After decades dominated by the robust functionality of steel bracelet sports watches, the watch industry is witnessing an elegant counter-revolution. “Until recently, metal bracelets were almost totally associated with sports,” says Pierre Rainero, director of image, style and heritage at Cartier. “But now that watches in small sizes are popular, there’s been a rediscovery of how you can be elegant with a piece that is entirely metallic.”
In 2023, Cartier relaunched the Tank Normale on a sinuous seven-link brick pattern platinum bracelet. It recalls the Normale on a 1943 bracelet that belonged to the Prince of Nepal, and such has been the success of the new version that Rainero says there will be more to come.
Cartier platinum Tank Normale
Price: £51,500
Rolex gold 1908 with Settimo bracelet
