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Bands for the U3

A

A1423

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jan 18, 2023
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Good morning!!!

Since I ordered a black U3 with a black ocean band last week. I’ve been getting inundated with third party Apple Watch band advertisements usually either titanium or stainless steel. Some of them look pretty nice and have peaked my interest. Some peaked my interest until I saw the price was half the cost of the watch.

What third party watch bands and brands do you recommend and why?
 
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Nomad is good for a silicone band, pricey but less that an apple strap. Otherwise avoid anything off amazon with a cat walking across the keyboard name.
 
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Unfortunately, the Milanese it just doesn't work for my style. I'm looking pretty heavily at the Slate Link bracelet. has anyone use these with the black titanium watch?
 
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jags828 said:
Agree. Haven’t worn many of my other bands since buying the black Ultra Milanese Loop.
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I second that. I have the natural titanium one and it stayed on my U2 90% of the time. I am upgrading to an U3 (already traded in the U2), and I am pretty sure it will be used again!
 
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I have the black Milanese Loop I bought years ago for my series 2 but it’s a bit rough and heavy. I tried it on my Ultra 3 and could only use it for a few days before it became too cumbersome and uncomfortable. I’m currently using a spigen that looks just like the Alpine Loop but much less expensive. Very light and comfortable. Would like to use the Milanese Loop but not the one I have.
 
robvalentine said:
Nomad is good for a silicone band, pricey but less that an apple strap. Otherwise avoid anything off amazon with a cat walking across the keyboard name.
Click to expand...
So I fell for it... I bought a pack of 6 Apple Watch Ultra bands on Amazon - thinking, what's the worst thing that happens?

Three of the bands don't even fit in the watch - they chipped and fell apart as I tried to connect them. The other 3 barely hang on and wiggle once connected - you can pull them off.

Please... do yourself a favor - listen to this comment (that I'm quoting) - avoid Amazon bands.

Looking for something to replace my old normal Apple Watch Nike silicon? band because it's starting to get old after many years of use - also want something that fits my Ultra size.

I wear trail loops for daily wear and love them (but not good for sweaty me exercising).

Will try the Nomad Sports Bands - thank you!
 
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A1423 said:
Good morning!!!

Since I ordered a black U3 with a black ocean band last week. I’ve been getting inundated with third party Apple Watch band advertisements usually either titanium or stainless steel. Some of them look pretty nice and have peaked my interest. Some peaked my interest until I saw the price was half the cost of the watch.

What third party watch bands and brands do you recommend and why?
Click to expand...
By chance could you share the band model number? Looking at picking a black ocean band up and oddly enough Best Buy has them for $20 off. Want to make sure it’s the right black buckles due to the slight change I have read about from the Black AW2 vs the AW3, thanks!
 
BigMcGuire said:
So I fell for it... I bought a pack of 6 Apple Watch Ultra bands on Amazon - thinking, what's the worst thing that happens?

Three of the bands don't even fit in the watch - they chipped and fell apart as I tried to connect them. The other 3 barely hang on and wiggle once connected - you can pull them off.

Please... do yourself a favor - listen to this comment (that I'm quoting) - avoid Amazon bands.

Looking for something to replace my old normal Apple Watch Nike silicon? band because it's starting to get old after many years of use - also want something that fits my Ultra size.

I wear trail loops for daily wear and love them (but not good for sweaty me exercising).

Will try the Nomad Sports Bands - thank you!
Click to expand...

I tried the Nomad sport band. It didn’t feel that much better than the black ocean band. And it “creaked” every time I’d light clean my watch screen.
 
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kozz said:
By chance could you share the band model number? Looking at picking a black ocean band up and oddly enough Best Buy has them for $20 off. Want to make sure it’s the right black buckles due to the slight change I have read about from the Black AW2 vs the AW3, thanks!
Click to expand...

I’ll look in the box tomorrow morning. It’s already away in a box. I wasn’t aware they changed something between the models of watch band wise. I looked at the apple website and it shows it’s compatible with what looks like is most of them. Oddly enough, it looks like my SS5 sport band would work with the U3.
 
A1423 said:
I’ll look in the box tomorrow morning. It’s already away in a box. I wasn’t aware they changed something between the models of watch band wise. I looked at the apple website and it shows it’s compatible with what looks like is most of them. Oddly enough, it looks like my SS5 sport band would work with the U3.
Click to expand...
Thanks!
 
I didn't see a model number in the box. I don't think there are different models of Black only a Black Titanium Band and a Natural Titanium band.
 
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I bought my Black AWU 3 with the Ocean Band since I had a trail loop and Black Milanese Loop I was using on AWU 2. I don't see any model number. I don't discern any difference in color between the Black AWU 2 and Black AWU 3. I don't think there is any difference. The Ocean Band is now in my drawer and the Titanium Milanese is on my AWU 3. While the Ocean Band and Trail Loop are both comfortable the Milanese is Awesome!
 
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Can you believe this is the first time I got an UW and the band size is too small ??

Never had that issue with previous AW - always ordered S/M size.

Ordered UW with S/M and it's too small - my wrist didn't swell or grow so what gives?

Guess I'd better order the next larger size up ?
 
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BigMcGuire said:
So I fell for it... I bought a pack of 6 Apple Watch Ultra bands on Amazon - thinking, what's the worst thing that happens?

Three of the bands don't even fit in the watch - they chipped and fell apart as I tried to connect them. The other 3 barely hang on and wiggle once connected - you can pull them off.

Please... do yourself a favor - listen to this comment (that I'm quoting) - avoid Amazon bands.

Looking for something to replace my old normal Apple Watch Nike silicon? band because it's starting to get old after many years of use - also want something that fits my Ultra size.

I wear trail loops for daily wear and love them (but not good for sweaty me exercising).

Will try the Nomad Sports Bands - thank you!
Click to expand...
Your milage definitely varies. I've been more than happy with the Amazon bands I've purchased over the years. Only been a couple that I had to send back due to issues here and there.

One of my favorites is the NewWays stainless steel band I got for my AW6SS 3.5 years ago. Still use it to this day on my AWU1.
 
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I thought I read somewhere the regular 44/45mm AW bands will fit on the AWU series.

I bought a Speidel Twist-O-Flex for my original AW2 and it fits my new AW11

Still looks new. Not bad on an original $50 purchase.


6d91ba32dbad7971bd169257efb42bdb.jpg
 
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4sallypat said:
Can you believe this is the first time I got an UW and the band size is too small ??

Never had that issue with previous AW - always ordered S/M size.

Ordered UW with S/M and it's too small - my wrist didn't swell or grow so what gives?

Guess I'd better order the next larger size up ?
Click to expand...

If you want to swap the size and it came bundled with the watch, I think it is a whole return rather than a band swap. In store they may be able to swap out the bands - not sure.
 
BillGates1969 said:
If you want to swap the size and it came bundled with the watch, I think it is a whole return rather than a band swap. In store they may be able to swap out the bands - not sure.
Click to expand...

I think they sell a band extension for $49.
 
A1423 said:
Unfortunately, the Milanese it just doesn't work for my style. I'm looking pretty heavily at the Slate Link bracelet. has anyone use these with the black titanium watch?
Click to expand...

Funny you mention this as I tried both my black LB and Slate LB on my black U3 yesterday as I wanted a more formal look for a funeral next week.

The Slate was the best match as the black Ultra isn’t as black as the black LB and the Ultra has a lighter sheen in daylight which definitely looked better with the Slate.
 
Pug72 said:
Funny you mention this as I tried both my black LB and Slate LB on my black U3 yesterday as I wanted a more formal look for a funeral next week.

The Slate was the best match as the black Ultra isn’t as black as the black LB and the Ultra has a lighter sheen in daylight which definitely looked better with the Slate.
Click to expand...
Can you share some pics of the two?
 
Well... the Nomad bands arrived. I just had one of the more unpleasant experiences trying to install the bands - yeah you have to hold down the plastic center piece to put it in the watch, but ... it didn't quite fit, so I had to spend quite a few minutes getting the bands in. This should have been a warning...

Because I spent the next 15 mins trying to remove them unsuccessfully over and over and over - and ended up calling emergency services while trying to wrench out the band.

Every 3-5 years I end up trying a 3rd party band and then realizing it's best to stay with Apple.
 
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