Nomad Black Titanium Apple Watch Band Review: Expensive And Elegant – Forbes

If you have one of the two new Jet Black Apple Watch Series 10 or Black Apple Watch Ultra 2, the Nomad Black Titanium Band is worth looking at. It might be the best combination of looks and robust. The new band is gorgeous and offers an elegant high-quality build. However, elegance comes at a price… a lot of it.

At $300 (currently $240), the Nomad Black Titanium Band is expensive but it’s one of the few bands that can transform the look of your Apple Watch from sporty to classy. It’s for those who want their smartwatch to give off the vibe of a classic timepiece – one that you can wear with formal clothing.

Apple Watch Gets a Classy Timepiece Vibe

The Nomad Titanium Band comes in two color options: Black Hardware and Natural Hardware. Both are available in two sizes, 46mm/49mm and 41mm/42mm and compatible with all Apple Watches currently on the market. I’ve been using the Black variant with my Watch Series 10 and have loved it.

The Black Hardware Titanium Band made from Grade 5 Titanium with a DLC scratch-resistant coating, while the Natural version utilizes Grade 2 Titanium. To compare, Grade 5 has a higher strength-to-weight ratio and is more scratch-resistant than Grade 2, making the Black variant more robust.

The titanium build keeps its weight down to a minimum, feeling extremely light on the wrist. I usually don’t wear a smartwatch with a suit or formal shirt, but Nomad’s Black Titanium Band feels perfect for a dress watch.

The company claims that it won’t rust, so you can wear it to the pool. I don’t swim, so I couldn’t test this claim, but during my usage, I haven’t noticed any wear and tear from regular use. Nomad recommends rinsing the band with fresh water after gym sessions and letting it “fully dry out in a warm, sunny area after any exposure to moisture.”

If you have hair on your wrist, unclasping can be slightly uncomfortable, but I was pleasantly surprised by the comfort factor during sleep. The band is breathable and comfortable on the wrist, even while sleeping. If you use your Apple Watch for sleep tracking, it should be as comfortable as sport bands. I’ve worn it for at least 10 nights with no issues.

The DLC coating is said to be “exceptionally durable but intentionally softer than most metal laptops,” preventing the band from scratching your laptop while typing. I can confirm it works and hasn’t scratched my laptop yet.

The Resizing Experience

Like its Steel and Aluminum bands, Nomad includes a link removal kit with the Titanium band. I recommend watching Nomad’s official how to video before adjusting the size of your band. Aside from the first three lugs on each side (they’re custom-built), you can remove other lugs.

The process is simple but requires patience. Align the band on the link removal tool and use the needle to push out the pin from the opposite side. It sometimes requires a lot of force, so be careful not to damage the needle. Repeat the process for each lug that needs removal. Once done, insert the small pin into its location inside the lug, then add the rest of the band and insert the larger pin into the hole.

The insertion process was a bit tedious in my experience, and I mistakenly applied more force than necessary. Don’t do this, as it can damage the pin. Ensure the lugs are aligned accurately before applying force to push the pin inside. Thankfully, Nomad provides a couple of extra pins in case you lose or damage them.

It’s 20% Off Right Now! Use This Code

Nomad is running a sale from November 7 to November 9, with a 20% discount on a range of products, including the Black Hardware Titanium Band. Use the code EARLY20 at checkout to get it at $240.

Nomad Black Titanium Apple Watch Band Review: Verdict

The Nomad Titanium Band in Black Hardware is my favorite Apple Watch band for its looks and robust build.

It has transformed my smartwatch into something I can wear with formal outfits without compromising on function, even when I need to work out. It’s the best of both worlds, with a lightweight, comfortable design and a classy look.

If you have $300 ($240 right now) to spend on an Apple Watch band, the Nomad Titanium Band is the one to get.