Moto 360 Buying a 3rd party metal band?

[drexappeal]

What's up, everyone. Had to share because I ended up buying a 22mm band that was too wide. I took a metric ruler, to see what the moto 360 measurement was, and it's 21mm!!

Here's proof. Please spread the word, so that people don't buy bands that are too wide.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v351/drexappeal/Mobile Uploads/20140...

Metric measurements are in 10's and the moto 360 band clearly stops 1mm past the 2 on the ruler.

I just wanted to contribute my experience to the thread.

I have metal deployment bands and buckle straps on other watches I wear depending on my needs. I wanted a metal band that was more classic/retro in appearance to combine with the 360 round look. Despite the tech I thought it would be a nice combination for my needs.
View attachment 137979View attachment 137980View attachment 137981
I looked at the prior discussions about finding a fit. These are my actual observations and not as much micrometer measurements. First the 22mm is very accurate both in measurement and band fit. The thickness of the stock band, mine was grey was 4.0 plus or minus .05 at the spring pin. It is important to realize that bands may have different thickness between watch and buckle end. Especially leather. I have found this before on my other watches.

Now for the observation. I spent about 5 years in HS and College working at a jewelry store and have changed hundreds of bands and adjusted sizing on many. What I found to be the challenge on the 360 was not as much the depth, once the 4.0 mm selected it was the curvature of the housing under the "Lip" created by their design. So the straight pin and straight band must not be to thick to fit the spacing from the hole and the rounded housing (toward the end of band or radius from spring pin). I have a micrometer and just could not find a way to get a measurement to provide. I also found that the brushed stainless is a match, sandblasted finish shows darker but could also be satisfactory for some. This is my observation buyer choice.

If you look at the leather band it has a cut out in the middle. Motorola also provides a thinner spring pin. I had to use the original spring pin as the band came with one that is slightly larger, more like my other watches and it did not allow the links to fit into the space between chassis and hole for the pin. Once I did that it was just a little finesse to get lined up and then all was good.

Summarizing what to look for: My opinions and actual observations. 22 MM (of course), 4.00 MM thickness max, minimal depth between line past the center line of spring pin. My opinion is less than 2 mm on measurement as close as I can get. Or experiment with bands that have a "Curve" at the end to allow for the tight clearance while still meeting other parameters.

I purchased the band on line lots of price ranges and spent more for one that had features that I knew would benefit my fitting needs. It also provided a more "Retro" look I desired. Strapcode is the company that I used. The can be found by using the .com ending on their name. Quality packaging to prevent scratches, smoothness of the links and operation of the clasp are all very good.

Shipped from China but arrived in less than a week along with a strap tool, mine disappeared in the move but will probably show up now that I bought another. Watch is very comfortable and the additional weight is good for me and also the ability to stand small amounts of water is great. Like what happens when you wash your hands. The stock band had already spotted in a couple of places.

I hope this information helps.

Rusty, since you have worked in a jewelry shop, figured I'd ask you. In my post above, I found that the band was 21mm (maybe slightly wider). That said, do you think a jeweler could modify a 22mm band that I purchased (too wide to fit right now), so that it can work with the spring? I'm just trying to decide if it's worth the trouble and if they'd be able to do it at all.

 

[Ian B]

Re: Buying a 3rd party metal band?

Ian that's awesome thanks for the picture. I'm curious how it wears since I'm at a computer all day too.

2 weeks w strap now and due to being on computer and touching desk w bottom of latching band, some of the black has scratched off. The band itself looks like new but the clasp band is not holding well to wear are tear. I am not worried about it. See pix below.

Ian B

 

[Penguwin]

Re: Buying a 3rd party metal band?

2 weeks w strap now and due to being on computer and touching desk w bottom of latching band, some of the black has scratched off. The band itself looks like new but the clasp band is not holding well to wear are tear. I am not worried about it. See pix below.

Ian B

Wow... Thanks for the heads up, mine is already scratched, but nothing like what you showed. I'll have to try and be more careful with mine.

 

[DanPLC]

Re: Buying a 3rd party metal band?

The clasp on my Pebble steel band also has scratches on it. The band itself is fine though. The clasp feels like plastic, so this isn't surprising.

 

[aitt]

What's up, everyone. Had to share because I ended up buying a 22mm band that was too wide. I took a metric ruler, to see what the moto 360 measurement was, and it's 21mm!!

Here's proof. Please spread the word, so that people don't buy bands that are too wide.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v351/drexappeal/Mobile Uploads/20140...

Metric measurements are in 10's and the moto 360 band clearly stops 1mm past the 2 on the ruler.

My mesh band is 22. It fits with no issue.

Posted via Android Central App

 

[Rustydog1972]

Modifying a band can be easy or a challenge. What I would be concerned more is the curvature of the recess where the band goes. I do not like grinding/cutting of a band, especially if coated. Stainless is very hard, can create rough edges if not done carefully. .5 from each would not be difficult depending on the correct design. Impossible on the bracelet I bought.

I just measured with a Blue-Point digital micrometer and the opening is definitely 22 mm. With that said it is like anything the margin of production can cause challenge with a band. It is not 22.5 but an exact within .05 of 22.

I just reviewed the band specs that were listed, 1.2 diameter wire used to create the links. That confirms my information that must be no more than that (1.2 or less) and a small spring pin from the center line or the pin to the portion of strap that creates the end of the band.

I would return the band, if you feel it is your only style you wish to use, buy it in a 21. Should be available or one similar.

2 weeks w strap now and due to being on computer and touching desk w bottom of latching band, some of the black has scratched off. The band itself looks like new but the clasp band is not holding well to wear are tear. I am not worried about it. See pix below.

Ian B

Lots of different kinds of black bands.

Any that are just a finish (like a paint) will not last. That is what appears to be on the buckle. No matter what it will happen. A clear example of you get what you pay for.

Higher quality bands and watches use coatings. These are bonded to the surface not applied to the surface. Think of creating a full covering versus a spray on paint. These could be PVD or Black Oxide on a stainless steel band. There are also different types of Stainless Steel, each providing different properties and expenses. Wenger and other watch makers discuss PVD and Black Oxide is very popular in firearm coatings of stainless steel.

This is excellent information. Based on this, I would assume you would see no problem using nato straps with the 360 (typically 1.2mm thick or so)?

I thought of the same possibility to use for more causal considering some of the cool colors now available.

My concern is the design of the case. Back to the curved design. If you look at the back of the watch the opening where the hidden spring pins are is curved at the case back. That normally would not be a problem, been round back watches forever, the challenge is the location where the spring pin attaches is recessed internally to the curve of both the front and the back.

It would be something you would have to try. Most round watches use an extended mounting point for the spring pin, then use a straight or curved band end depending on design but none the less the pin mounting point is not recessed into a "shelf" like the 360 is.

 

[dankumm]

One thing I am surprised has not yet been considered (or maybe I just couldn't find) is a whole different angle.......rather than looking for a band with a notch or curvature to make it fit the notches Motorola put in the middle of the body (move to sell their proprietary bands???) why not dremel out those little notches to open the possibility of using a wider array of normal watch bands. Do those notches serve any purpose other than to line Motorola's pockets? Are they functional in any way? If not, has anyone been brave enough to try that approach and share the results? I think this could work no?

 

[FaintDeftone]

I put the pebble steel links band on my 360 and it was a massive pain. The pins were frustrating to put back in. I kept shooting the pin across the room and having to get out my flashlight and hunt for it. The pebble band's links were fairly difficult to remove too. Took me about an hour and a half to finally get the band changed and fitted! Given, I didn't necessarily have the right tools for the job either so I had to improvise.

Happy with the results though

 

[aitt]

I put the pebble steel links band on my 360 and it was a massive pain. The pins were frustrating to put back in. I kept shooting the pin across the room and having to get out my flashlight and hunt for it. The pebble band's links were fairly difficult to remove too. Took me about an hour and a half to finally get the band changed and fitted! Given, I didn't necessarily have the right tools for the job either so I had to improvise.

Happy with the results though

Nothing is ever usually hard when you have the right tools. With that said it took me 20 mins with a flathead screwdriver and tack to get the pin back in.

Posted via Android Central App

 

[Penguwin]

Nothing is ever usually hard when you have the right tools. With that said it took me 20 mins with a flathead screwdriver and tack to get the pin back in.

Posted via Android Central App

As mentioned above, with a cheap $15 watch band tool kit off of eBay, I was able to resize and swap the pebble steel band onto the Moto 360 in about 15-20 minutes.

I will mention that the first pebble steel band I purchased tho had to be returned as the pins would not come out. I even took it to a jeweler, after failing to do it myself, and they told me to take it back and they would probably destroy the pins/band attempting to remove it. The second one I got I was able to do myself, so an obvious defect on the first one.

 

[dungoyle]

As mentioned above, with a cheap $15 watch band tool kit off of eBay, I was able to resize and swap the pebble steel band onto the Moto 360 in about 15-20 minutes.

I will mention that the first pebble steel band I purchased tho had to be returned as the pins would not come out. I even took it to a jeweler, after failing to do it myself, and they told me to take it back and they would probably destroy the pins/band attempting to remove it. The second one I got I was able to do myself, so an obvious defect on the first one.

Are you referring to the pins that hold the links together? If so, mine was extremely tight as well. I almost gave up until I finally got the first one out after 20 minutes of banging and then pulling (with pliers) once it became slightly raised. I beat the living hell out of those links to get them out, and the overall process took me close to an hour because I had to pull out 4 altogether to get the length just right.

 

[Penguwin]

Are you referring to the pins that hold the links together? If so, mine was extremely tight as well. I almost gave up until I finally got the first one out after 20 minutes of banging and then pulling (with pliers) once it became slightly raised. I beat the living hell out of those links to get them out, and the overall process took me close to an hour because I had to pull out 4 altogether to get the length just right.

Yep... Pins look like this:

The second one I bought was MUCH easier.

 

[drexappeal]

Modifying a band can be easy or a challenge. What I would be concerned more is the curvature of the recess where the band goes. I do not like grinding/cutting of a band, especially if coated. Stainless is very hard, can create rough edges if not done carefully. .5 from each would not be difficult depending on the correct design. Impossible on the bracelet I bought.

I just measured with a Blue-Point digital micrometer and the opening is definitely 22 mm. With that said it is like anything the margin of production can cause challenge with a band. It is not 22.5 but an exact within .05 of 22.

I just reviewed the band specs that were listed, 1.2 diameter wire used to create the links. That confirms my information that must be no more than that (1.2 or less) and a small spring pin from the center line or the pin to the portion of strap that creates the end of the band.

I would return the band, if you feel it is your only style you wish to use, buy it in a 21. Should be available or one similar.

Thanks rusty. I'm guessing the ruler that I used is off by just a little. Still odd to me that the 22mm band I bought would be too wide. The depth/thickness I'd think would have been more an issue, but oh well. Appreciate the input.

Sent from G-Note 3

One thing I am surprised has not yet been considered (or maybe I just couldn't find) is a whole different angle.......rather than looking for a band with a notch or curvature to make it fit the notches Motorola put in the middle of the body (move to sell their proprietary bands???) why not dremel out those little notches to open the possibility of using a wider array of normal watch bands. Do those notches serve any purpose other than to line Motorola's pockets? Are they functional in any way? If not, has anyone been brave enough to try that approach and share the results? I think this could work no?

It had already been done. Pretty sure by someone in this thread and another post I saw was someone in Japan that did it.

Sent from G-Note 3

My mesh band is 22. It fits with no issue.

Posted via Android Central App

What band did you use?

Sent from G-Note 3

 

[dungoyle]

Yep... Pins look like this:
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/09/25/9atynyqe.jpg

The second one I bought was MUCH easier.

Yep. They're buggers alright.

 

[aitt]

What band did you use?

Sent from G-Note 3

http://m.ebay.com/itm?itemId=251607892113

Posted via Android Central App

 

[Tactical Squirrel]

I've heard the Pebble bands can cause problems in the long run, something to do with the part attached to the watch itself, and it causing something to break. Is this really widespread, or something I should be concerned with?

 

[Penguwin]

I've heard the Pebble bands can cause problems in the long run, something to do with the part attached to the watch itself, and it causing something to break. Is this really widespread, or something I should be concerned with?

I'm not going to say it's impossible. The section of the Moto 360 where the watch band mounts and connects to the case via the spring pin is made of plastic.

That said, I have had my pebble steel band on for almost a week and haven't had any issues yet. If you are concerned about it, you could always hold off and wait to see if others encounter an issue. I, personally, do not foresee myself having an issue, but I can't rule it out either.

 

[Tactical Squirrel]

I'm not going to say it's impossible. The section of the Moto 360 where the watch band mounts and connects to the case via the spring pin is made of plastic.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/09/25/ynemyhe6.jpg

That said, I have had my pebble steel band on for almost a week and haven't had any issues yet. If you are concerned about it, you could always hold off and wait to see if others encounter an issue. I, personally, do not foresee myself having an issue, but I can't rule it out either.

After I posted that, I did some research on Reddit, and found out people were having problems with it cracking the back of the watch. I don't know what I'll do.

Has Motorola said what month they're releasing the "official" steel band, or just that it's "sometime later this year"?

 

[Penguwin]

After I posted that, I did some research on Reddit, and found out people were having problems with it cracking the back of the watch. I don't know what I'll do.

Has Motorola said what month they're releasing the "official" steel band, or just that it's "sometime later this year"?

I remember Verizon offering a pre-order of the Moto 360 that comes with the metal band and they listed it coming on November 11th. However, this was for a new Moto 360 watch with the steel band already installed (instead of the leather one), so who knows if just the band by itself will also go on sale that same day.

 

[knowledge_6]

Yea, I don't see that happening... I haven't tried it, but I don't think you would be able to attach the larger 22 mm end to the latch... which, as mentioned above, is tapered down to 20 mm. The only real way I can see it working off the top of my head is to grind down a bit of the Truffol band were it contacts the body of the Moto 360.

I made a post about this over on sister site, Connectedly HERE if you want to read up a bit more on it.

Pic of the Truffol I received and tried on my Moto 360 for reference:
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/09/22/y4utyry3.jpg

thanks to you and the other dude that let us know about this strap not working it saved me some money... I live in Canada and got the Moto 360 through a friend who went to the states last week..

the pebble steel strap is not as easy to find here ; < there was someone selling them on amazon but they have sold out ... i guess i am stuck with the leather strap until i can go to buffalo or have someone going to the US...

i called best buy near my house and they had no idea what the pebble even was....