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Non-OEM (FAKE/CLONE) Apple Watch Bands

Donstil-nl said:
Edit: Nevermind. Talked about two pages ago.
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I'm pretty sure when the quality gets this close, that we're essentially buying factory seconds (that they're supposed to destroy/recycle).

That said for $200, if it's essentially the same thing, what a steal.
 
Donstil-nl said:
Whow I just saw it on AliExpress.

Are you involved in anyway? Or just posting it?

Edit: Saw the price à couple pages back. $130,- is a instant buy for me.

Do you know what the size will be? The original band is just a little to tight for me. One extra cain part would be great. Are they going to sell it do you think? (or can you fix me one, I will pay of course)
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No. I am just reporting. All I have heard so far is that this is a real 1:1 replica with the exact dimensions of the original. So I would guess that it doesn't come with an extra link to attach to the band. If you want to try if it works I'm pretty sure there will be sellers offering you replacement links at some point - at least when you ask for it.

e90fanatic said:
wow! The links replica is now over $200! do you guys know if they'll honor preorders at a lower price point ($130)? (Aliexpress) With so many ways for them to deny my order (giving false tracking, claiming lost, etc), do they usually honor the price?
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You never know. If possible choose a seller you already have a good relation with. Still no guarantee though.

Brien said:
I'm pretty sure when the quality gets this close, that we're essentially buying factory seconds (that they're supposed to destroy/recycle).

That said for $200, if it's essentially the same thing, what a steal.
Click to expand...

That was also my impression at first but you really can't tell. I think everyone knows the link band is the last missing clone band on the market with the highest retail price as original band. This is going to be a big first to market opportunity for any maker to produce and ship by the thousands to domestically and overseas.

I also bought new Apple original parts in China at around 50 % off before - mostly MacBook Pro batteries (when they were still easily swappable) that did not meet all quality checks. They had minimal visible defects (like a micro scratch) on the outside and everything you could find out through software was not indicating any hardware defects. Used them without any issues. So it wouldn't be a first. It will be very interesting to examine the first bands and find out more.

UPDATE: I just talked with my source and he said the supposed high-quality clone has been definitely pushed back to the end of July. According to him the factory is having several quality problems with getting the product ready for market, especially around the connectors and the clasp. The amount of manual labor needed for production is exceeding the factories expectations as he said. So far his information has been reliable so I hope it will be this time too.

So for now don't get fooled by sellers. Anyone claiming to ship within a few days is talking BS. At best you might get an unoptimized factory sample at a steep price - most likely you will not get anything.
 
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My leather loop from SIKAI (AliExpress) seems to be shipped. Tracking says it will be leaving Hong Kong to it's destination (me) tomorrow.
 
Tangmu said:
UPDATE: I just talked with my source and he said the supposed high-quality clone has been definitely pushed back to the end of July. According to him the factory is having several quality problems with getting the product ready for market, especially around the connectors and the clasp. The amount of manual labor needed for production is exceeding the factories expectations as he said. So far his information has been reliable so I hope it will be this time too.

So for now don't get fooled by sellers. Anyone claiming to ship within a few days is talking BS. At best you might get an unoptimized factory sample at a steep price - most likely you will not get anything.
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thanks for all your updates! sounds like it's gonna be awhile longer but i'm glad there's a less expensive option than apple's for the link bracelet.
 
Yep... I'm gonna stay tuned. I am burning out on cheap-mid level bands, some of which I am still waiting for but the Apple link/clone is the holy Grail
 
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d3t said:
Yep... I'm gonna stay tuned. I am burning out on cheap-mid level bands, some of which I am still waiting for but the Apple link/clone is the holy Grail
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Yeah i stopped trying to shop for a number of different bands and being moderately satisfied with them. I got the ones I really wanted, but i just decided to go ahead and buy a space black link bracelet for my SS AW. Its gonna be the daily band and i got a little impatient waiting for replicas.
 
boshii said:
I bought a blue leather loop from this seller:

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=191625687328&globalID=EBAY-US

It's a U.S. seller based in New Mexico. I ordered mine on Thursday night and received it today.

The band is great! The look and feel is like my genuine black loop. The only difference is the length, as seen in the pics. That doesn't really matter to me. My wrists are big and it's a non-issue. Magnets are strong.
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Order my band yesterday and it's already shipped. ETA is Monday
 
Joshoon said:
My leather loop from SIKAI (AliExpress) seems to be shipped. Tracking says it will be leaving Hong Kong to it's destination (me) tomorrow.
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Glad your tracking number works.
I emailed them again, and they extended my buyers protection. I did start the dispute process on paypal (for the additonal payment beyond the intial preorder) just incase.
 
VPrime said:
Glad your tracking number works.
I emailed them again, and they extended my buyers protection. I did start the dispute process on paypal (for the additonal payment beyond the intial preorder) just incase.
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Not sure if you should to that on Paypal.
You should be able to do it via Aliexpress itself.

Anyways, about your tracking number.
Have you tried the Parcel app for your iPhone? If yes, what does it say?
 
Does anyone else's (non Oem) leather loop seem very plasticy? Mine smells more of chemicals than it does of leather. Not sure how to test if it's actually leather or not.
 
Nixtoo said:
Does anyone else's (non Oem) leather loop seem very plasticy? Mine smells more of chemicals than it does of leather. Not sure how to test if it's actually leather or not.
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They are all probably PU Leather....
 
i ordered that link bracelet band replica and the seller told me that they have these in stock (these have no buttons to remove links) but look otherwise very similar to the original one.
i think i will get it soon, as he will ship with dhl.
( got the pics directly from the seller on aliexpress )
 

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Reytiros said:
i ordered that link bracelet band replica and the seller told me that they have these in stock (these have no buttons to remove links) but look otherwise very similar to the original one.
i think i will get it soon, as he will ship with dhl.
( got the pics directly from the seller on aliexpress )
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If you look closely, this is not a 1:1 replica. The butterfly clasp is different from the original one. I don't think you should buy it. But it is your money of course can do whatever you want with it :D
 
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