Loop band un”fit” for sport

Wore my loop band and Apple 7 watch in multiple lakes and the ocean this summer. Then, the last time, the band must have slipped off my wrist. Entire watch is now at the bottom of the lake. When I wrote Apple they said I’d have to buy another. Can’t help wonder why they won’t replace it. If I’d been wearing a watch with a buckle. I’d still have a watch. Watch doesn’t show up on Find My. It was a gift for Mother’s Day and I’m really disappointed.