Ranks of bronze
There was a period when I was very interested in bronze watches. It’s a metal with a long history that is very unlike stainless steel and I was curious enough to experiment, first with this Zelos Horizons GMT and later with a Yema Superman.
If it was not for Zelos and their remarkable Horizons, I’m not sure I would have bought a second bronze watch. There are frequent posts about the patina, which is a nicer way to describe tarnish, and it’s something that needs to be managed before it turns into full blown corrosion. There is also at least one member of WC who claim to be able to smell bronze, which is plausible because even if I can’t tell if bronze has a smell of it’s own, I’m able to smell zinc and aluminum from a distance, so I’m willing to accept the smell of bronze as a fact.
But my main issue with bronze is its weight because bronze is denser than steel. The Horizons has an effective sub 40mm diameter and therefore isn’t a large watch, but it sure weights like one and this mass is concentrated in a relatively small package making it feel top heavy on the wrist.
It’s not a big issue because it still weights only about 105gr with the tropic strap, and overall the Horizons has more pluses than it has minuses. It did however made me more cautious of buying larger bronze watches.
For me, the main attraction that the Horizons has is its iridescent cobalt blue dial that occasionally show hints of purple. This make for a very eye catching dial that is complemented by the gilt indices and handset and the copper red look of the bronze alloy. It’s really a nice watch to wear and it’s also a pity that Zelos doesn’t relaunch it.
Ranks of Bronze is a book by David Drake’s about a defeated Roman legion sold from a slave market to aliens, and forced to fight endless battles across the galaxy.
I'm a big fan of watches that are interesting because they are either unique, have interesting features, well designed or simply offer a great value for their price.
You are right in pointing that patina does protect the surface metal with a thin layer of oxidation. My problem however was not with surface oxidation but rather with the bezel sticking to the case. It requires frequent rotations and a drop of two of silicone gasket oil to get it back to spec.
The Horizons is a bit peculiar because some of its surfaces are high polished and not brushed. Therefore it's better not to let it develop patina and I religiously wipe it with an oiled rag.
I have one bronze watch, a Zelos Mako.
Bronze do smell a little but not as much as a Brass watch. What i noticed is that Bronze only smells somewhat once it develops patina.
that's a gorgeous Zelos!! I have two, but they're both titanium - kind of the opposite of this beaut
Patina is the entire point of bronze.
That and it resists salt water nicely. 😎
I’ve got a bronze Avalon II from Nodus, and it’s currently on of my favorite watches. The bronze definitely has more weight, and occasionally a mild aroma, but that’s all good by me. I love heavy divers.
Bronze was only used until they had the technology to produce steel. It's not a clean metal to be worn over skin. That green stuff is sulfur which probably is not good for health as the skin absorbs most every chemical it comes in contact with.
I love the bronze and blue combination too.