Hermes watch: one size only double tour band is too small for normal wrist

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Level 1

11 points

Hermes watch: one size only double tour band is too small for normal wrist

I bought a 40mmm Series 4 by Hermes with double tour band. It only comes in one size, 14 to 16 cm. Beware this means it will only fit children. I was wrong not to measure my wife's wrist: my wife is rather slim and has a16.5 cm wrist. Could not fit. We brought back the watch to the shop: the salesperson was a short light woman, may be 158cm for 40kg: it did not fit on her!

Bad experience: you cannot change the band only. You have to return the whole watch and order a new one: one month in Canada (this time we ordered with simple tour, fits 16 to 18 cm...).

Apparently, no such issue if you take a 44mm. Still I feel very frustrated and angry. It spoiled Christmas.

Have others experience the same? Do you confirm it is ok if you order the 44mm?

Posted on Dec 26, 2018 9:41 AM

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Answer 1

Jan 3, 2019 3:19 AM in response to deggie

I completely understand this gentleman’s complaint as I have complained about the same issue since purchasing the Apple Watch Hermes edition in Oct 2018.

I currently wear the watch with an older and longer Hermes double-tour band, but continually monitor both the Apple and Hermes sites for longer Series 4 double tour watch bands to match the current faces. I’ve even written Hermes but their response failed to state whether longer bands would ever be made available again or if they’d provide an extender (at minimum) for use with the new bands.

What I cannot phantom is why or how Apple would allow a vendor (Hermes) to sell their watches without ensuring that bands would fit a normal (we’re not talking plus-sized) wrist.

It seems to indicate that there was ZERO oversight by Apple and a lack of even minor quality tests to check length or hole placement as the current configuration will only fit a child or pre-teen at best.

Its incredibly frustrating to realize you’ve purchased one of the most expensive Apple watches but can’t wear the bands designed to match it. Compound this with the fact that one can’t exchange/trade the watch with Apple and you’ve got a purchase not exactly made in Heaven.

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Answer 2

brice160 Author

Level 1

11 points

Dec 26, 2018 11:53 AM in response to askbarnabas

The strap on the 40mm comes with a standard size that cannnot fit on average

women’s wrist, which is very strange and in my view a design fault. And you cannot change the strap : you have to return the whole thing, with a one month waiting time. I am sorry that you feel so much for Apple and gelt offended.

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Answer 3

askbarnabas

Level 10

104,214 points

Dec 26, 2018 1:47 PM in response to brice160

I am not offended. It has nothing to do with me. From what I can tell the Hermes watches are just now becoming available which means it takes longer to get a replacement. When the series 4 was released wait times were a month or more. and it took 6 weeks for the wait time to be reasonably short.

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Answer 4

deggie

Level 10

167,519 points

Dec 26, 2018 8:20 PM in response to brice160

140 to 160mm bands would be a normal size for a female and I've seen normal size women try them on at the Apple Store. But just like many designers consider petites as normal apparently Hermes does too. And Apple does not design the bands, Hermes does, your complaint is with them.

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Answer 5

brice160 Author

Level 1

11 points

Dec 27, 2018 8:25 AM in response to deggie

140 to 160 mm is not a normal size for women. My daughter at 12 has 155 and could fit the watch up to the second hole. The sales person at Apple Store to whom we returned the watch was « petite » in appearance and could reach the first hole. The single tour bands are actually longer. You are right to point out that this is a Joint Venture with Hermes. Yet I purchased from Apple.

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Answer 6

askbarnabas

Level 10

104,214 points

Dec 26, 2018 11:28 AM in response to brice160

Are you saying it is Apples fault you did not look at the strap lengths and measured the wrist before you purchased the device? Taking a poll of who did what is against the terms of use.

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Answer 7

deggie

Level 10

167,519 points

Dec 27, 2018 8:26 AM in response to brice160

Yes, but the bands are solely designed and made by Hermes. According to them that is a normal size I guess.

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Answer 8

askbarnabas

Level 10

104,214 points

Jan 3, 2019 5:22 AM in response to KathrynER

Product Feedback - Apple

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