The day Apple makes previous watch straps incompatible with future models

[symphony]

I’ve been going on a watch band shopping spree lately, I just bought some obsolete classic buckles ($150 each) and other colors, about to buy a link bracelet, and I worry that one day Apple will make them incompatible in the future with newer models.

What will you do when that day will come and how would you react?

How much have you collected? And what is the total cost of your collection?


I’m thinking about crying in a corner and having a funeral for my watch band collection.

 

[symphony]

• Peacock leather loop $129
• Stone leather loop $129
• Silver Milanese loop $129
• Pure platinum / black Nike sport band $69
• Black Nike sport band $69
• Red leather classic buckle $200
• Link bracelet $400+

 

[ian87w]

I'm guessing in the next year or so when Apple discontinue the Series 3. Apple already stated that the solo loops are compatible only with the Series 4 and newer.

 

[symphony]

I'm guessing in the next year or so when Apple discontinue the Series 3. Apple already stated that the solo loops are compatible only with the Series 4 and newer.

I had assumed that was only because the old watches were thicker and slightly larger that the fit wouldn’t be accurate with the solo loops

 

[Night Spring]

I had assumed that was only because the old watches were thicker and slightly larger that the fit wouldn’t be accurate with the solo loops

Yup. Just tried attaching the solo loop to an original model Apple Watch, and it fits.

 

[44267547]

I’ve had a lot of watch band over the years, mainly the sport band has been my ‘go to’ favorite, but also the leather loop, stainless steel link Bands in both regular and black.

But here’s the thing, Apple isn’t afraid to change the band port, they are very much capable of doing that. But for now, as long as they keep the contemporary design that they have, I don’t think they will change the band for anytime soon. Nothing is even close to indicating that they will do that, but the Apple Watch is so popular, I don’t think it would detract away if they did change the band port, which would have to be ultimately because of a different design, which may attract a new audience because of that.

 

[ian87w]

I had assumed that was only because the old watches were thicker and slightly larger that the fit wouldn’t be accurate with the solo loops

Probably, but why did they not just state that? Why did they intentionally state the specific compatibility with Series 4 and newer? They could've stated compatibility with older models with a disclaimer of inaccurate measurement, but they didn't.

 

[edhchoe]

I have spent about $400 on leather straps so far. But they are normal watch bands that use lug adaptors which means I only have to buy new lug adaptors if the design changes.

 

[iDron]

Probably, but why did they not just state that? Why did they intentionally state the specific compatibility with Series 4 and newer? They could've stated compatibility with older models with a disclaimer of inaccurate measurement, but they didn't.

Because like that, people get a reason to upgrade, but if you are well informed, they don't make you mad as you can still put it on your old watch.

 

[iDron]

In general, one might think that they change the watch design next generation. Current design has been around for 2 years now.

There have been patents reported that indicate watch bands with an antenna included. That would maybe lead to a slimmer design, but also makes band replacements or swapping much more expensive. So I wonder if they will actually go forward with that.

I think they might want to make current bands compatible with the next generation.

At some point, they might offer two different shapes of the watch, like one round and one squared design. Current bands then might only be compatible to the squared design.

 

[axantas]

Question is, why they would do it. There is absolutely no reason for that. They already kept compatibility between the 38/40 42/44 models.

Making a round watch would force them to use that known design with two cornes, every round watch does have with fixted cornes. Using the current band design gives enough opportunities to add some connectors for future bands. Question is also, what would that different design look like to justify a change. It is not an iPhone with more holes at the back that needs a new case...

 

[Bazooka-joe]

There should be no reason to change the fittings for the watch bands even if they bring out a larger model.
No doubt that one day they will though and we couldn't complain too much as some people spend a fortune on phone cases every year knowing full well that that those cases will only fit the phone that they currently have and once they upgrade to a new model those cases are of no further use

 

[iDron]

There should be no reason to change the fittings for the watch bands even if they bring out a larger model.
No doubt that one day they will though and we couldn't complain too much as some people spend a fortune on phone cases every year knowing full well that that those cases will only fit the phone that they currently have and once they upgrade to a new model those cases are of no further use

Generally agreee. Even though some metal and hermes bands cost more than the entry-level watch, so it's not quite as comparable to iPhone cases.

 

[Htsi]

Hopefully that day is not too close.
It’s an expected thing to happen really, enjoy the bands till they work is my plan. Link and braided are my favorites

between dad and I :

3x link bracelets
2x Milanese
2x braided solo
1x sport loop
1x solo loop
2x Nomad

 

[JulianL]

Hopefully not absolutely all bands would be rendered obsolete. I don’t know the quality but you can buy just the lugs (the bits that slide into the watch) on Amazon in silver, black & gold so if they changed the attachments I would hope that those same companies would offer lugs in the new format so that at least for your leather straps you could replace the lugs to make them compatible with the new watches. That doesn’t help with sports bands, milanese loops etc but it might at least extend the use of things like Hermes, Bandwerx etc straps.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Even though Apple has no real reason to change, I think they will in the next 2 - 3 years.

 

[Canyda]

I mean, this is why I buy $20 knockoff bands from Amazon. There's not a lot of upfront replacement costs if Apple decides to screw over customers in the future by getting rid of backwards compatibility.

 

[JulianL]

I admit that it does scare me. Has Apple ever had this level of legacy before? It’s all very well changing a connector to lightning and obsoleting a few cables for each customer but with the size of some people’s band/strap collections and the prices of stuff like Apple link and Hermes leather bands, even milanese loops etc aren’t exactly cheap, it’s potentially many thousands of Dollars probably in quite a lot of cases.

If it happens it’s going to be a tough call for Apple but similarly it would be a shame if Apple can’t evolve the form factor because of backwards compatibility. It’s a real dilemma. Apple isn’t exactly known for sacrificing margin and profit but I wonder if one solution to at least somewhat reduce the discontent might be to offer trade-ins on Apple (not third party) straps to put towards new purchases.

 

[MisterSavage]

I mean, this is why I buy $20 knockoff bands from Amazon. There's not a lot of upfront replacement costs if Apple decides to screw over customers in the future by getting rid of backwards compatibility.

Same here. I'm wearing a metal band that is comfortable, held up well, and was less than $20.

 

[symphony]

Hopefully that day is not too close.
It’s an expected thing to happen really, enjoy the bands till they work is my plan. Link and braided are my favorites

between dad and I :

3x link bracelets
2x Milanese
2x braided solo
1x sport loop
1x solo loop
2x Nomad

How much is that total?

Even though Apple has no real reason to change, I think they will in the next 2 - 3 years.

Hopefully if there was a change, I would want a compelling reason.

I mean, this is why I buy $20 knockoff bands from Amazon. There's not a lot of upfront replacement costs if Apple decides to screw over customers in the future by getting rid of backwards compatibility.

I consider Apple Watch and the Apple bands a part of fashion, my fashion, so it doesn’t feel right to use knockoffs personally. I don’t like pairing my expensive watch with cheap band too.

Personally I like being ripped off by Apple and designer brands, makes me feel like a joke dometimes

I admit that it does scare me. Has Apple ever had this level of legacy before? It’s all very well changing a connector to lightning and obsoleting a few cables for each customer but with the size of some people’s band/strap collections and the prices of stuff like Apple link and Hermes leather bands, even milanese loops etc aren’t exactly cheap, it’s potentially many thousands of Dollars probably in quite a lot of cases.

If it happens it’s going to be a tough call for Apple but similarly it would be a shame if Apple can’t evolve the form factor because of backwards compatibility. It’s a real dilemma. Apple isn’t exactly known for sacrificing margin and profit but I wonder if one solution to at least somewhat reduce the discontent might be to offer trade-ins on Apple (not third party) straps to put towards new purchases.

True, but Apple had reasons to switch to different cables. Since this is watch bands, and this is like fashion and we collect this stuff, I hope Apple understands that this shouldn’t be replaced.

If Apple were to make a circular Apple Watch, the bands can still fit that as long as the metal case forms perfectly with it.

But if Apple had to change the bands, I feel like Apple would go with a better band mechanism where the bands have no lugs so comparability between all cases wouldn’t be so bad.

 

[44267547]

Again, Apple isn’t afraid of change. And the watchband market is a small monopoly for them, especially given what they charge for their bands is a small premium. And if Apple sees another avenue to make more money off the band port, they certainly will change it. The thing is, I’m Ok with change, but it will absolutely destroy the resale band market once/if the new style bands ever launch.

 

[Bazooka-joe]

I mean, this is why I buy $20 knockoff bands from Amazon. There's not a lot of upfront replacement costs if Apple decides to screw over customers in the future by getting rid of backwards compatibility.

I always worry about the knockoff bands. Some can be pretty sticky to remove and if you get a bad one that’s gets stuck because of a defect and you can’t remove it then you are pretty much stuffed as I am not sure that Apple would cover that under warranty

 

[Canyda]

I always worry about the knockoff bands. Some can be pretty sticky to remove and if you get a bad one that’s gets stuck because of a defect and you can’t remove it then you are pretty much stuffed as I am not sure that Apple would cover that under warranty

That's fair. It hasn't been a problem with the ones I've purchased so far.

 

[Canyda]

Same here. I'm wearing a metal band that is comfortable, held up well, and was less than $20.

I have a couple of $20 Milano loops that have fooled other Apple Watch wearers into thinking they were the expensive Apple original bands.

 

[WitchDoktor]

If past is prologue, Apple will have adapters that will attach old bands to a new design. They did it when the 30 pin ports moved to Lightning, and again when the MBP went all USB-C.

It is an interesting question - wearables is a very different sector than tech, and merging the two as Apple has done with the AW is bound to result in some hard choices on Apple's part. Suppose they have a decision to make to change the form factor of the watch to enable an as yet unknown killer feature...