The right bracelet design can take a great piece to the next level and complete the package. This particular Gay Freres bracelet is a combination of beads and brick style links in 18K gold. Wearing it feels very supple and silky on the wrist. It’s period correct as paired with this Patek. To my eyes it matches extremely well with the 1463 and exudes a sport-elegance vibe. This example has 21 rows of beads, which I believe was the standard length of this style produced at the time. Including the watch and bracelet combined, they measure up to 7.8” and it fits my 7.4” wrist well in several of the notched rows on the inner clasp. The clasp also features an internal bar for added security (see below). The clasp fits flush to the wrist, in contrast to the bladed clasp seen on rivet oyster styles. An example of this same bracelet style in pink gold was paired with a pink on pink 1518, which was recently auctioned in New York by Sotheby’s Here.
This Gay Freres bead/brick design seems to have inspired the beautiful Wellendorf bracelets that have been written about Here. These were offered as an extra cost option on Lange references in the past, before being discontinued and are quite admired in their own right by Lange collectors today.
GF bracelets in general and those in gold particularly are quite rare and not easy to find in top condition, making them highly desired and sought after by many vintage collectors. However, there are a few sources that make contemporary examples in precious metals that borrow themes of original Gay Freres designs. One of the sources I’ve heard positive reports about is mimandcroket. You can view their products Here.
Enjoy these pics highlighting the beauty and quality hand-craftsmanship details of this Gay Freres bracelet below. 🙏🏻 for reading.
