BRACELETS / STRAPS AND CLASPS
At the dawn of the 20th century, when watches left our pockets to adorn our wrists, the watch bracelet/strap underwent a rise that has continued to evolve ever since. Initially made of leather, fabric, or metal, watch bracelets/straps are now available in a multitude of materials (such as plant-based materials, plastics, rubbers, composites, etc.). Throughout history, clasps have also evolved for specific uses or for greater security and reliability.
LEATHER BRACELETS/STRAPS
When the first wristwatches appeared, leather was the material that best met the constraints of their use. Strength, flexibility, ergonomics and, often, elegance are all qualities that still make it a popular material today. However, sensitivity to animal welfare, customs restrictions that emerged at the beginning of the 21st century, and the technological evolution of materials are leading synthetic and plant-based materials to develop at the expense of the Leather Bracelet / Strap.
METAL BRACELET
Generally, Metal bracelets are much stronger and more durable than Leather Bracelet / Strap. They can be immersed without damage and are often preferred for sporting uses or in extreme conditions. In other cases, they are decorated, or even set with gems, to enhance the elegance of the design and assert its identity.
SYNTHETIC STRAPS
Plastics and rubbers appeared in the 1980s. Manufactured by molding, the costs of such straps decrease as their production increases. Since then, many new synthetic materials have emerged. Silicone, composite materials, and ceramics have since brought their share of technical and aesthetic improvements.
PLANT-BASED STRAPS
Thanks to recent technological developments and growing ecological awareness, plant-based materials are undergoing a rapid evolution. Some of them replicate the appearance, feel, and flexibility of leather so closely that they are hard to tell apart. Their durability, UV resistance, and even comfort often surpass leather, and most of them are perfectly waterproof.
THE PIN BUCKLE / TANG BUCKLE
The pin buckle / tang buckle is similar to a miniature belt buckle. It is designed for Leather, plant-based, or synthetic Bracelet / Strap, one of whose strands is perforated to adjust the Length of the Bracelet / Strap to the wrist size.
THE DEPLOYMENT BUCKLE
Whether in Leather, synthetic material, or plant-based origin, both strands of the Bracelet / Strap always remain attached to the Deployment buckle. When this type of Clasp is opened, it unfolds like a wallet. It is then possible to put on or remove one’s watch with ease and speed. This type of Clasp proves safer than the Pin buckle. If the clasp opens accidentally, the watch does not fall and stays on the wrist.
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