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Non-OEM (FAKE/CLONE) Apple Watch Bands
- Thread starter appleboyy
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Jeremy3292
macrumors regular
If anyone is looking for a Hoco 5 bead 42mm band I have one for sale. Ship fast from the USA. Send me a message if interested.
Why you should never buy something on eBay from a foreign retailer with an extended shipping date...
stidjen
macrumors newbie
Hey guys, I was wondering if anyone has ordered this milanese loop clone from http://www.protectyouriphone.co.uk/
It looks really good in the pictures... Wonder if the magnet is strong and if the overall quality of the band is actually as good as in the pictures. If you didnt buy it, what do you think? does it look legit?
It looks really good in the pictures... Wonder if the magnet is strong and if the overall quality of the band is actually as good as in the pictures. If you didnt buy it, what do you think? does it look legit?
AlliFlowers
macrumors 601
It looks really nice. If I'd found it before getting my mesh band, I'd have definitely gone with this one.
Hey guys, I was wondering if anyone has ordered this milanese loop clone from http://www.protectyouriphone.co.uk/
It looks really good in the pictures... Wonder if the magnet is strong and if the overall quality of the band is actually as good as in the pictures. If you didnt buy it, what do you think? does it look legit?
soya
macrumors 6502
I wouldn't trust that website though.. No reviews or anything. Guy that posted link is new on Macrumors and this is his first message.. Just being cautious you know. Some people posted scam websites in the past on this forum. Just my 2 cents.
stidjen
macrumors newbie
Haha dont worry, I understand your suspicion. I'm a long time front page reader on macrumors but got my apple watch yesterday, got interested in watch bands and started looking online. I can't really prove it but that's a website from the UK and I'm Dutch 🙂
I found a seller on eBay selling that band and saw the watermark, so that's how I found the website. And one of your points is no reviews or anything. I can't find anything on Google about this site or that band, that's why I asked here.
Has anyone tried ordering the leather loop from the seller HappyCell (I think that's the name) on Amazon? Lists free shipping, but couldn't see if it was shipped within US or it's international.
So tired of them!
I cannot stress how much I do NOT recommend SIKAI.
Please do not end up in this dispute limbo like Jmona and me. It's not worth it. Do not purchase from SIKAI.
Tangmu
macrumors member
If you bought from AliExpress just escalate the dispute once you have given the seller enough time and uploaded enough evidence. No need to quarrel back and fourth.
AlliFlowers
macrumors 601
And make sure you do it prior the last day available for shipment. AliExpress automatically marks items as shipped once the date arrives. Then you have to wait 4-5 days after that before you can open a dispute.
Tangmu
macrumors member
This is not really correct. Once the "Awaiting shipment" time is over and the seller has not marked the order as "Shipped", AliExpress will automatically cancel the order and give the buyer a full refund.
It's just that a lot of sellers don't tell you the truth that they are actually unable to ship and then mark the order as shipped when there are only a few hours left. In that case the seller can gain quite some time since the buyer needs to prove that a shipment is not trackable within a reasonable time (and that can be quite a while if you go with regular snail mail). ;-)
AlliFlowers
macrumors 601
Tangmu
macrumors member
Yes. Reliable sellers will usually plan processing times in a way that they can actually ship. If nothing has happened until one day before processing time ends you can just cancel if you don't trust the seller and don't want to give him more time.
I bought the Rock, the Hoco Premium, and the Apple classic buckle strap for comparison.
I didn't consider the Hoco Non-Premium, or other straps with only single-sided color leather.
I didn't consider straps with traditional watch buckles.
I didn't consider straps with bands that were too narrow (less than 22mm), leaving large gaps of exposed lug, allowing the band to move back and forth.
Some people think I'm anal retentive. I think I'm supposed to be offended.
I have a 38mm Apple Watch Sport and my wrist is 6 3/8 inches in circumference.
In my photos, it's always the Rock, Hoco-Premium, and then the Apple strap from left to right or top to bottom.
Verdict? The Hoco is on my wrist, the Rock and Apple straps are being returned. I would definitely get more colors of the Hoco Premium.
The Rock is a thinner, smoother, and more narrow leather band (abt 21mm). It leaves the lugs exposed. Its buckle isn't as shiny as the Hoco Premium or Apple straps.
The Hoco feels and looks almost identical to the Apple strap - except for the space gray lugs that came with it. I'm okay with stainless steel (buckle) and brushed aluminum (sport watch). I didn't want to add a third color (space gray lugs) to the mix. The Hoco Premium is all over eBay, I think my seller just happened to have space gray lugs and eh, that's what I got. Luckily I bought the Luvvitt Adapter (purely on the strength of their reputation selling iPhone cases) and switched it out. So my investment is now $26 for the strap + $15 for the lugs.
All three bands are very malleable and feel like leather. The Hoco is just as thick as the Apple strap, but its side finish is not as polished as Apple's. Instead of paying the kids 1/hr like Apple, the Hoco people paid their kids 75 cents/hr - the Rock, about 50 cents/hr. And we all know, you get what you pay for.
For $41 bucks, I got a leather band that is about $125 worth of quality compared to Apple's $149.
I didn't consider the Hoco Non-Premium, or other straps with only single-sided color leather.
I didn't consider straps with traditional watch buckles.
I didn't consider straps with bands that were too narrow (less than 22mm), leaving large gaps of exposed lug, allowing the band to move back and forth.
Some people think I'm anal retentive. I think I'm supposed to be offended.
I have a 38mm Apple Watch Sport and my wrist is 6 3/8 inches in circumference.
In my photos, it's always the Rock, Hoco-Premium, and then the Apple strap from left to right or top to bottom.
Verdict? The Hoco is on my wrist, the Rock and Apple straps are being returned. I would definitely get more colors of the Hoco Premium.
The Rock is a thinner, smoother, and more narrow leather band (abt 21mm). It leaves the lugs exposed. Its buckle isn't as shiny as the Hoco Premium or Apple straps.
The Hoco feels and looks almost identical to the Apple strap - except for the space gray lugs that came with it. I'm okay with stainless steel (buckle) and brushed aluminum (sport watch). I didn't want to add a third color (space gray lugs) to the mix. The Hoco Premium is all over eBay, I think my seller just happened to have space gray lugs and eh, that's what I got. Luckily I bought the Luvvitt Adapter (purely on the strength of their reputation selling iPhone cases) and switched it out. So my investment is now $26 for the strap + $15 for the lugs.
All three bands are very malleable and feel like leather. The Hoco is just as thick as the Apple strap, but its side finish is not as polished as Apple's. Instead of paying the kids 1/hr like Apple, the Hoco people paid their kids 75 cents/hr - the Rock, about 50 cents/hr. And we all know, you get what you pay for.
For $41 bucks, I got a leather band that is about $125 worth of quality compared to Apple's $149.
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
I ordered the blue leather loop from hong_yao66 on June 10th. Got excited when I received a valid tracking number. Eight days later, I too received a beautiful pair of peacock feather earrings.
At this point, I figured I was participating in a Chinese micro loan program and so I waited for my shipping date to arrive so I could file a dispute with eBay and get my money back.
And then today, I got this in the mail.
Packaging ...
When I ordered, there was no strap length specification - no S/M or M/L. It was just color and choice of 38 or 42mm.
By themselves, the loop looks great. They fold nice. I tested Apple's loop and to my memory, Apple's felt like soft leather. These feel firmer, plastic-y - a bit like bonded leather. The loop attached to my watch with the same finish to be expected of a knock-off. While not silky smooth as Apple's strap, I didn't pay Apple's premium prices either.
On the watch, the compromise and the rush-to-market quality becomes more apparent. Just don't look too close, but the edges of the strap aren't flush to the body of the watch.
What is the magnet strength like for you? Worried it may come undone easily or strong enough for most uses?
Leather Loop Review Part 2
I have a 38mm Apple Watch Sport and my wrist is 6 3/8 inches in circumference.
Here's how the watch looks on me:
It loops around all the way. If your wrist is any smaller than 6 and 3/8 inches, you'll have problems. YMMV, but the long loop doesn't bother me. With time, it may be a deal breaker and I'll have to cut the strap. The materials seem cut-able without fraying the leather? edges.
The entire band seems to be magnetic. It is sufficiently secure - about as grippy as my memory of Apple's leather loop but slightly less grippy than my OEM Milanese loop. This might be perception though. The Milanese loop only connects via magnets at the edge of the strap. It will feel stronger upon detachment and attachment. The leather loop magnetizes across the entire band, so while the edge may not feel as strong, the entire band is being held together across its entire surface.
If you need extra support, two earth magnets will do the trick - which may come in handy should I decide to cut and shorten the strap. Here's how they look on mine.
See ... you don't even know they are there.
I own a Milanese loop, a Hoco Premium leather strap, several Nato straps with adapters, the white fluoroelastomer that came with my Watch and now, this leather loop. I have to say, there is something very elegant and simple about the loops that make me prefer them over the buckle straps and the fluoroelastomers. I like how they connect to the watch and stay secure with no additional hardware - ie lugs or closures. It just loops and connects to itself. Had Apple made a 38mm leather loop, I'd gladly give them my money. Instead, I'm writing this review wearing a strap that will probably expose me to lead poisoning.
I have a 38mm Apple Watch Sport and my wrist is 6 3/8 inches in circumference.
Here's how the watch looks on me:
It loops around all the way. If your wrist is any smaller than 6 and 3/8 inches, you'll have problems. YMMV, but the long loop doesn't bother me. With time, it may be a deal breaker and I'll have to cut the strap. The materials seem cut-able without fraying the leather? edges.
The entire band seems to be magnetic. It is sufficiently secure - about as grippy as my memory of Apple's leather loop but slightly less grippy than my OEM Milanese loop. This might be perception though. The Milanese loop only connects via magnets at the edge of the strap. It will feel stronger upon detachment and attachment. The leather loop magnetizes across the entire band, so while the edge may not feel as strong, the entire band is being held together across its entire surface.
If you need extra support, two earth magnets will do the trick - which may come in handy should I decide to cut and shorten the strap. Here's how they look on mine.
See ... you don't even know they are there.
I own a Milanese loop, a Hoco Premium leather strap, several Nato straps with adapters, the white fluoroelastomer that came with my Watch and now, this leather loop. I have to say, there is something very elegant and simple about the loops that make me prefer them over the buckle straps and the fluoroelastomers. I like how they connect to the watch and stay secure with no additional hardware - ie lugs or closures. It just loops and connects to itself. Had Apple made a 38mm leather loop, I'd gladly give them my money. Instead, I'm writing this review wearing a strap that will probably expose me to lead poisoning.
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As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
AlliFlowers
macrumors 601
I'm with you. I wanted the leather loop badly. But anything larger than a 38mm watch would look silly on me. I'll continue trying to get a leather loop.
In the meanwhile, my knock-off modern buckle arrived. I know it's not leather, but I'm good with that. The buckle holds well, and gives you lots of size options.
The only drawback so far is that I don't have a tool to remove the silver lug, cause I know it would look a lot better with my space grey (which also arrived in today's post). http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00XGOYVRA?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00
Along with the band came a free glass screen protector. I'll probably put it on.
Also got the grey adapters from the Utica guy. As I said, I wanted to put them on this band, but couldn't unscrew it with the tools I have. Tried them with the last band I've been wearing, and while the color definitely looks nicer, the band suddenly looks too narrow.
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
VPrime
macrumors 68000
I sent an email ti Sikai on Aliexpress since I still haven't received my leather loop and the tracking number didnt work.
They replied saying it may have gotten lost in the mail, and they gave me a new nonworking tracking number saying they'll send me a new one.
I'm guessing they never sent it out in the first place (like the others reported). I'll probably just end up picking up one in store and filing a dispute.
They replied saying it may have gotten lost in the mail, and they gave me a new nonworking tracking number saying they'll send me a new one.
I'm guessing they never sent it out in the first place (like the others reported). I'll probably just end up picking up one in store and filing a dispute.
Hey guys, I was wondering if anyone has ordered this milanese loop clone from http://www.protectyouriphone.co.uk/
It looks really good in the pictures... Wonder if the magnet is strong and if the overall quality of the band is actually as good as in the pictures. If you didnt buy it, what do you think? does it look legit?
After trying on the Real Deal at the Apple Store these cheap Milanese Loop Knock-Offs are just that, CHEAP. I would rather have an inexpensive leather band and a pair of adaptors over this.
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/3rd-party-magnetic-milanese-loop.1897400/
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stidjen
macrumors newbie
I live in the Netherlands and the AW is not for sale here yet, so I havend had the chance to check out all apple bands in the store or anything. I guess ill just wait and probably go for the real thing when it comes available here.