the point where I had to adjust it like 5x a time, and that was a pain. I also felt I had to sort of wrestle with it when I took it off because the magnet could attach to something randomly. None of the above was a big deal, but still I wanted to move on and try other band styles. The Link is light compared to a traditional link bracelet. I never wore a traditional link bracelet on a daily basis which is one of the reasons why I got the Link for the experience of wearing a bracelet. Besides, I think the Link looks a bit better than the Milanese. Also, I have a feeling the Link might be discontinued in the future, so when somebody on here said it was $100 less than before I ordered it immediately. In previous years it seemed to be plentiful so I waited, when I felt willing to pay $450 it was constantly out of stock and I gave up on it. For whatever reasons it's back, but packaging says 42mm, while the Milanese packaging says 44mm. It doesn't matter for sizing as we all know it'll fit, but I feel that Apple isn't even willing to update the packaging, as if they want to use up the remaining boxes and Link raw materials and then discontinue it.

Sizing could be an issue for you though. I have ~190mm wrists and I believe I have 8 removable links on the Link. If each removable link is 3mm then it'll be too big for you. Also to have the butterfly clasp sit right in the middle of the underside of my wrist the links aren't symmetrically distributed. I think I have 6 on one side and 2 on the other. it's not ideal, but it doesn't bother me. Others have said they didn't like how after adjusting the Link to fit, it wasn't symmetrical.
Click to expand...

Great write up that would be a deal breaker for me not being symmetrical I cannot see why they would do that.
 
peterlaca said:
There's no reason to have 6 removable links on one side and 2 on the other..... Simply evenly distribute the links on either side....at worst there is a difference of one on either side...and that is not noticeable.
Click to expand...
It's now more evenly distributed. I didn't wear the Link for a while, put it back on and saw that it needed to have links moved around so that the Butterfly would lie more centered. I can't explain how before I needed it to be 6/2 and now I need it to be 5/3 and have the Butterfly centered.
 
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I have both the link bracelet and Milanese loop... and in both stainless steel and space black. Went a little nuts, but enjoy both tremendously.

For me, the Milanese loop (space black) is my favorite and has received the most usage. I have not had issues with the "magnet weakening," nor with the band catching other metallic objects. If someone's magnet is "weakening" I'd be suspicious about gunk building up on the band or possibly on the rubberized surface of the magnet.

The link bracelet has a more substantial appearance, which can help if you're trying to make an impression. (Admittedly, the Milanese loop looks a bit dainty if you're around other people wearing standard watches with standard metal watch bands.) I've received a comment before that someone thought the space black link bracelet was plastic (which, from certain angles and lighting, it sort of does), so the stainless steel version may make the most impact of all.

As far as comfort, the Milanese loop can't be beaten. I live in a tropical environment and didn't realize just how much my wrist expands and contracts with the different temperatures I'm subject to. Once you get used to the ability to loosen and tighten the Milanese loop throughout the day, the link bracelet is a bit uncomfortable; it seems like I need to either have it in a state of being too loose or too tight. (I am presently back in a place with four seasons, and have equipped the link bracelet for winter; it's comfortable after sizing it to one expected wrist size.) Additionally, the link bracelet retains a bit of heat. While I wouldn't say that the Milanese loop is super-well ventilated, when you're in a warm place it doesn't feel good when your Watch shifts slightly on your wrist and you feel a ton of warmth. Again, this "feature" is less of an issue in cold environments.

If you can afford both, get both and enjoy. If you have to choose one, based on my experience the Milanese loop has more utility. If you really can't get on with the Milanese loop or hate its appearance, the link bracelet is a really nice band.
 
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Ledgem said:
I have both the link bracelet and Milanese loop... and in both stainless steel and space black. Went a little nuts, but enjoy both tremendously.

For me, the Milanese loop (space black) is my favorite and has received the most usage. I have not had issues with the "magnet weakening," nor with the band catching other metallic objects. If someone's magnet is "weakening" I'd be suspicious about gunk building up on the band or possibly on the rubberized surface of the magnet.

The link bracelet has a more substantial appearance, which can help if you're trying to make an impression. (Admittedly, the Milanese loop looks a bit dainty if you're around other people wearing standard watches with standard metal watch bands.) I've received a comment before that someone thought the space black link bracelet was plastic (which, from certain angles and lighting, it sort of does), so the stainless steel version may make the most impact of all.

As far as comfort, the Milanese loop can't be beaten. I live in a tropical environment and didn't realize just how much my wrist expands and contracts with the different temperatures I'm subject to. Once you get used to the ability to loosen and tighten the Milanese loop throughout the day, the link bracelet is a bit uncomfortable; it seems like I need to either have it in a state of being too loose or too tight. (I am presently back in a place with four seasons, and have equipped the link bracelet for winter; it's comfortable after sizing it to one expected wrist size.) Additionally, the link bracelet retains a bit of heat. While I wouldn't say that the Milanese loop is super-well ventilated, when you're in a warm place it doesn't feel good when your Watch shifts slightly on your wrist and you feel a ton of warmth. Again, this "feature" is less of an issue in cold environments.

If you can afford both, get both and enjoy. If you have to choose one, based on my experience the Milanese loop has more utility. If you really can't get on with the Milanese loop or hate its appearance, the link bracelet is a really nice band.
Click to expand...

Great review! That sums up how I feel about both, except I guess I'm lucky that I have the Link Bracelet dialed in so it feels just right (I'm also in a tropical place).

I let someone try on the LB yesterday & their arm hairs were getting caught in it.
 
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twanj said:
Great review! That sums up how I feel about both, except I guess I'm lucky that I have the Link Bracelet dialed in so it feels just right (I'm also in a tropical place).

I let someone try on the LB yesterday & their arm hairs were getting caught in it.
Click to expand...

Finally broke out my Milanese in black for my 44mm. Very comfortable and I have the hairy arm thing going. I’d love to try the Apple bracelet. I’ll have to save up for that.

I also have the Speidel but need to get a couple of links added. To Speidel’s credit they sent me extra links gratis. Off to the jeweler for adjustment. I hope that will equal the a Milanese’s comfort.
 
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Luba said:
It's now more evenly distributed. I didn't wear the Link for a while, put it back on and saw that it needed to have links moved around so that the Butterfly would lie more centered. I can't explain how before I needed it to be 6/2 and now I need it to be 5/3 and have the Butterfly centered.
Click to expand...

It depends on how much you twist your wrist to look at the bottom (clasp) ... lol

Next time you twist your wrist to check if the clasp is centered, raise your arm slightly while keeping it in that position (to check the watch face) ... When the clasp is centered, the watch itself will be significantly off-center. IOW, the perceived lack of symmetry is due to your wrist twisting, not a flaw in the band's design.
 
mavis said:
It depends on how much you twist your wrist to look at the bottom (clasp) ... lol

Next time you twist your wrist to check if the clasp is centered, raise your arm slightly while keeping it in that position (to check the watch face) ... When the clasp is centered, the watch itself will be significantly off-center. IOW, the perceived lack of symmetry is due to your wrist twisting, not a flaw in the band's design.
Click to expand...
I didn't think there was a flaw in the design as the links are all the same size etc. Well, it could be a flaw in the band design if all or most wrists are asymmetrical in the same way as mine. In that case, Apple should have factored in human asymmetrical wrists. :)
 
skanska said:
Has anyone in the uk tried Selfridges they have this link band in stock I think this is a win win situation as if its no good I think i have 28 days for a full refund and better still there is a store around the corner that i pass every day think I will save some pennies and try it. Anyone heard of this brand or had one.

http://www.selfridges.com/GB/en/cat...mm_5355-5355-5060508921950/?previewAttribute=
Click to expand...

You should also look into this thread and this specific eBay seller. Several of us here bought the stainless link bracelet from there:

https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...stainless-link-bands-oem-apple-bands.2138709/

My wife loves it (bought a 38mm SS version for her SS watch)
 
skanska said:
Has anyone in the uk tried Selfridges they have this link band in stock I think this is a win win situation as if its no good I think i have 28 days for a full refund and better still there is a store around the corner that i pass every day think I will save some pennies and try it. Anyone heard of this brand or had one.

http://www.selfridges.com/GB/en/cat...mm_5355-5355-5060508921950/?previewAttribute=
Click to expand...

Hi did you end up getting this? Opinion if did please? Quality? How easy to scratch? Easy to take on/off? Match space grey watches?

Compared to some official link bracelet how is it?

Does it have a butterfly clasp like the Apple link?

Thanks
 
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