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Drop Those Ugly Bracelets

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Posted by marco on May 19, 1999 at 08:05:13:
Posted from Host: (62.161.233.14)

I thought I would start a good fight... Here is the subject: why on Earth are so many of you fellow TZers obsessed with metal bracelets instead of leather straps ? Even those who like such classic-styled models as Minervas seem to long for anachronistic steel bracelets. Let's look at the arguments.
A) Practicality.
Leather is soft on your skin, and lets it breathe. It slips a lot less, so you can wear your watch a bit looser if that's what you like. You can also wear it tight without loss of comfort. Leather is lighter than any metal, and less weight also contributes to less slippage. It can be strong enough for practically any active usage: for diving, just get sharkskin, etc. Sure, it eventually wears out, but replacing it once in a while is part of the fun. By the way, I'm against folding clasps and in favor of the good old buckle: it is light, confortable, every day you can adjust it in a fraction of a second by choosing which hole to use.
Steel bracelets, by contrast, are torture instruments on wrists. There is the dilemma of how tight you adjust it: either you have it loose, and the watch will keep spinning around, backwards and forwards and hurting your hand, or you try to have it tight, but then it will dig red grooves into your wrists and the folding clasp will invariably pinch your skin. Then, you think a steel bracelet is stronger than a strap, but nothing could be more mistaken. It's a case of simple vs. complicated: a bracelet is made of so many small parts, tiny pins etc. that it is not strong at all: sooner or later something will go wrong, and much less predictably than with a strap.
B) Aesthetics.
To me, steel bracelets are one of those outdated contraptions from the 70's, like polyesther suits or having neon lighting in your living room. A watch is a watch, and a leather strap emphasizes the watch itself, i.e. the case. Watches with bracelets almost become costume jewelry items (or real jewelry, with golden bracelets).
What is great with leather is also the choice of material (calf, crocodile, buffalo, ostrich, lizard, shark...), shade (black, brown, blue, cognac...) and finish (matt/brilliant).
Maybe it's different in the U.S.; here in Europe the last steel bracelets were seen 20 years ago, and nobody seems to regret.
So, is there any excuse for having bracelets ? Well, I don't want to be too categorical. I guess it's all right if you're an astronaut. Or, if you wear a Rolex, you've got no choice (but, then again, does anybody still wear Rolex?). I presume certain Omega owners could also be forgiven.
Of course, all of the above is just my own personal opinion. Other TZers may have different, and equally valid, views: tastes are tastes. I just wanted to stir up a debate, and maybe convince a couple of you to drop those ugly steel handcuffs.

Okay, you wanted it...here we go...

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Posted by dl on May 19, 1999 at 09:50:51:
In Reply to: Drop Those Ugly Bracelets posted by marco on May 19, 1999 at 08:05:13:
Posted from Host: dia1.chase.com (207.24.87.20)

Here are some reasons why I much prefer bracelets to straps:

: A) Practicality.
If you really want to talk about praticality, a bracelet is a winner over a strap. Why? Well, to me, a bracelet is a lot more durable than a strap.

1) water resistance practicality. Say for example, you are a) washing dishes: you don't have to take off the watch (a strap will get damaged in this case, b) you are eating a burger and drops of ketchup or grease falls on your strap (bad news) - if it was a bracelet, no problem, just wash it off under water and wala...good as new, c) washing a car?...same thing, d) taking a shower/bath...ditto...you get the drift. Granted, you could buy a sharkskin strap, but sharkskin straps don't match many watch cases (mostly for diver style watches), and rubber is available too (Hublot), but it reminds me of another rubber type strap (a la Casio).

2) Bracelets will let your skin breathe as well if not adjusted too tight. You can wear a bracelet very comfortably as well, and you don't have to worry about the uncomfortable sweat that dampens the leather straps during the summertime or rigourous exercise....just rinse it off, and it's good as new. Another advantage of a customized fitting of your bracelet is that no one else can wear your watch unless they happen to have the same size wrist as you. Anyone else can take your strapped watch and throw that thing on, but not so for the person who had their watch bracelet adjusted to their personal size.

Some random reasons:

Many watches just look better with integrated bracelets. ie. AP Offshore, Bvlgari Sports Watches, Omega Constellation, VC Overseas, Patek Nautilus....the bracelets of these watches are designed to add to the looks of the watch as opposed to detracting from it. I had an expensive strap fitted to my Omega Speedy and found it horrible. It was tight, not flexible, constraining, and didn't even make the watch look better than when it was on the bracelet (more substantial looking). By the way, if you wear the bracelet loose, it too, will roll around your wrist, and will make the watch look weird on your wrist.

Straps also wear out as you mention. A bracelet will last much longer and be able to keep the original looks of the watch intact. My bracelet watches never pinch my skin as you mentioned because I don't wear them so tight, I wear them just right. To me, a bracelet can really add to the look of a watch case and make the watch look like it is carved out of a single hunk of metal if designed correctly. A strap, however, looks like an aftermarket add on to me. Much like a wind deflector on a sunroof of a car or mud flaps for the wheels. Also, in reference to your comment about needing a bracelet if you are an astronaut...well actually, the speedmasters worn on the space missions have to be put on a strap because of the size of the space suit. And, you think that no one wears Rolexes? How do you explain who bought the 900,000 or so Rolexes that were sold last year? Obviously someone is wearing them. To me, wearing a watch with a strap is like putting a miniature belt on your wrist instead of around your waist. To me, straps seem old-fashioned. But then again, that is only my opinion. I know there are lots and lots of strap lovers out there, and that is fine too. You buy what you like. I just happen to prefer bracelets.

Regards,
dl.

: Maybe it's different in the U.S.; here in Europe the last steel bracelets were seen 20 years ago, and nobody seems to regret.
: So, is there any excuse for having bracelets ? Well, I don't want to be too categorical. I guess it's all right if you're an astronaut. Or, if you wear a Rolex, you've got no choice (but, then again, does anybody still wear Rolex?). I presume certain Omega owners could also be forgiven.
: Of course, all of the above is just my own personal opinion. Other TZers may have different, and equally valid, views: tastes are tastes. I just wanted to stir up a debate, and maybe convince a couple of you to drop those ugly steel handcuffs.

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Message: : Here are some reasons why I much prefer bracelets to straps: : : A) Practicality. : If you really want to talk about praticality, a bracelet is a winner over a strap. Why? Well, to me, a bracelet is a lot more durable than a strap. : 1) water resistance practicality. Say for example, you are a) washing dishes: you don't have to take off the watch (a strap will get damaged in this case, b) you are eating a burger and drops of ketchup or grease falls on your strap (bad news) - if it was a bracelet, no problem, just wash it off under water and wala...good as new, c) washing a car?...same thing, d) taking a shower/bath...ditto...you get the drift. Granted, you could buy a sharkskin strap, but sharkskin straps don't match many watch cases (mostly for diver style watches), and rubber is available too (Hublot), but it reminds me of another rubber type strap (a la Casio). : 2) Bracelets will let your skin breathe as well if not adjusted too tight. You can wear a bracelet very comfortably as well, and you don't have to worry about the uncomfortable sweat that dampens the leather straps during the summertime or rigourous exercise....just rinse it off, and it's good as new. Another advantage of a customized fitting of your bracelet is that no one else can wear your watch unless they happen to have the same size wrist as you. Anyone else can take your strapped watch and throw that thing on, but not so for the person who had their watch bracelet adjusted to their personal size. : Some random reasons: : Many watches just look better with integrated bracelets. ie. AP Offshore, Bvlgari Sports Watches, Omega Constellation, VC Overseas, Patek Nautilus....the bracelets of these watches are designed to add to the looks of the watch as opposed to detracting from it. I had an expensive strap fitted to my Omega Speedy and found it horrible. It was tight, not flexible, constraining, and didn't even make the watch look better than when it was on the bracelet (more substantial looking). By the way, if you wear the bracelet loose, it too, will roll around your wrist, and will make the watch look weird on your wrist. : Straps also wear out as you mention. A bracelet will last much longer and be able to keep the original looks of the watch intact. My bracelet watches never pinch my skin as you mentioned because I don't wear them so tight, I wear them just right. To me, a bracelet can really add to the look of a watch case and make the watch look like it is carved out of a single hunk of metal if designed correctly. A strap, however, looks like an aftermarket add on to me. Much like a wind deflector on a sunroof of a car or mud flaps for the wheels. Also, in reference to your comment about needing a bracelet if you are an astronaut...well actually, the speedmasters worn on the space missions have to be put on a strap because of the size of the space suit. And, you think that no one wears Rolexes? How do you explain who bought the 900,000 or so Rolexes that were sold last year? Obviously someone is wearing them. To me, wearing a watch with a strap is like putting a miniature belt on your wrist instead of around your waist. To me, straps seem old-fashioned. But then again, that is only my opinion. I know there are lots and lots of strap lovers out there, and that is fine too. You buy what you like. I just happen to prefer bracelets. : Regards, : dl. : : : : : Maybe it's different in the U.S.; here in Europe the last steel bracelets were seen 20 years ago, and nobody seems to regret. : : So, is there any excuse for having bracelets ? Well, I don't want to be too categorical. I guess it's all right if you're an astronaut. Or, if you wear a Rolex, you've got no choice (but, then again, does anybody still wear Rolex?). I presume certain Omega owners could also be forgiven. : : Of course, all of the above is just my own personal opinion. Other TZers may have different, and equally valid, views: tastes are tastes. I just wanted to stir up a debate, and maybe convince a couple of you to drop those ugly steel handcuffs. :
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durable, functional. Breitling Pilot's looks good.

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Posted by rhd on May 19, 1999 at 10:38:10:
In Reply to: Drop Those Ugly Bracelets posted by marco on May 19, 1999 at 08:05:13:
Posted from Host: 104.baltimore-03-04rs.md.dial-access.att.net (12.78.235.104)

and it is comfortable.

Hate wearing staps.

Bob

What would PETA think......

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Posted by Mike Strickland on May 19, 1999 at 10:56:29:
In Reply to: Drop Those Ugly Bracelets posted by marco on May 19, 1999 at 08:05:13:
Posted from Host: spider-wd084.proxy.aol.com (205.188.193.189)

Think of all of the small creatures that must sacrifice their lives to that you can wear that anachronistic device on your wrist?

Too bad, I like a strap myself.

Re: What would PETA think......

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Posted by Clyde on May 19, 1999 at 15:34:58:
In Reply to: What would PETA think...... posted by Mike Strickland on May 19, 1999 at 10:56:29:
Posted from Host: ro01-24-29-216-5.ce.mediaone.net (24.29.216.5)

I doubt that the People Eating Tasty Animals organization will care if we wear leather watch bands. ;-)

Well....

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Posted by phoenix on May 19, 1999 at 17:05:07:
In Reply to: Drop Those Ugly Bracelets posted by marco on May 19, 1999 at 08:05:13:
Posted from Host: hagar.jfleming.com (202.40.36.34)

Some very good points raised on both sides. For me, with most watches, a strap wins hands down in the aesthetics department (although for certain sports looking watches like my Blancpain 2100 military, one of the Blancpain bracelets really adds something to the overall look) . But in a tropical summer, a bracelet is for me much the more comfortable.

phoenix

bracelets....bracelets...bracelets...(chant..)

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Posted by John Toh on May 19, 1999 at 17:23:08:
In Reply to: Drop Those Ugly Bracelets posted by marco on May 19, 1999 at 08:05:13:
Posted from Host: proxyc3.cyberway.com.sg (203.116.61.132)

On dress watches, I'd have to agree that leather looks better, but I would never use a leather strap.

Simply because I live in Singapore, and we sweat like crazy here, and nothing is more icky than a sweat-soaked gummy leather strap. And what's more, it stinks after a while and grows mold.

A bracelet is heavy, thick so as to match the side of the case and I like them for those reasons. A heavy bracelet will also prevent circular slip, because the weight is more evenly distributed, as opposed to concentrated at the watch case.

Strength and integrity. Replacements of leather strap is equivalent to replacing batteries to me. I dislike the temporary nature and the loss of integrity of the original look.

cheers,
John Toh

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