Well Art,
my assumption that Steve McQueen would have preferred the bracelet is due to my wife´s comment about the bracelet whenever I happen to wear it. In her perception the bracelet gives the watch a colder, more technical look whereas the leather strap is warmer and less cool.
So, the "King of Cool" would go for the strap I thought.
But in his role as "Thomas Crown" the leather strap would also have been very apt.
As far as the splendid and their flaws are concerned, I feel this often applies to the less splendid as well 
My best regards
anaesdoc