folks: I am having a senior moment trying to remember the general name given to this type of lady's spring-loaded bracelet style watch that was popular in the '50s and '60s. A lady could just slip this style over her wrist and the tension of the springs would more or less keep it in place. This one happens to be a Baume & Mercier, but lots of Swiss (and American) companies made them. They were called "grippers" or "grabbers" or something like that. Obviously something more elegant-sounding, but it denoted the fact that it gripped the wrist with just enough tension to keep it in place. Does this ring a bell with anyone?

Bangle?

Barbara: thanks for the comment, but actually it's just the opposite of bangle. I want to say they were called "clutch watches" or "clutch bracelet watches." I'll keep looking in my old catalogs.

Bruce

Hand cuffs? pincers...clutchers?..scrappers! I've always had a low opinion of these.
-Cort

"Clamper" bracelet?

My apologies for the rudeness of my last post. I don't much care for these watches but, I do enjoy puzzles...
How about "Em-bracelet"? Now that is almost saleable!
-Cort
p.s.-grasping bracelets?

Cort: don't worry, you haven't offended me. After all, we're talking about watches here, not my mother

I've put a lot of three of them up on eBay and called them "clutch watches" because I did an eBay search under that name and came up with several hits.

I'm auctioning the lot, and here is the link if you'd like to look, or have another chuckle:

clutck watches

I've started this grand lot at 99 cents, and so far no opening bids. But I do have a couple of people "watching" the auction. I fully expect to be able to retire on the proceeds of this auction. I did contact Antiquorum, but so far have not gotten a reply (ha ha!)

Bruce

I think you are refering to "Embraceable" band styles.
J Smith

we have a winner! Embraceable watch is correct. Went off like a gong in my the moment I saw it. BTW, the lot went for $21.38 for the three of them. I paid 50 cents apiece, or $1.50 for the lot. A whopping profit margin of 1425%. Still can't retire though. Maybe if I had a million more of them ...