Buffy Acacia
Originally invented in the 1940s by Swiss manufacturer Gay Frères, the Beads of Rice bracelet is an unparalleled blend of practicality and elegance. A watch that blends both tool and jewelry, the bracelet hangs loosely from the wrist thanks to its highly polished and intricate construction. Beads of Rice bracelets have become synonymous with dive watches, or at least vintage-inspired dive watches with sporty origins. Here are our top 6 picks.
Baltic Aquascarf Classic
As a diver with a free-spirited vibe of the 50s and 60s, Baltic Aquascaph Classic It maintains the utilitarian specifications we’ve come to expect from modern watchmaking: 200-metre water resistance with a screw-down crown means it can go as deep as most divers can, while the minimal 120-click bezel is better suited to recording cooking or parking than precise dive times. The sandwich dial incorporates various depths of cream-coloured Super-LumiNova that evokes decades of UV damage, while a sapphire bezel insert offers the look of vintage Bakelite while also providing scratch resistance. Available now at the Time+Tide ShopIt looks even more beautiful with a beaded bracelet. Price: 660 euros (approx. 740 USD)
Nivada Grenchen Chronomaster Aviator Seadiver White Lollipop Manual
Name is Chronomaster Aviator SeadiverThat might make you wonder what this watch can’t do. While 100 meters of water resistance might make the “sea diver” label a little questionable, it’s more than enough for most people to wear this watch for a swim. The twin-register chronograph makes for an attractive dial layout, while the red accents on the 30-minute counter and the bright lollipop seconds hand bring out your inner sportiness. Nivada Grenchen is known for its wide range of strap and bracelet options, but the Beads of Rice is the best, as it balances the intricacy of the dial. Also available at the Time+Tide shopPrice: $1,975 USD
Doxa SUB 300T
You can also buy the Doxa SUB 300T on a rubber strap, but it feels a bit incomplete without the beaded bracelet. This is Doxa’s ultimate flagship, a re-creation of the 1969 legend. It was rarely seen without a professional diver on its person. The 42.5mm cushion case is just 44.5mm from lug to lug, so it sits very comfortably on the wrist and the bracelet shines without falling off easily. It is water resistant to an incredible 1,200 meters.each dial color is very unique, and of course, Available from the Time+Tide shopPrice: $2,200 USD
Rado Captain Cook
If you love the late ’50s vibe but don’t want to compromise on size, Rado’s 42mm stainless steel cased, serious diver’s watch is the way to go – and it comes with a bead of rice bracelet, of course. The slightly tilted bezel draws you in with a dial that comes in three colors: green, blue, and black. Being part of the Swatch Group means you have access to an 80-hour movement from ETA. This caliber powers the Captain Cook, which is automatic and beats at 21,600 vibrations per hour. There are no distracting details on the dial, other than a playful anchor logo and a date display with red numerals as an accent color. Price: USD 2,400
Grand Seiko SBGW305
Drawing inspiration from the smart casual watches of the 1960s, the Grand Seiko SBGW305 is a faithful recreation of the vintage watch. Grand Seiko’s relationship with beaded bracelets seems to be fleeting, rarely featuring more than one in the catalog at a time. However, when they are available, they are usually featured in the Elegance Collection, as is the case with the SBGW305. The 37.3mm case is perfectly proportioned for an understated look, and the gently curved silver dial adds beautiful, dynamic depth to the monochrome look. Every detail is crisp and crisp, and the Caliber 9S64 has an average daily deviation of -3/+5 seconds and a power reserve of 72 hours. Price: USD 5,500
Time+Tide Timeless Pick: Vintage Omega Seamaster
The Omega Seamaster has had a pretty wild evolution. Over the years, we’ve seen everything from solid gold dress watches to quartz oddities to deep-sea diving monsters. I might be biased, but… My first watch was my great-grandfather’s 1958 Omega Seamaster. (and currently the only) watch, but I think it definitely hits the sweet spot in the 50s and 60s. Fitted with an Omega-branded beads-of-rice bracelet and end links, it has understated power and is the perfect Swiss everyday watch. Its once-acceptable water resistance may be negligible today, but as a casual-dressy watch with a beads-of-rice bracelet, it has a lot of value.
