Heavy Metal

LUXURY WATCH BRANDS are steeling themselves for the next design trend - literally. In recent months, the likes of H Moser & Cie, A Lange & Sohne, Chopard and Bell & Ross have been rolling out new stainless steel timepieces with matching integrated bracelets - just at the time when California banned the sale of all goods using crocodile and alligator skin.

It's a new direction for Moser, which has produced only classic timepieces with non-metal straps - mostly leather - in its 192-year history. A fortnight ago, the Swiss independent brand launched its Streamliner Flyback Chronograph Automatic to kick off a new line of all-steel watches, including bracelets.

Similarly, A Lange & Sohne rolled out the Odysseus, a "sporty elegant" watch in stainless steel with an integrated steel bracelet - the first steel, series-produced timepiece of the German watch company owned by Swiss luxury group Richemont.