Authentic Apple band serial numbers?!? *mindblown*

[twanj]

https://www.reddit.com/r/AppleWatch..._but_you/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app


Just saw this & checked a few of my bands. Crazy, I had no idea!

I see the serial number on SOME (but not all) of my Sport Bands, Sport Loops, & Milanese Loop (newest version) bought from Apple.

 

[skanska]

https://www.reddit.com/r/AppleWatch..._but_you/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app


Just saw this & checked a few of my bands. Crazy, I had no idea.

Nice find very crafty

 

[hexagenia]

Nice find very crafty

Cool find! What part of the band are we looking at and what kind of band? Sorry, but I'm a little disoriented by the picture!

 

[twanj]

Cool find! What part of the band are we looking at and what kind of band? Sorry, but I'm a little disoriented by the picture!

The pin end of a sport band.

Push the middle connector.

I checked sport bands, sport loops, & Milanese loop.

 

[ricktat]

The pin end of a sport band.

Push the middle connector.

I checked sport bands, sport loops, & Milanese loop.

Dude.. I thought you were an expert on bands.

 

[GRT89521]

I have a couple bands that don't have the serial number, some which I bought directly from Apple, some I bought on eBay but I belive are genuine. I have plenty of 3rd party knockoffs, so I belive I can tell the difference. Have the serial numbers always been on the pin?

 

[twanj]

I have a couple bands that don't have the serial number, some which I bought directly from Apple, some I bought on eBay but I belive are genuine. I have plenty of 3rd party knockoffs, so I belive I can tell the difference. Have the serial numbers always been on the pin?

Good question!

I believe the oldest bands I have are Yellow, Blue G1/G2, and Red.
I don't think I can see a serial number on these.

All of them were bought with the box & appear genuine. Some were bought New In Box.

Can anyone with a Link Bracelet verify if theirs has a serial number?

 

[Ron21]

Good question!

I believe the oldest bands I have are Yellow, Blue G1/G2, and Red.
I don't think I can see a serial number on these.

All of them were bought with the box & appear genuine. Some were bought New In Box.

Can anyone with a Link Bracelet verify if theirs has a serial number?

Link bracelet does not have any visible serial numbers, I checked two different ones bought directly from Apple. In fact, I've only seen the serial number on the sport loop, not any others.

 

[ricktat]

Sport bands have the number for sure. It’s only on the buckle side.

You can see it extremely easily on Nike bands as they are black and the silver engraving is easy to see.

I don’t know for sure if the original bands had the numbers or not

 

[ilikewhey]

funny i just got off the phone with apple earlier today, after i noticed some part of the milanese loop looked different but turn out to be just dirt, the whole time even they are ware there aren't any serial numbers

 

[oeagleo]

Interesting, I have an original Nike band, with the serial number, as well as an original "Sport Loop" in black that also has the S/N. I did not know this.

 

[Dragonsfly44]

I have 3 different Nike watch bands so far. The one that came with my watch in black, another in olive flak(green) and another in orbit/gamma(blue). The blue one is a 38mm that I just bought off of eBay. While I am pretty sure it’s authentic(it has all the proper labeling), it has serial numbers on all three bands, all different. Does anyone else have an authentic Apple band with the number on all three pieces? My green and black ones only have it on the snap side, but they are 40mm and 44mm sizes. (I have a 44mm Watch that I put the smaller bands on and it still looks pretty good imo)

 

[twanj]

I have 3 different Nike watch bands so far. The one that came with my watch in black, another in olive flak(green) and another in orbit/gamma(blue). The blue one is a 38mm that I just bought off of eBay. While I am pretty sure it’s authentic(it has all the proper labeling), it has serial numbers on all three bands, all different. Does anyone else have an authentic Apple band with the number on all three pieces? My green and black ones only have it on the snap side, but they are 40mm and 44mm sizes. (I have a 44mm Watch that I put the smaller bands on and it still looks pretty good imo)

Interesting. I have a Blue Orbit/Gamma Blue 42mm. I only checked the M/L & pin part (other is in storage with box) and I only see a serial number on the pin part. It's really hard to see.

I haven't checked all 3 parts of all my bands.

Like I've said, some genuine bought directly from Apple bands don't have the serial number, but some do. So it's not definitive.

 

[Dragonsfly44]

Interesting. I have a Blue Orbit/Gamma Blue 42mm. I only checked the M/L & pin part (other is in storage with box) and I only see a serial number on the pin part. It's really hard to see.

I haven't checked all 3 parts of all my bands.

Like I've said, some genuine bought directly from Apple bands don't have the serial number, but some do. So it's not definitive.

Thanks for your input!

The silver metal definitely makes it a lot harder to read, even using a jewelers loupe.

I am still not 100% convinced that my orbit band is genuine. The biggest issue, aside from having numbers on all three parts, is the texture. My other Nike bands have almost a rough feel from the edge of the holes. My orbit band seems to be more smooth across the holes. I know I probably sound nit picky. If I had paid less, I wouldn’t care as much. But if it’s a knockoff, I really overpaid.

I wish Apple had made the band serial number a standard identifying mark, though the knockoff makers would have figured out how to copy that too.

If anyone else has any thoughts on ways to identify a fake, I welcome them. I’m not sure how often fake bands are so convincing...see pics

 

[twanj]

Thanks for your input!

The silver metal definitely makes it a lot harder to read, even using a jewelers loupe.

I am still not 100% convinced that my orbit band is genuine. The biggest issue, aside from having numbers on all three parts, is the texture. My other Nike bands have almost a rough feel from the edge of the holes. My orbit band seems to be more smooth across the holes. I know I probably sound nit picky. If I had paid less, I wouldn’t care as much. But if it’s a knockoff, I really overpaid.

I wish Apple had made the band serial number a standard identifying mark, though the knockoff makers would have figured out how to copy that too.

If anyone else has any thoughts on ways to identify a fake, I welcome them. I’m not sure how often fake bands are so convincing...see pics View attachment 853102
View attachment 853104
View attachment 853105

Going by looks, I would guess that's legit.

I touched another Nike band & mine feels the same.

I also wish all the Apple bands had serial numbers & a definitive way to tell a fake.

 

[applewatchcollector]

Thanks for your input!

The silver metal definitely makes it a lot harder to read, even using a jewelers loupe.

I am still not 100% convinced that my orbit band is genuine. The biggest issue, aside from having numbers on all three parts, is the texture. My other Nike bands have almost a rough feel from the edge of the holes. My orbit band seems to be more smooth across the holes. I know I probably sound nit picky. If I had paid less, I wouldn’t care as much. But if it’s a knockoff, I really overpaid.

I wish Apple had made the band serial number a standard identifying mark, though the knockoff makers would have figured out how to copy that too.

If anyone else has any thoughts on ways to identify a fake, I welcome them. I’m not sure how often fake bands are so convincing...see pics View attachment 853102
View attachment 853104
View attachment 853105

You have a 100% genuine band. All the markings are present and accurate. Enjoy it.

 

[jaytee86]

https://www.reddit.com/r/AppleWatch/comments/bd4elq

Just saw this & checked a few of my bands. Crazy, I had no idea!

I see the serial number on SOME (but not all) of my Sport Bands, Sport Loops, & Milanese Loop (newest version) bought from Apple.

whoaaa.. Mind....Blown....

i just noticed numbers on my alaskan blue loop.. cool find!

 

[jasonsewell]

Good question!

I believe the oldest bands I have are Yellow, Blue G1/G2, and Red.
I don't think I can see a serial number on these.

All of them were bought with the box & appear genuine. Some were bought New In Box.

Can anyone with a Link Bracelet verify if theirs has a serial number?

I spend years looking for the answer to this question, largely so I could avoid buying a counterfeit knock-off. I could never find a convincing answer, and I found some misinformation. I can finally provide an answer in case anyone is still wondering.

I purchased my Link Bracelet directly from Apple, and it does in fact have a serial number.

 

[toughkitty5]

whoa my classic buckle g3 has it 😳

 

[mikedop]

I spend years looking for the answer to this question, largely so I could avoid buying a counterfeit knock-off. I could never find a convincing answer, and I found some misinformation. I can finally provide an answer in case anyone is still wondering.

I purchased my Link Bracelet directly from Apple, and it does in fact have a serial number.
View attachment 2338137

FWIW I think in another thread or maybe on another platform we determined that serialized parts were added some time in 2016, so bands produced after the change in manufacturing will have them, while some will not.

A large number of link bracelets were produced before the change, and therefore don't have a serial on the pin button. I have links both with and without serials.

I'd say don't look for them as a sign of authenticity. There exist real bands both with and without them. Instead, look for the laser etching, something no reproduction has copied afaik.