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MichaelMidnight

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Feb 20, 2008
400
115
Los Angeles
Hi all! So I'm finding myself more and more in love with the Apple Watch Ultra and I want to class it up. I originally though I could go with a leather band but I keep turning back to metal bands, especially because I picked up a stainless steel graphite magnetic metal band from Nomad for my SS Graphite Series 7 watch and fell in love. So some part of me is partial already for the Nomad Titanium Magnetic metal band but it's backordered until 1/25/2023, if that.

So now I'm also looking at Apple silver Milanese loop, the sliver metal link band, and other offerings and wondered if you all had some ideas and thoughts on the matter.
 
Just be aware that any band with magnets in it (or containing magnetized ferrous material) will not only mess up the compass, but also mess up the compass calibration. (Meaning that the compass will still not work correctly for some time, even after replacing the band with a non-magnetic one.)
 
I have both the Milanese and silver link band. Both look great on the watch. I didn't notice an issue with the Milanese loop magnet causing an issue with the compass.
 
I have both the Milanese and silver link band. Both look great on the watch. I didn't notice an issue with the Milanese loop magnet causing an issue with the compass.

YMMV

Of course OP may not care about the compass, which is fine. Just providing info to avoid possible disappointment. Some have reported that AWU is particularly sensitive to band magnets.
 
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YMMV

Of course OP may not care about the compass, which is fine. Just providing info to avoid possible disappointment. Some have reported that AWU is particularly sensitive to band magnets.

Yeah, so I'm fully aware of how compass' work. My statement was i didn't notice the Milanese Loop impacting the compass. If you hold the magnet up against the watch it will impact it. Mainly in the front from what I just discovered. Wearing it normally, no issues.

I've been involved with compass' on sailing vessels years ago and am familiar with what it takes to calibrate one. Anything on the boat can impact where the compass points which makes calibration critical with the compass installed where it will stay first.

But if you REALLY want to get technical - don't ever charge your watch. You do know how the charging puck connects, right?
 
I have a Nomad Titanium band on order to go with my Ultra. The pictures and videos I have seen make it look like the band is a great match to go with the titanium Ultra. Looking forward too seeing for myself when it arrives in late December.
 
Just be aware that any band with magnets in it (or containing magnetized ferrous material) will not only mess up the compass, but also mess up the compass calibration. (Meaning that the compass will still not work correctly for some time, even after replacing the band with a non-magnetic one.)
Better not charge it then. ;)
 
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Better not charge it then. ;)
I expect the compass does not attempt to calibrate while charging.

The fact of the matter is that bands with magnets do affect the watch compass. Apple warns about this. Not trying to win an argument here, you are welcome to have the last word if you like. Just providing information that may or may not be useful when considering a band containing magnets. I of course do not know if OP or anyone else already knows this or not.
 
I expect the compass does not attempt to calibrate while charging.

The fact of the matter is that bands with magnets do affect the watch compass. Apple warns about this. Not trying to win an argument here, you are welcome to have the last word if you like. Just providing information that may or may not be useful when considering a band containing magnets. I of course do not know if OP or anyone else already knows this or not.

I'm not trying to win an argument, but ensure people asking questions have facts to base their decisions on. Apple does NOT state the bands with magnets DO affect the watch compass. Their exact words are "The presence of magnets can affect the accuracy of any compass sensor." and they use the words "might interfere" as found on this page:


That makes sense. If the magnet gets near the case, it can throw off the compass calibration. My initial comment was I have the Milanese Loop and did not notice an impact to the compass and I stand by that statement. In my area, knowing N/S/E/W is pretty easy to discern which is why I feel confident. I even tested it and found the compass did not move until I placed the magnet up near the front of the watch (I moved the magnet around the body).

Not sure when the compass calibrates or when the compass sensor is actually active. Could be all the time when not in battery saver mode. There's no delay when pulling up the app so it must be more active than not. You can initiate the compass while it's on a charging puck. Nothing happens. The watch has to have some shielding to help with magnetic influences or every time you charged, it would be thrown off.
 
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