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New Hermès band ripping?
- Thread starter Orien
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Yeah, I worry because it seems bands aren't covered under Apple's watch warranties: http://www.apple.com/support/products/watch.html
I believe another forum member posted something similar to this. I don't believe it's an issue. But for the price point, I can understand your concern.
Mine does that too. Do not worry. If you are concerned, ask for a replacement now rather than later (It won't hurt)
I can't see any 'rips' at all. Looks like a nice handmade watch strap to me.
My Hermes band looks exactly the same, as does my wife's. So it's either "the way they are" or they're all similarly defective 
I wouldn't worry about it as the bands are under warranty as you said, and, Hermes in particular has rather legendary customer service (though admittedly they're used to dealing with things at far higher price points). If it worries you you could always ask for an exchange.
I wouldn't worry about it as the bands are under warranty as you said, and, Hermes in particular has rather legendary customer service (though admittedly they're used to dealing with things at far higher price points). If it worries you you could always ask for an exchange.
I cannot see any rips, either. Looks like a nice watch strap.
Oh good. I thought my eyesight must have gotten really bad, as I couldn't see anything wrong with the bands.
Ah I see. Well OP, that is simply physics or something at work. I don't see how that gap could not be there.
Well, that's normal, isn't it? You can't fold a thick material like leather without having a slight gap like that.
Well, if OP wants, then i can reluctantly trade him his clearly-defective Hermes band for my Classic Buckle without that HORRIBLE rip. See my band picture. Perfect.
The ball is in OP's court....
Yeah, as I mentioned the rips I'm referring to are on the lug areas. It's a little hard to see in the photo, but the one in my first photo ended up tearing further just from wearing it a few more days and now the leather band in that area is splitting into two halves. Not what you want to see for a $1300+ purchase. I ended up returning it - Apple also agreed it was defective.
Jeez well that's not good. Will you get another Hermes? Or going in a different direction?
![84230365c340a5b2cf5ac421c6671cc8.jpg]()
Well, if OP wants, then i can reluctantly trade him his clearly-defective Hermes band for my Classic Buckle without that HORRIBLE rip. See my band picture. Perfect.
The ball is in OP's court....
Haha. Nice try.
You know, I always thought that perfectly round hole on the apple band seemed "manufactured". A little too perfect. Dishonest almost. And not likely to stay perfect.
Just for comparison, here's the a picture of the Hermes band from apple.com. Clearly hand made. Honest construction. Not trying to be "perfect" in some arbitrarily crowd-pleasing way. Just honest. Made by someone who really knows their stuff.
I know which one I'd rather own.
Haha. Nice try.
You know, I always thought that perfectly round hole on the apple band seemed "manufactured". A little too perfect. Dishonest almost. And not likely to stay perfect.
Just for comparison, here's the a picture of the Hermes band from apple.com. Clearly hand made. Honest construction. Not trying to be "perfect" in some arbitrarily crowd-pleasing way. Just honest. Made by someone who really knows their stuff.
I know which one I'd rather own.
![MNHM2_AV1]()
Dude, my post is sarcastic and kidding. Your writing is humorous and apologetic BTW.
(BTW #2, the lower lug sure looks "manufactured" because the hole is perfectly round. LOL)
That does not look unusual to me. I just picked up a new Hermes strap and it looks the same.
Note that if you wear the strap every day, particularly the Fauve Barenia, it WILL darken over time, quite considerably. It's normal. The Fauve Barenia is untreated leather. The colored bands will also show wear but may not darken nearly as much.
I am a huge fan of Hermes...see my posts from before. BUT, this argument does not hold water IMHO. As i have criticize P&Q bands with its crappy quality and poor design, being handmade does NOT mean poorly made. The beauty of handmade is that the leather characteristics, the way the stitching is made, etc. are not the same from one band to the next. But to make a band where the leather literally splits and getting worst (as per OP) with only a few days of wear is 100% unacceptable. No excuses. That is not being handmade...that is piss poor construction.
If you read about leather band and how they make them, then you will see that today's adhesives that they use in leather making is like super glue...very very strong. In fact, "stitching" these days are more for looks than real function.
Before you guys go crazy...know that i have also criticize Apple Classic buckle for some suspect quality control. It took me LITERALLY 3 classic buckles (all 3rd revision) before finding one that agrees with my analness.
I had loop retainer issue with 2nd revision of CB.But for a leather band to split despite adhesives and stitching is just poorly made. It has nothing to do with "handmade" value.
The question i have is that is Hermes getting overwhelmed with the push to make these bands for a mass-produced device. Remember, all their previous collaborations have been very very limited editions devices with production of less than 100 (my guess).
I know. My mom is a pretty good seamstress, and her stuff never comes apart. That's the thing about handmade goods made by good craftspeople, the results are 100% consistent. I mean, each handmade good will be unique, but quality wise, it wouldn't vary. It's not like mass produced goods where a certain percentage is expected to fail. If a Hermes band fell apart, they either skimped on the process, the personnel, or both.
I don't see any splitting in the original image.I am a huge fan of Hermes...see my posts from before. BUT, this argument does not hold water IMHO. As i have criticize P&Q bands with its crappy quality and poor design, being handmade does NOT mean poorly made. The beauty of handmade is that the leather characteristics, the way the stitching is made, etc. are not the same from one band to the next. But to make a band where the leather literally splits and getting worst (as per OP) with only a few days of wear is 100% unacceptable. No excuses. That is not being handmade...that is piss poor construction.
If you read about leather band and how they make them, then you will see that today's adhesives that they use in leather making is like super glue...very very strong. In fact, "stitching" these days are more for looks than real function.
Before you guys go crazy...know that i have also criticize Apple Classic buckle for some suspect quality control. It took me LITERALLY 3 classic buckles (all 3rd revision) before finding one that agrees with my analness.
But for a leather band to split despite adhesives and stitching is just poorly made. It has nothing to do with "handmade" value.
The question i have is that is Hermes getting overwhelmed with the push to make these bands for a mass-produced device. Remember, all their previous collaborations have been very very limited editions devices with production of less than 100 (my guess).