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Milanese loop band
- Thread starter Mouse man
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Amazon has quite a few third party Milanese loops available. "Penom" is one brand worth researching on Amazon. I don't think the Magnets are as strong as Apple's, but it was similar in texture to Apple's.
satinsilverem2
macrumors 6502a
Ledgem
macrumors 68020
I have the Penom black Milanese loop. I also have the silver and "space grey" Apple Milanese loops (there's a story there but I'll leave it out).
Long story short, the Penom compares favorably. Apple Milanese loops have more metal in the links, which seems to make them less likely to snag materials (such as towels; although it's not like the Penom catches cloths left and right, so far it's just been towels), and makes the band itself a bit more "stiff." If you hold your hand straight up, the outer part of the band (the part that is looped over and contains the magnetic bit) sags a bit with the Penom. It's not like anyone will really see that and I actually like that look, but it's a difference I've noted.
Here's an example of what I mean; this is a side profile of the Penom (black) with the genuine Milanese loop (silver):
Click the image for a full size to examine it in a bit more detail (and my apologies that you can't zoom in too far without losing detail... iPhone photography). If I can find the time I'll redo this image to be taken with my DSLR and a proper macro lens, and to include the genuine space grey band, too.
Here's another close-up image showing the weave pattern, again comparing the genuine silver Milanese loop with the Penom black:
Regarding the the magnet, it's either weaker or better-shielded on the Apple bands than the Penom. As far as wearing it goes, I don't find myself needing to readjust the strap with either. When you take it off, the Penom tends to get all bunched up as multiple parts of the band are attached to the magnet. With the Apple bands, I fold the magnet over once and the rest of the band doesn't seem to suffer much attraction to the magnet. This can be a negative or a positive, depending on your expectations and whether you're using a stand for the Apple Watch.
If you're considering the Penom black versus the space grey (which is what I'm assuming, given that you quoted $199 as the price), then there are two other considerations. First, the magnet on the genuine Apple band is black, whereas it's silver on the black Penom. Doesn't matter because you won't see it while wearing it (or practically ever, since the magnet tends to bunch up onto the rest of the band even when you take it off), but worth mentioning. Second is that the Penom is blacker than the Apple space grey. Nobody would mistake the genuine Apple band as being silver, and I find that I actually prefer the space grey over the pure black. I think that the space grey pairs up nicely with the space grey aluminum watch, whereas the pure black might compliment the black stainless steel Watch a bit more.
Either way, I'm keeping all three. The space grey genuine Apple is my current most-used band, but I'm keeping the Penom for times when a darker black would be better, or if I think my band might get subject to more wear and tear on a certain day than usual.
Any other questions, feel free to ask.
Long story short, the Penom compares favorably. Apple Milanese loops have more metal in the links, which seems to make them less likely to snag materials (such as towels; although it's not like the Penom catches cloths left and right, so far it's just been towels), and makes the band itself a bit more "stiff." If you hold your hand straight up, the outer part of the band (the part that is looped over and contains the magnetic bit) sags a bit with the Penom. It's not like anyone will really see that and I actually like that look, but it's a difference I've noted.
Here's an example of what I mean; this is a side profile of the Penom (black) with the genuine Milanese loop (silver):
Click the image for a full size to examine it in a bit more detail (and my apologies that you can't zoom in too far without losing detail... iPhone photography). If I can find the time I'll redo this image to be taken with my DSLR and a proper macro lens, and to include the genuine space grey band, too.
Here's another close-up image showing the weave pattern, again comparing the genuine silver Milanese loop with the Penom black:
Regarding the the magnet, it's either weaker or better-shielded on the Apple bands than the Penom. As far as wearing it goes, I don't find myself needing to readjust the strap with either. When you take it off, the Penom tends to get all bunched up as multiple parts of the band are attached to the magnet. With the Apple bands, I fold the magnet over once and the rest of the band doesn't seem to suffer much attraction to the magnet. This can be a negative or a positive, depending on your expectations and whether you're using a stand for the Apple Watch.
If you're considering the Penom black versus the space grey (which is what I'm assuming, given that you quoted $199 as the price), then there are two other considerations. First, the magnet on the genuine Apple band is black, whereas it's silver on the black Penom. Doesn't matter because you won't see it while wearing it (or practically ever, since the magnet tends to bunch up onto the rest of the band even when you take it off), but worth mentioning. Second is that the Penom is blacker than the Apple space grey. Nobody would mistake the genuine Apple band as being silver, and I find that I actually prefer the space grey over the pure black. I think that the space grey pairs up nicely with the space grey aluminum watch, whereas the pure black might compliment the black stainless steel Watch a bit more.
Either way, I'm keeping all three. The space grey genuine Apple is my current most-used band, but I'm keeping the Penom for times when a darker black would be better, or if I think my band might get subject to more wear and tear on a certain day than usual.
Any other questions, feel free to ask.
Thanks for the informative post. I like the look of both and no the Apple band is very comfortable, just not for my wallet. Lol. I have one coming from eBay I'll check out and it doesn't pan out I'll try what you recommended.
Thanks again
I have the JeTech ones too (black and silver). Both are the only third party knock-off bands that I still use today. All the other third party sport, steel and leather bands that I bought were too disappointing and I opted for original ones instead. Truthfully, I've also contemplated getting an official Milanese loop but since the third party one that I had was good enough, I used the money to get classic buckles instead.
Note: There are two types of third party bands. The first are counterfeit bands that aim to copy Apple's design. Most of these (in my experience) fall far short in replicating the experience. I'm not sure if buying counterfeit luxury watches here is a good example but it feels that way too. The only ones I actually liked were the Milanese loops as mentioned. The second are original third party bands where the companies actually come up with their own designs. These types usually have very good quality bands.
Note: There are two types of third party bands. The first are counterfeit bands that aim to copy Apple's design. Most of these (in my experience) fall far short in replicating the experience. I'm not sure if buying counterfeit luxury watches here is a good example but it feels that way too. The only ones I actually liked were the Milanese loops as mentioned. The second are original third party bands where the companies actually come up with their own designs. These types usually have very good quality bands.
Can anyone vouch for a decent third party gold milanese loop band? I have the series 1 in gold aluminum and don't think it looks good with a black or silver milanese loop. I've seen some gold milanese loop bands on amazon, but reviews seem scarce.
LaurieAnn
macrumors regular
KarimLeVallois
macrumors 68030
MrGimper
macrumors G3
KarimLeVallois
macrumors 68030
Each to their own, but personally I wouldn't, especially leather ones where sweat gets impregnated into it. Maybe the metal bands are ok, but anything porous would be rather minging.
SDColorado
macrumors 601
I would absolutely buy a second hand metal band and just give it to my wife for a trip to the autoclave, prior to wearing 🙂
Question for all of you owners.. l just ordered the ML from Apple and am wondering if I need to be concerned about the band scratching either the edges or the ceramic back on my S2SS.. since it's a loop, when I set it down it will rest on the back, right? Or do you all disconnect yours when you aren't wearing it?
I always rest the watch on its side so it won't come into contact with the band just to be on the safe side (though it sometimes does anyway because of the magnets), but technically the smooth ceramic back should be completely resistant to scratching by the band because of the physical properties of the material. The ceramic is much 'harder,' not to get too technical. That said, there have been issues for people with the space black band scratching the ceramic and case of the space black SS watch, due to the DLC coating on the band. But you shouldn't have issues with the SS band and regular SS watch.
