Add style to your Apple Watch with this metal band from Oittm
I’ve been looking for a classy metal band for my Apple Watch. Apple’s Milanese Loop and Link Bracelets are nice, but not their price tags. There are many knock-offs of both styles available, but I wanted a metal band that wasn’t trying to copy Apple’s styles directly. I’ve found it in Oittm’s Apple Watch Band.
The Facts
Company: Oittm
Product: Apple Watch Band
Price: $29.99
Compatibility: Any Apple Watch
Colors: Silver or Space Gray
Date: March 7, 2016
Overview
Oittm sent me their Apple Watch Band in the color Silver to review. The metal is slightly brushed, so it would probably go nearly as well with the Aluminum Apple Watch Sport as it does with my stainless steel. It’s also available in Space Gray; both colors come in either the 38mm or 42mm width. You can remove up to eight links; I had to remove six but I got a fantastic custom fit. Oittm’s band isn’t perfect, for reasons I’ll explain below, but overall I quite like it and you might, too.
What I Liked
This is a nice heavy, solid band. I thought it might weigh down my small wrist, but once it’s on, it feels comfortable and weightless. It feels like quality jewelry, not a cheap imitation. I think the link pattern is quite attractive, and I like that it’s not an attempt at copying Apple’s designs.
The deployment clasp is cool, and it works perfectly. Just squeeze the top and bottom and it pops right open. To close it, you just fold it together, and it pops securely into place. I wasn’t sure it would be comfortable on, but it is. The fit and finish of this band are both nice. The adapters fit into the watch, and I have no concerns about them popping out.
What I Didn't Like
I did not enjoy removing the links. Oittm does send you the tools you need along with the watch. The tiny screwdriver was just to tighten the screws that are already in the adapters, just as a precaution. That was no problem. The other tool, which is a sort of impaling device, is what you use to remove the links. The basic idea is that you place the link you want to remove in the device and turn the screw so that the twisting pin pushes out the link pin, thus allowing the link to fall out. It does work, albeit not easily. If you’re just a fraction of a millimeter off in your alignment, the twisting pin will just bend instead of doing its job. But once this process is done, and the bracelet painstakingly put back together, you’re ready to go. I probably should have taken it to a professional jeweler who could have done this in a snap.
My only other issue with this band is the adapters. As I’ve said, they are fully functional and fit just fine. However, for this type of band, a different kind of adapter, such as this one offered by Wearlizer, would look far more attractive. It would give the band a more seamless look, like Apple’s Link Bracelet has.
Bottom Line
Oittm’s Apple Watch Band is stylish and solid. If you don’t mind the hassle of removing links, and the adapter style works for you, this is an excellent value. It looks and feels just as advertised in their listing. You can purchase it on Amazon in both 38mm and 42mm sizes in either Silver or Space Gray for $29.99.
