Round-UpSeamless Linkages: 10 Spectacular Watches With Integrated Bracelets
Since their origins in the 1970s, watches with integrated bracelets helped define an important genre—of steel sport watches. In recent years, though, the integrated bracelet has become an essential part of many a brand’s portfolio, be it in steel, ceramic, titanium or gold. Take a look at a few of the most noteworthy integrated-bracelet watches you can find today
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A night before the 1971 edition of the Baselworld watch fair, the managing director of Audemars Piguet, Georges Golay, called legendary designer Gerald Genta, and commissioned him to make an unprecedented sports watch. Being in deep financial crisis amid the Quartz Crisis, the Swiss brand desperately needed a ‘breakthrough’ timepiece. Genta worked through the whole night, and the new watch he envisioned by the next morning pushed the whole horological world into a frenzy. Inspired by the deep-sea diving helmet with visible screws, the watch—that became the iconic Audemars Piguet Royal Oak—featured a seamless case-meets-bracelet design, replacing the traditional spring-bar-and-lugs combo. The design gained momentum over the years, which led to legendary collections such as the Omega Constellation, Bulgari Octo, Girard-Perregaux Laureato, Hublot Integral, H. Moser Streamliner, Parmigiani Tonda GT, and Frederique Constant Highlife. Here’s a list of 10 voguish contemporary watches with integrated bracelets.
Breitling Chronomat
The Breitling Chronomat harks to the brand’s heritage of aviation watches, which goes back to 1940, when the brand patented its pioneering invention of a rotating bezel with circuitous slide-rule scale. ‘Chronomat’ has two meanings—a portmanteau of chronograph and automatic, and ‘chronograph for mathematics’. Breitling also revived their signature Rouleaux bracelet in the newer Chronomat versions, a key element of the 1983-84 watches, which was discontinued until 2020. The Rouleaux (French term for rollers) bracelet graces the case with its brushed cylindrical steel links, and polished rings on alternate links. It has been modernised with a sleeker profile that follows the lines of the case, and more angular links with brushed surfaces enlightened by polished (steel or gold, depending on the versions) mid-links. The sides of the links present nice, polished bevels and feature a concealed butterfly clasp with security pushers.
Bulgari Octo Finissimo Automatic
When Octo Finissimo was first launched in 2014, little did one know that it was going to become one of the most iconic watches of our times in less than a few years. Thanks to its ultra-thin case, unique octagonal design, and ground-breaking Swiss mechanical mastery, the timepiece has made itself a fitting rival against the watchmaking brands that dominated the integrated bracelet space, and obviously those that previously held records in slimness. Among the several editions out there, we have handpicked the Bulgari Octo Finissimo Automatic Watch that exudes a chiselled, ‘muscular’ look with its 40mm sandblasted stainless steel case. Yet it’s just 5.15mm thick as it houses one of the thinnest movements you can find–the BVL 138, only 2.23mm thick. With a power reserve of 72 hours, the movement powers the central indications for minutes and hours, and an off-centre indication for the seconds, exemplifying the simplicity of the dial. The incredibly thin and subtle bracelet, along with a stainless steel folding clasp, make the timepiece an equivalent of the slim-fit suit to be worn on your wrist.
Frederique Constant Highlife Automatic COSC
Entrenched in its philosophy of manufacturing luxurious yet accessible timepieces, Frederique Constant continue to expand their Highlife collection—originally launched in 1999. The latest editions are a perfect match of sporty yet sophisticated steel watch with integrated bracelets and automatic movements. Ideally suited for those who prefer subtle looks; the timepieces will complement any outfit that you might choose to wear. Faithful to its original design, the new Frederique Constant Highlife Automatic COSC is an improved and streamlined version of its previous avatars. Underlining the modern and dynamic style, the timepiece’s dial features a grid-like pattern that mirrors the imaginary longitude and latitude lines dividing the globe. The stunning 41mm case has dedicated contouring on its sides that allows it to sit quite comfortably on any wrist. The brand’s obsession with the concept of visual flow is further exemplified by the integrated bracelets attached to the main body. This three-hand timekeeper is powered by FC-303 calibre and has a power reserve of 38 hours.
Girard-Perregaux Laureato
The sport-chic Girard-Perregaux Laureato has a glorious past. First introduced in 1975, the timepiece was designed by a Milanese architect by the name of Adolfo Natalini. It comprises an octagonal bezel, an integrated bracelet, and a sleek profile—exemplifying archetypal elements of the luxury sport watch genre. The thing that sets it apart from the other integrated-bracelet watches—such as the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak and Patek Philippe’s Nautilus—was that the first Laureato was actually a quartz watch. Here is a contemporary Laureato that encapsulates the trademark octagonal bezel and Clous de Paris patterned dial. The raised, luminous, baton-shaped, and glow-in-the-dark hands enhance the timepiece and ensure good legibility under low-light conditions. Making the Laureato even more special is the GP3300 movement that’s entirely designed, produced, assembled and adjusted in-house. Installed in a 38mm stainless steel case, the movement can be admired through the transparent caseback. Additionally, the timepiece is water-resistant up to 100m.
H. Moser & Cie. Streamliner
Taking its cue from the aerodynamic design of the streamliners or high-speed trains that were conceived during the Great Depression in America, the H. Moser & Cie. Streamliner collection is a minimalistic, ergonomic design, smooth liquid lines and curves. The captivating Vantablack and sunray dials are a feast for the eyes with luminescent hands, owing to the blocks of the ceramic-based Globolight. Beating inside, is the in-house produced HMC 200 calibre that is self-winding and can store upto three days of power reserve. When you turn the timepiece, the massive gold rotor and calibre beautifully fill-up the caseback view—adding to its visual exuberance. The Streamliner comes housed in a satin-finished 40mm case that’s in perfect harmony with the uniquely designed integrated bracelet.
Maurice Lacroix Aikon Automatic
Despite being a fairly young Swiss brand—founded in 1975—Maurice Lacroix have been recognised for their innovative spirit craftsmanship. And among the brand’s most well-known products is Aikon. Inspired by their Calypso line introduced in 1990, the timepiece has a muscular design with the barrel-shaped case, an over-built bezel, and integrated bracelet. Another reason that Aikon stands out is that the Maurice Lacroix manufacture cases and integrated bracelets in their own factory, which gives them greater control over quality of products. Here is the Maurice Lacroix Aikon Automatic watch with the sophisticated 42mm case and bezel featuring uniquely designed double ‘claws’. This handsome timepiece flaunts a Clous de Paris dial with slight sheen. Powered by ML 115 automatic movement, the timepiece beats at 28,800vph and offers 38 hours of power reserve.
Omega Constellation Co-Axial Master Chronometer
Those with petite wrists will take to the Omega Constellation line that offers 36mm and 39mm sized watches with integrated bracelets. Pictured here is the 39mm Omega Constellation Co-Axial Master Chronometer with an uncluttered sun-brushed black dial, featuring the signature star logo at six o’clock above the date aperture. The timepiece draws its energy from Omega’s in-house calibre 8800, which offers upto 55 hours of power reserve. What makes the movement even more interesting is its small size—just 26mm in diameter. It is housed within the signature barrel-shaped Constellation case, affixed with integrated bracelets—in Omega’s signature single-link-and-hinge design. The bracelet featuring a triple folding clasp inbuilt with comfort-release function is a good fit on the wrist.
Parmigiani Tonda GT
The Parmigiani Tonda GT with 41mm stainless steel case has the brand’s familiar coin-edged bezel that radiates top-notch precision in its execution. Notably, the timepiece’s modernised lugs come secured with a brand-new integrated bracelet design. Meanwhile, enhancing the sense of continuity is the brushed finish on the integrated bracelets and lugs. This timepiece sports a captivating dial with traditional Clou triangulaire guilloche decoration, two windows for the big date display below the 12 o’clock hour marker and small seconds sub-dial at six o’clock. The PF044 movement—beating at 28,800vph and offering upto 45 hours of power reserve—through the exhibition caseback.
TAG Heuer Link Calibre 5
First launched as TAG Heuer S/EL—short for Sports Elegance—in 1987, the Link collection quickly became known for its integrated bracelets and was catapulted to one of the most popular lines by the Swiss luxury watch brand. The Link Calibre 5 with the unique intertwining ‘S’-shaped links feature flawlessly polished rounded edges. This instantly recognisable timepiece, presented in a 41mm stainless steel case, combines sporty and dressy looks—a rare attribute that is quite uncommon among watches with integrated bracelets. The uncluttered, three-hand black dial of the Link iteration features a date aperture at three o’clock and the brand logo at 12 o’clock. Visible through an exhibition caseback, the Calibre 5 automatic movement offers upto 38-hour power reserve.
Zenith Defy Skyline Skeleton
Unveiled at the 2023 LVMH Watch Week, the Zenith Defy Skyline Skeleton elevates the brand’s offerings of luxe sport watches with integrated stainless steel bracelets to new heights. It features an easy-to-operate interchangeable strap system to remove the bracelet via a pusher on the caseback and snap the replacement in an instant. The steel bracelet has central embossing of classic Zenith stars and folding buckles. Beautifully structured with a combination of polished and brushed surfaces, the 41mm steel case takes design cues from modern cityscapes where structures and light are bound in a constant moving interplay. Easy to wear with a total thickness of 11.6mm and 46.3mm lug-to-lug measurement, the Defy Skyline Skeleton ensures modernity in every aspect. Powered by an El Primero high-frequency movement, this timepiece marks the first skeletonised watch in the world to feature a 1/10th-of-a-second indication.
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Zenith Defy
03.9300.3620/78.I001
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Breitling Chronomat
U77310101A2U1
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Breitling Chronomat
AB0134101K1A1
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Breitling Chronomat
A77310101L1A1
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BVLGARI Octo
102713
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Frederique Constant Highlife
FC-303V4NH2B
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Frederique Constant Highlife
FC-303N4NH6B
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Girard-Perregaux Laureato
81010-11-431-11A
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Maurice Lacroix Aikon
AI6008-SS002-430-1
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Omega Constellation
131.10.39.20.01.001
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Parmigiani Tonda
PFC910-0000141-B00182
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TAG Heuer Link
WBC2110.BA0603
