With two sizes, three models and dozens of bands to choose from, the Apple Watch is easily the most personable -- and fashionable -- product that Apple has ever released. But if the Classic Buckle, Milanese Loop or Stainless Steel Link Bracelet are too costly or don't match with your fashion style, or you are simply looking to mix things up, look no further than the wide range of third-party bands available online.

Apple Watch Box

Seville Classics Bamboo Drawer Organizer from Costco (via msink)

In the absence of official third-party bands, several users have shared pictures of their unofficial bands in the popular The Great "Third Party Band/Strap" Thread within the MacRumors discussion forums. Most third-party bands are sold through Amazon, eBay or Etsy and generally cost considerably less than those sold by Apple, and all you need to get started are Apple Watch adapters.

Apple Watch Band Adapters

Apple Watch AdapterTo use a third-party band with your Apple Watch, you will need to fasten both ends of the band to an Apple Watch adapter, a tiny metal part with a slide-and-lock mechanism. These adapters can be purchased from Amazon or eBay, generally for less than $20 a pair, and allow for essentially any regular wristwatch band to be used with the Apple Watch.

If you already have a Classic Buckle or Modern Buckle, however, you can use the adapters from those bands to connect standard wristwatch bands to your Apple Watch. In the video below, Lewis Hilsenteger of Unbox Therapy walks through the process of using the parts in the Classic Buckle band to connect a 22mm third-party watch band to the Apple Watch.


Given that unscrewing an Apple Watch adapter from the Classic Buckle or Modern Buckle requires using an uncommon pentalobe screwdriver, ordering adapters from Amazon or eBay is probably the easier option of the two. Regardless of which method you choose, the next step is the fun part: ordering a third-party band.

Apple Watch Third-Party Bands

MacRumors members have been experimenting with and sharing photos of third-party bands in the discussion forums, and we've rounded up some of the popular choices among our readers below. Keep in mind that many band sellers include adapters/lugs for free with your purchase, but ensure that you choose the right size depending if you have a 38mm or 42mm Apple Watch.

Apple Watch Brown Band
Name: Handmade Vintage Leather Strap
Description: 20-24mm brown vintage leather strap with a stainless buckle. Includes lugs adapter for 38mm or 42mm Apple Watch.
Product Link/Price: Etsy ($89.90 + $6 shipping)
Submitted By: iBighouse

AW Diver Strap
Name: Diver Strap
Description: 24mm black PVC rubber strap with red stitching and removable stainless buckle. Available in multiple stitching colors.
Product Link/Price: eBay ($16 + $6 shipping)
Submitted By: CarlJ

Poetic Apple Watch Bands
Name: Poetic Modern Band
Description: A flexible and shock-resistant TPU band available in a variety of bright colors for the 38mm and 42mm Apple Watch.
Product Link/Price: Amazon ($14.95 + $4.95 shipping)
Submitted By: Jmona

Hoco Apple Watch
Name: HOCO Stainless Steel Classic Buckles
Description: Aftermarket stainless steel link bracelets in silver, space gray, rose gold and yellow gold for the 38mm or 42mm Apple Watch.
Product Link/Price: eBay ($47.12 + free shipping)
Submitted By: StarJr.

NATO Bands Apple Watch
Name: NATO G10 Military Nylon Watch Strap
Description: 18-24mm two-piece nylon strap for Apple Watch in black, grey, olive green or "James Bond" black/grey.
Product Link/Price: eBay ($17 + $3 shipping)
Submitted By: taff2003

Related Roundup: Apple Watch Series 9
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Buy Now)

Top Rated Comments

cmChimera Avatar
107 months ago
I'm still waiting for some as nice as the first party bands.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jdillings Avatar
107 months ago
Those HOCO ones look sweet
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Joe Rossignol Avatar
107 months ago
50 shades of ugly.
The ones from BlackForestAtelier on Etsy ('https://www.etsy.com/shop/BlackForestAtelier') are mostly gorgeous in my opinion.



Attachment Image

Attachment Image

Attachment Image

Attachment Image

Attachment Image

Attachment Image

Attachment Image

Attachment Image

Attachment Image
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
appleguy123 Avatar
107 months ago
I wish someone would just create a 1 to 1 copy of Apple's sport band that doesn't cost $50.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
cmChimera Avatar
107 months ago
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/2015-Free-Shipping-Silicone-Strap-Bracelet-Fitness-Sport-Band-Replacement-for-Apple-Watch-38-42MM/32367156200.html
This looks shady.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
flychild Avatar
107 months ago
I'm still waiting for some as nice as the first party bands.
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/2015-Free-Shipping-Silicone-Strap-Bracelet-Fitness-Sport-Band-Replacement-for-Apple-Watch-38-42MM/32367156200.html
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

Multi Display CarPlay 1

All-New Apple CarPlay Launching Later This Year With These 5 New Features

Friday September 29, 2023 11:29 am PDT by
At WWDC 2022 last year, Apple previewed the next generation of CarPlay, promising deeper integration with vehicle functions like A/C and FM radio, support for multiple displays across the dashboard, personalization options, and more. Apple said the first vehicles with support for the next-generation CarPlay experience would be announced in late 2023, but it has still not shared any additional...
BMW Logo iPhone 15 Pro

Warning: BMW Wireless Charging May Break iPhone 15's Apple Pay Chip

Sunday October 1, 2023 6:14 am PDT by
If you have an iPhone 15 and drive a BMW, it might be best to avoid charging the device with the vehicle's wireless charging pad for now. Over the past week, some BMW owners have complained that their iPhone 15's NFC chip no longer works after charging the device with their vehicle's wireless charging pad, according to comments shared on the MacRumors Forums and X, formerly known as Twitter. ...
iPhone 15 Pro lineup

Apple to Address iPhone 15 Pro Overheating Issue With iOS 17 Update

Saturday September 30, 2023 9:28 am PDT by
Apple plans to release an iOS 17 update to address a bug that may contribute to the reported iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max overheating issue, according to a statement the company shared today with MacRumors and Forbes reporter David Phelan. Apple also says some recent updates to third-party apps have overloaded the system and contributed to the overheating issue. The report notes that...
iphone se 4 modified flag edges

iPhone SE 4 Details: Action Button, USB-C Port, Face ID, and More

Wednesday September 27, 2023 1:34 pm PDT by
Significant changes are expected to arrive with Apple's fourth-generation iPhone SE, in terms of both design and hardware, MacRumors has learned. The iPhone SE 4, known internally under the codename Ghost, is expected to receive a new design derived almost entirely from the base model iPhone 14. According to our sources, the iPhone SE 4 will use a modified version of the iPhone 14 chassis...
iPhone 16 Side Feature

iPhone 16 and 16 Pro: Preliminary Weights and Dimensions

Friday September 29, 2023 12:34 pm PDT by
MacRumors has obtained preliminary information on the weights and dimensions planned for the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max. The information corroborates previous reports suggesting that the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max will feature larger displays. iPhone 16 and 16 Plus Current information suggests that the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus will maintain the same...
uk bank account apple wallet 2

Apple Wallet's New Bank Account Feature Likely to Expand to U.S.

Friday September 29, 2023 8:11 pm PDT by
Starting with the iOS 17.1 beta released this week, iPhone users in the U.K. can add debit and credit cards from select banks in the country to the Wallet app and view their available balances and latest transactions for those accounts. Apple calls this feature Connected Cards, and it's currently available in the U.K. only, but there is now evidence to suggest it will expand to the U.S. in...
iPhone 15 Pro Cameras

Apple Says iPhone 15 Pro's Titanium Frame Does Not Contribute to Overheating Issue

Saturday September 30, 2023 11:10 am PDT by
Apple today said it plans to release an iOS 17 software update with a bug fix for the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max overheating issue, and the company has since shared additional details about the matter with MacRumors. Importantly, Apple said the issue is not related to the titanium frame. Contrary to a report this week, Apple said the iPhone 15 Pro's design does not contribute to...