[psmith2.0]

It'll be interesting to see a) how many new companies spring up, solely to manufacture/sell Apple Watch bands, and b) how many of the existing case companies (Marware, Speck, Incase, Otterbox, etc.) will expand into the band-selling business. I doubt any of them are tooling up right now, but in a year or so if this seems like it may take off and be something, that could be an "iPhone case" type of business. As with the iPhone (and iPod) cases, Apple simply won't be able to provide all the colors, materials, styles imaginable to appeal to every customer. As long as Apple provides the specs/approval (and has the little "Made for Apple Watch" logo on this stuff), this could be a wide open market to get into.

You know you're gonna have all your hemp and hippie bead guys making funky, colorful stuff. The sports bands will come in snazzy colors (contrasting colors/patterns) and designs, you'll get your chunky, extra-tough "manly man" bands from people like Otterbox, etc. And just because it's a watch, it doesn't mean it has to follow any sort of understated, "classic timepiece" route either...if some company wanted to make bands with college football team colors/branding, you know there would be people buying it.

If it's not a standard, typical watch (and it isn't), then you also have to allow that all the standard, typical trimmings and approaches don't automatically have to apply either (they can, of course, for those who choose). But if someone wants to have a Florida Gators or camouflage Apple Watch band...let 'em. What do you care? Goodness knows there are plenty of silly-ass, "why?!" iPhone cases out in the world. But there are also some cool, clever and stylish ones that Apple has never provided.

This watch shouldn't be exempt. If this is truly to be such a "personal" device, that's going to be a big part of it...third-party bands in colors/styles that Apple could never get around to making.