It's not. I've been using the same band for years. I am constantly taking it off, and putting it back on, so the butterfly latch gets lots of exercise.
The Apple band is nicer, but ... I got one that is likely an exact replica of it (including the quick-release buttons on the links -which is silly, because you only take them out once, unless you plan to gain a bunch of weight), for $60.
I don't even know if you can spend more than $60 on Amazon, for one of these things.
I have a bunch of wood bands (I literally have several dozen bands).
However, the ones I like the most are "hybrid" ones: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071NV2GF4/
I got that, five years ago (I still have it, and it's fine). I don't know if they make the same one, anymore.
I've also only recently discovered the Etsy category from somewhere in this post.
Not the most comfortable, but it's fun to look at.
[1] https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B096M9BQY5/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b...
For a while I was doing the < $15 on amazon path, but switched to some of the above and never looked back.
https://nomadgoods.com/products/metal-band-steel-silver-44mm
Not cheap, but it actually looks better than the Apple $350 band.
Curious if anyone has recommendations.
(Sidenote, man i don't think i could buy that $25 metal strap.. i'd assume it was junk lol)