There use to be a great online reference by the guys that wrote the Moonwatch Only books but it seems to have been reduced to just a bit of information about the use of the bracelets
seen here. I believe the second edition of the MWO book has a great bit of information regarding the types of JB bracelets that are believed to have been used by NASA.
The bracelet you picture above has not been flown before.
@SpeedyPhill recently posted a picture with
Deke Slayton wearing a Bulova astronaut watch with what possibly could be this style bracelet but the resolution is inconclusive to my eye and I would be inclined to say it's not. Many sales listing will add "NASA style" to their listings because I believe they think it will add to the value and some buyers are not really informed about the correct style used during the time period and may be swayed by the allure of the NASA connection.
In my conversations with the astronauts about the use of the bracelet it was indeed selected in part because it could in fact be removed easier in the case of an emergency just like the Velcro could easily be cut through in an emergency as well. While the bracelets appear fragile they are quite robust and strong. That is why I always find it amusing that people are concerned that they will just fall off their wrist and avoid wearing them. That said, the instructions to the astronauts in the event one needed to be removed was to use a knife, screwdriver, or other flat object and twist thus snapping the spring bar connection from the watch case. This is in fact the weakest connection in the watch/bracelet set up.
After all these years it still warms my heart to see them on the JB Champion bracelets.
