anyone else experiencing a bit of play where the band and the watch connect? I been switching between a sport band and a leather loop. The connection used to be nice and tight and now there is plenty of wiggle. I was initially afraid of this and I guess it sucks if the problem is going to get worse.
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Loose band connection/ connector
- Thread starter bidwalj
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Mine don't have any wiggle but they're not as snug as they were initially. IMO this has been a good thing - the sport band was a pain to put on and now it almost goes in smoothly. The classic band didn't want to come out the first time I removed it, but it's been smooth since.
My 42mm stainless steel has some wiggle room on the top connector, but the bottom one is perfectly snug.
Went to the Apple Store to exchange the band (black classic buckle), which they were happy to oblige. The guy opened up a new one, put the band on... Same thing. Slightly loose.
We then tried every SS display watch, with the same exact result. We then tried all of the different bands using my own watch, and still the same result... Except for one: the stainless link was perfectly snug. Every other band was loose on every other SS watch, and only on the top connector. Bottoms were all perfect.
I opted not to return for a Genius Bar appointment for a possible replacement watch, simply because I don't want to have to wait... Only to probably still have the same issue.
I'm gonna try again once they're more readily available in stores.
Went to the Apple Store to exchange the band (black classic buckle), which they were happy to oblige. The guy opened up a new one, put the band on... Same thing. Slightly loose.
We then tried every SS display watch, with the same exact result. We then tried all of the different bands using my own watch, and still the same result... Except for one: the stainless link was perfectly snug. Every other band was loose on every other SS watch, and only on the top connector. Bottoms were all perfect.
I opted not to return for a Genius Bar appointment for a possible replacement watch, simply because I don't want to have to wait... Only to probably still have the same issue.
I'm gonna try again once they're more readily available in stores.
That's my biggest concern. Beyond the fact that it has way more wiggle room than I feel a $700 watch should... I'm concerned that since the connector latch itself is so tiny, it might accidentally come off someday.
Funny you say that, my SS Link band is a very snug fit, and my sports band is snug on the top half, but has a bit of wiggle on the bottom half, top half being the one nearest the digital crown.
The bottom half still clearly "clicks" in (you can hear it) and it is held securely, but it isn't quite as snug as the link which I use day to day. Doesn't bother me as I don't notice it once it's on my wrist and it is securely attached. Had 2 watches (replaced under AppleCare+ after I dropped the first one) and both were the same to be honest. Not tried other bands though.
I thought it was just a sports band issue due to it being flexible rubber/elastomer, but sounds like it's not isolated to the sports band.
I just came on here to ask the exact same question. I have a 42mm Sport and when I first took the band off it was really tight. Now, however, there's definitely movement if I wiggle the strap around when holding the watch itself. I guess it doesn't make any difference once it's on but it's strange that it's changed so much after just taking the band off twice.
Mine is like this now too. Only removed the bands twice and there is definitely a little wiggle now in the same spot. I'm not overly concerned.
It's slightly off-topic so feel free to ignore this but I also noticed that my black sport band is start to show some strange signs of wear close to where it connects to the watch (and kind of bends outwards to meet the corner of the watch). I know it's a strap and will naturally look worse over time but in just 10 days this little area looks like it might be peeling or something. It's really small but I've seen a few people having this over a much larger surface. It looks like – at least according to my limited research – quite a few people are complaining about the black band quality. I'm reluctant to ask for an exchange, though, as my watch seems to have great battery and doesn't have a mark on it (unlike a few Apple devices I've had from day 1).
Anyway, back to the band/watch connection. I had a feeling I wasn't the only one with this.
Anyway, back to the band/watch connection. I had a feeling I wasn't the only one with this.
I'm ok if this is as bad as it gets. As someone mentioned, I hope it doesn't just one day not connect anymore. Seems like it's better to just keep one band on vs keep changing. This reminds me of the original mba hinge. That thing got looser and looser and eventually had some much wiggle, the screen would shake with just typing. Had to get that thing swapped out.
Glad to see I'm not the only one. Started noticing yesterday some wiggle with the Black Sport Band on my SS AW. Both half (bottom and top) wiggle. I've had the watch for less than 14 days...pretty bummed out by this. The battery, the screen, everything else is flawless. I'm not sure it's worth going in at store for this...
Is it more likely the band that's defective? or the watch? *Note that the band has also been sort of eroding and showing early signs of premature wear. I use a green sport band for sport...
Is it more likely the band that's defective? or the watch? *Note that the band has also been sort of eroding and showing early signs of premature wear. I use a green sport band for sport...
I suspect wiggle originates from the button area on the Apple bands like the sport or on the Apple classic adapter or on 3rd party adapters.
Early on someone who bought a 3rd party adapter mentioned that his middle button popped off his 3rd party adapter. From the pictures of the adapters on ebay I've seen, the middle button has springs on it. The two end "buttons" look to be simply plugs. Think about it. As you pull the adapter into the watch base channel, the middle button will encounter the edge of the channel. It's a little raised at that point and with some pressure during the sliding of the band into the channel it will depress the button and allow you to move the band fully into the channel. When the middle button reaches the appropriate spot in the channel it will fully extend again, locking it into place. When you want to remove the band you depress the release button which will retract the button and you can then slide it out of the channel. The person with the button that popped out advised all of us to slide the band on partially until it was near the middle button and then with a finger depress the button while continuing to slide the band in the rest of the way. I thought this made a lot of sense and have been doing so since then to reduce the stress put on the adapter button.
As mentioned the other "buttons" to the left and right of the middle button on the adapters do not move but are static. They are slightly lower than the raised middle button on the springs. As such I think you can picture them being lower and therefore susceptible to a bit of wiggle movement in the channel being a lower point on the adapter. They don't swivel greatly as the channel is curved and holds them inside. The curved channel also prevents you from pulling the bands straight off from the top or bottom of the watch face. Being a mechanical piece with the button springs, I think the adapter's button will need to be replaced over time (or just the button springs most likely but assume at some point it would be sold as a "kit" with springs and button). Normal wear just like the spring pins on lugs, which over time can get bent or break, and are sold thru watch repair sites and places like ebay and amazon.
If you are really rough inserting the bands in the watch, I could see some wear to the plastic button tops as they get pulled across the inside metal channel, but most likely the middle springs in that center button will be a repair issue at some point in time. More so for those that change bands frequently. Not a major maintenance repair issue IMO.
Here's a German article on the adapters with nice large illustrations of the adapter parts:
http://www.iphone-ticker.de/apple-w...watchapter-trotzt-neuen-apple-patenten-80927/
Early on someone who bought a 3rd party adapter mentioned that his middle button popped off his 3rd party adapter. From the pictures of the adapters on ebay I've seen, the middle button has springs on it. The two end "buttons" look to be simply plugs. Think about it. As you pull the adapter into the watch base channel, the middle button will encounter the edge of the channel. It's a little raised at that point and with some pressure during the sliding of the band into the channel it will depress the button and allow you to move the band fully into the channel. When the middle button reaches the appropriate spot in the channel it will fully extend again, locking it into place. When you want to remove the band you depress the release button which will retract the button and you can then slide it out of the channel. The person with the button that popped out advised all of us to slide the band on partially until it was near the middle button and then with a finger depress the button while continuing to slide the band in the rest of the way. I thought this made a lot of sense and have been doing so since then to reduce the stress put on the adapter button.
As mentioned the other "buttons" to the left and right of the middle button on the adapters do not move but are static. They are slightly lower than the raised middle button on the springs. As such I think you can picture them being lower and therefore susceptible to a bit of wiggle movement in the channel being a lower point on the adapter. They don't swivel greatly as the channel is curved and holds them inside. The curved channel also prevents you from pulling the bands straight off from the top or bottom of the watch face. Being a mechanical piece with the button springs, I think the adapter's button will need to be replaced over time (or just the button springs most likely but assume at some point it would be sold as a "kit" with springs and button). Normal wear just like the spring pins on lugs, which over time can get bent or break, and are sold thru watch repair sites and places like ebay and amazon.
If you are really rough inserting the bands in the watch, I could see some wear to the plastic button tops as they get pulled across the inside metal channel, but most likely the middle springs in that center button will be a repair issue at some point in time. More so for those that change bands frequently. Not a major maintenance repair issue IMO.
Here's a German article on the adapters with nice large illustrations of the adapter parts:
http://www.iphone-ticker.de/apple-w...watchapter-trotzt-neuen-apple-patenten-80927/
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I just tried a siblings OEM Apple Classic Buckle and no wiggle at all. I then put my sports band on his SS watch (same model, approx. 1 month old) and the wiggle was there.
I guess the problem is the sports band use prematurely? I switched mine a few times, but nothing extreme. I've always laid the watch face down and removed them gently without pulling up and down, but sliding neatly. I hope it's not a flaw in the design (which I suspect it isn't) but interested to hear if many others also have this movement.
I'll try to hit an Apple Store later this week to see if the wiggle is expected.
What's bugging me is that I could swear I never noticed any wiggle the first 8-9 days. It was stiff, showing no movement.
I guess the problem is the sports band use prematurely? I switched mine a few times, but nothing extreme. I've always laid the watch face down and removed them gently without pulling up and down, but sliding neatly. I hope it's not a flaw in the design (which I suspect it isn't) but interested to hear if many others also have this movement.
I'll try to hit an Apple Store later this week to see if the wiggle is expected.
What's bugging me is that I could swear I never noticed any wiggle the first 8-9 days. It was stiff, showing no movement.
I know this is really old thread but was wondering if there were any updates? Has it gotten worse over time or is still secure when on wrist?