Genuine 1940’s 17mm Gay Freres Steel Bracelet
Founded in 1835 by Jean-Pierre Gay and Gaspard Tissot, Gay Frères originally specialized in the production of handmade, gold chains for use with pocket watches and other various jewelry-related applications. During the 20th century, as consumer preferences switched away from pocket watches and moved increasingly towards wristwatches, Frères adapted to the changing times, and started to manufacture finely crafted, metal bracelets for use with high-end watches that deserved a band that matched the feel and quality of the timepiece itself.
Throughout much of the 20th century, Gay Frères played a major role within the wristwatch industry as one of its largest and most highly regarded bracelet manufacturers. The list of wristwatch companies for which Frères designed and supplied bracelets is extensive and includes some of Switzerland’s most prestigious and well-known brands, such as Rolex, Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin, Audemars Piguet, and Heuer – just to name a few.
This example in 17mm at the lug and very rarely it’s the flexi-bracelet meaning each link has small springs that expand. We took this from a 1940’s Rolex Bubbleback and it’s in very good condition with surface scratching – the spring links are all perfect. There is a fairly engraving on the deployment clasp that’s not original. The deployment clasp is signed G F, Steelinox and Swiss Made. The total length is around 15cm.
