I too am eagerly awaiting my 42mm SS watch with the link bracelet. I live very close to an Apple store and so have had two watch appointments where I looked closely at the Link band. To be truthful, the first time I saw it I was underwhelmed, although it is still my favorite of all of the Apple bands.
I think that impressions are based upon expectations, experience, and perspective. The pictures of the link band are amazing, but they are highly magnified. I have worn a Rolex for over 30 years. The SS/Gold links on my Rolex are over twice the thickness of the AW band, and are made of a far higher grade of SS. The Rolex SS has a shiny finish compared to the Apple Watch's matte finish. This is due to the differences in the quality of the SS.
It's not really fair to compare the AW band to a Rolex band, is it?
The AW band is considerably lighter than my Rolex band and it is brilliantly engineered. It goes nicely with the watch. I expect to be very happy with it.
For what it's worth, for those who haven't seen it in person, I thought that the Milanese loop band looked far better in person than in the pictures. Almost as nice as the link band, IMHO.