Over the past decade, the emphasis on straps and bracelets have grown by leaps and bounds. While there are the practical aspects of watch bracelets reinforcing the reliability, strength, and comfort of wearing a timepiece, there is also the alchemy of aesthetics to be considered. With watch brands offering a plethora of innovations in this genre, ranging from materials to interchangeability to style, there are some watch bracelets that have over the years become style statements in themselves. Here’s a quick look at 12 bracelets that are just as popular as the watches themselves.
Rolex’s Oyster, Jubilee, and President bracelets
The Oyster bracelet
First introduced in the late 1930s and patented in 1947 by Rolex, the Oyster bracelet has been a brand staple for more than 70 years now. Featuring in several Rolex lines, including the Explorer, Submariner, Sea-dweller, etc., the Oyster bracelet features three-piece solid links that excude a sporty vibe that is also wearer friendly. Today, it has a folding Oysterclasp with easylink 5mm comfort extension link.
The Jubilee bracelet
To celebrate the 40th anniversary of Rolex, the brand introduced the Jubilee bracelet, a five-piece link metal bracelet, designed and made specifically for the launch of the Oyster Perpetual Datejust in 1945. The elegant and dressy bracelet features in the Rolex’s GMT Master II and Datejust lines. The bracelet features a five piece, semi-circular link design, with thicker and brushed links on the outside, while the three middle links are polished. The bracelet is completed with a folding Oysterclasp with easylink 5mm comfort extension link.
The President bracelet
The President bracelet was created in 1956 for the launch of the Oyster Perpetual Day-Date. However, the name takes after President Lyndon Johnson of the United States who wore a yellow gold Rolex Day-Date with this bracelet - Rolex called it ‘the President’s watch’, and the bracelet came to be known as the President bracelet. Today, these bracelets are produced in rose gold, yellow gold, white gold, and platinum, and feature semi-circular three-piece links, an elongated link in the middle and thicker on sides, and concealed folding crownclasp. The bracelet has Rolex-developed and patented ceramic inserts inside the links.
The Royal Oak bracelet
In 1972, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak was the world’s first sports watch with an integrated steel bracelet, and today is a yardstick for the integrated steel watches that came after it. Designed by Gerald Genta overnight on the behest of Audemars Piguet's managing director at the time, Georges Golay, the Royal Oak’s bracelet features large tapering links connecting pairs of small rectangular studs. The brand has also introduced the watch in precious metals and even in ceramic.
The Zenith El Primero Ladder bracelet
The ladder bracelet was first introduced with Zenith El Primero A384 by the popular watch bracelet maker, Gay Frères, and stands out for its striking ‘ladder’ design. Distinct and with a retro-touch, the bracelet features extended end links and slim centre links, with long gaps in between for ease and comfort of the wrist.
The Czapek bracelet
After the historical brand was resurrected in 2012 by three entrepreneurs - Xavier de Roquemaurel, Sébastien Follonier, and Harry Guhl- new watches whose dials were inspired by historic pieces, were created. One of the lines, the Antarctique was the brand’s version of the integrated steel sports watch and featured a bracelet with little space between the lugs, and satin-polished ‘C’ link design (for Czapek); it also featured an exclusive ‘Easy Release’ system. In January 2022, the bracelet was introduced with a micro-adjustment feature that enables length extension by a few millimetres.
The Moser Streamliner bracelet
This specific lug-less bracelet with tapered ends is designed for H. Moser & Cie Streamliner watches, and its design is inspired by Streamliner trains from the 1920s and 30s. The integrated streamlined bracelet has wave-patterns and single links, enabling the bracelet to sit on the wrist efficiently.
The Patek Philippe Nautilus H-link bracelet
Patek Philippe introduced the Nautilus collection in 1976, designed by Gerald Genta. Its integrated bracelet is designed with H-links and round, rectangular central links; the bracelet comes with a fold-over clasp. Furthermore, the bracelet, now crafted in everything from stainless-steel to 18K gold, features an adjustment system which enables the wearer to increase the bracelet length by 2mm or 4mm.
Bulgari Octo Finissimo bracelet
Bulgari Octo Finissimo was first launched in 2014, designed by Fabrizio Buonamassa Stigliani, the product creation executive director of Bulgari, and over the years has become a flagbearer of a multitude of accolades for the brand, most focusing on slimness. The Octo Finissimo bracelet therefore is a slim bracelet with six hollowed links, which helps the watch to sit flat on the wrist. The broad integrated bracelet has Y-shaped links, which are 2.5mm-thick. However, the width of the links are taper near the clasp, which is recessed and in deployant style.
Santos de Cartier bracelet
Louis Cartier created the Santos de Cartier in 1904 for the Brazilian aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont. With a fairly ‘minimalistic’ style, its bracelet features single rectangular links with visible screws on it. Today, these bracelets come with a “SmartLink” adjustment system, featuring interchangeable steel folding buckles and “QuickSwitch” interchangeability system.
Vacheron Constantin Overseas
The Vacheron Constantin Overseas was designed by Vacheron Constantin’s head of design Vincent Kaufmann, and wristwatch designer Dino Modolo. The bracelet of the watch comes with interlinked half Maltese cross-shaped links, resembling the brand’s logo and the center link extends up to the bezel for a more seamless integration into the case; each link is removable with a screw. There are 18 full links and one half link completes the bracelet, which is closed with a double-fold deployant clasp.
Doxa beads of rice bracelet
One of the most popular bracelet designs by the brand found in most SUB variants, the aesthetics of the beads of a rice bracelet include an expandable design that is loved by the diver community. In 1970, when Doxa unveiled its ladies diver’s watches — The SUB 200 Coralline, Nymph and Sea Maid, all with beads of a rice bracelet. The thicker links of the bracelet are on the outer side and protect the inner rice beads. The bracelet comes with a pin buckle or folding clasp.
Images: Courtesy Brands
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