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Is the Milanese loop versatile enough for multiple scenarios?

kylera

kylera

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Dec 5, 2010
1,195
27
Seoul
I am about to order an Apple Watch in a few hours, and I am considering stainless steel + Milanese 42mm.

Is this a versatile-enough combo for the following scenarios:

- Running
- Casual wear (t-shirts and jeans)
- Business setting (suit and jacket)

If not, is there a different combo, other than Hermes or the Edition?
 
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For me it is pretty much the most comfortable band. I wore mine for a year straight and am now back to wearing sport bands because I wanted a change.

If I did yard work, I usually switched over to a sport band. I just didn't want to sweat that much with the ML.

I would just order the ML and then pick a sport that you like. The ML works fine from shorts to a suit.
 
Yes, the ML is excellent. It is light and very comfortable. It looks good casual and business. For me, I prefer to run in a sport band. The sport band holds the watch much more securely to your wrist and avoids the feeling of flopping around. You can get a cheap sport knock-off for running that is pretty tough to tell from the real deal. Or just get a real Apple sport band.
 
It's light and very comfortable, but has an Achilles heel in my experience. It loosens up constantly, I'd find myself tightening it several times per hour. This was just in the office, I could only imagine it would be worse doing something active. I went back to the sport band for the gym, and I got a nice stainless steel bracelet for the office.

What's odd is that many don't report that it loosens, but many do. So I really have no idea what the difference is between people, maybe wrist size. I have a medium wrist at 81mm.
 
I have a 3rd party one that is great. Stays at the tightness I want it but can also just slide the magnet to tighten or loosen. For example I tend to wear it fairly loose but then need it tight when I'm wearing winter cycling gloves.
 
exxxviii said:
Yes, the ML is excellent. It is light and very comfortable. It looks good casual and business. For me, I prefer to run in a sport band. The sport band holds the watch much more securely to your wrist and avoids the feeling of flopping around. You can get a cheap sport knock-off for running that is pretty tough to tell from the real deal. Or just get a real Apple sport band.
Click to expand...

spinedoc77 said:
It's light and very comfortable, but has an Achilles heel in my experience. It loosens up constantly, I'd find myself tightening it several times per hour. This was just in the office, I could only imagine it would be worse doing something active. I went back to the sport band for the gym, and I got a nice stainless steel bracelet for the office.

What's odd is that many don't report that it loosens, but many do. So I really have no idea what the difference is between people, maybe wrist size. I have a medium wrist at 81mm.
Click to expand...

On the note of bands, how easy is it to change bands? I'm coming from never, ever having owned an Apple Watch. Because at this rate, I might as well order a spare sport band along with the ML.
[doublepost=1476969349][/doublepost]And to add another question to this thread:

I'm in Korea, and the Apple Store's website says that sales will begin on October 21. As of this, it's 10:15PM on October 20. I've never ordered anything on day 1, so I'd like to ask: can I put in an order smack at midnight?
 
OllyW said:
It's really easy, just push the button and slide out to remove the strap and then slide the new one in in until it clicks into place.
Click to expand...

And assuming you properly slid it back in, the strap will stay fixed in place?
 
kylera said:
And assuming you properly slid it back in, the strap will stay fixed in place?
Click to expand...
Yes, the band switching is a fantastic design. It only takes seconds, and it is very secure. I sometimes swap bands 2x/day because it is so easy. I have more than a dozen bands.
 
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kylera said:
On the note of bands, how easy is it to change bands? I'm coming from never, ever having owned an Apple Watch. Because at this rate, I might as well order a spare sport band along with the ML.
[doublepost=1476969349][/doublepost]And to add another question to this thread:

I'm in Korea, and the Apple Store's website says that sales will begin on October 21. As of this, it's 10:15PM on October 20. I've never ordered anything on day 1, so I'd like to ask: can I put in an order smack at midnight?
Click to expand...


Just don't get a Nylon Apple band if you want to swap around a lot. They don't click as well as all the other bands.

The only trick with with swapping the ML is making sure that you open it all the way and then try to remove it. It will bind up if you dont do this.
[doublepost=1476971268][/doublepost]
spinedoc77 said:
It's light and very comfortable, but has an Achilles heel in my experience. It loosens up constantly, I'd find myself tightening it several times per hour. This was just in the office, I could only imagine it would be worse doing something active. I went back to the sport band for the gym, and I got a nice stainless steel bracelet for the office.

What's odd is that many don't report that it loosens, but many do. So I really have no idea what the difference is between people, maybe wrist size. I have a medium wrist at 81mm.
Click to expand...

Yeah my ML always stays really secure. My leather loop flops around with the slightest hand movement.
 
kylera said:
On the note of bands, how easy is it to change bands? I'm coming from never, ever having owned an Apple Watch. Because at this rate, I might as well order a spare sport band along with the ML.
[doublepost=1476969349][/doublepost]And to add another question to this thread:

I'm in Korea, and the Apple Store's website says that sales will begin on October 21. As of this, it's 10:15PM on October 20. I've never ordered anything on day 1, so I'd like to ask: can I put in an order smack at midnight?
Click to expand...

Super easy, just press the button and slide it out, repeat on other side. Takes about 5 seconds per side.
 
kylera said:
On the note of bands, how easy is it to change bands? I'm coming from never, ever having owned an Apple Watch. Because at this rate, I might as well order a spare sport band along with the ML.
[doublepost=1476969349][/doublepost]And to add another question to this thread:

I'm in Korea, and the Apple Store's website says that sales will begin on October 21. As of this, it's 10:15PM on October 20. I've never ordered anything on day 1, so I'd like to ask: can I put in an order smack at midnight?
Click to expand...

I am assuming you're military due to your great english and location. Wife and I both have are military and she has been there a few times while we were living in Japan. Anyway, if I remember correctly from my time in japan and pre-ordering the 3GS through docomo (i think was the name of the phone company) you can pre-order at midnight California time. So that would be mid day sometime for you (I think it is a 16 hour difference ahead in Korea from Cali if I remember correctly) around 4pm your local time.
 
I have a Milanese Loop and I don't really like it for running. It collects the sweat and tarnishes ass a result. Whenever I run with it, I had to clean it at least once a week. Sport band is best for running.
 
oftheheavens said:
I am assuming you're military due to your great english and location. Wife and I both have are military and she has been there a few times while we were living in Japan. Anyway, if I remember correctly from my time in japan and pre-ordering the 3GS through docomo (i think was the name of the phone company) you can pre-order at midnight California time. So that would be mid day sometime for you (I think it is a 16 hour difference ahead in Korea from Cali if I remember correctly) around 4pm your local time.
Click to expand...

Not military, but I am Korean and I had to do my mandatory two years.

Just FYI, I ordered it a little past 9AM on Oct. 21 Korea time, so there may have been some changes in policy since that time you ordered the 3GS. It could be simply because 9AM is when most workplaces open, or maybe there's a different reason. Who knows?
[doublepost=1477017623][/doublepost]
jbachandouris said:
I have a Milanese Loop and I don't really like it for running. It collects the sweat and tarnishes ass a result. Whenever I run with it, I had to clean it at least once a week. Sport band is best for running.
Click to expand...

I ended up ordering SS42+ML+red sports band in the end.
 
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kylera said:
Not military, but I am Korean and I had to do my mandatory two years.

Just FYI, I ordered it a little past 9AM on Oct. 21 Korea time, so there may have been some changes in policy since that time you ordered the 3GS. It could be simply because 9AM is when most workplaces open, or maybe there's a different reason. Who knows?
[doublepost=1477017623][/doublepost]

I ended up ordering SS42+ML+red sports band in the end.
Click to expand...
That's the exact combo I have.
 
kylera said:
Not military, but I am Korean and I had to do my mandatory two years.

Just FYI, I ordered it a little past 9AM on Oct. 21 Korea time, so there may have been some changes in policy since that time you ordered the 3GS. It could be simply because 9AM is when most workplaces open, or maybe there's a different reason. Who knows?
Click to expand...

That is awesome how you are required to serve your country for at least two years, I really wish that America did this as it would really help some folks get a better path towards their future. As well as just give people the sense of mattering to their country. Anyway, I may be remembering incorrectly about the time of release in Japan being based off of California time. Glad you got your reservation in though, love my SS S2!
 
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I ended up not liking the Milanese loop. I prefer the black link bracelet with a black sport band for my space black watch.

Yeah, I know, quite pricey, but what the heck? It's my one jewelry item.

Thinking about maybe getting a Nike sport watch as a sidekick, but not a priority.
 
kylera said:
I am about to order an Apple Watch in a few hours, and I am considering stainless steel + Milanese 42mm.

Is this a versatile-enough combo for the following scenarios:

- Running
- Casual wear (t-shirts and jeans)
- Business setting (suit and jacket)

If not, is there a different combo, other than Hermes or the Edition?
Click to expand...
Not for running, and not if you live in a place where temperature goes below 20 degree celcius
 
spinedoc77 said:
It's light and very comfortable, but has an Achilles heel in my experience. It loosens up constantly, I'd find myself tightening it several times per hour. This was just in the office, I could only imagine it would be worse doing something active. I went back to the sport band for the gym, and I got a nice stainless steel bracelet for the office.

What's odd is that many don't report that it loosens, but many do. So I really have no idea what the difference is between people, maybe wrist size. I have a medium wrist at 81mm.
Click to expand...

I have the Milanese and I've found out early on that it needs regular cleaning.

Obviously the mechanism works through a magnet and a rubber grip section on the inside of the band. After some use, oils and other debris builds up on the band and the rubber's resistance to grip is very slightly compromised. Once cleaned with either IPA or detergent to remove this buildup, the rubber grips very securely again and the band doesn't loosen.
 
kylera said:
I am about to order an Apple Watch in a few hours, and I am considering stainless steel + Milanese 42mm.

Is this a versatile-enough combo for the following scenarios:

- Running
- Casual wear (t-shirts and jeans)
- Business setting (suit and jacket)

If not, is there a different combo, other than Hermes or the Edition?
Click to expand...
I have the Silver Stainless Steel AW2 with the Milanese loop. I think it is very elegant. I bought a concrete Sports band for more casual use. I haven't exercised with it yet, but will use the sports band. When i wear the Milanese loop I have a simple silver face. When I use the sports band i use a simple colored face. It looks as if it is two different watches. I think it is really cool to be able to change the face to go with a different band.
 
kylera said:
- Running
Click to expand...
A stainless Watch with milanese loop will be a fairly hefty combo. You'll definitely feel it on your arm when running, it might be distracting having a weight on one of your wrists.

Also, the constant motion and the heft of the watch itself might make the magnetic clasp loosen and make the pulse sensor lose contact with your wrist. *shrug* I haven't used the milanese loop, I only test-wore it (upon which it pinched my arm hairs, ugh), and it fit very securely in the store I thought, but I've no idea how it holds up in the long run and during strenous exercise, and especially if the band is drenched in sweat.

kylera said:
Why not, and if not this combo, what do you recommend?
Click to expand...
I suspect it's because stainless metal gets cold when the air is frigid - having cold metal constantly in contact with your skin might be uncomfortable. If you wear a long-sleeved sweatshirt or similar while running it wouldn't be a prob tho. :)

Also, again - arm hair pinching. Maybe not a concern for you, I dunno, but I can't use metal armbands for any reason. I hate the sensation of suddenly and randomly feeling hairs on my arm getting pinched, it's a sadistic form of torture IMO...
 
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