This Collection of Apple Watch Bands Probably Puts Yours to Shame

Barron’s Tech Trader Daily columnist Tiernan Ray and tech trader Emily Bary both snagged Apple Watches when they first came on the market last year. A year later, they reflected on their Apple Watch likes/dislikes, and discovered that they both loved swapping out their Apple Watch bands to give their Apple Watches different looks. Together, they’ve spent over $4,000 accessorizing their Apple Watches. Says Ray:

“Among the startling things we discovered when we began to reflect was that we had spent an obscene amount of money on watch bands. Apple Watch makes it easy to swap out bands with a click of a button, to try different styles. We both enjoyed this, and so we went to town with it.

We ended up with 33 bands apiece, in a variety of styles. They include Apple’s own bands, but also numerous third-party bands that we bought on Amazon.com and Etsy, and some purchased through independent designers’ own Web sites.

The total spent on these bands was $4,027. 

No, that’s not a misprint. That compares to the actual purchase price of the two Apple Watch “Sport” watches of $350 and $400. Of that total, $2,166, or 54%, was spent on Apple’s own bands.

This is a simply staggering sum, and though we love these bands, we’re a little chagrinned, and have resolved not to purchase any more bands for a least a week or two.”

I admit to being a bit of an Apple Watch band junkie myself, but Ray and Bary are major league. Bary’s favorite bands include Apple’s Soft Pink Modern Buckle and this third-party leather mosaic Fintie band from Amazon.

Emily Bary’s complete collection

Fintie band from Amazon

Ray’s favorites include Apple’s Leather Loop, a day-glow green faux snakeskin band, and this leather band from motorcycle company E3 Supply.

Tiernan Ray’s complete collection

E3 Supply band

Read the full article on Barron’s website.

Want to get started on your own band collection? Check out our third-party Apple Watch band buyer’s guide.