This invention relates to a combined wrist watch and bracelet more particularly a copper bracelet having healing properties. According to current medical thinking, a significant proportion of the population of western countries suffer from arthritis, osteo arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis or rheumatism. These conditions are treated by medical practitioners by a number of methods, including strict diets and drugs.

One method often used, which is not prescribed by the medical profession is the wearing of a bracelet, made of copper, either on the wrist or around the ankle of the person suffering from the complaint. The use of a copper band or bracelet has not been widely accepted by the medical profession as a treatment for arthritis or rheumatism as it had no justifiable foundation. However, a study carried out in 1974 by the Department of Chemistry of the University of Newcastle, NSW, Australia, under the control of Professor W Roy Walker, indicated that the wearing of a bracelet made of copper had beneficial effects for a significant number of participants in the study. It was considered that the copper bracelet, when attacked by the acid in the sweat from the body was ingested through the skin as a copper chelate of either salicylic acid or acetyl salicylic acid (aspirin) and it is known that aspirin is instrumental in reducing inflamation of the joints, and thereby reducing pain caused by arthritis and rheumatism. The copper bracelets already available have the disadvantage that it is almost impossible to hide the purpose for which it is being worn, and are an impediment additional to a wrist watch.

An aim of the present invention is to provide a combined wrist watch and copper strap which overcomes the above disadvantages.

According to the present invention there is provided a combined wrist watch and copper strap to fit the watch to the wrist of the wearer, wherein the copper surface of the strap is exposed so that it may be placed in direct contact with the wrist of the wearer.

Conveniently, the copper bracelet is made with an outer surface decorated with a metal, leather, fibre or other suitable material to conceal the copper.

Preferably, the copper portion of the bracelet is replaceable.

In a preferred construction the copper portion of the bracelet is inset in a recess in the inner surface of the bracelet, but so as to ensure that its surface remains adjacent to the skin. The bracelet may be formed integrally with the wrist watch casing.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in whic :- Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a combined wrist watch and bracelet according to the present invention; and

Fig. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional detail of the braclet shown in Fig. 1. The combined wrist watch and bracelet comprises a watch 1 connected to a bracelet, generally indicated at 2, having an outer decorative surface 3 which may be of metal, leather, plastics or other suitable material.

Located on the inner side of the bracelet 2 is a copper insert strip 4. The bracelet may be a continuous strap with an expandable section 5 to allow the bracelet to pass over the wearer's hand or it may be in two parts with a conventional buckle connection. It may also be formed integral with the base of the watch. In the enlarged cross-section illustrated in Fig. 2, the braclet 2 is a moulded plastics strap 6 with the

insert 3 of leather or other decorative material on its outer side. The strip of copper 4 is located between grooves 7 moulded in the plastics strap 6.

The purpose of the present invention is to allow an arthritis or rheumatic sufferer to wear a copper bracelet whilst being subject to as little inconvenience or to attract any notice as possible which is achieved by combining the copper bracelet in the band of a wrist watch. Various modifications may be made to the invention, for example, the copper band may be provided as a replacement insert for a suitably shaped wrist watch strap.