REVIEW – The Pad & Quill Lowry Cuff Edition Apple Watch Band is a tribute to the Lowry Ave Bridge that spans the Mississippi just south of PQ’s headquarters in Minneapolis. The band’s design is inspired by Bund-style aviator bands that protected WWII pilot’s wrists from extreme temps in the air. I recently received one of these stylish bands to review for The Gadgeteer. Here are my thoughts.
What is it?
The Pad & Quill Lowry Cuff Edition Apple Watch Band is an American full-grain leather watch band for the Apple Watch.
What’s in the box?
- Lowry Cuff Edition Apple Watchband
Design and features
I don’t usually comment on packaging, but love how Pad & Quill packaged this Apple Watch band. The Lowery Cuff Edition arrived packaged in a black wooden box with a tongue and groove sliding top. It just feels like you’re getting something special when you open it up.
The Lowry Cuff Edition is made for 42mm & 44mm Apple Watch gens 1-4. The band is designed to fit wrist as small as 125mm and large as 215mm.
The Cuff style look is classic, yet modern, I chose to go with the Gallop black leather band w/polished nickel hardware. It’s also available in Whiskey and Chestnut colors and Matte black hardware.
The band is constructed with American full-grain leather. The white precision UV-resistant marine-grade stitching (the same thread used in parachutes and sails) is a nice contrast to the Gallop black leather and polished nickel hardware.
Soft pigskin leather lines the back of the band. There’s also a cutout for the Apple Watch Optical Pulse Sensor.
Discreetly embossed on the cuff underneath the watch strap is the initials from the artisan that crafted the band.
The band also comes with Pad & Quills insane 25-year leather warranty.
Fit and comfort
The band is comfortable to wear right out of the box. The cuff is contoured to fit your wrist, so it hugs your wrist and doesn’t feel stiff.
The soft yet strong pigskin leather lining makes the band instantly comfortable against your skin. I wore the band outside in 80+ degree weather and noticed that my wrists didn’t sweat like they do when wearing my rubber sports band. Overall the band is extremely comfortable.
The only issue I had with the band was charging my Apple Watch. The band has a cutout as I mentioned, but because of its thickness, I couldn’t get it to stay attached to my Nomad Base Station Apple Watch charger. However, since the band is easy to remove, this is little more than a minor inconvenience. Just be aware that it may not work with all charging stands.
What I like
- Classic styling
- Full-grain leather
- Handcrafted
- Comfortable
- 25-year leather warranty
What I’d change
- Doesn’t work with all charging stands
Final thoughts
The combination of Classic styling, quality materials, craftsmanship, and comfort makes the Lowry Cuff Edition tough to beat. If you’re looking for a leather band for your Apple Watch, your search should begin and end with Pad & Quill.
Price: $99.95 pre-order price $89.95. Shipping in late August.
Where to buy: Pad & Quill
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Pad & Quill.
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The LEDs that detect the heart rate are apparently obstructed, it’s embarrassing.
GLUB,
There’s actually a cutout for the sensors. I have no problem using the heart rate monitor with this band.
Thanks for reading and commenting.
The only issue I had with the band was charging my Apple Watch.
haha
I have the Pilot’s band and it is wonderful! Their customer service is outstanding as well – truly exceptional.
Buy nice, or buy twice!