Apple Watch Official Stainless Steel Milanese Loop Unboxing
Apple Original Stainless Steel 44mm Graphite Milanese Loop Unboxing
Following the previous article “Apple Watch Series 6 Unboxing & Two Years of Use Experience,” I finally decided to purchase the official Milanese Loop band. I had wanted it two years ago but never bought it; this time I updated everything at once. Apple guarantees that the band is compatible with all future Apple Watch models, so I’m not worried about the band becoming unusable after upgrading the watch.
2025/08 Update:
I have been using my Milanese loop for nearly 5 years with no significant wear, rust, snagging, or odor. Compared to other bands I’ve owned, this one is the longest-lasting and most durable.
Further Reading
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2025 Busan 8-Day Independent Travel Guide: Attractions, Food, Transportation, and Money-Saving Tips
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Nagoya One-Day Quick Free Travel Guide: Taking Peach Aviation, Recommended Attractions
Advantages
The Milanese loop is made of stainless steel mesh and a magnetic clasp. The stainless steel mesh is breathable, quick-drying, and odor-free. The magnetic clasp allows the band to be adjusted to any position for a better fit, easy wearing, and strong magnetism to prevent it from falling off. Most importantly, it gives the Apple Watch a more formal look and better matches outfits.
Disadvantages
Catches hair, catches hair, catches hair, relatively heavy.
Original vs Third-Party?
Having lurked in Apple communities for a long time, I’ve noticed the most common question is about original vs third-party Milanese bands. Personally, I think the difference is minimal, mainly in details and craftsmanship. The original can also catch hair, but its weaving is delicate and seamless. The magnet is strong and won’t loosen, and it’s clean and skin-friendly without any rust smell. However, the price difference is several times (the original costs $3,100). It’s best to feel the actual product before deciding. I guess third-party Milanese bands priced around 1,000 to 2,000 are almost equal in quality to the original.
Size
Same as the previous article, it is recommended that those with smaller wrists buy the Apple Watch 40 mm, because the 40 mm Milanese band fits wrist sizes of 130–180 mm; compared to the 44 mm Milanese band, which fits wrist sizes of 150–200 mm, it is 20 mm shorter.
The strap is made in one piece and its length cannot be adjusted; if it’s already tightened and still too big, you can only consider third-party bands or just gain some weight (?). So it’s safer to try it on at a store first.
A friend’s case: with a small wrist, they bought a 44mm watch + Milanese band, but even at the tightest fit, it still feels a bit loose!
Unboxing
** Purchased on 2020/11/01 at Apple Store 101 flagship store.*
Simple and plain paper packaging as usual
Back of the packaging
It’s no longer called Space Gray; now it’s called Graphite.
Contents
Similar to the original silicone strap, but the difference is that it doesn’t come with an extra short strap XD
Body
Magnetic Clasp
Magnetic clasp that can attach anywhere, allowing you to adjust the band size freely.
Installation Instructions
The side with the magnetic clasp hooks onto the Apple Watch body.
Don’t be like me, installing it the wrong way at first and not realizing it—though it doesn’t really matter?
Correct version! Done!
Wearing Photo - Back Side
Front view of the watch worn
Additional Details of the Original Band
**A simple way to distinguish original vs. third-party Milanese bands, but not always accurate; buying from authorized channels is the only way to avoid being scammed!*
Connection end - the end near the magnetic clasp — bottom — has the text “Assembled in China”
The other end of the connector — the surface — has the “44MM” marking
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