WarHeadz
macrumors 6502a
Mine was $60, but doesn't have the pinholes. Very happy with it. Apple can keep their push button link removal system and I'll keep my $400.
Link Bracelet Owners - Long Term Impressions?
- Thread starter redman042
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Armen
macrumors 604
I don't mind the pinholes. They are only 4 links with them and they are symmetrical to each side.
Wife and I have had ours since release. I wear mine daily, and she goes about 75/25 between it and her sport band. I find it more comfortable than the sport band, which I only use for working out (have always been more a fan of metal watch bands anyways). It was definitely worth it for us.
Jessem1133
macrumors 6502
WarHeadz
macrumors 6502a
Here is a link. I'll post pics in a few minutes.
WarHeadz
macrumors 6502a
Here are the pics, I also took one of the link removal system. It uses pins, but avoids having to put a hole on the side of the links. If you end up getting it, don't use the tool they provide to remove the links. Use a sharp knife, wedge it in the crevice to push the pin down while gently pulling the link off the band. It's a bit of a pain in the ass, but most people only have to size a link bracelet one time. After that it's smooth sailing with a perfect replica at a hefty savings.
Jessem1133
macrumors 6502
Thanks for the pictures!
How are the gaps between the links? That's been the only thing holding me back from buying one.
WarHeadz
macrumors 6502a
Little to none. I think the photos are a pretty accurate depiction. Unless you have severe OCD the gaps aren't noticeable.
I've had it for about 5 months now, my initial impression was it felt cheap, and thats coming from a Rolex Oyster band (with tin can clasp). However its very comfortable and I use it everyday. The bottom gets a lot of scratches, but that doesn't bother me at all, all in all if you like metal bracelets I would highly recommend it. It's quite a bargain for the price really.
batristain
macrumors 6502a
I have the OEM Apple Link bracelet - I purchased it before the nicer replicas were available back in May. I have very small wrists so I actually had to have a professional jeweler figure out how to reverse engineer the Apple bracelet so 4 more links could be taken out. My wrist measures 127 mm and the 8 links that are removable for the 38 MM bracelet were still not enough to keep it from locking on me. Once I had the additional links removed it fits perfect and I wear it all the time. I don't even wear my sports bands really just the link bracelet. It does have scratches but I have a Rolex with a stainless steel band that was worn every day for the past ten years before I got the AW and it has scratches too....I must admit from the looks of a lot of these nicer replicas I kinda wish I would have waited a wee longer and saved 400 bucks 
Cheers,
Bobbie
Cheers,
Bobbie
I have the HOCO replica linked in Amazon in this thread. I did have to do an odd number of links to get it "just right" where it is loose enought to slide, but not loose enough for the sensor to come off my arm. I am very happy with it, happy enough I ordered two, the other is a Christmas gift for my brother-in-law.
I had a different replica before, but it had the clasp on the inside, and I could feel it. This copy of Apples clasp is amazing. At this point, I would NEVER buy the Apple version...
I had a different replica before, but it had the clasp on the inside, and I could feel it. This copy of Apples clasp is amazing. At this point, I would NEVER buy the Apple version...
zetaplus93
macrumors regular
Sure, it's a standard butterfly clasp so it's a tad more involved to close it. Some practice will make it second nature, so no worries.
profmjh
macrumors 68000
I find I have to click each side in separately and quite deliberately. I can't just squeeze the middle and have them both click into place.
That being said, I don't find this particularly difficult to do. And, unlike with the Sports band, it doesn't pinch my arm hairs when I'm putting it on.
FrisbeeK9
macrumors 6502a
I have hairy arms and it doesn't pull hair for me.
Mojopin
macrumors regular
careful on the 3rd party links IMO they are not reliable for the longrun. I bought a HappyCell one I think that was the version with the pin holes. The 2nd time I was removing a few links the rod ends basically snapped off and then the whole thing came apart. I'm very careful to btw but you get what you pay for IMO
redman042
macrumors 68040
It gets better over time. I struggled at first too, but now I have no problems at all. Same goes with removing/replacing links. Took some fiddling at first but now I can do it very fast without thinking about it. I think part of it is muscle memory, and part of it is the bracelet "breaking in".
specialk0449
macrumors member
My AW and SB link look like new. I received my AW in May 2015. I wear my AW everyday for approximately 18 hours and not a mark on it.
hovscorpion12
macrumors 68040
I've had SS link bracelet for three months. some min or scratches around the band. I have a Lot of hair on my arms with no hair pull. same with the millenese loop
BarracksSi
Suspended
If you had to go with just the bracelet or the Milanese loop, which would it be?
I've had the SS Link Bracelet since day one, and couldn't be happier. I got a black Sport Band just for running, but the rest of the day, I use the Link Bracelet. I wear my Apple Watch every single day.
In terms of feel, the bracelet just feels nice. I know a friend who has one of the fake ones, and while it looks almost identical, the real one feels much better. Also, the real one has a better finish, because it better reflects the lighting and shadows (the difference can be noticed in darker environments). Of course it ought to feel and look better at $450 compared to $40 or $50 for the fake ones.
As for durability, it's okay I guess. I have a few scratches here and there, but of course, since the bottom links are replaceable and the bracelet itself comes with a handy of extra links, you can always remove the heavily scratched ones. Other than that, for the past 10 months, it has held up quite well. No looseness or any durability issues.
My only issue with it has been getting a perfect fit. I always have 3 links up top, but at the bottom, I always switch between 3 and 4 links. I like a tight fit, but sometimes 3 links feel too tight, and 4 feels loose. But on other days, it fits just fine. Thankfully, removing and adding links is pretty easy.
Overall, the SS Link Bracelet has been my go-to band for the past 10 months, and I couldn't be happier. Feels great, stood up well, and looks very unique compared to the dozens of sport band wearers out there!
In terms of feel, the bracelet just feels nice. I know a friend who has one of the fake ones, and while it looks almost identical, the real one feels much better. Also, the real one has a better finish, because it better reflects the lighting and shadows (the difference can be noticed in darker environments). Of course it ought to feel and look better at $450 compared to $40 or $50 for the fake ones.
As for durability, it's okay I guess. I have a few scratches here and there, but of course, since the bottom links are replaceable and the bracelet itself comes with a handy of extra links, you can always remove the heavily scratched ones. Other than that, for the past 10 months, it has held up quite well. No looseness or any durability issues.
My only issue with it has been getting a perfect fit. I always have 3 links up top, but at the bottom, I always switch between 3 and 4 links. I like a tight fit, but sometimes 3 links feel too tight, and 4 feels loose. But on other days, it fits just fine. Thankfully, removing and adding links is pretty easy.
Overall, the SS Link Bracelet has been my go-to band for the past 10 months, and I couldn't be happier. Feels great, stood up well, and looks very unique compared to the dozens of sport band wearers out there!
BarracksSi
Suspended
It's those links that make me expect the bracelet to be good for daily wear. My other watches' bracelets have different amounts of adjustability, but all of them require a tool of some kind (whether it's a pin removal setup or just a ballpoint pen) and I usually just leave them a little looser than perfect.
At least I could pop an extra link into or out of Apple's bracelet in just a few seconds (and without risking a springbar zipping across the bedroom like my Seiko's almost did!).
I've still only got my Sport band, though. I made a deal with my wife to not buy another strap until I get a new job. If all goes well, I'll be shopping by the end of summer. Wish me luck.
redman042
macrumors 68040
I can answer this. My wife has the Milanese and I have the Link (both genuine Apple ones).
If frequent/fine adjustability and light weight are priorities, and if you like the look of the Milanese, go with that. It's a very well-made strap plus it's super comfortable and adjustable. Also it's much less expensive than the link. My wife loves hers, and for her it was a huge improvement over the look and feel of the Sport.
Now for me, I'm just not into the look of the Milanese on my own wrist. I do think it looks great on my wife, and I often pick up her watch just to admire the strap. I think what throws me is the "glittery" shine of each of the little coils catching the light. I just wasn't super excited about wearing it. So I chose the Link. IMO it's the nicest strap Apple offers. Many say it's the best link bracelet currently made. The look and feel is outstanding. The way it blends with the watch body, and catches the light, just looks incredible. And it feels like precision engineering through and through. I dig that (I'm an engineer, after all).
Either strap is a great choice. These two are arguably the highest quality, most innovative, and best-looking straps in Apple's lineup. Plus, you now have the choice of silver or black (the black Milanese is something I would wear daily). Decisions, decisions.