As explained in my previous announcement there exist early evidence of wrist watch designs along the XIX Century but Horology Scholars agree that modern wrist watches appeared during the second decade of XX Century and specially during WWI among European soldiers and pilots who found very practical to strap their pocket watches on their wrists.
First wrist watches were worn with leather straps but as soon as the idea of leaving their pocket watches at home and strapping watches on their wrist was generally adopted, wristwatch owners were surprised by independent makers offering metal bracelets to replace the straps supplied by watch makers.
Around the 1920’s independent makers like the famous Gay and Freres firm supplied watch Brands with their models as well as to individuals and together with brands like Bonklip helped to popularize the use of metal bracelets on our watches.
At present some brands/models are closely associated with the way in which we strap them to our wrist:
Panerai with leather straps, Rolex with their Oysters and AP RO and PP Nautilus with their beautiful integrated bracelets.
Though leather is preferred for watches worn in formal events and in Winter season and steel bracelets are preferred in Summer or for sport/tool watches we watch lovers tend to develop our own personal tastes.
In my personal case I like to replace metal bracelets for leather or nylon and sometimes Natos for a change (sometimes drastically) of character of my watches factory equipped with bracelets.
The Challenge for this new edition of WS is to share your preferences and thoughts about bracelets and/or straps.
You can submit your entries in this same thread and as usual you may send photographs for any or all categories to be judged:
Best Static Shot
Best Wrist Shot
Best Watch of the Week
Event will end at approximately 5PM UTC next Sunday 4th with the veredicts of our judges.
Those members who would like to play as judges may contact me by PM.
I wish a great and relaxed weekend and an enjoyable WS edition!
Cheers! Abel