New Bands Bring Changes to Aluminum & Stainless Steel Apple Watch Collections

[nick42983]

I bought the Milanese loop knock off for my wife. looked great, but 30 days in it was tarnishing. She threw it away and we got her an Apple band (a different one). We agreed not to do knock offs again. The prices are high, but there does seem to be some justification - quality, fit, material, feel.

I have a black milanese loop from Amazon for $20 that I paired with my space grey Sport. It's awesome with no problems after three months of wear. The stainless steel milanese may be harder to produce, but I can attest to a black one being just fine. Unless you have cash to burn it makes no sense to spend $599-$699 on a black SS, just go with a sport for the first gen. I haven't looked in a while but would like to get a black link bracelet too. I'm sure the Apple bands are top-of-the-line, but spending $100s on them is silly not knowing how future proof they will be.

 

[2457282]

I have a black milanese loop from Amazon for $20 that I paired with my space grey Sport. It's awesome with no problems after three months of wear. The stainless steel milanese may be harder to produce, but I can attest to a black one being just fine. Unless you have cash to burn it makes no sense to spend $599-$699 on a black SS, just go with a sport for the first gen. I haven't looked in a while but would like to get a black link bracelet too. I'm sure the Apple bands are top-of-the-line, but spending $100s on them is silly not knowing how future proof they will be.

What is interesting about your response is that I have the SS with Links band. So I guess I have the cash to burn.

I thought about the Black watch, but ultimately went with the SS. No black Links band and I do get the sapphire face that zero scratches on it. Although it is hard to predict what Apple will do with a future version of the watch, I am counting that I can, at least, reuse the bands I have already purchased. Otherwise, i will be a bit upset.

 

[GFF]

Imagine if all these bands are incompatible with the Apple Watch 2

That would be amusing. Seems that they're putting a lot of energy into getting users to buy multiple bands. Given how much they've expanded offerings, I suspect they'll be good for a generation or two. The watch may change, but j think the bands and connecting apparatus is here to stay for a while

 

[carrrrrlos]

In the Apple Watch Buyers Guide it states ‘Buy Now, Just Updated’.
If Apple were to only offer another watch band update next year, will Macrumors still recommend to Buy Now? It’s the same year old watch - What are the guidelines?

 

[spazzcat]

And what do you think? Everyone tells me they are too slow to use. So rather than fork out the money now I thought I would wait, but there are some features on the watch that I could really use now. It's just such a big purchase. I need to sweat it out I think.

Some of the apps are little slow on the first load. I wish the health stuff was better. I've used just about everything out there and for a smart watch it's pretty much the best which is why is cost more then most. Most of my complaints with fitness can be fixed software updates. Also, the $299 price tag at target made it easier. I didn't think I buy any band, but already looking at them...
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In the Apple Watch Buyers Guide it states ‘Buy Now, Just Updated’.
If Apple were to only offer another watch band update next year, will Macrumors still recommend to Buy Now? It’s the same year old watch - What are the guidelines?

Guessing it has more to do with the lower price?

 

[jonnysods]

Some of the apps are little slow on the first load. I wish the health stuff was better. I've used just about everything out there and for a smart watch it's pretty much the best which is why is cost more then most. Most of my complaints with fitness can be fixed software updates. Also, the $299 price tag at target made it easier. I didn't think I buy any band, but already looking at them...

The health stuff for me would be one of the bigger reasons to get it, apart from text and email notifications. I want to use Runtastic on it for cycling, the watch for heartrate monitoring and also when I'm doing the 'ol P90X3!

 

[AvidArtist]

I hope they plan to allow these bands to fit any future watch models for years to come. Since they've released such a plethora of bands, I'm thinking this is the case. That's a relief…because these bands aren't cheap.

 

[shftoptk]

I hope they plan to allow these bands to fit any future watch models for years to come. Since they've released such a plethora of bands, I'm thinking this is the case. That's a relief…because these bands aren't cheap.

Yeah I think all of these bands are a good sign. It took until the iPhone 4 for apple to fundamentally change the design of their product. I am sure the Watch 2 is identical to the first gen Watch but with much better internal specs and maybe waterproof or something that doesn't require a redesign but still makes the version 2 worth the price.

 

[CarlJ]

I hope they plan to allow these bands to fit any future watch models for years to come. Since they've released such a plethora of bands, I'm thinking this is the case.

I fully expect that future watches from Apple will work with these bands for quite some time, in part because they have released so many of them, but also because they clearly put a lot of effort into designing exactly the connector they wanted, rather than picking from what was already available.

 

[Aluminum213]

Love how Apple announced nylon bands and most are 2-3 weeks shipping

 

[CarlJ]

Love how Apple announced nylon bands and most are 2-3 weeks shipping

FWIW, I'm wearing one of the 42mm Black Woven Nylon bands now. Looked it up on Apple's website Saturday morning, saw that one of the local Apple Stores had it in stock, bought it to be picked up in-store, and got it that afternoon. If you want it shipped, there is a wait. If you can go to a store, chances are decent.