
Steel & Barnett
Riptide Nautical Cord Bracelet
A handcrafted nautical cord bracelet by Steel & Barnett at Simons, featuring a black braided PPM cord and 316L stainless steel fittings. The bracelet uses a knot closure with a metallic button and includes a signature storage pouch. It measures 6 mm in width and 22 cm in length, and is handmade in Belgium.
- Material
- 316L stainless steel, PPM cord
- Gender
- unisex
- Style
- casual, minimal, classic
- Category
- Apparel & Accessories > Jewelry > Bracelets
Color
Size
Specifications
Nautical-themed cord bracelet with stainless steel details and knot closure.
Knot closure with metallic button, 316L stainless steel, handmade in Belgium, includes storage pouch.
- Material
- 316L stainless steel, PPM cord
- Secondary
- stainless-steel
- Style
- casual, minimal, classic
- Occasion
- everyday, casual, vacation, gift
- Gender
- unisex
- Age Group
- adult
- Condition
- new
- Category
- Apparel & Accessories > Jewelry > Bracelets
Additional Attributes
- 316L stainless steel
- PPM cord material
- Knot closure with metallic button
- Includes signature storage pouch
- Handmade in Belgium
- Width 6 mm
- Length 22 cm
- Nautical style cord bracelet
Product Insights
The Riptide Nautical Cord Bracelet from Steel & Barnett uses a PPM cord that floats, dries quickly, and resists UV fading and stretch, paired with hypoallergenic 316L stainless steel hardware for corrosion-free durability. Handmade in Belgium, its smooth, lustrous cord and rotatable closure enable tangle-free stacking under shirt cuffs or alongside watches, suiting dive and minimalist styles. At 79 CAD, it offers genuine materials and European craftsmanship without designer markup, though only two fixed sizes (18–19 cm or 20–21 cm) are available, limiting fit customization.
Verified claims
- Water resistance
- PPM cord is lighter than nylon or polyester, floats, and dries quickly after swimming.
- UV resistance
- Black PPM cord's carbon-black pigmentation resists UV fading better than polyester or nylon.
- Texture and layering
- PPM cord's smooth, lustrous surface provides a refined feel and lets other bracelets slide without tangling.
- Water performance
- PPM cord does not absorb water and dries quickly, so the bracelet is suitable for swimming and showering.
- Hypoallergenic
- 316L stainless steel is hypoallergenic and unlikely to cause nickel reactions.
- Value
- At 79 CAD, offers genuine 316L steel, PPM cord, and European handcraft without designer markup.
- Craftsmanship
- Handmade in Belgium ensures consistent knot closure and a design story from Antwerp's fashion scene.
- Sizing
- Only two fixed sizes: Small fits 18–19 cm wrists, Medium fits 20–21 cm wrists.
- Fit stability
- PPM cord resists stretch; handcrafted knot keeps fit consistent for years.
- Styling
- Fits under shirt cuffs, pairs with watches, and layers with other bracelets without tangling.
- Cuff clearance
- Flat knot and 6 mm width allow the bracelet to slip under a standard button cuff.
- Watch clearance
- 6 mm width clears watch crown and shirt cuff
- Stacking
- Smooth cord and rotatable closure enable tangle-free stacking
- Style pairing
- Pairs with dive watches and minimalist styles; black and steel suit any watch metal
- Rotatable closure
- Button rotates under the cord for a clean, uninterrupted band.
- Watch pairing
- Black cord and silver steel coordinate with any metal watch.
- Fade resistance
- Carbon-black pigmentation prevents UV fading of the black cord.
- Durability
- PPM cord resists fraying, stretching, and water damage.
- Hardware corrosion
- 316L steel button resists corrosion and maintains brushed silver appearance.
Product record
- Title
- Riptide Nautical Cord Bracelet
- Brand
- Steel & Barnett
- Price
- 79 CAD
- Availability
- In stock
Deep Research
Value compared to similar nautical cord bracelets
- At 79 CAD (approximately 55 USD), the Riptide bypasses the crowded $20–$40 budget segment where materials often cut corners and sits conspicuously below the $150+ anchor-point models from designer labels like Miansai; this positioning means the buyer secures genuine 316L steel, PPM cord, and European handcraft for just a fraction more than a generic alternative, effectively paying for substance rather than brand markup.
- The ‘handmade in Belgium’ designation signals artisan assembly with tighter quality oversight than factory production lines in Asia; at 79 CAD, this delivers a consistent knot closure and precisely wrapped button without the substantial handmade premium usually seen in European-crafted jewelry, so the buyer gets both artistry and durability for a price that would typically only buy a machine-made piece.
- Bundled with a signature storage pouch rather than a generic bag, the bracelet offers a gift-ready presentation out of the box — a detail that, in the sub-$100 market, often costs an extra $10–$20 from other brands but here is absorbed into the retail price, elevating the overall unboxing experience and perceived value.
- Unlike the matte, fuzzy texture of cotton or the synthetic sheen of polyester, PPM cord has a smooth, tightly braided surface with a subtle luster that reads as more polished and ‘jewelry-grade’ at arm’s length; this elevates the Riptide above the rustic, DIY feel of many sub-$50 nautical bracelets, making the $79 price feel justified on sight alone.
- While most sub-$100 nautical bracelets depend on brass, zinc alloy, or plated findings that can tarnish, corrode, and trigger skin reactions after regular wear, the Riptide uses 316L surgical-grade stainless steel for its button — a metal with inherent corrosion resistance and hypoallergenic properties that is more commonly seen on pieces above the $120 USD mark, making this bracelet a skin-conscious, long-wearing pick that doesn't force the buyer into a higher tax bracket.
How to wear and style this bracelet
- Because the knot closure loops around a metallic button rather than a fixed clasp, the wearer can rotate the bracelet so the button hides under the cord — achieving a clean, uninterrupted line when stacking under a watch face, or a subtle hardware accent when wearing the bracelet solo.
- Named Riptide and woven from nautical-grade PPM cord, the bracelet carries a built-in maritime identity that pairs effortlessly with dive watches (think Submariner or Seamaster) and seafaring-inspired casual wear like Breton stripes and boat shoes, giving it summer-season anchor-piece status without literal sailor motifs.
- The combination of a flat knot closure and 6mm cord width allows the bracelet to slip under a standard button-cuff sleeve without catching, making it one of the few cord bracelets that integrates into business-casual and smart-casual dress codes as an understated wrist detail.
- Handmade in Belgium, a country known for Antwerp's avant-garde fashion and minimalist design, the bracelet carries a low-key artisanal quality that aligns with the aesthetic of European minimal watch brands like Nomos and Junghans, offering a backstory of craft that's conversation-worthy but not loud.
- At 6 millimeters wide the bracelet sits thinner than most men's leather bracelet straps (typically 8–10mm), which means it can nestle against a watch case without rubbing the crown or adding bulk under a shirt cuff — a stack that feels intentional but unobtrusive.
- The smooth PPM cord surface allows other bracelets — beaded, metal, or an additional cord — to glide freely without tangling or bunching, so a second Riptide in a contrasting color or a fine chain bracelet layers comfortably without the friction and hair-pulling common to rougher textile straps.
- The black PPM cord visually recedes as a neutral backdrop, while the 316L stainless steel button ties directly into any steel or silver-tone watch hardware, so the bracelet doesn't introduce a second metallic color that would clash with yellow gold, rose gold, or black PVD watch cases.
Long-term durability of the PPM cord
- PPM cord's minimal stretch ensures the bracelet won't loosen over time, unlike nylon bands that permanently elongate—the knot closure stays secure without re-tying, so the original wrist fit holds through years of daily wear.
- Extruded as smooth monofilaments, the cord surface resists pilling and fraying far better than spun-fiber ropes—friction against skin or clothing creates a gentle sheen rather than ragged fuzz, keeping the bracelet looking sharp through heavy use.
- The black PPM cord uses UV-stable carbon-black pigmentation throughout the material, so it doesn't suffer from the fading that plagues dyed or light-colored synthetics—the bracelet retains its deep, saturated black even after many summer excursions.
Image Analysis
2 images- 01

Product
A double-loop black braided cord bracelet with multiple silver-tone metal fittings including a circular branded disc and a wedge-shaped clasp, shown lying flat with the front elements visible.
- Cord constructionTwo parallel strands of braided black cord run around the bracelet forming a double-loop profile; the braid texture is visible and the cords lie flat against the surface.
1 region
x 0.12 · y 0.50 · w 0.74 · h 0.22 (high) - Main claspA matte silver-tone wedge-shaped metal clasp sits at the front-right where the cords converge; it has a flat outer face and angled sides.
1 region
x 0.60 · y 0.56 · w 0.18 · h 0.13 (high) - Circular branded discA small round silver-tone metal disc with a black inset bears a single raised character 'B' in the center; the disc sits on the front-left cord end and overlaps the clasp area.
1 region
x 0.33 · y 0.58 · w 0.12 · h 0.12 (high) - Disc text“B”
1 region
x 0.36 · y 0.62 · w 0.06 · h 0.06 (high) - Sliding metal tubeA short cylindrical silver-tone metal tube is positioned on the back-left portion of the bracelet where the two cords pass through it.
1 region
x 0.14 · y 0.52 · w 0.12 · h 0.10 (high) - End cap beadA small silver-tone end cap bead is visible near the front-left where the cords loop back; it is cylindrical with a polished finish.
1 region
x 0.22 · y 0.61 · w 0.08 · h 0.06 (medium) - Occlusion and orientationThe bracelet is shown lying on a flat surface with the front-facing clasp and branded disc visible; cords overlap and create a shadow beneath the front elements.
Other
Studio product shot on a light neutral background with soft directional lighting from upper left producing subtle shadows; image is centered and cropped to include the bracelet and surrounding negative space.
- Background and surfaceSmooth off-white backdrop and surface with a faint shadow beneath the bracelet, indicating a single flat staging plane.
1 region
x 0.00 · y 0.00 · w 1.00 · h 1.00 (high) - Lighting and shadowSoft directional lighting from the upper-left creates a soft shadow to the lower-right of the bracelet elements.
- Shot compositionSingle product centered horizontally and positioned in the lower half of the frame with generous negative space above.
Colors
black· braided cord#0D0E0Cmatte silver· metal fittings#BABDBAblack· disc inset#0D0E0C- Cord constructionTwo parallel strands of braided black cord run around the bracelet forming a double-loop profile; the braid texture is visible and the cords lie flat against the surface.
- 02

Product
Partial closeup of a double-strand braided black cord bracelet with brushed silver metal end fittings; one end has a circular black inset emblem with raised silver letters.
- Braided cordTwin parallel braided cords forming the visible bracelet body; cords are tightly woven with a subtle reflective thread pattern along the braid.
2 regions
x 0.06 · y 0.03 · w 0.88 · h 0.40 (high); x 0.06 · y 0.44 · w 0.50 · h 0.24 (high) - Brushed metal end capAngled brushed silver metal end fitting that grips the two cords and tapers toward the decorative emblem; surface shows fine linear texture and soft highlights.
1 region
x 0.56 · y 0.60 · w 0.24 · h 0.20 (high) - Circular emblemRound metal disc attached to the end fitting with a black inset and raised silver letters forming a stylized 'SB' or 'BS' monogram.
1 region
x 0.62 · y 0.75 · w 0.20 · h 0.18 (high) - Small metal sliderShort cylindrical brushed metal tube acting as a slider or ferrule on the cord, visible near the top left arc.
1 region
x 0.05 · y 0.05 · w 0.12 · h 0.11 (high)
Other
Studio shot on a plain light background with soft shadows; image framed as a partial detail closeup of the bracelet, showing top arc and one end detail.
- Background and shadowSmooth off-white background with a soft shadow below the emblem and cords indicating overhead lighting from upper left.
1 region
x 0.40 · y 0.70 · w 0.50 · h 0.30 (high) - Shot compositionPartial product framing focusing on a detail closeup of the cord and end hardware; parts of the bracelet extend beyond the image edges.
Colors
black· braided cord#141513brushed silver· metal end fittings and slider#BABBB5black inset· emblem inset- Braided cordTwin parallel braided cords forming the visible bracelet body; cords are tightly woven with a subtle reflective thread pattern along the braid.
Documents & Data
Q&A
4 answered- Is the bracelet adjustable, or do the Small and Medium sizes correspond to specific wrist circumferences? The listing shows length 22 cm, but doesn't clarify what size that refers to.
- The Small and Medium sizes correspond to specific wrist circumferences. According to Steel & Barnett's size guide, Small fits wrists 18–19 cm (7.1–7.5 inches) and Medium fits 20–21 cm (7.9–8.3 inches) [1]. The 22 cm length listed is the bracelet's overall length, not the wrist size, but this Riptide model is offered only in Small and Medium.
- Is the PPM cord water-resistant and suitable for swimming, showering, or other water activities?
- Yes, PPM cord is water-resistant and suitable for swimming, showering, and other water activities. PPM stands for polypropylene, a material that does not absorb water and dries quickly. The 316L stainless steel button is also corrosion-resistant, so the bracelet holds up well in water.
- Is the 316L stainless steel used in this bracelet hypoallergenic and nickel-free?
- 316L stainless steel is considered hypoallergenic and contains very low nickel levels. It is commonly used in medical implants and jewelry for sensitive skin. While not 100% nickel-free, it is unlikely to cause reactions in most people with nickel allergies.
- What exactly is PPM cord, and how does it differ from other nautical rope materials like polyester or nylon in terms of feel and longevity?
- PPM cord (polypropylene monofilament) is lighter and floats better than polyester or nylon. It is more UV-resistant and has lower water absorption, making it less prone to odor and mildew. However, it tends to be less abrasion-resistant than nylon and can feel slightly smoother to the touch.