For traditional band watches, most have a solid bar design for the band to attach on both sides, but many watches, especially those for women, have a bracelet design. As such watch faces often need to attach to a bracelet or become part of a line of charms, a smaller attachment is needed. Referred to as beading watch faces, the attachment for such watches involves a hole for various charm bracelet-like watchbands to attach. As some popular designs include interchangeable watchbands, the band should be able to be removed from a face without much difficulty.

The most common design is a solid or spring bar. Both types involve long bars on either side of the face, and the band is attached to both sides. Solid bar, or ribbon, faces are characterized by bars that are attached, while a spring bar involves separate bars that attach to the sides. For either type, the attached shape of the face can be either round or square. Traditionally, most leather and metal band watches use a solid bar design.

Watches that involve thinner watchbands often need beading faces. These have one to three holes for the band to pass through. In the case of charm bracelet watchbands, a one-hole watch face is necessary but, in the case of an elastic watchband, more holes would be needed. Beading faces essentially act like beads, and, in most watch bracelet designs, it is strung onto the band or the band loops around the smaller holes. Similarly, if a thicker band needs to attach to a beading watch face, D-rings can be placed through the holes for a wider band to be attached.