A metal wire is first coated with a coating. In this first coating, retro-reflective beads are partly embedded. Thereafter the beads and the first coating are covered by a protective coating. The metal wire is made from a strand or wire made of stainless steel, or low carbon steel, or high carbon steel. The retro-reflective metal wire is used for diverse applications, such as spoke wire, signalization means, or bookbinding wire.