Before the Americans left and transferred the use of their Naval Bases to the Philippine government in the early 90's, they left us with a small "piece of history" on the watch bracelet making industry in Olongapo City. The Americans during their stay in Subic had started and popularized the use of Customized Olongapo Hand-Made Stainless Steel bracelets crafted by the artisans in Olongapo City.
According to my research, the first copies of Olongapo made bracelets were associated with Benrus Type I Divers watch and was later copied to other watches like Eternamatic Kontiki Super and Seiko divers because there were many Navy divers, Seals, members of the UDT (Underwater Demolition team) who trained in Subic Naval Base in Olongapo, Zambales, Philippines in the 70's and may have asked Olongapo silver craftsmen to make stainless steel bracelets for their diver watches upon seeing the ingenuity of the Filipinos on silver craftmanship. Each Olongapo stainless steel bracelet was hand made customarily for each fighter with the insignia of the unit they belonged to.
In my opinion, Olongapo bracelets were born because the US Navy fighters wanted a bracelet that could last longer than their leather and rubber bracelets. A simple idea that benefited during that time all the silver craftsmen of Olongapo City and helped thrive the small bracelet making industry in the province.
I am sharing in my possession an "Omega" Olongapo Stainless Steel Bracelet. This bracelet can fit a 6 inches wrist when wore together with the watch.
Would any watch company in Switzerland make the "Olongapo Hand-Made" bracelets as their next inspiration for their next watch?
I hope so. :)
Here are some examples of Olongapo Stainless Steel bracelets I have gathered over the internet.
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| Used on Eternamatic Kontiki Super Divers Watch |
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| Used on Seiko Divers Watch |
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| Used on Rolex GMT- Master 1675 |
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| Used on Benrus Type I |
Happy Viewing!
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