Those looking for a classic leather look on their Apple Watch can find a few options ranging in price from $149 to $249 in the Apple store. With a handful of third-party manufacturers getting into the Apple Watch band game, quality accessory designer Pad & Quill has introduced its own line of Classic Apple Watch Bands for a cheaper entry cost of $89.95 that hews most closely to Apple's Classic Buckle.

P&Q Band Review 2
The big difference with Pad & Quill's option is an array of color options -- Galloper Black, Chocolate, Whiskey, and British Tan -- that let customers keep a traditional watch aesthetic with added customization. The company provides the option to purchase any color with either stainless steel or polished black finishes, to successfully match each user's Apple Watch face (Sport editions will support the accessory, but the same visual and corrosive warnings from Apple's own bands still apply).

Design

The Pad & Quill bands are created in an Italian leather tannery using a "soft-tumble method" that results in what the company aims to be a comfortable watch band with added durability. Designed in both the 38mm and 42mm Apple Watch sizes, the Classic Apple Watch Band will fit wrist sizes from 130mm to 210mm in diameter.

Unlike some other third-party companies, and Apple itself, Pad & Quill is making every leather color option of its band line available in both Apple Watch sizes, lending each band a unisex universality that looks good on any wrist. The company even lets users mix-and-match the color of the leather with the metal finishing in such a way that ranges from traditional (British Tan with stainless steel) to bordering on unattractive (Chocolate with polished black).

P&Q Band Review 1
Still, the customization to a fault is welcome, and ultimately results in a handsomely made and sturdy Apple Watch accessory. Pad & Quill sent me the Chocolate with stainless steel band and I've been wearing it for a couple of days for testing. The outside of the band feels smooth to the touch and appears to back up the company's claim of the accessory's sturdiness, while the inside is sewn in a lighter-toned stitching to contrast nicely with whichever leather color is chosen.

Daily Wear

After about half a week with the Classic Apple Watch Band, I can say that things have gotten far better from the initial outset of wearing the band. A few things to note: the Apple Watch is the first watch I've worn in over a decade, and the Sports Band is the only band I own for it. Subsequently, I found the more traditional notch and clasp closure somewhat cumbersome when in direct comparison to the speed and slickness to which I can slide on and off the Sports Band.

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Fortunately, once the leather began to bend and fold to the exact size I began wearing the accessory in, Pad & Quill's Apple Watch band became far less of a hassle to wear on a daily basis. I'm still not entirely sold on using it during heavy workout sessions, however, even with the company's reassuring, but generic, claims to the band's "active life durability."

I put the leather band through some traditional cardio workout sessions, and a few runs, and it came out of the other end unharmed, but notably obtrusive. The band just has too many points of prickly contact with the skin -- the metal clasp and the loops that hold the end of the band down, especially -- that are nearly undetectable on a daily basis but become magnified under a high-stress, high-movement workout. Pad & Quill also doesn't mention any sort of water resistance on its website, and while I can't claim I put it through any sort of heavy water testing, the band has come out of a few rain showers and sweaty workouts completely unharmed, although obvious water warnings against leather still apply.

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The svelte, professional look of the leather band is the biggest plus for Pad & Quill's new line of Apple Watch bands. Although I can't directly compare it to Apple's Leather Loop and Classic Buckle options, on its own the Classic Apple Watch Band is sleek and nicely designed, with Pad & Quill's rustic brand of naturalism evident in everything from the pops of color emerging from the accessory's under-stitching to the unique tannery artisan signature tucked under each band.

Bottom Line

Like some third-party accessories before it, Pad & Quill's Classic Apple Watch Band is a great budget alternative to Apple's offerings of the same nature. While $89.95 for some is far from cheap, those looking for a genuine, durable, and professional-looking leather option for their Apple wearable -- and not wanting to risk buying cheaper knock-offs -- probably won't be able to find a better alternative than Pad & Quill.

The accessory company, known for its naturalistic leather-made iPhone, iPad, and MacBook accessories, also introduced a line of Apple Watch products around the launch of the device back in April.

Pros

  • Attractive design
  • $89 price tag
  • Multiple color and finish options
  • Available in both 38mm and 42mm sizes
  • Eventually, quite comfortable

Cons

  • Days-long break-in period
  • Unsuitable for workouts

How to Buy

The Classic Apple Watch Band is available for pre-order today on Pad & Quill's official website in Galloper Black, Whiskey, Chocolate, and British Tan. The company is aiming for a mid-September shipping date for the first round of pre-orders.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch 10
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Caution)

Top Rated Comments

stulaw11 Avatar
129 months ago
I think $89 is more than fair. The $200+ Apple bands are a butt rape; they should be $89-99 too at the most. The rubber at $39-49
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
freeskier93 Avatar
129 months ago
How mediocre. You can get the same type band for $30 on ebay, Amazon, or aliexpress.
Leather comes in many qualities. Pen & Quill website says full grain leather, which is pretty much the highest quality leather you can get. Those $30 leather band you will find on Amazon are genuine leather, a couple notches down in quality. So no, they are not the same type of bands.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Chrjy Avatar
129 months ago
I much prefer this one over yesterdays monstrosity! The metal one yesterday just looked incredibly cheap and nasty imo!
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
freeskier93 Avatar
129 months ago
I would wager to say the majority of people buying third party bands will choose the one that looks the same and costs $60 less.
I agree, and frankly given the usable lifespan of the Apple Watch I'd stick with a cheaper genuine leather band too.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
macs4nw Avatar
129 months ago
That still seems like a lot of scratch for an average looking strap (with cheap-looking stitching), that will probably wear out within a year. Genuine leather watch bands just don't seem to wear very well.

Definitely being a lot less expensive than Apple's bands, it may appeal to those who prefer a leather band.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
fieldsphotos Avatar
128 months ago
Got my British Tan band for a 38mm watch in today. It looks great! The adapters are solid - no gaps and are pretty flush. The adapters are a shiny metal so you still get the two-tone look with a Sport model. The leather is very high quality and pretty soft. It will take a little bit of breaking in to conform to my wrist, but not too much. I like it way better than Apple's leather offerings which seemed over-processed when I saw them in person in the store. Overall I am very pleased! Worth the wait. Best part was the smell of leather when I opened the box.

('http://s1161.photobucket.com/user/skfields/media/IMG_0864_zpsmzwl8cia.jpg.html')
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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