Apple Gives Custom Apple Watch With Gold Link Bracelet to Designer Karl Lagerfeld - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Apple Gives Custom Apple Watch With Gold Link Bracelet to Designer Karl Lagerfeld

Several celebrities like Katy Perry, Drake, and Pharrell Williams have been spotted with the gold Apple Watch Edition ahead of the device's launch, but Apple gifted designer Karl Lagerfeld with something even more special -- a custom gold Apple Watch with a gold Link Bracelet.

In an image shared on Instagram by Lagerfeld's assistant and bodyguard Sebastian Jondeau, Lagerfeld wears a yellow gold Apple Watch with the one-of-a-kind yellow gold Link Bracelet, which Jondeau says was "specially made" by Apple.

karllagerfeldcustomwatch
Karl Lagerfeld is a well-known fashion designer who's the head of both Chanel and Fendi, in addition to his own fashion house. Lagerfeld was present at the Apple Watch's first public appearance at French Parisian boutique Colette and as a style icon, he could be an important asset for Apple's Apple Watch marketing efforts.

Though there's a Link Bracelet for the Silver and Space Black stainless steel Apple Watches, Apple did not make a similar band available for the gold Apple watch Edition, presumably due to price and the sheer amount of gold that would be necessary for such a band. The existence of a custom gold Link Bracelet does, however, suggest that such a band could be made available to the public in the future.

Just the gold used in the Modern Buckle band raises the price of the Apple Watch Edition from $10,000 (with Sport band) to $17,000, so the price of a pure gold Link Bracelet would likely be upwards of $25,000. The Link Bracelet for the standard Apple Watch is priced at $449 and is Apple's most expensive band.

As we creep closer to the April 24 launch of the Apple Watch, we may see more custom designs like this on the wrists of celebrities and other fashion designers as Apple hopes to use these influencers to convince people to drive Apple Watch sales.

(Thanks, John!)

Related Roundup: Apple Watch 12
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Buy Now)
Related Forum: Apple Watch

Popular Stories

Surprise and Shine Live Coverage Article

Apple Event Live Blog: iPhone Duo, iPhone 18 Pro, and More

Wednesday September 9, 2026 9:10 am PDT by
Apple's "Surprise and Shine" event kicks off today at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time, where we're expecting to see the foldable iPhone Duo, the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 models, new AirPods 5 earphones, and perhaps some other announcements. Apple is providing a live video stream on its website, on YouTube, and in the company's TV app across various platforms. We...
Apple Watch Ultra 2 Black Titanium

New Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 Features Revealed

Sunday August 30, 2026 7:54 am PDT by
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman today further outlined what to expect from the Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 set to be unveiled on September 9. While it was initially rumored that Touch ID may be coming to the Apple Watch this year, Gurman reiterated that he does not expect the Series 12 or Ultra 4 to have any major design changes compared to the current Series 11 and Ultra 3 models. ...
apple surprise and shine event

Apple Event Today: iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo Cheat Sheet

Tuesday September 8, 2026 10:24 am PDT by
Apple's biggest event of the year is almost here, and all eyes are on Cupertino. With the first foldable iPhone expected to headline Apple's "Surprise and Shine" event on Wednesday, September 9, at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time, the rumor mill has been running full throttle, fuelled by the biggest single design change in the life of the iPhone. To get you up to speed, here's a quick reference...

Top Rated Comments

roland.g Avatar
149 months ago
And that glove he has on. Designer maybe. But what some people call fashion, the rest of us just know is gaud awful tacky.
Score: 113 Votes (Like | Disagree)
webbuzz Avatar
149 months ago
Nilay Patel is going to be jealous of that glove. :D
Score: 69 Votes (Like | Disagree)
149 months ago
Pretty cool that all these wealthy celebrities are being given expensive watches only they would be able to afford in the first place, I guess.
Score: 64 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sualpine Avatar
149 months ago
Apple Corporate is officially the rich coddling the rich.
Score: 52 Votes (Like | Disagree)
149 months ago
Ugh.

New product whose utility function is still up for significant debate.

The next new product Apple comes out with must be of the impact of the iPhone. After this announcement, and the release of a product that so many view as somewhat unnecessary, the pressure is on to deliver something that will appeal to the masses. Otherwise, Apple should be viewed as a company that is trying to manipulate loyal customers for the purpose of more profit.

The next one has to be a home run, because I have a feeling this one is not the next "thing." They will sell, at least in the beginning, because all Apple products do.. But sales will still be disappointing.

Anyone else find it odd, by the way, that a company whose motto seemed to be to "think different," which included an advertisement containing the likes of Albert Einstein and Bob Dylan is now releasing a product in a way that is entirely symmetrical with mainstream commercialism so prevelant these days? Overpriced designer fashion houses? Vogue magazine? Gold watches, iPhones, MacBooks? All symbols of the "elite."

I don't get any of it, except the continued chase of the almighty dollar.. Maybe.
Score: 33 Votes (Like | Disagree)
NovemberWhiskey Avatar
149 months ago
I want to see a rose gold Milanese Loop
Score: 31 Votes (Like | Disagree)