The Great "Third Party Band/Strap" Thread

[xDKP]

Sadly your pictures don't work

Damn - Something is wrong with my Dropbox then - I'll try re-uploading them - nothing breathtaking, but just good view of the two straps

Edit: Pictures should work now...

 

[maccswe]

Anyone that have bought any bands like this one on eBay?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/161886258033

I bought one (not this one) and the clasp opened itself all the time. Has anyone any seller to recommend?

 

[techno-Zen]

I'm happy with this Black ML

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0199RKMQQ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I went in to the Apple store to compare to OEM and the weight/feel of it is REALLY close to OEM. Only complaint would be that the sides aren't as shiny as OEM and no shielding on the magnet but I'm really happy with it

 

[SeeTheLights]

Anyone been able to find a classic buckle/leather type band with space grey adapters anywhere on Amazon?

 

[maflynn]

The MoKo Space Black Milanese:

I have the MoKo myself and like it. I compared what I had with Apple's and found almost no difference. I think the magnet is stronger with Apple's. The price difference is huge and I opted to keep the MoKo and forgo Apple's.

 

[KillaMac]

I have the MoKo myself and like it. I compared what I had with Apple's and found almost no difference. I think the magnet is stronger with Apple's. The price difference is huge and I opted to keep the MoKo and forgo Apple's.

I got to compare these yesterday. I own the Apple and bought the Moko for my Mom on her's which I returned. Her wrists are very small and it was too big. But either way, I noticed the Moko was thinner, and felt less durable than my Apple one. It's good for a cheap alternative, but you can definitely tell the difference.

 

[xDKP]

I got to compare these yesterday. I own the Apple and bought the Moko for my Mom on her's which I returned. Her wrists are very small and it was too big. But either way, I noticed the Moko was thinner, and felt less durable than my Apple one. It's good for a cheap alternative, but you can definitely tell the difference.

Quite interesting - you're the first I've heard saying there is a noticeable difference between the two... The one thing I will give you though, is the size - for some reason the 38mm third party I have seen have been pretty big - My mom started with a 3rd party and had to buy the OEM Apple Milanese because of the size.

 

[AZhappyjack]

Quite interesting - you're the first I've heard saying there is a noticeable difference between the two... The one thing I will give you though, is the size - for some reason the 38mm third party I have seen have been pretty big - My mom started with a 3rd party and had to buy the OEM Apple Milanese because of the size.

I have the original Apple Milanese band (stainless) and a black Moko Milanese band that I purchased through Amazon.

In my very non-scientific analysis, there is no difference in band thickness - I have laid both side by side on my granite counter top and can feel no appreciable difference in thickness. Likewise, IMO, there is no difference in the feel or quality of the band itself. I wear both occasionally, and pretty much equally. The only difference that I have ever observed beyond color is that the Moko does seem to have a stronger magnet, and stays "in place" better than the Apple band.

 

[KillaMac]

Well, there was definitely a difference. Mine wasn't as flexible, felt a little heavier, and so on.

 

[SeeTheLights]

Got this for $20 on Amazon. Can't really complain and love the look of it!

 

[Kloan1]

I finally found a decent 24mm band. The vast majority of bands on the market don't have an even width, they taper (which I hate), so it took a while to find one for a decent price (I'm not about to spend over $100 on a freakin watch band).

Anyway, got this from China (where else) for around $15 shipped. It's solid stainless steel, has some heft to it. They shipped it without spring bars which was quite annoying. I'm using it with the spring bar adapter, since the other style doesn't seem to fit any bands other than leather or nylon.

I'm happy with it.

 

[maflynn]

But either way, I noticed the Moko was thinner, and felt less durable than my Apple one. It's good for a cheap alternative, but you can definitely tell the difference.

Odd I didn't feel the difference and talking to the apple store salesperson, they couldn't either. She's was sympathetic and said, to save my money, she felt not difference between the two (other then the magnet).

 

[deany]

Aliexpress are now selling the nylon bands, they do look good - has anyone ordered from there?

http://s.aliexpress.com/Z7bmUvua

they dont offer a space grey option though.

 

[jermy4]

Aliexpress are now selling the nylon bands, they do look good - has anyone ordered from there?

http://s.aliexpress.com/Z7bmUvua

they dont offer a space grey option though.

They look good because they stole apple's pictures. I'm betting they won't be exactly the same as apple's bands.

 

[deany]

They look good because they stole apple's pictures. I'm betting they won't be exactly the same as apple's bands.

Well spotted. The photos in the reviews from this seller look ok, never seen those lugs before -
http://m.aliexpress.com/item/326779...83-1468437322072-08207-Y7bAZbY&aff_platform=y

 

[Ckwilson73]

I purchased three knock off leather loops on Amazon. A brown one from ViTech, a black and a gray one from Fan Tek. I'm happy with all three, especially for the price I paid. The black one is the softest and most comfortable. The grey one is slightly thicker and almost rubbery, but still okay. The brown one is slightly stiffer than the black one, but still comfortable. The magnets on all three are really strong and they stay in place.

 

[Sneakerp]

Hi, I recently got an amazon gift card and want to purchase a few third party sport/leather bands for my 42mm.

What brand/seller should I go thru that is the most comparable to apple OEM bands? Looking for rubber and leather only.

Thanks and likes for the help.

 

[johnnilcru]

Hi, I recently got an amazon gift card and want to purchase a few third party sport/leather bands for my 42mm.

What brand/seller should I go thru that is the most comparable to apple OEM bands? Looking for rubber and leather only.

Thanks and likes for the help.

Just check on google.com/shopping for a wide range of brands/models; I chose to go for a LUCRIN one

Here's my previous post when i had just got it:

My replacement watch strap from Lucrin got delivered 2 days back. They barely made it within the expected delivery time though (10 business days).

But the wait was worth it!

I chose the mocha colored band for my 42mm Apple Watch. It looks and feels sturdy and clips in in exactly the same way as the original watch bands. It has quite the hefty price tag on it, but so far, I have no regrets! And i think that's what counts - i just hope it stays that way for the next 6 months at least.

Cheers!
View attachment 564283 View attachment 564284

 

[fischersd]

Clockworksynergy sent out a notice that their Pride bands are now out (for anyone interested):

http://www.clockworksynergy.com/sho...-piece-classic-nato/pride-rainbow-nato-apple/

 

[///M Powah]

Going to town again! Just spent $321 on watch bands today!

 

[AZhappyjack]

I ordered three (classic red, navy and navy/green striped) of the "2 piece classic" Nato bands from Clockwork Synergy and got the delivery today. The bands are a little thinner and more flexible than the Apple nylon bands, and are constructed completely differently. These bands have the standard "lugs" for attaching to the Watch, as opposed to Apple's molded connectors. Additionally, these bands have two metal loops for the end of the strap that are sewn in place, where the Apple nylon bands have a single "floating" loop made of matching nylon material.

After having worn one of the bands for most of the afternoon, I can say it is quite comfortable - and a bit more casual looking than the Apple nylon bands. When I first put it on, I noticed a slight scratchy feel to the inside (side of the band that actually touches my skin)... so if you in any way have "sensitive" skin, it MIGHT be a bit of an issue. The bands are also slightly shorter than the Apple nylon bands.

For the price ($24.95 with a 20% discount via coupon code), I'd say they are keepers - but I will wear them in much more casual environments.

 

[///M Powah]

I ordered three (classic red, navy and navy/green striped) of the "2 piece classic" Nato bands from Clockwork Synergy and got the delivery today. The bands are a little thinner and more flexible than the Apple nylon bands, and are constructed completely differently. These bands have the standard "lugs" for attaching to the Watch, as opposed to Apple's molded connectors. Additionally, these bands have two metal loops for the end of the strap that are sewn in place, where the Apple nylon bands have a single "floating" loop made of matching nylon material.

After having worn one of the bands for most of the afternoon, I can say it is quite comfortable - and a bit more casual looking than the Apple nylon bands. When I first put it on, I noticed a slight scratchy feel to the inside (side of the band that actually touches my skin)... so if you in any way have "sensitive" skin, it MIGHT be a bit of an issue. The bands are also slightly shorter than the Apple nylon bands.

For the price ($24.95 with a 20% discount via coupon code), I'd say they are keepers - but I will wear them in much more casual environments.

Your band looks similar to mine that I ordered today.

 

[lg251]

Going to town again! Just spent $321 on watch bands today!

I love your buying sprees! Post when you get them!

How many bands will you own now with that order?

 

[///M Powah]

I love your buying sprees! Post when you get them!

How many bands will you own now with that order?

Thank you. I definitely will share them when I receive them, and the total bands that I have including this order is 43 bands.

 

[fischersd]

I ordered three (classic red, navy and navy/green striped) of the "2 piece classic" Nato bands from Clockwork Synergy and got the delivery today. The bands are a little thinner and more flexible than the Apple nylon bands, and are constructed completely differently. These bands have the standard "lugs" for attaching to the Watch, as opposed to Apple's molded connectors. Additionally, these bands have two metal loops for the end of the strap that are sewn in place, where the Apple nylon bands have a single "floating" loop made of matching nylon material.

After having worn one of the bands for most of the afternoon, I can say it is quite comfortable - and a bit more casual looking than the Apple nylon bands. When I first put it on, I noticed a slight scratchy feel to the inside (side of the band that actually touches my skin)... so if you in any way have "sensitive" skin, it MIGHT be a bit of an issue. The bands are also slightly shorter than the Apple nylon bands.

For the price ($24.95 with a 20% discount via coupon code), I'd say they are keepers - but I will wear them in much more casual environments.

I have the black and navy heavy nato's and Bond (red/green/black striped) classic nato from CWS - all with the black PVD coated hardware and space black lugs to support my space black watch (now, back then, their lugs were the same as what Apple has on the classic buckle, but they stopped doing that as their supplier wasn't being consistent about applying lock-tite to the screws (and a few people had issues with them getting loose)
I've been pestering them for more colours in the heavy nato bands (thicker, more durable material). Specifically, I'd like to see a couple reds (blood red and a Ferrari red) . Yes, I know they have a red in classic nato...prefer the heavier strap.

Also, the scratchiness wears down as the bands get broken in (for those with sensitive skin)