Just a lot of hype?

There are a lot of people in the PRX gang on WC. Keep an eye out on WRUW. The Twelve looks amazing and if I didn't already have the PRX I would probably get one.

This was a very important style trend in the malaise era, significant in tricking people into paying much for watches with no precious metal. Why it persists past the disco ball age, I do not know.

I wouldn't have it on all my watches, it's painful getting non OEM straps and on one there isn't an OEM option so you need to go bespoke, but I really like it on the couple I've got and I think the PRX benefits from it.

Oh it's hype alright, it's the in trend. But what is hype, its advertising of course, media Whipping it up. But these integrated sports watches have been round a long time and the modern models like the PRX have been selling steadily for a number of years as well. And there's been a retro movement ie looking back in the industry for again a good few years.

OK I'll come clean here,as a CW12 owner, and loving it (but not wearing it atm, damn #1wc ) personally no hype influenced me, just the love of the look and design, been on the radar for a PRX, but then the CW12 came out. Of course there's hype, salmon coloured dials is a recent example, retro vintage another. It's actually good for the industry, bringing interest and the all important sales. It can be bad (not for the manufacturer's) when the hype spirals out of control like the moonswatch and rolex, when the flippers move in and things are seen as investments. Which are bad for us watch people who buy because we like them for what they are and not just for a profit.

Bit of hype is OK, after all what will the media write about, the u tubers tube about etc, they need content. And if you buy one your down with the cool kids for a short while, till the next big thing comes along. If your daft enough just buy a watch because of the hype, well in a few months it makes a great ebay buy for someone who just likes the watch, if like me you buy a watch, because you like it you'll ride the crest of the wave and will enjoy it for years to come, will bathe in admiration of the media and their peers but in the end just wear and enjoy the damned thing. Another little thing to add you chuck in the age demographic there's a lot of folks who were young then and saw these watches first time around, now mortgage free,disposable income and are buying watches with designs from there younger days (and this applies across the board with watch designs, early casios etc). Plenty of hype/interest which is a plus, and hopefully non of the madness (not seen long queues at tissot retailers or 12's double price on ebay,well not yet). In the end it doesn't matter if its the media's darling of the month, its wether you like it or not, and I do. A good question to ask and you've my personal take on it (non biased of course😉).

Maybe it’s my PRX fanboy talking, but I’ve seen quite a few of them in the wild, and even on non-watch YouTube worn, strangely, by stand-up comedians. We can shout as loud as we can about how tired we are of seeing integrated bracelet designs, as soon as they’re bought by the non-enthusiasts, brands will keep bringing integrated bracelets designs.

Sometimes it’s good for all of us to leave the watch enthusiast aside and have a look around us, on the street, on the bus, on the train. There’s chances you’ll see a PRX.

Non-enthusiast gets to the mall ready to get a watch. What do they see? Mido? Boring designs with 0 personality. Festina? Boring and rock-bottom quality. Ebel? Looks cheap from the AD window. Tissot PRX? Wow, shiny! I’ll try that one. Not that one, it’s a bit too large, the smaller one. “Only” $350? It’s quite a number, but look at that, made in Switzerland and everything! Sure the guys will comment on it when I wear it at the pub. Sold. Easy as that.

I think it's a bit of trickle down from the Pateks and APs, which nobody can afford. Rolex have the regular metal bracelet game sealed off. Manufacturers recognise that they need to do better than some clumsy half attempt at an Oyster bracelet. plus machining and design have grown easier and better. Maybe a bit of Y2K fashion in the mix, some retro flavour..

There’s a few I like, even one or two I may one day buy. I’m certainly a bracelet kinda guy, but only a couple integrated ones get me excited. The BR-05 is great looking and I may go for a used one someday. The CW 12 is cool too, maybe one day, and the PRX is cheap enough one day I might cave in an get one. The small quartz ones look fun. As for any of the big boys clocking in over $10k, I can pick other watches I’d rather have in that price point every time.

I go back and forth with whether I want one or not. Even if I could afford it, I don’t think I’d ever feel comfortable wearing a watch over 10k so most of the heavy hitters are out for me. 40mm is too big for me and CW and Tissot’s autos are only in 40mm. I might be swayed when or if either release an auto in a smaller size.

To me an integrated bracelet is just a bracelet that was designed with the case shape in mind and that can be beneficial to looks but also comfort and ergonomics. When you think about it, an integrated bracelet is just as bracelet with a proprietary attachment, i.e. no standard lugs, which means you can achieve a more seamless transition between the band and the watch head.

I like those that are not "form over function", like the Royal Oak which isn't very comfortable in my opinion, but still look nice. But it isn't a selling point per se which is to say that I am more than happy with well thought out lug designs such as the "Oyster style" cushion case with 3 link band done by many brands these days. Breitlings bracelets on the Chronomat are another nice design with standard lugs.

I have an integrated bracelet vintage watch (Omega Geneve). I'm not a bracelet guy, so I'd prefer if it had regular lugs - getting a custom strap made for it was tedious and expensive. Also, I used to hear about how the watch wasn't particularly desirable because the design made it difficult to find replacement bracelets, it was a dated design, etc.

And now integrated bracelets are back in fashion, and the watch hands have come full circle. I have no intention on ever selling my watch, but I'm interested to see if the used market value goes up as people start looking for more affordable (compared to AP, Lange, etc) and vintage integrated designs.

I have the PRX. It is a great watch in the collection. I got it free through work incentive points. Had I not, I would not have bought it, and instead, I would be listing after the CW12. As it stands, I am okay without it. I do want one of the new IWC Ingenieur’s, but not willing to pay ~$11K. For now, the integrated bracelets are on my Free Agent list.

They seem cool up until I realize I’m knee deep in 20mm straps 😅😂 I’d like to get one eventually just for the novelty of it and to spicy things up.

Not sure. Wish I could at least try on a PRX. $1200 is too much to spend, have it shipped and find out I don't like it.

Can't stand the whole Genta style myself, so the cookie cutter commercialism that's followed I really dislike. 🤮

The GG originals I find very Emperor's New Clothes, so the bandwagon brands ain't my thing - with two exceptions... The CW 12 & Tudor North Flag. Both stunning 😍

I owned an Aquis which in my opinion is the best integrated bracelet watch. 😱👍

PRX and Tudor Royal owner here. Soon to receive a Nicaea Grenchen F77. I reckon that’s all the integrated bracelet watches I’ll need (for now). The CW12 does have a cool dial texture, and it looks especially good for the white one.