If you own any kind of Apple product you have probably heard of Pad&Quill. Well known for producing luxurious leather Cases for iPhones, iPads, and MacBooks they also make leather bands for the Apple Watch. I was fortunate enough to receive the Heritage Apple Watch Band to review.
What is it?
The Pad&Quill Heritage Apple Watch Band is a full-grain leather strap made for the 42mm Apple Watch Series 1, 2, and 3.
Design and features
I own a lot of Apple Watch Bands, you could say that I’ve never seen one that I don’t want to buy. However, the P&Q Heritage band is the first one I’ve owned that screams craftsmanship right out of the box. From leather to stitching, you can tell that the utmost care went into making this strap.
Even the box the strap comes in has a real artisan look, right down to the old-fashioned Pad&Quill wax seal.
Quality, quality, quality!
The construction of this strap is meticulous. From the elegant contrasting stitched French-hemmed edges to the durable matte black nickel hardware. The leather is a luxurious American full-grain whiskey leather and the stitching is a UV-resistant marine-grade stitch. That’s the same stitch used in making sails and parachutes.
Each band is hand-made by a Skilled Artisan. This is one of the things that makes P&Q’s bands stand out from all others. Not only does a skilled craftsman make each band but they also discreetly sign each strap’s interior.
Another unique thing they do is add a single orange tie-off to each strap. The orange tie-off signifies P&Q’s tribute to World Vision. Not only is it cool but it makes for an interesting conversation piece when people ask you about your new watch band.
P&Q is so confident in the skill of their craftsman that they offer an INSANE 25-year leather warranty with every strap. So you’re not only buying quality you’re also buying confidence. I love that.
I really like how this strap looks and feels on my wrist. The robust non-tapered design gives the band a substantial and rugged look and feel. It really transforms the whole look of my Apple Watch. And like any good watch band, its look effortlessly transitions from workweek to weekend.
The band is a little stiff at first, and the size adjustment holes are a little on the small side which made putting the band on the first couple of times a little challenging. But once broken in I can honestly say it’s the most comfortable Apple Watch Band I’ve ever worn.
Positives
- Handcrafted by a skilled artisan
- American full-grain whiskey leather
- Great looks
- Extremely comfortable
- 25-year leather warranty
Negatives
- Leather is a little stiff
- Small adjustment holes
Final thoughts
The Pad&Quill Heritage Apple Watch Band isn’t simply just a watch band, it’s a piece of artisan artwork and a great conversation piece. From the full-grain whiskey leather to the craftsman signature, and trade-mark orange tie-off everything about this band speaks to its quality and craftsmanship.
IMHO, if you own an Apple Watch you need to have this strap as part of your collection.
Price: $99.95
Where to buy: Pad & Quill
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Pad & Quill. Please visit their site for more info.