Watch clasps can frequently get overlooked by collectors simply because they are not part of the actual watch head itself. Due to the fact that the clasp is always located opposite from the face of the watch and that both straps and bracelets are often interchangeable, it can be easy to forget about watch clasps or to simply view them as another part of the strap or bracelet, when in reality, clasps are separate components all by themselves.
Regardless of the type of watch that you own or whether you choose to wear it on a strap or a metal bracelet, the clasp will always be the single part of your watch that you physically interact with the most each and every day.
Any time that you either put your timepiece on or take it off,
your clasp is directly responsible for your experience, and it is also the component on your watch that is ultimately in charge of securely holding it onto your wrist.
With that in mind, not all watch clasps are the same, and different styles can offer different features and appearances, in addition to significantly impacting the overall fit and feel of your timepiece.
Regardless of the type of watch that you own or whether you choose to wear it on a strap or a metal bracelet, the clasp will always be the single part of your watch that you physically interact with the most each and every day. Any time that you either put your timepiece on or take it off, your clasp is directly responsible for your experience, and it is also the component on your watch that is ultimately in charge of securely holding it onto your wrist.
With that in mind, not all watch clasps are the same, and different styles can offer different features and appearances, in addition to significantly impacting the overall fit and feel of your timepiece.
While the primary function of all watch clasps is to give their users a convenient way of attaching their straps and bracelets to their wrists, the way that they go about accomplishing this task and the additional features that they offer can differ significantly from one style of clasp to the next. Below is an overview of the different kinds of watch clasps that you are most likely to encounter.
In addition to serving as a connection point for the two ends of the strap or bracelet, watch clasps can also feature extension systems integrated into their designs, which allow them to be adjusted for a custom-tailored fit. Early clasp extension methods involved simply having numerous adjustment holes inside the sides of the clasp, which allowed users to choose between link sizes but required the use of tools in order to make any adjustments. However, certain modern watch clasps feature advanced multi-component extension systems that are built directly into their structures and allow for instantaneous and incremental adjustment of the clasp, completely on-the-fly and without the use of any tools.
In addition to serving as a connection point for the two ends of the strap or bracelet, watch clasps can also feature extension systems integrated into their designs, which allow them to be adjusted for a custom-tailored fit.
Early clasp extension methods involved simply having numerous adjustment holes inside the sides of the clasp,
which allowed users to choose between link sizes but required the use of tools in order to make any adjustments.
However, certain modern watch clasps feature advanced multi-component extension systems that are built directly
into their structures and allow for instantaneous and incremental adjustment of the clasp, completely on-the-fly and without the use of any tools.
Just like Formex watches themselves, the clasps fitted to our timepieces are also crafted from premium high-tech materials, and many of them offer advanced extension systems that enable their accompanying straps or bracelets to be expanded or contracted in order to achieve the perfect fit. Much like mechanical watch movements themselves, watch clasps are surprisingly complex mechanisms that consist of numerous precision components that must all work together in harmony to achieve a collective function. The complexity of clasps increases significantly with the addition of extension systems, and a good watch clasp must always balance its functionality against both its ergonomics and aesthetics.
Designed and engineered in-house by Formex, our advanced deployant-style folding clasp is made from a high-tech injected micro carbon fiber composite, which is an ultra-lightweight yet incredibly strong material that simultaneously offers a smooth feel against the skin.
Featuring a built-in extension system that allows for fine-adjustment of the strap in 6 micro-steps for a total adjustment length of 7mm, this patented tool-free design enables expansion or contraction with the push of a button, making it easy to instantly adjust your strap in order to achieve the perfect fit in all conditions.
In many instances, your choice in clasp will be limited by the type of watch that you own or the specific style of strap or bracelet that you intend to attach to it. Since the clasp itself needs to be connected to either end of your strap or bracelet, it must be entirely compatible, both in terms of its width and the actual manner that it attaches itself to any adjacent components.
With that in mind, the best watch clasps are always crafted from premium materials and most will also feature built-in extension systems, which will allow you to adjust your strap or bracelet to always maintain comfort throughout the day as your wrist slightly fluctuates in size due to factors such as temperature and humidity. Additionally, since watch clasps are often in direct contact with the underside of your wrist, the very best options will be finely finished with smooth surfaces for maximum comfort.
