ZDNET’s essential takeaways
- The Konsu Apple Watch band is made in NYC, and retails for $140.
- The leather band is versatile and comfy, and the vibrant design and color alternatives produce a special quiet-luxury device.
- The band may be thought about too costly for some Apple Watch users
What’s the offer?
Konsu is discounting their watch bands by 15% before the holiday. Now, you can get one for $119 (conserve $21 at Konsu).
While Apple’s watch lineup are possibly a few of the most popular wise wearables on the marketplace, it does not frequently have the very same attraction when it concerns its devices. Brand names like Casetify Moft Speck Otterboxand more have actually all capitalized production items like phone cases, watch bandsiPad covers, and beyond for customers, and they’re frequently chosen over Apple’s own.
I just recently had an opportunity to go hands-on with Konsu’s leather Apple Watch Band and was happily amazed with its quality.Konsuis a NYC-based brand name that makes bands for the Apple Watch out of 100% top-grain Italian calfskin leather, and I was really curious to evaluate one out myself, specifically after checking lots of bands in 2024 made from silicone, metal, to rubber, and more.
After dealing with the bands for a couple of weeks– consider me pleased. I do not generally use a leather watch band; my everyday chauffeur is Wanderer’s Sport Slim Bandand I reside in it to the point that it’s somewhat awkward to confess how revolting it gets before I recognize I must most likely clean it. Unfortunately, this is ZDNET and I’m constantly going to be genuine with you.
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If I needed to rank my band choices, I would picked a silicone or artificial band choice, then a metal band, and last but not least, I would choose a leather alternative. This is not since I am anti-leather (in truth, I have actually checked some excellent leather bands before). I simply never ever discovered a leather watch band that was comfy enough for daily wear that I validated quiting a more useful product like silicone or fluoroelastomer rubber (FKM).
In the weeks considering that I’ve attempted Konsu’s leather band, I’ve been transformed. Let’s enter into it.
How does it healthy (and feel)?
The Konsu band protected around my wrist. Keep in mind that it’s notched near to completion of the band.
Kayla Solino/ZDNET
In general, the Konsu band feels premium and is comfy to use. My preferred aspect of this band is that it needs no burglary duration to comply with my wrist in spite of being leather. It was comfy and safe right away, which is among my greatest inconveniences with some leather bands I’ve attempted, like Wanderer’s Modern Band
The only disadvantage is that I felt it was a little small. It does protect around my wrist, however simply hardly. I primarily use it on the 2nd to last notch, and the 3rd to last would be the snuggest I might conveniently go.
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Konsu states that their 40/41/42 mm bands accommodate wrist areas varying from 5.3 to 6.9 inches, which the 44/45/46 mm and Ultra bands accommodate wrist areas varying from 6.2 to 7.7 inches. I have quite typical wrists for a woman (I believe) and have actually never ever required to protect my band this near completion of the strap on any other watch band, so think about sizing before you purchase.
How does it look?
The Konsu band is it appears in the product packaging.
Kayla Solino/ZDNET
The appearance of this watch band screams peaceful high-end (which it should, for $140). It’s really minimalist in building, however each product has actually been thoroughly chosen, and Konsu has actually done an excellent task producing a superior customer experience.
The product packaging on these bands is extraordinary and is the most improved I have actually ever seen. No plastic boxes, unpleasant tape, or flexible security bands here; it’s a giftable product on your own or an enjoyed one, and the unboxing experience is something I wished to appreciate. It was the tech equivalent of unpacking a costly bag, which states a lot considering I unpack lots of items each year.
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The band itself, although minimalist, can be used delicately or dressed up, and is readily available in a deep green, an intense yellow, and even a punchy red. While these are absolutely colors you can discover in silicone or FKM bands, it’s not as typical for leather.
You likewise get to pick your metal (gold, silver, or black), which Konsu states are made from 316-grade stainless-steelI checked the Moher Green band with gold buckles and the Arashiyama White band with silver hardware on my Starlight Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen)
How does it use?
I can’t speak with the real durability of this band right now as I’ve just been utilizing it a couple of weeks, however I have not recognized any unusual wear so far. Leather will naturally patina and flex overtime, and any hardware will ultimately establish scratches or flaws, even if they’re faint. For the many part, both bands I attempted still appear like they came out of package, other than for some anticipated extending on the most secondhand notches.
ZDNET’s purchasing guidance
I do not believe I would have at first bought this item on my own, and now that I had a possibility to go hands-on, I would. Let me deal with the most significant elephant in the space– the rate. At $140, these bands are more costly than others I’ve checked. For contrast, there are lots of other band choices well under $100, consisting of the majority ofWanderer’s leather bands
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There is something to be stated for the premium building and style here, in addition to the special leather color and hardware alternatives I have not seen anywhere else. From the thoroughly crafted boxes to the ready-to-wear, no-break-in-needed leather, Konsu has actually made a splash in the wearable device market by coupling a premium item with a curated, exceptional customer experience.
If this Konsu band is a bit too out of your spending plan, do not stress. You can snag among these watch bands on sale today for $119. Reward points due to the fact that package is so quite, you might simply pop a bow on it and you ‘d be set.
