Smartwatches bring connectivity, high technology and a sense of modernity to wristwatches which are traditionally a functional tool and fashion statement.
Throughout history, wristwatch owners were stuck with the band that their watch shipped with and only changed these bracelets or bands whenever they would get broken or need repair.
With traditional watches, changing bands almost always required a visit to the watch technician or at the very least some mastery of the various precision tools required to pry and remove bracelets, links and buckles as well as replace these with newer models.
The new thinking and innovation that has gone into smartwatches is a carryover from other gadgets such as smartphones and tablets. Customization has been one of the biggest facets of mobile devices as consumer products. The idea that even if you have the same device as everyone else, you can still make it your own by changing the wallpaper, start screen as well as use any case or cover to protect as well as personalize your phone makes a lot of sense.
Apple Watch
The Apple Watch was created with customization in mind. Not only are there various watch faces and complications that users can choose to change the look of their watch, there are dozens of official Apple bands (plus hundreds of third-party bands as well) that can instantly flip the look of a watch from a rugged and playful sports wearable to a more serious casual timepiece or even a high-priced luxury accessory.
Apple designed a convenient way to change bands on the Apple Watch that doesn’t require tools. Pressing a small lock on the Watch case releases a lock that allows you to slide compatible bands on or off in seconds.
This makes it possible for almost any Apple Watch to look sporty, casual or formal depending on the accompanying band. Apple’s Watch bands are made to the same level of workmanship as the Watch itself. While the sport and vinyl bands are bright and functional, the leather and metal Milanese style bands are made of high quality materials and craftsmanship.
Moto 360
The second generation of Motorola’s Moto 360 Android Wear smart watch came with leather bands that had built-in mechanisms that made it easy to remove and replace the bands with compatible leather or metal accessory straps.
Motorola chose high quality Horween leather and very luxurious metal finishes that can transform the Moto 360 from a utilitarian every-day watch into a standout luxury timepiece that’s also smart and intuitive.
Pebble Time
While the classic Pebble and Pebble Steel watches required tools to change their bands, the new Pebble Time and Pebble Round watches have straps that are easy to change. I was able to quickly remove the rubber straps on my Pebble time and,, with the use of a precision tool, install a more casual yet classic NATO strap in less than 5 minutes.
Fitbit Blaze
While the Fitbit Blaze is more of a fitness tracker than a smart watch, it does copy the look, feel and functionality of smartwatches including the ability to quickly change straps and bands. Since the Fitbit Blaze is basically a pod, that slides out of the band and retaining metal enclosure, slipping it off an into a new band is extremely easy and fast.
Fitbit offers rubber bands in various colours but you can also get leather as well as metal bands to change up your look.
These are just some of the smartwatches that feature easy to change straps and bands.
