Let me start off by apologizing if this has been posted already. I searched and couldn't find. I ordered a silver sport, I'm debating on buying either leather loop or Milanese. I'm unable to go to store to try. Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks
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Leather vs Milanese
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I tried on both, I went with leather. The milanese just looks very 80s and when I tried it on, it just felt like it would be scratchy. The leather loop was very comfortable, I'm excited for it to get here.
Thanks. I do like the look of the Milanese but feel that the leather would be more comfortable
I had the Milanese for nearly 2 weeks and found it comfortable and not scratchy. Might have to adjust it slightly during the day but that's easy with the magnetic clasp!
Leather is nice, but after seeing the Milanese in person I wish I'd ordered one. It looks significantly better in person than it does online.
I think the polished and matt finish contrast nicely together. I have a few SS mechanical watches that do this to good effect. If I had kept my Sport, I was planning on getting the Milanese. But the dark blue leather loop looks great, too. Hmmm...
I prefer Milanese but with my SG Sport won't go very well so I went for the blue leather loop which is due be delivered from 23d of May.
I was pro leather, until I got it, looks and feels like synthetic to me. In my opinion while it is "leather" , it's the worst leather strap I have owned for a watch. Normally a new leather strap has that leather smell, the apple one, nothing. Only reason I might keep it, is to put other leather straps on the lugs
got this combo and it's awesome. In reallife enviroment you don't really see the difference between the
Polished and matte finish do go together. But the problem between the Aluminum and the steel is that they are different color "temperatures" of the silver shade. Steel is warmer, and aluminum is cooler. Think of LED Christmas light strings. Some come in a white that is warm and looks like old fashioned yellow hued incandescent lighting. Others are a cold arctic white edging toward the blue end of the spectrum. It's not always aesthetically pleasing to hang these two different shades of white light on the same tree. For most people, they clash. Artistically speaking they are not related in any pleasing position along the color wheel. Of course you can always find someone who will love the look. But most people would find it jarring.
So it can be with the Milanese band on a silver Sport watch. Some will love it but you won't get the almost universal acceptance of it that you'd get with the steel on steel combo.
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You don't? Well that's reassuring then. In pictures there's a rather startling color contrast. I've seen all the watches and most of the bands at my local Apple Store but was not able to make the comparison of the two metals next to each other.
In my house my sister-in-law's Sport looked very different from my SS.
Color matching aside, the Milanese is incredibly comfortable and looks v contemporary and tasteful. I wear it all day and it's really easy to make minute adjustments by simply sliding the magnet along the band, with no need to unfasten and start from scratch. It's a great daily driver of a band and I love it.
I picked the Milanese due to its ability to be adjusted to the exact size you want. I also thought it'd be easier to clean as I can just run it under some water if it gets dirty.
The Milanese looks more luxurious/expensive, dressy. I think it has more of a "wow" factor. However, depending on the combo, the Leather/Leather loop looks great.
The leather loop feels like plastic, because underneath each "bump" is a magnet or metal piece which allows the strap to be magnetized.
The milanese loop is not scratchy at all. Surprisingly, it's the most comfortable strap that I have tried. Even more comfortable than the sport band, as it is infinitely adjustable (don't have to choose between 2 holes where there is 1-2mm difference between them), and that the sport band leaves a gap at the top where the band is stiffer towards the area where it connects to the watch.
I have read that some hairy guys have hairs getting snagged in the milanese loop, so that is something to take into consideration. I have no hair on my arm/wrist, so it is not a problem for me.
Milanese has been comfortable for most of the day. There have been 1-2 times where I have had to loosen the strap to readjust, but I've done that with all my watches.
I think the take-home is: the milanese is just as comfortable as the leather straps. But try-on if you have a hairy wrist to make sure it doesn't pull.
The milanese loop is not scratchy at all. Surprisingly, it's the most comfortable strap that I have tried. Even more comfortable than the sport band, as it is infinitely adjustable (don't have to choose between 2 holes where there is 1-2mm difference between them), and that the sport band leaves a gap at the top where the band is stiffer towards the area where it connects to the watch.
I have read that some hairy guys have hairs getting snagged in the milanese loop, so that is something to take into consideration. I have no hair on my arm/wrist, so it is not a problem for me.
Milanese has been comfortable for most of the day. There have been 1-2 times where I have had to loosen the strap to readjust, but I've done that with all my watches.
I think the take-home is: the milanese is just as comfortable as the leather straps. But try-on if you have a hairy wrist to make sure it doesn't pull.
I thought this would be an issue for me but was pleasantly surprised, no pulling on my wrist hairs at all. The only discomfort I've had is that it does tend to snag my beard if I'm scratching my ear or something. The only other annoyance is that it does loosen up when I'm running. Aside from that I didn't notice it becoming loose throughout the day.
With that said... My Watch (42mm Sport) and milanese loop are both being replaced by Apple right now. I received my milanese loop on Friday (last week) and noticed that one of the lugs wasn't locking into place on my Watch. Tried reversing the band/Watch, same thing. Figured it was a faulty band/lug.
Took it to Apple yesterday and my milanese loop locks in properly on two of their spare Watches. Crap, guess it's the Watch after all. Try another milanese loop (Genius' personal band) on my Watch, it locks properly. Double crap, guess we'll replace both.
My Genius, and the neighboring one, both said they had noticed a lot of odd fitment & quality issues with the milanese loop. I don't regret the purchase at all, but if someone is looking to buy one as a secondary band then I'd probably advise them to wait another month or two for their manufacturing to be adjusted.
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