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Not happy with Milanese loop

A

Abdol

macrumors member
Original poster
Feb 28, 2019
32
14
I just received my S6 watch with the Milanese loop. The watch itself is fine but the loop is super cheap. It's thin, light, and doesn't stay put. It either opens a bit or the magnet slides left or right every now and then.

I read some reviews that the Milanese loop used to be heavier and had a better grip before. Is this true? because I'm thinking of returning the loop and buy some other band.
 
Abdol said:
I just received my S6 watch with the Milanese loop. The watch itself is fine but the loop is super cheap. It's thin, light, and doesn't stay put. It either opens a bit or the magnet slides left or right every now and then.

I read some reviews that the Milanese loop used to be heavier and had a better grip before. Is this true? because I'm thinking of returning the loop and buy some other band.
Click to expand...
I have a two year old black Milanese loop. It loosens some ocaisionally and I have to cinch it up. I don’t think you can return just the loop. You will probably have to return both. That’s my experience. Unless, you find an Apple associate in a store who is willing to do it.
 
Make sure the stickers are removed from the magnetic end.
Apologies if you already have, you'd be surprised at how many people with phones posted that they couldn't hear calls when it turns out they've left the screen plastic on for protection.
 
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I've had a few milanese bands from other manufacturers and bought the original black one last year. In comparison the original Apple milanese is much thicker than the other ones and also much more stable.

I don't know if the new versions feel "cheaper", but that would be crap! Do you have the possibility to compare it somewhere?
 
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They seem identical to me, apart from the surface finish:

2F6955C3-E5C3-4CFC-87D1-B7E5E354B0F6.jpeg

ETA: my Space Black Milanese is one of the very first ones.
 
Thanks for your suggestions. I have all the plastic parts removed. I purchased my apple watch merely for fitness tracking and based on a youtube reviewer that was saying the steel loop is better for swimming. But since in swimming wrist is involved a lot, I need something that stays put.

I have other watches that I wear them for formal events and I don't see a point in paying that much money for a fitness tracker which it's software lifespan is 5 years max. Also, I have other financial priorities in life as well.

I think there is a reason why apple introduced the loop bands. It's not about the sizing, it's about getting the sensors to work and in order to get the work you need to hold the watch in its place, hence you probably want to get the looped version. Having played with the oxygen sensor, I see a strong logic behind the loop concept.

At the moment I may wait to get S5 at a reduced price or even SE. Thanks. Will return this one for sure.
 
danmart said:
I would change your YouTubers - the Milanese is not rated waterproof by Apple.
Click to expand...

I’m pretty sure Apple realizes that it’s going to get wet, if you’re using it in in ocean or anything of that nature, then rinse it off and dry it thoroughly. It’s not like it will get immediately rust, it depends how you manage it after it gets wet.
 
danmart said:
I would change your YouTubers - the Milanese is not rated waterproof by Apple.
Click to expand...

I don't think it has to be. It's a piece of stainless steel which is known, pretty widely I might add, to be waterproof.

Take it swimming, rinse it off. Done.
 
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Never had any issues with my Milanese than came with my Series 3. It will be transferred on the Series 6 then
will pick up a strap to sell the series 3 on
 
Last edited:
Apple is very specific about the Milanese Loop not being water-resistant, and it is posted prominently on the website. I also wouldn’t trust a magnet to hold a watch in place in open-water swimming, but that’s a separate issue.
 
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Toratek said:
Apple is very specific about the Milanese Loop not being water-resistant, and it is posted prominently on the website. I also wouldn’t trust a magnet to hold a watch in place in open-water swimming, but that’s a separate issue.
Click to expand...

The watch will probably stay but it will move over the wrist for sure.
 
I found the Milanese Loop on my Graphite SS S6 super uncomfortable so ended up exchanging for the SB SS Hermes S6 and all is right. I do want the metal Link bracelet for the SB. I had one for my SS S4 and really liked it.
 
Abdol said:
I purchased my apple watch merely for fitness tracking
Click to expand...

Honestly, this might be a big part of the problem. The Apple Watch is a watch first and a fitness tracker second. It’s definitely good with the fitness tracking functions, but it’s really designed to be warn and used as a watch. If all you want is fitness tracking then you would probably be better off getting a product that‘s designed to be a fitness tracker.
 
BrettDS said:
Honestly, this might be a big part of the problem. The Apple Watch is a watch first and a fitness tracker second. It’s definitely good with the fitness tracking functions, but it’s really designed to be warn and used as a watch. If all you want is fitness tracking then you would probably be better off getting a product that‘s designed to be a fitness tracker.
Click to expand...

To me, it's quite the reverse. Apple Watch is a fitness tracker that can function as a watch with limited capabilities. If the Apple watch manages to display time for 3-4 years continuously, keep functioning for at least 20 years or so without having a defective OLED screen or other failures, and no 100% price depreciation then I may change my definition.

But Apple Watch, as it is, is the best fitness tracker and I'm willing to spend this much money on my health. I guess Apple just started to realize this and is going to offer more fitness tracking features in the future.

I'm looking forward to hearing more about the new fitness program by Apple.

I hope you (and many others) understand my personal point of view as much as I understand yours.

PS: I ended up returning the Milanese loop and getting the new solo loop and I think it's a pretty good combo.
 
BrettDS said:
Honestly, this might be a big part of the problem. The Apple Watch is a watch first and a fitness tracker second. It’s definitely good with the fitness tracking functions, but it’s really designed to be warn and used as a watch. If all you want is fitness tracking then you would probably be better off getting a product that‘s designed to be a fitness tracker.
Click to expand...

Good post, but I would have to disagree with you. It’s actually probably the reverse of what you’re saying, when the Apple Watch first started, (and if you look at their marketing), it was all about being a ‘communication’ device first, then Apple pushed health tracking around the Series 3 Mark, and now their marketing is geared towards being a health tracker First, communication device/smart watch second.

Realistically, the Apple Watch is a lot of things, but I’d say 90% of the Apple Watch core purpose is the health tracking/monitoring.
 
Abdol said:
I just received my S6 watch with the Milanese loop. The watch itself is fine but the loop is super cheap. It's thin, light, and doesn't stay put. It either opens a bit or the magnet slides left or right every now and then.

I read some reviews that the Milanese loop used to be heavier and had a better grip before. Is this true? because I'm thinking of returning the loop and buy some other band.
Click to expand...
The Milanese band will scratch your watch and it will do it very easily, unless you are extremely careful.
 
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As with the OP, to me the Graphite Milanese band is not as good as prior Milanese bands had been. All my prior watches Series (0, 4) had Milanese bands (silver and black).
I had already to exchange my original Graphite band before I even mounted it, since it was so stiff and kinking that it wouldn't loop around flat even when I applied some force to push it down. Photo attached in comparison to my Series 0 sliver band and this new one, never mounted.
The exchange is better, but doesn't slide as easy as prior generation. The Milanese is by far my most favored band, but this generation doesn't impress me.
By the way, if you have store nearby to my understanding, they can do a band swap to another band.
 

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