Quality and Fine Workmanship
Bracelets
At Patek Philippe, crafting a bracelet to be perfectly functional and comfortable is as important to us as the movement itself.
Integrated and entirely polished steel bracelet with five rows of links and a fold-over clasp: Complications Ref. 4947/1A-001.
Fully polished rose gold chain-style bracelet with an engraved fold-over clasp: Golden Ellipse Ref. 5738/1R-001.
Shiny dusk blue alligator leather strap with square scales, platinum and diamond-set fold-over clasp: Grand Complications Ref. 5374/300P-001.
Calfskin, nubuck finish, beige. Calfskin, embossed with fabric pattern, black; with fold-over clasp: Complications Ref. 5326G-001.
“Tropical” composite blue-gray strap with patented fold-over clasp in rose gold: Aquanaut Ref. 5269R-001.
Materials
We mainly use bracelets made of leather, metal and polymer material. Some pieces of fine jewelry are equipped with a synthetic fabric bracelet. Our leather straps are subject to the rules of the Washington Convention (CITES), which aims to protect endangered species of wild fauna and flora. Our bracelets come in different colors and some watches are also available with an additional strap.
The First Wristwatch
The first ever Swiss wristwatch was created by Patek Philippe in 1868, when most watch companies were focused on making pocket watches. Our timepiece, made for Countess Koscowicz of Hungary, is exhibited at the Patek Philippe Museum in Geneva. The watch includes lugs linking the bracelet to the case, which today is common practice for wristwatches, however at the time it marked a new direction in the history of watchmaking.
Buckles and Clasps
Our bracelets are secured in place using one of two elements: prong buckles or fold-over clasps. These closure systems are designed for different lengths and thicknesses of leather straps or metal bracelets and are not interchangeable.
Prong buckle in rose gold on a brown calfskin leather strap with a vintage finish: Grand Complications Ref. 5520RG-001
Diamond-set prong buckle on a hand-stitched, ocean-blue alligator leather strap: Grand Complications Ref. 7040/250G-001.
White gold prong buckle on a black calfskin strap embossed with a “carbon” motif: Calatrava Ref. 6007G-010.
Rose gold prong buckle on a purple, satin-finished calfskin leather strap: Calatrava Ref. 4997/200R-001.
Rose gold prong buckle on a shiny black alligator strap: Golden Ellipse Ref. 5738R-001.
Prong Buckles
A prong buckle fastens a strap and consists of a pointed metal rod that inserts into various holes, corresponding to the wrist size. The metal buckle is composed of a ring or rectangle and a prong, also referred to as a pin buckle. This system can be found on our non-metallic bracelets.
Patented fold-over clasp in steel with a lockable adjustment system: Nautilus Ref. 5990/1A-011.
Opened white gold fold-over clasp with lockable adjustment system: Nautilus Ref. 4947/1A-001.
Fold-over clasp in white gold on a hand-stitched calfskin leather strap with a denim pattern: Complications Ref. 5330G-001.
Fold-over clasp in white gold on a composite strap with a fabric pattern (additional strap): Nautilus Ref. 5980/60G-001.
Diamond-set patented fold-over clasp in white gold with dark blue composite bracelet: Aquanaut Ref. 5268/461G-001.
Fold-over clasp in platinum on a strap with a fabric pattern: Cubitus Ref. 5822P-001.
Fold-Over Clasp
Available on our metal, leather and composite straps, our fold-over clasp system ensures optimal security and comfort. It is composed of two sections that fold over each other to securely lock the bracelet in place. Opening a folding clasp is done by simultaneously engaging the clasp’s pushers.
Patented Clasps
We are committed to constantly improving the safety, comfort and wearability of our folding clasps. In 2018, we patented a secure clasp with four independent catches for enhanced opening and closing functionality. In 2022, we introduced a lockable adjustment system allowing you to extend a bracelet using a simple manipulation.
The Making of Our Metal Bracelets
We make two types of metal bracelets: chain bracelets and mechanically made bracelets. For mechanical bracelets, the links are produced by machine; however, assembly and finishing are always by hand. For traditional chain bracelets, each link is individually handmade, positioned, aligned, assembled, and soldered, a complicated process that requires great dexterity.
Assembling a Nautilus bracelet requires around 15 manual operations and more than 50 components.
The Golden Ellipse’s chain-style bracelet comprises of 363 elements with more than 300 links individually mounted by hand.
