Apple Ultra Watch - Ocean Band Split/ Tear/ Break

I had the same issue. After four months of use, it split. Same point, where the strap bends over the metal bar. The rubber is EXTREMELY thin, less than 0,5 mm. It seems to be very badly designed. For 100 US dollars??? Will move back to Garmin. For 50 you can buy a much stronger silicone strap. Never had problems with those, for years…

I had an identical problem with my watch at 1 month. It split at the and ring where it connects to the last loop. It was not covered under warranty. I did not want to spend $100 for a replacement band that would have the same design flaw. I bought an aftermarket band and have not had any more problems after about 6 months.

It is definitely a design problem. The more we post it in here the higher the chance they will realize and change the project. The tubular structure, the adjustable pin are great ideas. The problem is the proprietary lug system and the bending stress point against the titanium bar on such a thin layer of rubber. Every super Swiss watch has the same lug system and so do garmin, Samsung, polar etc. An alternative would be to use the same construction of the alpine or trail ones. In fact the Nomad strap uses a similar one.

Hey, good news so. Over here ( Spain ) I received also a replacement directly at the Apple Store ( guessing the same problem will appear in 4/5 months )

I own two of these Nomad bands. They're simply exceptional. I also have two Nomad Sport bands and for the Ultra, the Pure T2 Titanium Bands. Nomad is a great company.

My band just ripped the same way. Less than one year after purchase. Going to try the Nomad as it’s a little cheaper.

You could find better bands in Amazon for way less than an “apple” not covered in their warranty , and I mea way!! Cheaper

if they judge it to be down to user handling it would not be covered, otherwise it should

Legal - Hardware Warranties - Apple

you can provide them with feedback about the quality using their feedbach channel

Feedback - Watch - Apple

I experienced this same issue - a one-sided tear where the band attaches to the watch.

Bought the watch in November and this happened in February, so 3 months. I must add that this is with daily use for anywhere between 10-12 hours, including 1-2 hr gym sessions 5x a week.

I bought mine through Verizon so I’ll reach out to see if anything can be done about it.

I'm not associated with this aftermarket seller, but this band looks really promising:

https://nomadgoods.com/products/rugged-strap-v2-ultra-orange-black-hardware

I've had zero issues with the two official Ocean Bands I own and I wear them often.

I'm on this forum every day and the watch forum specifically and you're the first person I've seen post an issue like this with the Ocean Band.

That said, whether anyone else has had an issue or not isn't going to help you in the least. Apple is the final arbiter on this and we are all just users.

My Apple Watch band is falling apart since I was in the ocean

im having the same issue. Using the ultra since Christmas ( so like 5months ) and realized today the issue. I’ll go to the Apple Store next week, and let you know their reaction.

Just to let you know, Apple Brazil sent me a brand new one.