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BriceApp

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jun 11, 2018
362
341
Winston-Salem, NC
I have recently been searching for a nice titanium metal band to go with my Ultra. I bought the 3 you see below. I am posting this as I am wanting to share in case someone else is looking for one too. I plan to return 1 and 2 and keep number 3.

1. NewWays Titanium Band ($28). The color is a pretty good match. The band is stiffer than the other two. You press pins to remove links, which are all the same. This band is the heaviest at 69g. I think this band has the least amount of titanium.

2. LDFAS Titanium Band ($34). The color is very much a match. This band is more comfortable than number 1 and the links are pretty much flat.. You also press pins to remove links, which has two half size links for better adjustment. This band weights 59g.

3. LDFAS New Titanium Band ($70). This band was released after the Ultra came out. It is the best match for color. This band has very slim clasp and is as comfortable as number 2. The links are cut differently than number 2 and are thicker. The links are removed using a spring button on each, so no tools are needed. There are also two half size links on this band as well. This band is the lightest, thus I feel it more titanium than the others, at 52g. Obviously it is twice as expensive.
 

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Last edited:

Aerofly

macrumors newbie
Jul 20, 2022
10
12
I’ve just received the Newways titanium band for my new Ultra, but I needed extra links as I have rather large wrists. Newways have agreed to send some, but they have to come from China, and it’s Chinese New Year at the moment so could take a few weeks to arrive.
 

Melbourne Park

macrumors 6502a
I am wary of third party bands.

But mainly because my expensive Apple stainless linked band, broke, and the watch fell off. Luckily it was at home, and I recovered the watch. Apple replaced the band with a new one. Its a beautiful band, but I think such bands might be unreliable, due go fatigue. In theory a titanium band should not fatigue. But my old titanium Macbook did fatigue. So I am very wary if used in any sporting (such as sailing or running etc ) or Australian bush environment.

I'll buy an Ultra - not because its the best watch for sport, because Garmin, Polar, or Coros are better it seems. But they all lack the phone capability, which I think is mandatory.

Good luck with your band ... but be careful! My advice with linked bands, is to check them. And replace if they seem to change at all. Even my Rolex band wore out ... but I admit, after wearing it all the time except for two services, from 1985 to 2005. The replacement band cost a fortune ... so I replaced with with a french stainless stretch band, that cost $US15, and still works. But I no longer wear the Rolex. The Apple watch is superior, but for the battery.
 

Debauch

macrumors regular
Jul 6, 2013
211
366
No. 3 was delivered today. I really like it. Dresses up the watch real nice. Great color match and seems like nice quality. Thanks for the write up OP.
 
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BriceApp

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jun 11, 2018
362
341
Winston-Salem, NC
No. 3 was delivered today. I really like it. Dresses up the watch real nice. Great color match and seems like nice quality. Thanks for the write up OP.
You’re welcome. I figured if I was going to try a couple of them out, I should at least let others know some thoughts on them, since you can’t really gauge it very well through the Amazon comments.
 

risenphoenixkai

macrumors 6502
Oct 14, 2008
288
587
No. 3 was delivered today. I really like it. Dresses up the watch real nice. Great color match and seems like nice quality. Thanks for the write up OP.
Ha… hilarious that you ordered the day after I did and have already received it, while mine hasn't even left the States yet. The perils of living in New Zealand, I guess.
 

sparkomatic

macrumors 6502a
Jun 8, 2007
820
27
Orange County, CA
+1 for the LDFAS New Titanium Band. Didn't see this thread but found the band on Amazon and took a chance. Great band so far! I was about to order a $300 band that might be better quality titanium but this one is just fine and much less!
 
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risenphoenixkai

macrumors 6502
Oct 14, 2008
288
587
Finally received the LDFAS new titanium band 15 days after ordering it (which included it sitting in a depot 60 km away from my house for three days… god, shipping in NZ is terrible).

tempImagekGbOAG.jpg


This band is similar to the other titanium band that LDFAS makes. However, the new/more expensive version of the titanium band looks and feels more premium due to the bevelling on the links, the much higher-quality clasp, and the fact that it's a full titanium construction throughout (the older version uses a stainless steel clasp and watch connector lugs).

tempImagesyxM5p.jpg


The new titanium band has thicker links — anywhere from 1.5 to 2x thicker than the old version — and the links are also wider by about 1 or 2mm, with much less taper from the watch connector down to the clasp. The clasp itself is a diver-style clasp that has a much smoother action than the older version and does not stick out from the rest of the band at all. The only higher-quality clasp I've had on an Apple Watch band is the one on Apple's own link bracelet.

tempImageMCSD7J.jpg


In fact, "the only higher quality is Apple's own link bracelet" is one that applies to just about every aspect of this band. Unlike the earlier version, this new titanium band feels like it was deliberately designed with the Apple Watch Ultra in mind. The match in both fit and finish to the Apple Watch Ultra is about as good as you're going to get in the market right now, especially at this price point — I paid about NZ$160 all up, including shipping. Compared to what some other manufacturers are charging for titanium bands, and especially compared to how much Apple's link bracelet costs, that feels like an absolute bargain.

This is a very comfortable, high-quality band that really elevates the look of the Apple Watch Ultra and, more than any of the bands that Apple designed for the Ultra, makes it look like the premium tool watch that it actually is.
 

BriceApp

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jun 11, 2018
362
341
Winston-Salem, NC
Finally received the LDFAS new titanium band 15 days after ordering it (which included it sitting in a depot 60 km away from my house for three days… god, shipping in NZ is terrible).

View attachment 2171137

This band is similar to the other titanium band that LDFAS makes. However, the new/more expensive version of the titanium band looks and feels more premium due to the bevelling on the links, the much higher-quality clasp, and the fact that it's a full titanium construction throughout (the older version uses a stainless steel clasp and watch connector lugs).

View attachment 2171138

The new titanium band has thicker links — anywhere from 1.5 to 2x thicker than the old version — and the links are also wider by about 1 or 2mm, with much less taper from the watch connector down to the clasp. The clasp itself is a diver-style clasp that has a much smoother action than the older version and does not stick out from the rest of the band at all. The only higher-quality clasp I've had on an Apple Watch band is the one on Apple's own link bracelet.

View attachment 2171145

In fact, "the only higher quality is Apple's own link bracelet" is one that applies to just about every aspect of this band. Unlike the earlier version, this new titanium band feels like it was deliberately designed with the Apple Watch Ultra in mind. The match in both fit and finish to the Apple Watch Ultra is about as good as you're going to get in the market right now, especially at this price point — I paid about NZ$160 all up, including shipping. Compared to what some other manufacturers are charging for titanium bands, and especially compared to how much Apple's link bracelet costs, that feels like an absolute bargain.

This is a very comfortable, high-quality band that really elevates the look of the Apple Watch Ultra and, more than any of the bands that Apple designed for the Ultra, makes it look like the premium tool watch that it actually is.
Nice review. Couldn’t describe it any better than you did.
 
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