The Forstner 5-Link Rivet Bracelet

The Story In the history of bracelet making, few figures cast as long a shadow as Gay Freres.  During the twentieth century, and while it was still in existence, they created such icons as the Ladder and Oyster bracelets (for Zenith and Rolex, respectively), and even served as the supplier for the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak and Patek Philippe Nautilus bracelets.  But before the Oyster, there was the Rivet band, which served as a template for so many iconic sports watch bracelets of today.  One of the earliest, and we think most charismatic, iterations of the Rivet bracelet was the 5-link Rivet band with alternating polished/brushed finish.  Like Forstner's revived design, the original Gay Freres version was a universal fit band (having straight end pieces) with three narrow center links, wider outer links, and polished rivets on the side.  But, being a vintage bracelet, the Gay Freres version was made with vintage proportions in mind, often just 14mm wide, with hollow stretchy links tha