It must be beautiful, comfortable to wear and of course give the watch the finishing touch: the bracelet. In a way, it is the link between the wearer and the watch and ensures that you always have the time on your fingertips. The decision for the right bracelet should therefore be well considered. Metal bracelets are particularly classic and yet versatile. The variety here is almost endless, metal bracelets come in a wide variety of shapes and colours: from traditional link bracelets to finely woven milanise bracelets and stretchable drawstrings without a clasp. Whether matt, shiny, colour plated in black, gold and rose gold or the good old stainless steel bracelet in its simple simplicity. There is something for everyone in this selection.
Why a metal bracelet?
Metal watch bands impress with both pragmatism and style. They are more robust and durable than their leather counterparts, for example, which wear down quickly and have to be handled more carefully. With a certain plating, the robustness of the metal can even be brought close to diamond hardness (DLC = Diamond Like Coating). Most metal bracelets are made of stainless steel, which does not rust and is resistant to water and sweat. Good news for people who don’t like cleaning: easy care is also one of the good properties of the metal bracelet. And last but not least, it is the perfect addition to any outfit – the shiny companion makes everyday life a little more luxurious. It is therefore worth taking a look at the different types of metal bracelets.
Link bracelet: stylish all-rounder
The classic among metal bracelets is certainly the link bracelet. In countless designs from coarse to fine links, it is often representative of metal watch straps. Basically, two types are distinguished, and it is the manufacturing process that makes the difference: With folded stainless steel bracelets, fine stainless steel sheets are folded into individual links. This structure is then either visible from the side (standard) or concealed (solid look). Such folded stainless steel bands are more common as standard, as they are lighter and usually cheaper. In contrast, the individual links of a solid stainless steel watch band are made entirely of stainless steel in one piece. This robustness naturally also means that the bracelet is heavier. But especially with high-quality workmanship, solid stainless steel watch bands are certainly a good choice. Another advantage is that individual links can be removed if necessary. But the best feature is and remains the universal style of this bracelet: Whether business-like in the office, elegant at dinner with the parents-in-law or sporty at bowling – the link bracelet always cuts a good figure.
Milanaise bracelet: Italian flair
A quickly visible stitch – Milanaise bracelets are anything but simply knitted, but enchant with their elegant fine mesh and high wearing comfort. In the jargon of more recent watches also known as “mesh wristbands”, this fine metal mesh wraps itself snugly around the wrist. The name comes from the Italian city of Milano, which was formerly known for the production of knight’s armour. In fact, the finely woven band is somewhat reminiscent of the shirts of the noble gentlemen. So you can truly feel like a knight when you wear a Milanese ribbon. In contrast to the classic link bracelets, these are also lighter and more flexible, but still stable. However, the Milanese bracelet cannot be stretched out flat – it must therefore be kept in a closed form. Stainless steel is the first choice of material here too; however, precious metals such as gold and silver can also be found in higher price ranges. As with all bracelets, quality is the be-all and end-all: poorly made bracelets are not very flexible and often have sharp edges, which reduces wearing comfort. With high-quality workmanship, however, even the fine hairs on the arm remain undisturbed. The only cloudiness: it is difficult to shorten Milanaise bracelets on your own. Here it is said, better to the jeweller with it.
Pull strap: flexible and elegant
The stretchy drawstring lures with pragmatism. Due to the special construction method, no opening or closing is required for putting on or taking off, it is simply pulled over the hand. A strap buckle is therefore usually missing. Such flex watch straps are therefore particularly suitable for those of us who want to save valuable sleep time in the morning with every movement. Pull straps are extremely hard-wearing, resilient and extremely robust. Of course, they are also available in various designs and materials, from stainless steel and titanium to various plating with gold, silver or rosé. They lose none of their elegance compared to other metal bracelets. Shortening is also possible at home (with a little dexterity).
Bracelet: cool extravagance
The clasp bracelet is both extravagant and minimalist. From simple metal hoops and generous embellishments to cool clarity when the bracelet and bezel merge – it is a visual eye-catcher. A bracelet with clasps can be stubborn, it must be bought individually fitting. It is not possible to shorten the bracelet. However, some models are fitted with a few links at the ends to allow for minimal adjustments. There are many different types of bracelets with clasps or half clasps. Some do not have a clasp at all and do not form a completely closed band, others have a folding or butterfly clasp. If you like clear lines and modernity, a bracelet with clasps is the right choice. There are no limits to your imagination when it comes to the design, it is definitely an eye-catcher.
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