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Is it still worth it to buy an OEM watch bands?

tom504

tom504

macrumors regular
Original poster
Oct 17, 2009
154
54
i am going into the Apple Store tomorrow morning to pick up my iPad keyboard cover and taking a look at this band.
http://www.apple.com/shop/product/MMHE2/42mm-saddle-brown-classic-buckle

Are we at a point where the OEM watch bands are irrelevant or is this band really comparable to a decent non Apple leather watch band? I say that because I think that is what Apple is trying to do with their bands, add value to the product line with high end watch bands.

I bought a classic black non OEM on Amazon and it's pretty good, but not as thick. It's pretty good but not nice.
 
I personally think the Apple bands are of very high quality. I have 9 different Apple brand bands and they're all holding up great. The one 3rd party band I have fell apart within two weeks - the center connector spring magnet on the top connector lug no longer moves properly to engage and lock into the watch. And I can't simply replace the lug as it's one piece with the rest of the band.
 
Consumer preference is what it all boils down to. In some cases that peace of mind of a company's reputation will speak for its products with regards to purchasing something, in other cases of you can save by purchasing an alternative you are making that decision based off of perception and others who have taken the risk of the alternative.

With that said, surely there are third party options that can be had for the fraction of the cost of the Apple band you are interested in. But Apple does have a few options that third party sellers do not duplicate or haven't yet. If you can afford go for it. If you can afford it, but would rather have 3 or 4 for that same price, try Amazon, EBay or which ever seller you frequent.

If a company offers stellar customer service, I'm sold, whether Apple, or any company.
 
Yeah Doc, that's what I was trying to determine. To me, it looks like Apple has put out a high quality band, better than most you can get 3rd party. The craftsmanship, leather and even the hardware. I prefer a darker brown, but I'll most likely pick it up.

xraydoc said:
I personally think the Apple bands are of very high quality. I have 9 different Apple brand bands and they're all holding up great. The one 3rd party band I have fell apart within two weeks - the center connector spring magnet on the top connector lug no longer moves properly to engage and lock into the watch. And I can't simply replace the lug as it's one piece with the rest of the band.
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[doublepost=1460810854][/doublepost]Is there a company out there that makes better quality watch bands than Apple? I'm not married to Apple. I don't care about the price, they could be more expensive.

CaptMarvel said:
Consumer preference is what it all boils down to. In some cases that peace of mind of a company's reputation will speak for its products with regards to purchasing something, in other cases of you can save by purchasing an alternative you are making that decision based off of perception and others who have taken the risk of the alternative.

With that said, surely there are third party options that can be had for the fraction of the cost of the Apple band you are interested in. But Apple does have a few options that third party sellers do not duplicate or haven't yet. If you can afford go for it. If you can afford it, but would rather have 3 or 4 for that same price, try Amazon, EBay or which ever seller you frequent.

If a company offers stellar customer service, I'm sold, whether Apple, or any company.
Click to expand...
 
Although the prices for the 3rd party bands are very tempting (i've heard good things about them to be really honest, so that makes the decision even harder sometimes), i'm too nervous and i'd rather not risk buying 3rd party when i could wait and save up for the better quality Apple bands. I'm currently saving up to buy the Space Black Milanese loop from Apple, because it looks absolutely stunning! :)
 
I've bought nothing but 3rd party bands for my watch (I have at least a dozen and there's no way I could afford all that if I bought the apple versions) and have never had a problem with quality nor have any fallen apart. I would say it comes down to personal preference I guess. I won't pay apples prices for bands but plenty of people will lol. :)
 
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Why pay Apple prices when you can get high quality bands for less? All of these bands are 3rd party high quality bands, and I have no issues with them at all.

mZM0kVs.jpg


Close view

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My next bands on the list. :)

 
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So no complaints? Did you ever take any of the ones you really like and compare them to the Apple bands?

I did buy the Pad and Quill one yesterday as Apple does not have a dark brown. When I was in the store yesterday I looked at the brown classic but it ended up taking a pass.


///M Powah said:
Why pay Apple prices when you can get high quality bands for less? All of these bands are 3rd party high quality bands, and I have no issues with them at all.



Close view





My next bands on the list. :)

Click to expand...
 
tom504 said:
Looking around this morning I read this article which does a good job at Imore:
http://www.imore.com/best-apple-watch-leather-bands
Also reminded me that I wanted to get this band, which I ordered this morning, Has a darker brown I was looking for.
http://www.padandquill.com/apple-watch-accessories/lowry-leather-band-for-apple-watch.html

I will probably still pick up the Apple one too.
Click to expand...

P&Q bands are POS. I have looked at many different 3rd parties and Apple leather bands. Nothing comes close to quality and service of Apple bands.

Regarding P&Q, see my comments: https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...r-strap-for-apple-watch-thread.1955400/page-4
 
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I've yet to find a 3rd party sport band that has the same thickness/weight/texture of the OEM Apple Sport Band. But my non-OEM milanese loop and leather bands are of excellent quality and I couldn't imagine paying $150 for them...I pity the people who do.
 
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tom504 said:
So no complaints? Did you ever take any of the ones you really like and compare them to the Apple bands?

I did buy the Pad and Quill one yesterday as Apple does not have a dark brown. When I was in the store yesterday I looked at the brown classic but it ended up taking a pass.
Click to expand...

As I have mentioned I don't have any issues at all with my 3rd party bands, and yes both Apple and 3rd party bands have little to no significant differences in quality, because you can't really tell which one is genuine, and they both feel great in your wrist. I also own the Pad & Quill British Tan Classic Leather Band as seen in the picture.
[doublepost=1460911191][/doublepost]
Thai said:
Read the thread i linked to above.
Click to expand...
Your experience is totally different than mine because I have no problem with using my Pad & Quill band, and I think the quality of the band is superb because of the thickness and attention to detail of this band. I been using this band for two months now, and I have not had any issues with putting this band on my wrist, and the buckle is still unscratched from desk work.
 
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uiop. said:
I've yet to find a 3rd party sport band that has the same thickness/weight/texture of the OEM Apple Sport Band. But my non-OEM milanese loop and leather bands are of excellent quality and I couldn't imagine paying $150 for them...I pity the people who do.
Click to expand...
I pity the person who can't discern quality to that level of detail. But hey, that's just me.
 
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Bbqthis said:
I pity the person who can't discern quality to that level of detail. But hey, that's just me.
Click to expand...

There's another side to this. I actually prefer the Moko sport bands to the OEM ones. Yes they're thinner but that also means more flexible. They're more comfortable in the day to day and while working out. Plus, they're 1/3 the price so if they wear out sooner I can buy more for the same price.

I did just pick up the Moko 3rd gen Space Grey Link Bracelet clone and it's not as nice as the OEM link band. But for $70 I'll gladly make some concessions to not have to spend $500.
 
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anonymous6237 said:
There's another side to this. I actually prefer the Moko sport bands to the OEM ones. Yes they're thinner but that also means more flexible. They're more comfortable in the day to day and while working out. Plus, they're 1/3 the price so if they wear out sooner I can buy more for the same price.

I did just pick up the Moko 3rd gen Space Grey Link Bracelet clone and it's not as nice as the OEM link band. But for $70 I'll gladly make some concessions to not have to spend $500.
Click to expand...

Moko sports band is silicone, right? That's why it is cheaper. Personally, I will NEVER buy silicone bands...feels "sticky" and attracts lint, dirt, etc. like crazy.
 
Thai said:
Moko sports band is silicone, right? That's why it is cheaper. Personally, I will NEVER buy silicone bands...feels "sticky" and attracts lint, dirt, etc. like crazy.
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Personal preference I guess ¯\_(ツ)_/¯. I have one OEM sport and 2 Mokos. Because they're thinner the Mokos are more comfortable. Never had an issue with cleanliness or stickiness. My Moko bands are my daily drivers.

Interestingly enough, my black OEM sport is the one that had issues with one of the lugs. It doesn't fully lock and can be removed in one direction on one side without pressing the button.
 
The quality of the 3rd party bands seems to be improving. As much as I like Apple's Link Bracelet, I don't think I want to spend the $$$ for it. Will probably go with the third party option. All of my other bands are OEM.
 
I will be never pay apples tax on those ands. I have excellent bands from amazon for 1/3 of apples cost.
 
I have a few Apple bands, but after the fiasco with the nylon band I bought not locking, I bought a Milanese knock off for £15.

Guess what, it locks perfectly. Shame Apple can't make straps that work as well.....
 
All my bands are third party and they're great. I have leather loops, milanese loops, sport bands, and a link bracelet. No issues here. Next on my list is a brown modern buckle clone. Apple is crazy to charge $250. $25 sounds more like it. lnkoo888 has never let me down. I just can't bring myself to press the Buy button because as soon as I do I know the price will go down to $20. I'll wait just a little longer.
 

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WarHeadz said:
All my bands are third party and they're great. I have leather loops, milanese loops, sport bands, and a link bracelet. No issues here. Next on my list is a brown modern buckle clone. Apple is crazy to charge $250. $25 sounds more like it. lnkoo888 has never let me down. I just can't bring myself to press the Buy button because as soon as I do I know the price will go down to $20. I'll wait just a little longer.
Click to expand...
Just because you don't understand the craftsmanship that goes into an item doesn't mean it's crazy to charge a price for it.
 
WarHeadz said:
All my bands are third party and they're great. I have leather loops, milanese loops, sport bands, and a link bracelet. No issues here. Next on my list is a brown modern buckle clone. Apple is crazy to charge $250. $25 sounds more like it. lnkoo888 has never let me down. I just can't bring myself to press the Buy button because as soon as I do I know the price will go down to $20. I'll wait just a little longer.
Click to expand...

The question is...for $20-25, are you paying for leather from which animal?
 
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