The young California-based brand, Arroway modular bracelet, boldly entered the world of aftermarket bracelets with AMB-001, a thoughtfully designed high-quality Milanese mesh bracelet. Aftermarket bracelets are the subject of the discussion of polarization. This problem stems from the nature of the object. They tend to be affordable, but they tend to be of lower quality than bracelets designed and produced by established watch brands. Should I put an expensive watch on a bracelet that was produced relatively inexpensively? For some, the benefits of having an affordable alternative to expensive OEM (original equipment manufacturer) products, or even options with bracelets that are not normally available, can be attractive. Others will say that cheap products that don’t suit the quality level are nonsense, combining specially designed and crafted watches.
There are valid points on either side of the argument. However, today I would like to look into examples of what feels like a new concept among Aftermarket Bracelets. This is a product that combines OEM quality with slightly lower OEM prices. Can you aim to combine this sweet spot factor and hold the key to ending the discussion? It takes someone to think that it is far more optimistic than I do. As long as the internet exists, people discuss each other about it. Still, I believe that this combination will find a receptive audience among those who normally dismiss anything other than the hardware the brand offers. Let’s take a look at what the Secret Recipe Arroway modular bracelet uses in its quest. It establishes itself as a brand responsible for creating aftermarket bracelets that even hate loves.
Arroway modular bracelet
The Arroway modular bracelet was founded in California last year. It remains extremely important to the first step of its long-term strategy. The central pillar supports the brand’s self-declared mission. Create a variety of high-end bracelet solutions based on modular interchangeable concepts. This is something worth keeping in mind as I will follow up later. Before we dig into Amb’s debut product, let’s take a closer look at the brand itself. It was created by a small number of watch enthusiasts who incorporated it into themselves to create high quality aftermarket bracelets. Like many people reading this, they have experienced many different watches and their corresponding bracelets, and understand many factors that make some great and make others feel like an afterthought.
They chose the classic Milanese mesh as their starting point. Not only is it a relatively universal style suitable for most watches, but I couldn’t find an example that suited my taste.
I found myself in a similar position, and when I caught the brand’s wind and its debut product, it sparked my curiosity. Come to think of it, this is what I tell you today. I have had an example of the AMB-001 for a while and managed to go through the pace of some clocks.
AMB-001 Milanese Mesh
As you can see, the Arroway Modular Bracelets Amb-001 is a relatively simple bracelet. It consists of high quality stainless steel mesh (one or more longer than the other to ensure it is at the center of the fastening rotation) with welded tubes on either side of the spring bar that secures the watch. The mesh material tapers from the selected lug spacing (in this case, 20mm) to 16mm of the clasp.
The clasp is ground from stainless steel. Its high quality construction is concrete, from the precision of the chamfered lines (visually bulkdown) to the feel of the round pusher and the encouraging click when it is closed. The components of the bracelet are designed in the US by the Arroway team and manufactured in Germany. All surfaces are brushed for a pleasant matte finish that prevents excessive shine.
The hero here should still be your watch, and the bracelet certainly isn’t competing for attention. It’s just quietly doing the job well and doing it makes it look good. This ensures a good match for sporty watches too. The added benefit of a straight-end mesh bracelet is that it matches almost every watch you can pair. As you can see, like the dressy 3-hander, a diving watch looks great. Part of this versatility can be attributed to the steel wire gauge used to create the mesh. If it’s too thick, it’s quick to become sporty. If it’s too thin, it quickly becomes dressy and more refined. Arroway has achieved the perfect balance here.
On the wrist
It may be as fun as watching now, but the bracelets perform their duties primarily on the wrist. So, how does it wear? How easy is the size? And are there any fixed points? Now, let’s start with the first point. As I mentioned, the Arroway Amb-001 represents a delicate balance act. The 2.9mm thickness of the mesh, the tapered bracelet, and how it all comes together, is a universally good fit for what I can guess.
The clasp has two tabs that ensure that the mesh elements end in curved shapes rather than awkwardly hinged at the attachment points. This means that the bracelet defaults to a circular shape when closed, and is flexible enough to fit most wrists.
On my relatively flat 7-inch wrist, the standard length bracelet (6.6-7.4-inch wrist rating) fits pretty well. As you can see, the clasp does not come with a Toolless Micro adjustment system. However, the eight holes at the 12 o’clock edge of the bracelet allow for fine adjustments in the old fashioned way, with two more settings on the 6 o’clock side. There are a total of 16 different settings at 2.5mm distances. This means you can easily find the right settings to fit comfortably on your wrist, leaving less room for adjustment.
Likewise, hairy people will be happy to know that the mesh of the arrows is not a hairstyle. This is not a given, especially with mesh bracelets. That’s not common as I only experienced pulls from time to time during several months of wear.
Final Thoughts
Overall, the bracelet is sturdy and feels even more suitable for a high-end watch. It was a great match for the Seamaster 2254 and Speedmaster 3570 and the Daan Jaeger-Lecoultre Reverso Duoface (for the 19mm version). But it also works well with many other watches, such as the Oris x Fratello Divers 65 Le.
The brand’s gallery can also be paired with models from Shin, Rolex, Tudor, Doxa, and even Grand Seico. Arroway has a comprehensive compatibility guide that allows you to deliver a bracelet with the correct spring bar to fit your watch.
If you’re looking for a well-made aftermarket mesh option, this might be the answer to your wish. And if the Shark Mesh is faster, the AMB-002 will be released soon, so peel your eyes.
Arroway modular bracelet AMB-001 priced USD 480 plus shipping, taxes and obligations. This firmly establishes it as a premium option that far surpasses the usual suspects in the market. However, looking at how it stacks up with OEM options (such as the Omega 2-piece mesh bracelet, priced at 890 euros), it makes for a rather attractive option. Especially since it is designed to work with any watch with lug spacing of 19mm or 20mm. Plus, 21mm and 22mm options will soon be available!
