The Legacy of the Original Expansion Bracelet

by Suzanne G. Beyer
(Bothell, WA)

My Great Uncle Art Hadley was known as someone who loved beautiful women, loved his drink and also loved to drive his Auburn Boattail Speedster sportscar during the Great Depression.

Although Great Uncle Art was never talked about in our family, when I found a simple expansion bracelet in my mother's jewelry box shortly after her death, I decided to investigate.

I discovered that not only was Art Hadley a "black sheep"
of the family, he was also a creative genius.

Art Hadley invented the expansion bracelet in his Hadley Jewelry Company, Providence, Rhode Island in 1913. I own the original (see photo above) with the inscription on one of the links, February 11, 1913.

The expansion bracelet became the forerunner to our present-day expansion watchband worn by many. Hadley-Roma, the leading manufacturer of the expansion watchband, has kept our family name.


Detail of the original expansion bracelet.

In 2003, my brother, cousins and I received a letter from a Rhode Island attorney stating, "It's been determined that you are the heirs-at-law of Arthur Hadley."

Wow - I'm going to be rich, I thought.

A month later, however, we received another letter saying at this time, it was unlikely we would receive anything from Hadley's estate.

It was at this time, that we hired a Trust and Estate lawyer, John S. Pfarr, who ultimately guided us through a rollercoaster ride through the trial courts, mediation, scuttled settlements, the Rhode Island Supreme Court and beyond.

All is captured in our co-written book, "The Inventor's Fortune Up For Grabs - the legacy of the expansion bracelet" by Suzanne G. Beyer and John S. Pfarr.


The Inventor's Fortune Up For Grabs


The expansion bracelet now sits, center stage, in my corner cupboard, as its links are delicate and would break easily if worn.

I feel closer to my mother and my grandmother, Art's sister, knowing I still own this cherished piece of jewelry.

Suzanne G. Beyer
The Inventor's Fortune
Meet Suzanne at a book event