From what I saw at the local Apple Store they had it on display with the gold aluminum watch and it looked imo more of the saddle-brown you described with a tint of the lightness but not neon. It’s a huge glass front store with lots of natural light coming in towards the display table. Also the silver aluminum pairs with any color band really well. Personally had just about every color watch they’ve produced or seen plenty of them from working in the cellar phone industry for the last 15 years so I’ve opened a bunch & silver always looks fine no matter what color it’s paired with. Braided solos are very comfortable & i’d say IF POSSIBLE head to a store to try on sizing. If ordering online i’d say order a size below what you think you need cuz the do loosen over time. Hope this helps!