Apple Watch strap and CGA

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FineWine

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#3027949 27-Jan-2023 16:40

Goosey:

Are you supposed to clean them with leather conditioner (like shoes)?

Try saddle soap, that is what they use all the time on "The Repair Shop" (TVNZ Fridays). They recondition leather which 10 - 100 years old and they come up treat.

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Paul1977

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#3028178 28-Jan-2023 10:49

alasta:

I find silicone bands really good for running and swimming. They're cheap, robust and easy to clean just by rinsing under the tap.

The nylon sports bands look okay but I would be concerned that they might absorb sweat, and the the end of the band looks like it might be inclined to catch on things.

Silicone is very practical, but I just don’t like the look or feel.

I’ve ordered another Leather Link for dressier occasions and thought I’d try a Braided Solo Loop for day-to-day wear.

I’m a bit nervous about the sizing of the Braided Solo Loop because there’s a lot of Internet chatter that you need to order 1 or 2 sizes smaller than Apple recommends. And when the sizing guide says to measure “tightly” around your wrist that’s fairly subjective, does it mean just “snug” or “tight-tight”? I measured at a tension somewhere between the two, which put me dead in between a 9 and 10 (which Apple said to order a 9) so I ordered an 8 based on what I’ve been reading… hopefully ‘s not too small. I wish they had Apple Stores here so you could just go in and try the different sizes on.

dfnt

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#3028227 28-Jan-2023 12:12

It will probably feel tight, give it a couple of days and it should loosen.

Thankfully apples return policy is easy so you can swap it for the next size up

I managed to try them on at the Apple Store when I was in Brisbane over Christmas. I ended up with a size 8 but after a few wears it’s feeling a little bit loose that I’m thinking I should have gone with a 7

alasta

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#3028246 28-Jan-2023 12:50

I originally got a braided solo loop with my watch and I have to say I'm not a fan. It always felt like it required quite a lot of effort to get the watch on and off my wrist, and after a few months it started to feel loose while wearing it. Online there seem to be a lot of anecdotes about them stretching over time, although it seems to affect the standard solo loop more than the braided one.

I've stopped using the braided solo loop in favour of a Milanese loop and a collection of different coloured silicone bands. The Milanese loop is really nice and I love wearing it on special occasions, but as a sporty person I tend to wear silicone most of the time.

Paul1977

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#3028322 28-Jan-2023 14:46

Yeah, I’ve read about them stretching over time as well. So apparently whichever one feels like the perfect fit when brand new will end up too loose and you should think about going the next size down.

Supposedly an occasional hot wash can shrink them back up a bit.

But I’ve also read in a couple of places that the ones shipping now are less prone to stretching out than the first generation - but not sure if there’s any truth to that.

If it stretches out within the 1 year warranty period I’d hope they’d just replace with no argument.

Paul1977

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#3028323 28-Jan-2023 14:51

dfnt: I managed to try them on at the Apple Store when I was in Brisbane over Christmas. I ended up with a size 8 but after a few wears it’s feeling a little bit loose that I’m thinking I should have gone with a 7

I’d be trying to get it changed under warranty if you only got it before Xmas. If it’s expected that it stretches after a few wears they should make that clear before you purchase.

dfnt

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#3028560 28-Jan-2023 18:35

The braided solo loops in question are eBay purchases, charcoal and Inverness green.

I haven’t worn the midnight one I got from the Apple Store, at some point they changed the weave pattern to negate the loosening which is probably what’s occurring with the charcoal and Inverness as they’re discontinued

Apple did tell me I should size down from from whatever I end up with on the normal solo loop which is 8

Paul1977

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#3029357 30-Jan-2023 11:30

New straps arrived. Size 8 of the Braided Solo Loop seems pretty good fit.

Disappointing part about both straps "midnight" isn't black, but rather darkish grey. This is particularly apparent with the Leather Link strap when comparing to my worn out black one. Why do they have to change things?

Paul1977

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#3029734 30-Jan-2023 18:07

Hmmm…. after wearing it for the afternoon I think it might be too tight after all. I’ve ordered a 9 now to compare and will send back whichever has the worst fit.

Paul1977

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#3031034 2-Feb-2023 18:18

Paul1977: Hmmm…. after wearing it for the afternoon I think it might be too tight after all. I’ve ordered a 9 now to compare and will send back whichever has the worst fit.

Size 9 arrived and is pretty much the perfect fit. Just tight enough that it doesn't move, but not so tight that you notice it. I'm hoping with the new weave pattern that it doesn't stretch, but if it does I figure that's a warranty issue so won't worry until when/if it happens.

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