Speidel’s black leather band is a tuxedo for your Apple Watch [Review]

Simple. Elegant. These are the best words to describe the Speidel Royal English Leather Apple Watch Band. Supple black leather matches the style of Apple’s wearable, while adding a luxurious feel.

And it’s surprisingly affordable, given the quality of this band.

Speidel Royal English Leather Apple Watch Band review

Simplicity is its own reward. And that’s personified in Speidel’s Royal English Leather band. It comes in unadorned black, with black stitching. Those who want a different feel can get it in a dark brown or honey color from Speidel.

No matter the color, this accessory is made of genuine calfskin leather so it’s soft and pliable. My test unit is completely unblemished. Not surprising, as Speidel has been making watch bands since 1904.

The thread used for stitching exactly matches the color of the the Royal English Leather band. A careful inspection finds no flaws in the sewing.

The adapters that connect each half of the band to the Apple Watch are available in either silver or black. They fit solidly in the Apple Watch, with no risk of slipping out, but each detaches at the press of a button. There are different versions for the 38mm/40mm and the 42mm/44mm Apple Watches.

The buckle is always silver. It bears a polished finish, not matte like the Apple Watch, but the difference isn’t noticeable enough to be bothersome.

By my measurements, the band fits wrists between 6.25 inches and 8 inches in circumference.

Speidel Royal English Leather Apple Watch Band final thoughts

There are fancier bands for Apple’s wrist computer. But you’ll be hard-pressed to find one that does a better job of exhibiting simple elegance than the Speidel Royal English Leather Apple Watch Band. It’s like a tuxedo, or a little black dress.

Just as importantly, this product is well made. After almost a week of use, my test unit still appears brand new.

Pricing

This Speidel product is available in the Cult of Mac Watch Store for $32.95. Competing leather bands for Apple’s wearable cost $50, $100 or even more. This one is something of a bargain, considering its quality.

Buy from: Cult of Mac Watch Store — $32.95

Speidel provided Cult of Mac with a review unit for this article. See our reviews policy, and check out more in-depth reviews of Apple-related items.