The 16 best designer Apple Watch bands in 2023

If the finer things in life tend to strike your fancy, you’ll no doubt like the idea of wearing one of the best designer Apple Watch bands. Ever since Apple’s Hermès Collection debuted in 2015, the union between high-tech and high fashion has only gotten stronger — as has the selection of fashionable designer Apple Watch straps.

Our favorites include the Hermès Swift Leather Single Tour; it’s made of smooth, comfortable leather, available in a variety of color options, and stylishly compliments the Apple Watch. We also like the Coach Stainless Steel Bracelet; it comes in a clean matte black finish, features the iconic Coach “C” logo, and is modestly priced. 

Below are the 16 best designer Apple Watch bands for the Apple Watch SE or Apple Watch Series 9. For more options, see our guides to the best Apple Watch Ultra bands and the best metal Apple Watch bands. It wouldn’t hurt to grab one of the best Apple Watch screen protectors, too.

Best designer Apple Watch bands

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• Packaged as a gift set, you get not one, but two chic watch straps that don the Tory Burch logo in embossed leather or woven jacquard.

• Detroit’s Shinola is no stranger to the watch game, and its Stainless Steel Bracelet features a classic band style that’s durably built and striking.

• Apple’s partnership with the French fashion house has a wealth of options, like this premium Swift leather band that comes in 10 different colors.

• Channeling the Italian brand’s vibrant color palette, this strap is part colorful fabric, part leather that strikes a playful designer look.

• This Kate Spade strap features a leather braided design that gives the Apple Watch an effortlessly chic style.

• This strap is embossed with the Coach’s iconic logo and is made of comfortable and stylish black silicone rubber, proving that even rubber can be luxury.

• For something luxe and sparkly, this strap sports a pavé-accented two-tone design of silver and rose gold.

• This Lagos band features a gorgeous combo of ceramic and stainless steel link that will turn your Apple Watch into a fine piece of jewelry.

• Michele’s Stainless Bracelet Band has a silver, stainless steel finish that gives it a stunning look. Pair with a silver Apple Watch case for added style.

• Goldenerre makes stylish accessories expressly for the Apple Watch. With a gold finish, the Herringbone band is one of our favorites.

• Made from leather with stainless steel links that wrap twice around the wrist, this Hermès strap is a subtle statement piece for any occasion.

• Coach’s Signature Silicone Strap is a rugged designer option that’s still quite stylish. It’s thick and chunky, with a studded design for luxe attitude.

• The Terrazza is made of Italian full-grain leather that’s comfortable and snazzy. It’s available in a number of colorways, so you can fully customize your style.

• This stainless steel band features a stylish rose gold finish and an easy-to-use push-button closure. A single

• Nomad’s Titanium Band is highly durable yet still light, weighing in at just 2.4 ounces. And the look of the shiny titanium links is incredibly clean.

• Made of beautiful top-grain leather, this band from Apple is elegant and stylish. Its buckle closure system gives it a particularly clean look.

FAQs

What is the best designer Apple Watch band? 

This depends on the specific kind of designer Apple Watch band you’re looking for and, ultimately, where and when you want to wear it. Designer bands come in varieties such as stainless steel, leather, and even silicone, and many feature things like gold finishes, diamond or crystal inlays, or a unique pattern. Because of that, the “best” truly comes down to your own personal preference and use case.

Is it better to buy a designer Apple Watch band from a brand affiliated with Apple?  

Although Apple’s partnership with Hermès means it offers the French designer’s bands via its website, they’re not actually any better than those from Coach or Kate Spade. The Hermès straps may come in an Apple-branded package but won’t be any more or less durable or functional.

What is important to keep in mind when choosing between the Apple-branded designer bands and those sold elsewhere is the return policy. Buying a designer strap from a third-party retailer may not provide the same protections or assurances as buying from Apple does. 

Are the best designer Apple Watch bands meant to be worn every day?  

That’s entirely up to you. One of the best Apple Watch features is the ability to easily swap out bands, so you could reasonably have a variety of straps with different use cases (i.e. sports bands for working out, leather or metal for the office, and one of the best designer Apple Watch bands for a night out). 

If you decide to wear a designer band as your daily driver, do know it’s likely to encounter a bit of everyday wear and tear like scratches or nicks. 

What happened to Apple’s Hermès leather bands? 

Apple announced in September of 2023 that it would no longer sell any leather products in an effort to reduce its carbon footprint. This includes all leather bands in its Hermès collections. 

However, you can still find the same leather Hermès bands sold via Hermès itself, including the Hermès Swift Leather Single Tour we’ve included above.