Very surprised they didn't choose the VC Overseas bracelet as one of the top 3. Extremely well finished (each link has polished facets!) and unique design that incorporates the beautiful logo design.
To me the Jubilee bracelet is the most comfortable. Underrated bracelet - IWC Mark bracelets and the Mint bracelet that came on the early Monaco reissue.
Great topic! I’m surprised they haven’t mentioned bracelets/&clasps from other brands. For example, IWC produces a high quality bracelets and clasp with hidden adjustment providing great functionality. The clasp is perfectly integrated with the bracelet design. (I am referring specifically to the new Portugueser YC) Cartier Santos also has one of the best bracelets, it’s very well made, super comfortable and includes a quick release adjustment technology, allowing the bracelet to be adjusted with convenience without necessary tools .
I love those clasps. But IWC doesn’t actually produce them. They’re made by Brogioli, an independent Swiss company in the Italian-speaking part of the country. They make bracelets, with the same adjustment mechanism on the clasp, for IWC, GO, ALS, and Moser. I wish more brands would buy their bracelets from Brogioli!
You completely missed the new Cartier Santos bracelet. While it may have proprietary end links, they are secure and easy to use. And the toolless link changing system is ingenious.
@@davidclive701 Yes, completely different, have them both and can agree they are amazing and they kept praising Rolex, Rolex and Omega which is a shame. I think the bracelet on Mark XX is one of the most comfortable and very solid, well made one. Plus the one on Cartier is both beautifull and useful. Also, the sound of the clasp on Cartier is just uffff. Very satisfying.
I own a Cartier Santos. And I see 2 major downsides of this system: (1) No quick-change to give the bracelet an extra 5mm when needed (2) It's very difficult to get a variety of other straps. Even Cartier boutiques don't carry any. And neither does the Cartier website.
Interesting topic. A few notes: the very best and most over-engineered bracelet and clasp was on the JLC Gran’Sport some 25 years ago already. It outclasses everything on the market to this day. Ultra solid yet smooth and flowing, complex finishing, the clasp is ridiculously complex yet folds on itself neatly with two double triggers and two micro adjustments. The current flat link Omega is perfect in its looks, feel and taper and has a lovely short vintage-style clasp. The nasty foldover clasp thing that Cartier pioneered is now a common thing on Chinese watches. It’s the worst garbage and comes with a clasp that will attempt to cut off your wrist.
Absolutely right about friction fit clasps. I have an Uncle Seiko Z199 bracelet (milled version) and it is so bloody light and comfortable. When the bracelet has that combined with a lot of flexibility, like a jubilee, you don't need a micro adjust. I love my Seamaster bracelet, but truth is it is over-designed and I'd enjoy it more if it were just titanium.
I‘m sporting the Omega-Milanese from the Bond-Seamaster on my Speedy. The clasp is kinda thick but weightwise it’s absolutely perfekt because ist creates a great balance with the watch itself. Real great comfort without any hairpicking at all.
I love a good bracelet and appreciate the point about modern bracelets being over engineered. I have a Daniel JeanRichard Chronograph from the late 90's. Folded end-links and pressed clasp but short links, and they're thin. It's Oyster style, 20mm that tapers 16mm so it's hardly unique but it's extremely well finished and the lightness that the pressed elements provide along with the thin links make it über comfortable. After market wise, the Forstner Rivet is the best I've experienced - for a lot of the reasons I've listed above about the DJR bracelet. Hood episode guys. ☻
Light and flexibel is key. I like the Ebel wave and IWC Mark XV brick bracelet best. Cartier also made this gold teardrop/rice bracelet on the tank louis. It is amazing
Good show. I have a pretty flat wrist and the butterfly clasp on an Aqua Terra I used to own became really uncomfortable over time. The ends had too much curve. Loved the watch, but it had to go. My wrist is only about 15-16cm so straps are always too big and don't conform so I'm a bracelet guy not necessarily by choice.
Fantastic convo. 100% agree that on the fly clasps have their place but are not the end all be all. I cannot stand enormous clasps on watches that intend to be more refined. Also I'm so sick of generic 3 link oysters that come on so many watches. Id rather have a nice strap.
I'm not usually a bracelet guy but Bulgari Octo Finissimo is my favourite. The Zenith Defy bracelet looks great but I don't have personal experience with it.
Ball watches are a great example of a watch where the endlinks were a afterthought. They use god awefull male endlinks that protrude a mile beyond the lugs.
Good discussion. But kinda have your favorite brand a pass on their no taper bracelets on luxury watches. Some Swatch Group MBA saving a few buck. 🤦♂️
The taper on the current Speedmaster Pro bracelet was an immediate turn off for me when I tried on the white one, as I am used to a pretty much non-tapering 849 on mine. I'm not against tapering per se but Omega went too aggressive with the taper on that bracelet for me. I couldn't quite put it into words when I was talking about it before but someone else mentioned it looks almost dainty, which I think is a perfect way to describe it. I'd prefer something of a middle ground with less of a taper - the bracelet on my 186.0004 tapers from 20mm at the lugs to 16mm at the clasp but that's with a markedly smaller watch head than the current Pro.
I can't disagree more with Nacho's comments about his Omega's bracelet. I have the same on my 2234.50 GMT. It's very well built and finished. The clasp is not oversized and it is the same width as the bracelet. Compared with the Rolex bracelets of the same period, the Omega bracelet is twice as good.
For me the 90‘s IWC and Glashütte Original/Union bracelets are genius and super comfy as well as the modern Santos or Tudor bracelets are best at their show and not behind the Rolex ones.
Very surprised they didn't choose the VC Overseas bracelet as one of the top 3. Extremely well finished (each link has polished facets!) and unique design that incorporates the beautiful logo design.
To me the Jubilee bracelet is the most comfortable. Underrated bracelet - IWC Mark bracelets and the Mint bracelet that came on the early Monaco reissue.
Great topic!
I’m surprised they haven’t mentioned bracelets/&clasps from other brands. For example, IWC produces a high quality bracelets and clasp with hidden adjustment providing great functionality. The clasp is perfectly integrated with the bracelet design. (I am referring specifically to the new Portugueser YC)
Cartier Santos also has one of the best bracelets, it’s very well made, super comfortable and includes a quick release adjustment technology, allowing the bracelet to be adjusted with convenience without necessary tools .
I love those clasps. But IWC doesn’t actually produce them. They’re made by Brogioli, an independent Swiss company in the Italian-speaking part of the country. They make bracelets, with the same adjustment mechanism on the clasp, for IWC, GO, ALS, and Moser. I wish more brands would buy their bracelets from Brogioli!
Thomas definitely shouldn't feel bad about talking about the VPC, this nuts and bolts insight is very useful.
I recently picked up 80s twotone ebel wave.. it has crazy braclet, I'm mesmerized every time I put it on my wrist.
You completely missed the new Cartier Santos bracelet. While it may have proprietary end links, they are secure and easy to use. And the toolless link changing system is ingenious.
I think it's the same design as the IWC bracelet they mentioned. Richmont probably has the same supplier for both these brands😊
@@SP-pn7xxno it’s very different!
@@davidclive701 Yes, completely different, have them both and can agree they are amazing and they kept praising Rolex, Rolex and Omega which is a shame. I think the bracelet on Mark XX is one of the most comfortable and very solid, well made one. Plus the one on Cartier is both beautifull and useful. Also, the sound of the clasp on Cartier is just uffff. Very satisfying.
I agree, the Santos has the easiest bracelet to adjust and the fit (at least for me) is absolutely perfect.
I own a Cartier Santos.
And I see 2 major downsides of this system:
(1) No quick-change to give the bracelet an extra 5mm when needed
(2) It's very difficult to get a variety of other straps. Even Cartier boutiques don't carry any. And neither does the Cartier website.
The jubilee and H-link are my personal favorites. Both have unmatched comfort.
Interesting topic. A few notes: the very best and most over-engineered bracelet and clasp was on the JLC Gran’Sport some 25 years ago already. It outclasses everything on the market to this day. Ultra solid yet smooth and flowing, complex finishing, the clasp is ridiculously complex yet folds on itself neatly with two double triggers and two micro adjustments.
The current flat link Omega is perfect in its looks, feel and taper and has a lovely short vintage-style clasp.
The nasty foldover clasp thing that Cartier pioneered is now a common thing on Chinese watches. It’s the worst garbage and comes with a clasp that will attempt to cut off your wrist.
Absolutely right about friction fit clasps. I have an Uncle Seiko Z199 bracelet (milled version) and it is so bloody light and comfortable. When the bracelet has that combined with a lot of flexibility, like a jubilee, you don't need a micro adjust. I love my Seamaster bracelet, but truth is it is over-designed and I'd enjoy it more if it were just titanium.
IWC and the Santos bracelets are among the best.
Tried quite a few over the years But for me the best one is the latest gen Nautilus bracelet. Elegent, interesting, comfortable and functional
If you trim your wrist hair back, it makes your bracelet look larger.
Go check the end of the latest episode 😂
@@mattkanfer7256 Thanks Matt, :) now i'll have to watch the full episode as well!
I‘m sporting the Omega-Milanese from the Bond-Seamaster on my Speedy. The clasp is kinda thick but weightwise it’s absolutely perfekt because ist creates a great balance with the watch itself. Real great comfort without any hairpicking at all.
The Breitling Professional bracelets from the late 90's to mid 2010's are the perfect mix of quality and comfort for me
I love a good bracelet and appreciate the point about modern bracelets being over engineered.
I have a Daniel JeanRichard Chronograph from the late 90's. Folded end-links and pressed clasp but short links, and they're thin. It's Oyster style, 20mm that tapers 16mm so it's hardly unique but it's extremely well finished and the lightness that the pressed elements provide along with the thin links make it über comfortable.
After market wise, the Forstner Rivet is the best I've experienced - for a lot of the reasons I've listed above about the DJR bracelet.
Hood episode guys.
☻
Love your show.. but how can you not mention Vacheron Constantin, talking about watches and bracelet.. 😮❤
Suggestions for a Fratello Talks subject: "Trends in dial colours" and "Nato straps: Double-pass, single-pass or no pass?"
Light and flexibel is key. I like the Ebel wave and IWC Mark XV brick bracelet best. Cartier also made this gold teardrop/rice bracelet on the tank louis. It is amazing
Omega flat link bracelets from the 60s, this is the pinnacle of comfort to me !
The flat link bracelet on my Omega SM 300 Heritage is very comfortable.
Good show. I have a pretty flat wrist and the butterfly clasp on an Aqua Terra I used to own became really uncomfortable over time. The ends had too much curve. Loved the watch, but it had to go. My wrist is only about 15-16cm so straps are always too big and don't conform so I'm a bracelet guy not necessarily by choice.
Agreed on the IBWC, nato and straps don't fit as well as a good bracelet.
I've always thought someone needs to make a tapering Nato. These days a clasp that doesnt have tool free micro-adjust is a deal breaker
Fantastic convo. 100% agree that on the fly clasps have their place but are not the end all be all. I cannot stand enormous clasps on watches that intend to be more refined. Also I'm so sick of generic 3 link oysters that come on so many watches. Id rather have a nice strap.
Don't see them much, but I really love ladder bracelets. And you can't beat the modern president for look and feel.
FORSTNER BANDS have a beautiful ladder bracelet I wear.❤
I wear all my Omega watches on FORSTNER BANDS bracelets ❤
Comfort really is king. I love a detailed comparative discussion of something that is usually just an afterthought in reviews. Turning Bezels next?
I'm not usually a bracelet guy but Bulgari Octo Finissimo is my favourite. The Zenith Defy bracelet looks great but I don't have personal experience with it.
Ball watches are a great example of a watch where the endlinks were a afterthought. They use god awefull male endlinks that protrude a mile beyond the lugs.
Thank you! Had to learn this the hard way with the Engineer II Marvelight on the H-link bracelet.
Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF… one of the most comfortable bracelet
What is your take on Louis Vuitton watches? Personally I think their divers and ealier stuff looks baller
The Royal Oak bracelet and the Rolex Jubilee tower above everything else I’ve tried
The H-link FTW
Good discussion. But kinda have your favorite brand a pass on their no taper bracelets on luxury watches. Some Swatch Group MBA saving a few buck. 🤦♂️
The taper on the current Speedmaster Pro bracelet was an immediate turn off for me when I tried on the white one, as I am used to a pretty much non-tapering 849 on mine. I'm not against tapering per se but Omega went too aggressive with the taper on that bracelet for me. I couldn't quite put it into words when I was talking about it before but someone else mentioned it looks almost dainty, which I think is a perfect way to describe it. I'd prefer something of a middle ground with less of a taper - the bracelet on my 186.0004 tapers from 20mm at the lugs to 16mm at the clasp but that's with a markedly smaller watch head than the current Pro.
The speedmaster is already a extremely top heavy watch, a heavily tapered bracelet will just make that worse..
I can't disagree more with Nacho's comments about his Omega's bracelet. I have the same on my 2234.50 GMT. It's very well built and finished. The clasp is not oversized and it is the same width as the bracelet. Compared with the Rolex bracelets of the same period, the Omega bracelet is twice as good.
For me the 90‘s IWC and Glashütte Original/Union bracelets are genius and super comfy as well as the modern Santos or Tudor bracelets are best at their show and not behind the Rolex ones.
my most comfortable bracelets are Ebel El Primero one and Iwc 3706 pyramid, silk feeling
Those are the exact same ones I mentioned 👍 they are very good looking and thin and comfortable
7:42 not sure about that 😅
A great watch with a bad bracelet is frustrating. A great watch with a good bracelet and bad clasp is too bad, peanut butter.
Nacho, as in the Mexican dish ??
Nacho is the short form of Ignacio (a common name in the Spanish-speaking world. The Mexican dish is named after its inventor, Ignacio "Nacho" Anaya.
1st!😅
Mic too close to the mouth, I'm getting more of an anatomy lesson than watch discussion 🙉
Watch it through your tv and you won’t get that problem. I am doing so and the sound is perfect!
Chemistry..lacking