Filip Brož Change your belt according to your mood and situation. Thus, when introducing the Apple Watch, Apple CEO Tim Cook commented on the possibility of easy band replacement. It's easy to say, but until now there were almost no straps other than the original ones from Apple on our market. The only exceptions were often tapes from Chinese manufacturers. However, the company Monowear has recently invaded Czech stores, thanks to which there is finally something to choose from.
During the time that I have been using the Apple Watch, I have accumulated quite a nice number of original straps at home. I even invested in an original leather strap with a cylindrical design for a magnetic closure, alongside it I have several silicone and nylon ones. Out of curiosity, I tried to order a traditional Milanese stroke from China, a faithful copy of the original one. Therefore, after a few months, I can now draw some conclusions about what is actually available in the field of Watch straps and bands.
We received another five straps for testing from the American company Monowear - two leather, two steel and one nylon. The important thing is that they differ not only in color or material, but above all in the way they are fastened. Thanks to this, more than fifty different straps or pulls can be purchased from Monowear, in different lengths (136 to 188 millimeters), from which everyone can choose.
There is no skin like skin
Since there really weren't many alternatives to the original straps yet, I was very curious about Monowear. And even before unpacking, I was impressed by both leather straps. On the one hand, they are more affordable than those from Apple, and on the other hand, a slightly different material is used. To the touch, Monowear's leather feels much more solid than Apple's. In addition to the classic leather strap with a traditional watchmaker's clasp and fastening with holes, you also have the choice of a strap with a flip-over clasp and a firm anchoring of the free part of the strap. Switching on such a strap, known from the ordinary watchmaking world, is really lightning fast. Apple doesn't have one in its offer at all.
Both leather versions from Monowear are very pleasant to the touch and I didn't even sweat under the strap. As with other leather straps, these also show traces of use over time, but this is mainly a classic patina. With the beige color, which is quite light, the strap sometimes got a little dirty, but it is not a problem to clean it again.
Leather straps from Monowear will please you above all with their price. Leather Belt with Flip Buckle, Monowear Brown Leather Deployant Band, it costs 2 crowns. His colleague with an ordinary zip it will cost 2 crowns. If you like leather and don't want to invest almost double the price in the original from Apple, Monowear is definitely not a bad choice.
But I myself invested in "original leather" as one of the few more expensive straps from Apple, and it paid off. The corrugated Venetian leather strap is one of my favorite Watch bands ever, thanks to the clever magnetic closure. The cylindrical design is very distinctive, and in addition, my midnight blue looks like new even after several months. Apple is behind him charges 4 crowns and offers a total of six color variants.
Traditional steel
Stainless steel link pull from Apple it costs less than fifteen thousand crowns, i.e. almost the same as the new Watch. I have yet to meet a single person who possesses this move, although I have heard from various accounts that it is unbeatable. Most people thus reach for various imitations. Another alternative is also offered by Monowear, which goes its own way. In addition to the classic link stroke, it also has its own variant of the popular Milanese stroke.
“We never set out to copy Apple's straps. We follow our own path and offer people alternative options while maintaining high quality," they comment on their straps and pulls in Monowear, whose stainless steel link pull design is really different and thus offers an interesting alternative to the expensive original pull. Metal Band from Monowear it costs "only" 3 crowns. In addition to silver and space black, which Apple also has, it is also available in gold.
While link movements made of stainless steel are rarely seen on wrists due to their price, many often reach for the so-called Milanese movement, which has really worked well for Apple. On the other hand, it is also not the cheapest, it costs 4 crowns (cosmic black even 5 crowns), so I was wondering how Monowear is doing. It also offers an alternative to the Milan move.
Unlike Apple's Milanese pull, the Monowear Mesh Band does not have a magnetic closure, but a traditional snap fastener. Otherwise, they try to offer a similar "experience" by precisely weaving fine steel mesh, again in their own style, although the original stroke is even more delicate. Monowear gets extra points again for the extra colors – in addition to silver and black, rose gold and gold are also available. The price is lower again: the silver Monowear Mesh Band it costs 2 crowns, color variants then 3 crowns.
Decent and pleasant nylon
Apple was the first to introduce leather, silicone and steel straps, the nylon material was put on sale a little later. I got my first encounter and experience with nylon thanks to the company Trust, from which I used orange nylon strap. The belt was very pleasant to wear and thanks to the simple mechanism, you can also change the belt from Trust easily and quickly.
However, I was bothered by the nylon Trust that it got dirty very quickly and also that there is only one layer of nylon. For its Nylon Bands, Monowear offers a double type that is stitched around the perimeter. This makes the strap much stronger and more stable. Otherwise, Monowear offers the same fastening and double steel loop.
With both mentioned brands, you can choose from many color variants, so you can easily match your Apple Watch with the band. Nylon strap from Monowear it costs 1 crowns, nylon Trust costs 800 crowns. Apple stands somewhere in between when it comes to nylon straps – for its woven nylon straps he wants 1 crowns. Unlike the mentioned competition, however, it has more interesting color variants. Unlike the Monowear, it does not have stitching, which is mainly a matter of taste, and a slightly different way of capturing the end of the tape.
The complete range of straps from Monowear can be found at EasyStore.cz.
Monowear also offers a custom binder and strap storage. After flipping back the magnetic front plates, inside you'll find a hard plastic case that offers a position for a closed metal pull, two more positions for two-piece straps and, of course, a slot for a complete Apple Watch. The original charger can also be attached to them from the back of the binder. The watch display is accessible from the front thanks to a cutout in the plates.
The straps are secured in the inner hard case with rubber latches. The outer polyurethane leather coating gives the organizer a luxurious look, while the inner microfiber lining protects the straps and watches from dust and scratches. The dimensions correspond to document boards, so they are also great for travel. Monowear MonoChest it costs 2 crowns and is available in black, brown and ivory.
Classic silicone and China
However, silicone bands are by far the most widespread, if only because they are automatically supplied with the most popular (and cheapest) Watch Sport model. I also took one with me when I bought an apple watch and gradually added others to my collection, so now I alternate black, green and blue silicone depending on the need or outfit. Today, Apple's offer is also much broader. The sports strap with pin fastening is available in almost twenty color variants for 1 crowns.
The main advantage of silicone is its complete maintenance-free nature. If it gets dirty or sweaty somewhere, it's no problem to wash it. Silicone bands are also extremely suitable for sports and, despite their material, are very comfortable on the hand. Silicone is one of the few materials for which we cannot find an alternative in the mentioned Monowear, but Apple's solution is so good and affordable that it is not even necessary.
But as we mentioned above, not all straps and pulls are so cheap, that's why many even test and buy various Chinese fakes. This is a frequent topic of discussion in the Apple Watch community, as many consider the original straps to be too expensive and for the price of one, they can easily get multiple straps in China. In addition, the results are often surprisingly very good.
As with all such Chinese goods, it must be said that it varies from piece to piece, and while you may receive a really good belt from any material, the next shipment may not even cost a few dollars. However, although you usually buy rabbits in a bag, it can pay to experiment.
This is how I got a really nice and faithful copy of the Milanese move, which I originally wanted to buy at the Apple Store in Dresden. We didn't sell watches at all at that time, but the salesman there surprisingly talked me into buying an original Milanese watch. It is said that practically the same moves are available on AliExpress or Amazon for a fraction of the price. After a month of waiting, I received such a copy from China, and at first glance you really can't tell it from the original. Of course, certain mistakes, smudges or a different shade can be found during a detailed examination, but you practically cannot tell it on your hand.
You have the greatest probability of success, i.e. that the belt will meet your expectations, with silicone variants. There, copying is quite easy, and you will often find it very difficult to distinguish a silicone original from a Chinese version. Even with the cheapest original tape, you can still save, for example, when you are already buying your tenth color variant. I also bought the mentioned Milan move from China for practically a penny, including postage for about 500 crowns.
An endless palette
Silicone, leather, steel, nylon. Dozens of colors. Dozens of buckles and fasteners. Apple is serious about the variety of bands for the Watch, and the result is a truly endless variety of choices, with third-party manufacturers helping out. I myself own a black sporty Apple Watch in the 42-millimeter version, and I always try to find the best possible color combination. That's why I own a whole range of straps in different materials and colors, most of them mentioned above.
I was very pleased with the arrival of the Monowear company on the Czech market, because its offer is really wide and, in addition, it can boldly compete with the original straps from Apple in many respects. Unlike the Chinese copies, there is no desire for ordinary copying, but the Americans go their own way, which is only good for users.
More than any other accessory, Apple Watch straps are a matter of taste and opinion. Someone can get by with one stroke all the time, but I also know users who have almost all possible materials and designs. Even from the point of view of experimentation (and often considerable savings), the combination of original tapes with fakes has nevertheless worked for me. Thanks to them, you can at least get an idea of how the given straps look and work, and then buy the "right" one.
glorified digital?
Thanks for the article. Nicely and honestly written.
Very nicely written article, I also use Chinese copies and the quality is excellent for steel bands.
Well, it's definitely good to know about it. If Apple introduces the second generation, I will definitely buy. The question is, is pink suitable for a man?