Bathyscaphe only
Blancpain has developed, for its Bathyscaphe range, a full ceramic bracelet; a high-tech material that dovetails with the watch’s robust and sporty personality. Durable, hypoallergenic, scratch-resistant and comfortable, this exclusive bracelet ticks all the boxes. In fact ceramic is 25% lighter than steel but five times harder, although performance isn’t the only thing this bracelet has to offer. It also looks fantastic. In black, its exceptional finishing allows light to play beautifully across its surface. The patented construction uses cam-shaped pins to connect the links so that they never touch and, therefore, won’t break. Results such as these don’t come without effort. Three years in development, the Bathyscaphe ceramic bracelet is crafted in-house and requires a complex assembly process to ensure precise adjustment of the individual links, in line with tight technical and aesthetic tolerances. That’s one lucky ceramic Bathyscaphe, whether it’s the complete calendar moonphase, flyback chronograph or automatic time and date.
Band of gold
Everyone knows the Baignoire. Demonstrating Cartier’s dedication to creating innovative forms for its watches, it was given the name Baignoire in 1973. A perfect oval, it sent fans into a frenzy when it appeared as a new iteration, on a bangle bracelet in yellow gold that transforms this style icon. A watch by day, worn with the dial facing outwards, by night it becomes a jewellery cuff with the dial slipped to the inside of the wrist. Such versatility adds to the list of features that define the Baignoire, such as a curved crystal, Roman numerals and a smooth gold bezel. For added pzazz, wear it stacked with a Juste un Clou bracelet, or a Love bracelet, or both.
Chain reaction
Patek Philippe ushers in the return of chain-style metal bracelets to the Golden Ellipse collection and adorns its new Golden Ellipse reference 5738/1R-001 with an exclusive creation. The result of 15 years of development and crafted from rose gold, it is entirely hand-polished. Comprising 363 parts — including over 300 links which are assembled one by one, by hand —, its patented construction gives the bracelet its suppleness but also facilitates sizing, whether lengthening or shortening, to ensure a perfect fit. Complementing this, the clasp can be adjusted in three positions. The result is superb and harks back to the venerable Manufacture’s metal bracelets that were popular throughout the late 1960s and early 70s.
Decisions, decisions…
Launched in 1996, the Overseas came as a surprise. Firstly because this sport-chic watch, equipped with an in-house movement, went against the grain of Vacheron Constantin’s usual style. Secondly, because this was the first luxury watch on an interchangeable strap. Indeed, the Overseas is systematically delivered with three straps which can be swapped out tool-free. The first is an integrated bracelet in the same metal as the case (steel, gold or titanium), fastened with a triple-blade folding clasp that extends wrist room by up to four millimetres, for enhanced comfort. Each of the other two straps, in leather or in rubber, is fitted with a folding clasp, also in a matching metal to the case. Blazing a trail, Vacheron Constantin was one of the first watchmakers to offer wearers a timepiece they could enjoy in a variety of settings, from a sports field to the office to a formal dinner.
