Pad & Quill’s Classic Band (<a href="http://9to5mac.com/2015/08/24/review-pad-quill-classic-apple-watch-band/" target="_blank">review</a>), an attractive third-party Apple Watch band
Since the Apple Watch debuted earlier this year, Wristly has been tracking interesting user data around customer activity, satisfaction, and much more. The latest survey taken focuses primarily on Apple Watch bands by asking volunteer participants which band came with their Apple Watch at purchase, if they’ve already bought additional bands or plan to buy more, and even a question about the new Apple TV…
The most popular band acquired during initial Apple Watch purchase for Wristly’s participants is rather unsurprising: Sport. The $49 band comes in multiple colors across the Sport, Watch, and Edition collections, and has the lowest purchase price for any Apple Watch.
But how popular is Sport band as the first option according to Wristly’s survey? Three out of four participants opted for Sport to start. The same survey found that while 61% of participants own one Sport band, 25% surveyed own multiple Sport bands.
Runners-up include the $149 Milanese Loop at 11%, followed by 6% Link Bracelet, 4% Leather Loop, 3% Classic Buckle, and about 1% Modern Buckle. The Milanese Loop ranking next in popularity is likely due to its affordable price for a metal option relative to the $449 Link Bracelet.
Looking forward, Wristly asked how many participants plan to buy additional bands in the future. 23% surveyed say they expect to buy one or more bands from Apple while 20% will shop third-party vendors for options; 13% expect to buy from both. And while many plan to buy more bands from Apple or others, 19% surveyed have no plans for more bands and 32% are undecided. Wristly notes that it’s interest in third-party bands that has notably climbed here.
And when it comes to kicking the habit of wearing Apple Watch, 46% surveyed say it would be very hard to stop wearing their purchase while 39% responded that it would be somewhat hard, making up a plurality of 85%. Groups in single digits individually responded that it would be neither hard nor easy, somewhat easy, very easy, or already stopped wearing.
Finally, when it comes to buying an Apple Watch and planning to buy the new Apple TV, there’s overlap from brand loyalty just as you would expect. 56% surveyed plan to buy their first or add a new Apple TV with a whopping majority of responders being upgraders.
If there’s one key takeaway from this data for me, it’s that Apple knew what it was doing when it refreshed the Apple Watch lineup with new bands, mostly new Sport colors, going into the holiday season rather than doing nothing or delivering a totally new Apple Watch.
You can read the full report and see more charts at Wristly.
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I have 3 sport bands now – white, orange and blue – the blue one is third party from Amazon for $16 ish
If there was any indication that next years Apple Watch will accept the same bands, then I’d only buy the Apple bands, but without knowing if these bands will only fit for another 6-8 months, it’s not worth it. Although the 3rd party band is nice, the real Apple band is nicer still.
I will probably buy a 4th and 5th band before the year is up – I have a thing for color coordinating the band / face to the color shirt i’m wearing as closely as possible.
Hey Mario, which third-party bands did you get?
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00P0B3RDQ?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s01
It’s almost identical to an original and so far has held up really well to the usual wear and tear.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00P0B3RDQ?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s01
I got the first Gen iPad.
Apple supported it for about 2 years after I got it, but the Gen2 iPad is supported still. So, I’m hesitant to jump on the 1st Gen Watch.
But, the simplicity in which Apple Watch changes bands is pure genius. I think the bands are perhaps the most original parts of the Apple Watch. Apple re-invented the basic watch band that has been around for over 100 years, virtually unchanged. Magnetic, re-inventing the way the buckles tuck in, the snaps – they took a simple concept and made it elegant. But, the Apple bands are very expensive, so I can certainly see where a 3rd party band company will do well.
I’m still waiting on the “Click” adapter. There was a Kickstarter and I pre-ordered like back in May or June and supposedly they are starting to ship soon? I have a Tag Heuer Monaco blue alligator band that I think will look really sharp on my stainless steel Apple Watch, but I can’t use it until the dang adapter arrives. Anyone know of an alternative adapter?
One thing you can do is just buy an AW band and take the adapters off of it…it is expensive, but it will work.
Hi everyone, if you found a good third-party Watch band, can you please post them here for us? Thanks! http://www.curatewith.me/list/25/the-best-third-party-apple-watch-straps/
I wish the high end fashion companies would come out with their own bands for the AW…Gucci, Prada, D&G, Marc Jacobs, Dior, Chanel, Fendi…I was hoping they would all be released already – so far the only company to do this is Hermes, and you can’t even buy their bands separately, you have to buy a brand new watch! Overall I think it was a terrible strategy for Apple to hold back the third party band creation kit (those little end thingies, whatever they are called, they JUST got released to partners a few weeks ago…) — should have been released even before the watch launched, that way the 3rd party bands would have been available from the start. Ahrendts should be ashamed of herself — even Burberry could have made a 3rd party AW band and I would have bought it!
Lugs: (third party band creation kit (those little end thingies, whatever they are called, they JUST got released to partners a few weeks ago…)
Agreed – a Gucci or Burberry LV band would look great.
yes, and then we would hear how upset you were to have to wait a few weeks to receive a watch because they sent out adapters to the fashion houses to make premium band before fulfilling ” regular” customer orders first. Ahrendts should definitely be ashamed -.- the outrage!
I got two for my boyfriend from a third party provider on Amazon, and I got really good quality ones for a fraction of the price. He loved them but I suggest getting the link remover as an add on(it’s just $3 dollars and it might save you from having to buy it again later on) Not worth buying an original one imho.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B016IFSGPG