GoKawiilSpecs Materials Calfskin leather, stainless steel Colors 8 (Empire black, Menara brown, Taormina tan, Serengeti yellow, Arashiyama white, Retiro red, Moher green, Bariloche blue) Compatibility 40, 41, 42 mm; 44, 45, 46 mm; 49 mm
Best Designer Apple Watch Band
Photograph : Martin Cizmar Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Apple Hermés Kilim Single Tour Band $349 Apple $349 Hermes
I purchased the Hermés band last year after the orange Alpine Loop on my Ultra got too sooty to continue into a third year of honorable service. The Hermés band is an equally loud orange, but no one ever asks about it; it's relatively discreet as luxury goods go. Installation is a breeze, and the color comes close to matching the titanium case, with a tad extra silvery shine.
The fluoroelastomer feels soft but sturdy against the skin and washes better than the Alpine Loop. I especially like the brand-stamped quick-release clasp (deployment buckle), which makes it a breeze to take on or off with a quick squeeze on the sides. It runs large, and I would not recommend it to people with small wrists, as I'm a large man and using the third of seven notches. After a year of daily wear, there is a little darkening around the clasp from my dragging my wrists around my desk, but that's the part of the band that the fewest people see. —Martin Cizmar
Specs Materials Fluoroelastomer Colors 6 (orange, bleu pastel, jaune, grège, blanc, noir) Compatibility 44, 45, 46, 49 mm
Compare Top 5 Apple Watch Bands
Honorable Mentions
Apple Sport Band for $49: The Sport Band is decent—I’m wearing it right now—and its sweat-resistant fluoroelastomer makes it a solid choice for workouts and anyone who wants a low-maintenance band they can easily wipe clean. The pin-and-tuck closure doesn’t offer as much adjustability as I’d like. My usual setting feels a little too loose for workouts when I want accurate tracking, but tightening it one notch is uncomfortable. Also, if you’re trying to avoid fluoroelastomer, I’d skip this one for now. Apple has said it’s working to phase out PFAs from its products, but that transition will take time.
Photograph: Adrienne So
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