Hi guys, i currently have a stainless steel AW with the black sports band. Im looking to make the watch look abit more expensive and luxury. Since before getting the watch i always wanted the stainless steel link bracelet but after hearing some stories of the bracelet scratching im looking to maybe get a cheaper copy. Does anyone have a link bracelet copy that they think is good and looks identical? any help would be great thanks
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Apple Watch Link Bracelet
- Thread starter carperjosh
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If you want the same thing, just get the real deal. I've tried 3rd party and ended up getting the apple one.
Agree with this. After seeing and trying some copies I went original and never looked back. One imitation link strap even fell apart when I yanked it. Maybe look at a used original if new is over budget.
It's my main strap so made sense. I used to think the Milanese was great until I got the genuine Link - it's a real step up and goes with my formal work wear.
I do have a third party sport band for exercising as that's just for getting sweaty.
The Milanese mesh, to me, looks dressier and flashier. I'd put it way above most alternative bracelets in appearance alone, and besides, the magnetic clasp is totally appropriate for the new school Watch because it's something most mechanical watches aren't able to handle.
Over in the traditional watch world, bracelets were the durable alternative to leather straps. You dressed up with a nice leather strap, but used a bracelet for "sport" watches because it was waterproof and stood up to harsher abuse.
It's a little unfortunate, IMO, to see the Link Bracelet get priced so high. Of my regular watches, I prefer to regularly wear the ones on bracelets.
Over in the traditional watch world, bracelets were the durable alternative to leather straps. You dressed up with a nice leather strap, but used a bracelet for "sport" watches because it was waterproof and stood up to harsher abuse.
It's a little unfortunate, IMO, to see the Link Bracelet get priced so high. Of my regular watches, I prefer to regularly wear the ones on bracelets.
The genuine link is amazing. I was on the fence like you between fake and genuine. But the more I researched the fake ones, the more I found that some were quite close when looking at a distance, but fell short in terms of fit, finish, and durability. And it turns out that what makes the genuine link so amazing is the attention to fine detail. It's that last 5% of the design and manufacturing which can't be copied. That's the part I love most about the real one.
While still on the fence, I swung by an Apple Store for a try-on. Once I had it sized for my wrist, I was instantly hooked. I made the purchase right then. Haven't switched straps since.
Yes it does scratch. The scratches are just surface scuffs mostly on the bottom. From a few feet away you can't see them. It's just like the case of the SS watch. It's part of the wear of the product. The "patina" so to speak. Expect it and don't worry about it. Oh and the fakes scratch worse. The metal and coating isn't as hard.
While still on the fence, I swung by an Apple Store for a try-on. Once I had it sized for my wrist, I was instantly hooked. I made the purchase right then. Haven't switched straps since.
Yes it does scratch. The scratches are just surface scuffs mostly on the bottom. From a few feet away you can't see them. It's just like the case of the SS watch. It's part of the wear of the product. The "patina" so to speak. Expect it and don't worry about it. Oh and the fakes scratch worse. The metal and coating isn't as hard.
I have two. A silver stainless and the black DLC link bracelet. Both are Apple manufactured, not knock-offs.
The silver I've had for around 8 months and it's got tons of microscratches on it -- but it has been warn nearly daily with little regard for keeping it in perfect pristine order. It was WELL WARN. However, the patina looks like almost every other solid stainless band I have for my mechanical (or, technically, Quartz) watches. The brushed nature of the metal makes visibility all but impossible unless you're within 12" or so. Otherwise it's very hard to see the patina from a distance.
The black link band is new (though purchased second-hand). I've only warn it a few times so far, so can't comment on how durable it is, but sure does look sharp with the silver stainless watch.
The silver I've had for around 8 months and it's got tons of microscratches on it -- but it has been warn nearly daily with little regard for keeping it in perfect pristine order. It was WELL WARN. However, the patina looks like almost every other solid stainless band I have for my mechanical (or, technically, Quartz) watches. The brushed nature of the metal makes visibility all but impossible unless you're within 12" or so. Otherwise it's very hard to see the patina from a distance.
The black link band is new (though purchased second-hand). I've only warn it a few times so far, so can't comment on how durable it is, but sure does look sharp with the silver stainless watch.
I'm fine with the scratches (you should see some of my other watch bracelets!), so I'm wondering -- how well are the clasp and snap links holding up? As good as Day 1?
I'm asking because I can't find any reports online from people purposely trying to wreck their Link Bracelets (not even on YouTube), and I'm hoping Apple's is durable as my Seiko's.
Clasp and links are otherwise as solid as on day one. Very well made bracelet.
+1 this, the Apple Link is super swanky if you can afford it. Maybe look into cex.io
Agree on everything said I bought a knock off link band from Hoco and it broke after 2 months when trying to take it out of my watch. So I sold my SG Sport watch and bought a SBSS watch with the link band and I'm not looking back will never buy third party again.
Go and search for "Caloics" 3:rd gen Link Band. I have it and it looks and works just like the orginal (but for $80 instead of $500)
Can silver be seen between the links on black version?
I don't have the black version, so I don't really know... I do think Caloics-branded one did a very fine job on the silver Link Band. I understand what you're pointing at, wouldn't want to see silver behind the black either...
Was wondering that on a space blank link bracelet ? Any other markings to tell if it's Apple official any pics?
If anyone is in the philly area and wants a genuine link 42mm, I have mine that I'm looking to sell at a fair price. I love it, but I rarely wear it.
I'm not in Philly, but if the price is right and band looks nice I may be interested if you do PayPal? Pictures?
Here's one pic, I'll send more later when I'm off work. i sent you a private conversation, we can continue this there. Thanks!
Phil
I see the thumbnail of the attached file but it does not open. Most likely a problem on my side.
valenrandy, I can see the pics, and it looks terrible. Just awful. Looks like it fell from the ISS and skidded down the side of a volcano before landing in a pile of cow poop.
You don't want it. Seriously. <jedi mind trick> This isn't the bracelet you're looking for. </jedi mind trick>
(psst! pcall1128! Hang onto it while I ask my wife if I can get it for my birthday! Looks FANTASTIC! Don't tell valenrandy!)
You don't want it. Seriously. <jedi mind trick> This isn't the bracelet you're looking for. </jedi mind trick>
(psst! pcall1128! Hang onto it while I ask my wife if I can get it for my birthday! Looks FANTASTIC! Don't tell valenrandy!)