How’s Your California Poppy Leather Link Holding Up?

[Adamantium411]

What kind of condition is yours in, and how long have you had it? I’ve seen a handful of people say theirs didn’t patina, so much as just break down. Any first hand accounts?

 

[tuanlouis]

Remember the leather type of apple watch band is different from that of the leather case. It does not develop patina

 

[Adamantium411]

Remember the leather type of apple watch band is different from that of the leather case. It does not develop patina

I actually didn’t know that. My question isn’t really about patina so much as wear, though. I’ve seen a handful of people showing black scuffs on theirs after less than a month. I’m wondering if that’s an endemic issue, or just a couple flukes.

 

[Adamantium411]

Anyone with the California Poppy band want to chime in?

 

[mikeb298]

My band has been fine. Some minor wear around the curve near the lugs and on bottom side where my wrist rests against my desk. Not developing a patina like my poppy case

 

[tuanlouis]

I use many Apple leather bands but not a single band developed patina. Then I know they are different leather type, or I guess the outter side of the band does not contact human oil and sweat.

 

[Adamantium411]

My band has been fine. Some minor wear around the curve near the lugs and on bottom side where my wrist rests against my desk. Not developing a patina like my poppy case

Appreciate it. The part that rests against your desk, is it getting like, dark stained spots, or just normal wear?

 

[JW313]

Remember the leather type of apple watch band is different from that of the leather case. It does not develop patina

This is true. I purchased the saddle brown thinking I could get it to work into a dark rich brown. Nope. The leather seems painted more than tanned.

 

[Adamantium411]

This is true. I purchased the saddle brown thinking I could get it to work into a dark rich brown. Nope. The leather seems painted more than tanned.

That’s definitely the case. In fact, you can see on mine where the paint ends.

 

[JW313]

That’s definitely the case. In fact, you can see on mine where the paint ends.

Bingo. This was the reason I went with the Hermes Fauve Berenia. I need the patina !

 

[Adamantium411]

Bingo. This was the reason I went with the Hermes Fauve Berenia. I need the patina !

Dammit. Now I want one.

 

[mikeb298]

Appreciate it. The part that rests against your desk, is it getting like, dark stained spots, or just normal wear?

Normal wear, just darkening in the creases
my Poppy case on the other hand....

 

[JW313]

Dammit. Now I want one.

What size watch and color do you have? I have a great middle of the road option with minimal wear Id sell ya.

Berlin | Nappa | Tan

It takes more than 150 individual steps to turn a piece of Italian Nappa leather into a premium Apple Watch band. Manufactured by highly skilled artisans in Germany, this band will be a faithful companion for years to come.

bandwerk.com

 

[D3ggy]

Mine is still looking great. Love the strap

 

[Watsonsa]

I’ve had my California Poppy strap since Nov 2020 (4 months) and it’s wearing badly. The “paint” is coming off the leather. I took it to Apple and they claimed it’s normal wear and tear. I think that’s very poor, considering the price of it. Anyone else?

 

[ako323]

Six months in. Paint is coming off. Thought it was dirt and wiped it down to notice it took off more paint. (think i mentioned this in another thread). Apple support told me to go to the genius bar. Waited an hour for them to tell me it is considered normal wear and tear and there was no way it was going to get replaced even though my watch is pristine aside from the strap. Definitely no patina. Just flakes paint.

I wonder how long before we start seeing people talking about the chalk version.

 

[nycgeo]

This is true. I purchased the saddle brown thinking I could get it to work into a dark rich brown. Nope. The leather seems painted more than tanned.

It is painted. They all are. Leather is (largely) a scam of an industry/material, especially in fashion products.

 

[nycgeo]

Six months in. Paint is coming off. Thought it was dirt and wiped it down to notice it took off more paint. (think i mentioned this in another thread). Apple support told me to go to the genius bar. Waited an hour for them to tell me it is considered normal wear and tear and there was no way it was going to get replaced even though my watch is pristine aside from the strap. Definitely no patina. Just flakes paint.

I wonder how long before we start seeing people talking about the chalk version.

Correct, it’s paint. You can’t patina plastic, which is what the paint on the leather bands is principally made of.

 

[nycgeo]

That’s definitely the case. In fact, you can see on mine where the paint ends.

That’s not where the poppy paint ends, it’s where the side paint begins. Most leather has a PU “painted” finish on all ends to bind them together and make them resistant to wear and separation. This band is a marvel of “leather” work, and absolutely benefits from this PU side paint/glue/binding.

 

[user1960]

Here is my California Poppy Watch Band
A also ordered a leather apple watch band from Turkey. Can't wait to see it.

 

[gcdrwhom]

Can anybody with the Golden Brown and California Poppy bands compare their color?

 

[perezr10]

My 18 month old Poppy band still looks great because it’s not a daily use band and I’ll only wear it if I’m going to be in an air conditioned office and not active.

I don’t recommend the leather link band to anybody who asks for my opinion because it’s not a very durable band. It’s great for apple band connoisseurs who have large collections and rotate bands often.But it’s not for the average person who is going to buy a band and wear it into the ground.

I’m guessing that in 18 months I’ve worn it less than 25 times.

 

[KRG]

Resurrecting an old thread. In contrast to the last post, I have several leather link bands and they're basically the only bands I wear daily. I find them incredibly durable. Obviously the poppy shows more wear than others, but mine is still in pretty good shape 2 years in. Been near-daily wearing a dark green one I got with my series 7 for over a year straight and it still looks nearly flawless. You can see the wear if you look real close, but it's pretty much undetectable.

 

[perezr10]

Resurrecting an old thread. In contrast to the last post, I have several leather link bands and they're basically the only bands I wear daily. I find them incredibly durable. Obviously the poppy shows more wear than others, but mine is still in pretty good shape 2 years in. Been near-daily wearing a dark green one I got with my series 7 for over a year straight and it still looks nearly flawless. You can see the wear if you look real close, but it's pretty much undetectable.

I don’t disagree with you. I think if you have several leather link bands and rotate them it helps a lot. Especially if you have the darker colored ones because it’s much harder to notice where the paint has worn off.

But it’s very hard to find the pre owned lighter colored link bands in good condition on eBay because the paint wears off.

 

[D3ggy]

I have got leather paint and made mine orange. Works well with my Ultra