Cuban Chain Guide
What a cuban chain is
A cuban chain, also called a cuban link or a curb chain, is built from oval links that have been twisted and then flattened so each one lies in the same plane as the next. The result is a chain with a flat front and back that sits against you instead of rolling, and that presents one continuous polished surface rather than a series of round wires.
That flat face is why a cuban reads as bold at any width. It reflects light in sheets, not in points, so you see the whole chain at once.
What 12 mm actually looks like
12 mm is wide. The Billie Cuban Chain 12MM is a statement piece and is meant to be treated as one: it is the thing people notice, and it does not need anything else layered with it. Over a plain t shirt or a black hoodie it does all the work. Under an open shirt it still carries. What it does not do is disappear, so if you want a chain to sit quietly, this is the wrong width and a 3 mm rope is the right one.
It also has real weight to it, which is part of how a cuban is supposed to feel. A wide chain that feels like nothing is usually hollow.
Length
45 cm with a 5 cm extension, so it adjusts between 45 and 50 cm. At 45 cm it sits at the base of the neck, high and deliberate, which suits the width. Let it out to 50 cm and it drops onto the chest for a looser look. Try it at both before you decide; at this width the difference between the two is considerable.
What it is made of
Premium stainless steel with real 18K gold plating, free from lead, cadmium and nickel. Not a thin gold wash over a soft base, which is what turns colour after a few weeks of wear, and it will not irritate or discolour your skin.
It is fully waterproof. Shower, swim, sweat, rain, gym. It will not fade or tarnish, and there is no upkeep beyond a wipe with a soft cloth if you want it sharper. Every Billie piece carries a lifetime warranty: if it breaks, fades or arrives damaged, we repair or replace it at no cost.
Looking after it
Almost nothing is required. If it stops catching light the way it did, that is a film of soap or skin oil rather than wear: rinse under warm water and dry with a soft cloth. Keep it away from bleach and harsh cleaners, and store it lying flat rather than tangled with other chains so the links are not dragged against each other.
Wearing it with other pieces
A 12 mm cuban does not layer well with another heavy chain, but it works over a much thinner one: a 3 mm rope underneath and the cuban over it gives you contrast rather than competition. On the wrist, keep whatever you wear light so the neck stays the focus.
