IN FOCUSVol.1
LINK CHAIN
GRADATION
SILVER BAND
From the stories behind the creation of THE CRIMIE items to behind-the-scenes spin-off stories,
A column covering a wide range of topics, with the aim of sharing something useful.
A brand-new series has just begun: IN FOCUS.
This column covers a wide range of topics, from the stories behind the creation of THE CRIMIE items to behind-the-scenes spin-off stories, all with the aim of sharing something useful. We hope you'll keep reading.
Now, for our very first featured item: a silver bracelet for the Apple Watch.
First off, do you wear a watch? With smartphones so common, my impression is that watches get less wrist time than they used to. And for ordinary folks like us, luxury mechanical watches remain out of reach, just as they always have. No offense to the wealthy (laughs). Amid all this, smartwatches have made a huge impact on the watch industry in recent years. And the THE CRIMIE designer is a smartwatch user too.
After owning a succession of watches, including a Patek Philippe Nautilus, he found that nothing changed his outlook quite like the Apple Watch. Once he turned 40, he made weekend surfing part of his life, and eventually settled on a smartwatch he could wear in the ocean. It's clear his perspective had shifted. This reliable device lets him manage calls, emails, and even order notifications from his company's online store. On days when the waves are gentle, he even calls his family from the water to invite them to join him (laughs). Plus, its 50-meter water resistance is more than anyone needs day to day, but a welcome feature for someone who hits the ocean so often. Still, when it came to everyday wear, he found the bracelet a little lacking.
Watch bracelets are often made of SS (stainless steel), but straps for smartwatches like these tend to have a gear-focused design, which somehow just doesn't strike a chord... So why not make one to suit our own taste? That sparked our DIY spirit (laughs), and necessity led us to create this bracelet.
THE CRIMIE also has a jewelry line, so creating a bracelet to suit our tastes is a piece of cake (laughs). We took the curb links used in our in-line collections and transformed a bracelet made from them for the Apple Watch. This watch bracelet brings to life something we wanted but couldn't find.
In the past, we looked to watches for prestige and romance. But in this day and age, perhaps striking a balance between the practicality needed to create a look and the feel of an accessory is important for enjoying the benefits of evolving technology.
Maybe the right approach is to take another look at watches and watch bracelets with that in mind.
Mr.T
A fashion addict and specialist who works across the fashion industry, from consulting for renowned brands in Japan and abroad to PR and writing. Here's a glimpse into his world...
