Leave it to LeBron James to make a fitness tracker look cool. The four-time NBA champion has tricked out his trusty Whoop with a Poubel charm, bringing a bit of his signature swag to otherwise boring wearable tech. 

Launched by social media influencer Gstaad Guy in 2024, Poubel produces modular jewelry centered around playful, emoji-like charms. All the London label’s charms are crafted from recycled sterling silver and rhodium-plated for added durability. Each one also showcases hand-painted enamel detailing in bright hues that draw the eye. 

King James is currently rocking Poubel’s Basketball Whoop Charm. As the name suggests, the piece is essentially a mini orange basketball with “Poubel” emblazoned at the center in black. It is priced at $90, making it one of the more affordable Whoop-specific charms on offer. Some, such as the Iced Matcha design, cost $260, with the addition of hand-set moissanite and cubic zirconia stones driving up the retail price. The multi-charm gold bracelets, on the other hand, can run you $940. 

That James adorned his Whoop with a Poubel charm underscores the growing desire for wearable tech that isn’t just functional but fashionable. New brands such as Vertu and Spktrl are attempting to fill that void with innovative new smart jewelry. Both offer AI-powered diamond rings that communicate digital messages (smartphone notifications) silently, without screens. 

Even Whoop is trying to increase the coolness factor of wearable tech, announcing a new creative partnership with acclaimed designer Samuel Ross earlier this year. Ross is set to deliver a capsule collection of limited-edition Whoop bands that will allow for more self-expression. “At Whoop, we’ve always believed that wearable technology needs to be invisible or it needs to be cool,” Whoop founder and CEO Will Ahmed said in a statement in January. 

James needs no help on the coolness front, though. In addition to his bedazzled Whoop, the Los Angeles Lakers star wears incredible watches by Audemars Piguet, Rolex, and Patek Philippe on his other wrist. He even teamed up with Richard Mille on a limited-edition Lakers-inspired watch last year. The six-figure chrono is the antithesis of boring, showcasing bold Lakers hues and a striking skeletonized movement. Perhaps Hoop should consider the King for its next creative partnership.