Integrated bracelets in watches paved their way from designs of 1970s to today, when most watch brands boast the feature in their watch collections. Audemars Piguet Royal Oak from 1972 and Patek Philippe Nautilus from 1976 were amongst the first watches to have been designed by Gerald Genta with an integrated bracelet, and today are some of the most sought-after designs. The latest IWC Ingenieur Automatic 40 from Watches and Wonders 2023 is another one and an iteration of the original Gerald Genta’s Ingenieur SL design from the 1970s featuring an integrated bracelet.
Coming to ‘What is an integrated bracelet?’ - To simply put together, the seamlessness with which a bracelet is connected to the case, as if it is a part of the case or emerging from it, in the absence of lugs. Here are a few new watches with integrated bracelets that we are currently loving.
Vacheron Constantin Overseas Self-Winding
Crafted in pink gold and steel, the four Vacheron Constantin Overseas Self-Winding novelties boast an integrated bracelet design in 18K 5N gold or steel as per the case. The new models come in different sizes, 35 mm for the two gem-studded versions and 34.5mm for the other two without gemstones. The 18K 5N pink gold versions feature the iconic blue dial while the steel watch set with 90 diamonds comes in a delicate shade of pink. All four models indicate the hours and minutes as well as a central seconds, a date display at 3 o'clock, and a minutes track running around the rim of the dial. The watches are powered by Calibre 1088/1 and offer about 40 hours of reserve. There are two additional interchangeable leather and rubber straps that come with the watches.
BR 05 Green Gold
Another latest release with an integrated bracelet is the BR 05 Green Gold from watch brand Bell & Ross. The 40mm 18K rose gold satin-finished case extends to integrate the metal bracelet while keeping its exclusive ‘round within a square’ aesthetic. The green sunray dial forms the highlight of the watch with rose gold indices, hands and appliques, and skeletonised hour and minute hands covered with C3 Super-LumiNova®. The date window lies at 3 o’clock. The watch is driven by automatic BR-CAL.321 movement with about 40 hours of power reserve. It is water resistant up to 100 metres and comes with an option of a green alligator skin strap.
TUDOR Royal
Designed with an integrated five-link bracelet is the new TUDOR Royal, an affordable sport-chic watch, crafted in either 316L stainless steel or a combination of 316L stainless steel and yellow gold, all sunray satin-finished. The three wide links are satin-brushed and set between two slimmer polished elements. The watch comes in three possible dial variations to suit the wearer’s personality, including two new colours, chocolate brown and salmon, along with a mother-of-pearl dial in the smallest diameter version, among black, silver, champagne, and blue. The baton hands are applied with Super-LumiNova®. The 28mm version has a diamond-studded bezel while other versions have a notched bezel crafted in 316L stainless steel or yellow gold.
Chopard Alpine Eagle Cadence 8HF
Chopard extends its collections with integrated bracelets in the new Alpine Eagle Cadence 8HF, combined with precision and style. The tapering bracelet is crafted in grade 5 titanium, the same as the case, in wide links with satin-brushed sides, and a polished central cap with a triple folding clasp in grade 5 titanium. The 41mm chronometer features a pitch-black dial decorated with an "eagle iris" pattern and subtle orange accents. The watch is powered by chronometer-certified Chopard calibre 01.12-C movement beating at 8Hz, and offering about 60 hours of power reserve.
Audemars Piguet - Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph 42mm (Ref. Ref. 26238CE.OO.1300CE.01)
Audemars Piguet’s new Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph 42mm is one of the latest additions to the brand’s legacy of integrated bracelets. The all-black chronograph watch in a 42mm black ceramic case extends to its bracelet, also made in black ceramic with a titanium AP folding clasp. The timepiece is the 30th-anniversary celebration of the Royal Oak Offshore, one of the parent watches in the league of integrated bracelet watches. The watch features a black Petite Tapisserie dial, featuring a date aperture at 3 o’clock, small seconds at 6 o’clock, chronograph seconds at 9 o’clock and minutes counter at 12 o’clock. Calibre 4404 powers the watch with an integrated chronograph movement and flyback function and offers a power reserve of about 70 hours.
Tissot PRX
The list of integrated bracelet watches cannot not feature the Tissot PRX collection, one of the most sought-after since its release. The new collection takes after the slim timepieces first designed in the 1970s with integrated cases and bracelets. Its integrated design is certain with the absence of lugs and a straight case edge that extends to become the first link of the bracelet. The watches come equipped with both quartz and automatic movements, with varying sizes and dial options to suit the preference of the wearer.
Images: Courtesy Brands
Also Read :
Patek Philippe x Tiffany & Co. creates a limited edition Nautilus
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Why the Tissot PRX Automatic Chronograph is one of the best chronos you can buy right now
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