Hermes Glenan Double Tour Bracelet Yellow Gold Swift Calfskin and Metal Gold H071689F 37T2

Gold on gold is a risk most leather bracelets avoid, and this Glenan takes it on purpose. The braid is a warm honey-gold Swift calfskin and the closure is plated in yellow gold, so the metal and the leather sit in the same register instead of one apologising for the other. The result, on a tanned wrist in summer, looks like it was chosen by someone who knew exactly what they were doing.

As a double tour it wraps twice, three millimetres of braid around a 5.7 to 6.1 inch wrist, with the Glenan closure holding it at whatever point suits your arm that day. Made in Italy, and the braid is tightly woven with no loose ends to catch on knitwear, which matters more than you would think in a leather this soft.

I wear mine on holiday with white linen and bare arms, but also in the city with a camel coat and cream knit, where the gold leather looks like an extension of the outfit rather than an accessory. It layers well with a braided style of watch strap in a lighter tan, and it is a good piece to wear on the same arm as an enamel bangle in a contrasting colour, cream or black.

Two things to accept before buying. Yellow gold plated hardware slowly loses its brightness with wear, which suits the aged feel of gold leather but is a visible change, and Swift calfskin is soft enough to develop a slight darkening where the braid rubs on itself. Keep it dry, away from chlorine, and store it flat. Made in Italy.