Apple debuted the Leather Link band within the fall of 2020 alongside the Apple Watch Sequence 6. At launch, we picked up a pair of bands representing two of the unique 4 colours.

Those we purchased have been California Poppy and Baltic Blue. At present, Apple has 4 completely different colour choices. You’ll be able to select between Sequoia Inexperienced, Midnight, Darkish Cherry, and Golden Brown.

The Leather Link was designed to suit each the bigger 45mm Apple Watch — what we have been testing — and the smaller 41mm Apple Watch. There are additionally two completely different lengths, an S/M model, and an M/L model.

We opted for the S/M measurement as a result of whereas the M/L match us, the strap overlapped sufficient to the touch the opposing fringe of the Apple Watch. Apple does have a sizing information that can assist you discover your excellent match.

Apple Leather Link

Apple makes use of Roux Granada leather-based for the leather-based hyperlink, crafted in France. This sort of leather-based is usually utilized in furnishings and has a robust high end.

We have been sporting the leather-based bands almost each day for the previous two years. We put on the California Poppy a bit extra ceaselessly between the two.

Placing a clock on it, they’ve averaged a few 12 months’s price of damage every — give or take. Although there are indicators of damage, we have been very impressed with how they faired.

Neither band had any stretching or was misshapen. They every match simply in addition to on day one. The magnets have been simply as sturdy, and the lugs weren’t exhibiting any injury.

The California Poppy band, apart from being worn extra, additionally has a lighter end which reveals put on extra prominently. You’ll be able to see the filth that collected on the underside of the wrist.

We did by accident trigger inadvertent injury after we went to the Nice Sand Dunes in Colorado, the place there’s a propensity of metallic ferrite particles within the sand. They collected on the band, so after we slid it aside, the magnets smashed the ferrite items between the strap items and left extra darkish marks.

That is in all probability not a typical state of affairs for customers, and the marks have been restricted to hidden elements of the band regardless.

We wished to try to scrub our Leather Link strap to see how nicely it may very well be restored. The wear and tear marks did not hassle us, they usually’re solely on the wrist portion, however we have been curious.

Leather Link with two years of damage

We took our band and initially tried a moist paper towel, however it did not do a lot to assist. It did not have sufficient scrubbing energy for the sleek floor of the leather-based.

Ultimately, some mild scrubbing with our fingernails shifted a number of the grime. If in case you have leather-based cleaner, this also needs to be helpful.

One of many hyperlinks after cleansing, not all managed this nicely

You’ll be able to see the transformation above for the one hyperlink we cleaned, as almost all of the filth has come off. A few of the hyperlinks did appear to have a number of the colours eliminated, so it by no means returned to “good as new” situation ultimately.

Comparatively, the Baltic Blue band had a lot much less noticeable put on and appeared practically excellent when worn.

After having these bands for two years, these bands appear very price their value. As a result of we favored the bands a lot — and did not wish to pay Apple’s excessive price ticket every time — we have tried funds variations with horrible outcomes.

Third-party Leather Link knockoffs use leather-based of unknown origins that’s notably thicker and stiffer than Apple’s. They begin to collapse, and the layers will separate with use.

We have additionally heard numerous stories of the magnets being weak and falling off your wrist whereas operating — one thing Apple’s will not do, even with the stainless-steel Apple Watch. They’ve additionally been identified to stay to things and peel off your wrist, one other factor we have not encountered with Apple’s official model.

Baltic Blue Leather Link

There is a substantial value delta between these bands and people produced by Apple, however primarily based on how Apple’s have held up, aside from some minor put on, we expect they’re well worth the premium.

• Frequently refreshed with new colours
• Absurdly snug with a number of sizing choices
• Capable of be cleaned with leather-based cleaner
• Top quality supplies that do not stretch extra time or lose energy
• Darker choices disguise long-term put on nicely
• Straightforward to placed on or off

• Gentle-colored variations present put on extra simply