I decided to splurge and get the stainless with the link bracelet. It is more than I would normally spend, but I've been putting money away for a while for when the Watch was released so I went for it
My rationale is that it is a band that will go with anything. If I had picked a black leather band, there might be times I'd want to wear brown. I figured buying multiple nice bands would add up pretty quickly. Plus I'm counting on being able to keep the bracelet for whatever future version of the Watch I decide to upgrade to. That better happen.
If I had unlimited funds, I still would have bought the watch I did, but I would have purchased a Sport model in addition to use when working in the yard, exercising, etc. That way I woukd have a dress watch and a "beater" watch.
And it would still be way cheaper than a gold model which just isn't my style.