Much as we’d like to, it seems impossible to write about anything this week that isn’t related to the Apple Watch, so we offer this:
You may know that there is actually a business of gold-plating iPhones. (Android phones too, but that’s not what we’re talking about right now.) One would think that a $17,000 18k gold Apple Watch would be the top of the market, but one would be oh so very wrong.
Goldgenie has announced a series of straps for the Apple Watch made from exotic leathers — python and crocodile skins — in colors including orange, green, black, cherry, and pink. That’s just where it starts.
You can also get your stainless steel Apple Watch plated in 24k gold, rose gold, or platinum. But for that very special someone, Goldgenie will take an Edition watch — one of the solid 18k gold ones — and encrust it with 5 carats of white diamonds and put a “single flawless diamond” in the crown. (What? The others have flaws?) This Ecstasy model comes with a choice of a diamond-encrusted gold or rose gold strap, or a natural python or crocodile strap.
If you have to ask the price, these probably aren’t for you. But since you did ask, they start at about $3000 for the gold-planted stainless watch, and hit about $165,000 for the Ecstasy. If Swarovski crystals are good enough for you — or if you were invested in the rising price of oil and have a case of the shorts — that model starts at about $4500.
And if this isn’t exactly what you want, Goldgenie will happily work with you to make a customized version; you just need to put 50 percent down in advance.