Does it spark joy? Bronze watch edition
So I have been contemplating a bronze watch for about 2 years now. I keep finding new ones and sometimes I’d see videos about the patina and I decide not to get one. Though honestly I don’t mind the patina and it is relatively easy to remove.
Additionally, now in my watch collection journey, I believe that less is more. So I will only decide to get a watch if I can get hands on and it has to give me that feeling/desire to buy it. Basically in Marie Kondos words, does it spark joy?
The first bronze watch to catch my eye is this Oris Big Crown Pointer Date, and boy is she a stunner, however it is impossible to get hands on with this model.
Also I thought maybe for my first bronze watch, I don’t wanna spend too much. I wanted a small purchase so I ca get a feel of the material and how it ages.
So I looked elsewhere for the time being and found the Christopher Ward C30 Bronze. Not sure if it’s the C30.
Really like the dial on it and the overall dimensions suits me. I like the design and almost pulled the trigger on it, but something just kept me from doing it. Also I can’t get hands on with it, but the price was low enough that I didn’t mind taking the risk.
Months passed and I wanted to get a black bay 58 for my fathers 60th birthday, when we went to the Tudor boutique, he decided on the black one, that was when he said, you should get one too! He said it’s my 60th birthday and your 30th birthday year, it would be perfect. So instinctively I said ok I’ll get the other colour, the blue one. The Tudor rep brought out the blue variant and also the bronze version as it was relatively new at the time.
This one, the joy was there for sure. But availability at that time was limited. Plus it costs a pretty penny.
In the end I opted for the blue black bay 58.
Sometime later I came across this Oris Carl Brashear chronograph. Beautiful piece but I’m still unconvinced.
Then there’s this Christopher ward which looks really nice. But at this point in my watch collection journey I have quite a few blue watches. So the hunt continues.
Then a few weeks back, I was at Shinjuku showing some friends around the place. I walked past a watch store called Watchnian.
They sell mostly used watches and other luxury goods.
And I saw it, the first bronze watch I might actually purchase.
The IWC Big Pilot 43 Mr Porter edition. Limited to 500 pieces.
It is a used piece with some patina but I didn’t mind it. I actually like how it looks in this state.
This one sparked the most joy.
I did not buy it then and there as it is quite a substantial purchase. But I am fairly certain that this will be the first Bronze watch that I will purchase. Kinda funny how my rule of spending small on a first bronze watch just went out the window when I know I’ve found the one.
How do you decide on purchasing a watch? Does my method seem silly? Am I too meticulous when it comes to picking out a watch. Any comments are welcome!
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That lady would hate the top of my dresser. Watches and watch bands everywhere because I’m always switching them out…but they all spark joy for me :)
Gotta get that IWC if the budget allows for it. Beautiful watch & in a different league to the others.
Uh, pretty sure bronze doesn’t spark 🤔. Try steel, steel will spark 😂
I think your approach is a good one.
That lady would hate the top of my dresser. Watches and watch bands everywhere because I’m always switching them out…but they all spark joy for me :)
I think she would be a watch collector nightmare.
Did you consider the Longines Legend Diver in bronze + green? I love this watch..
Did you consider the Longines Legend Diver in bronze + green? I love this watch..
Yes I did! I decided not to put that in the post as the infatuation was rather short lived compared to the rest haha. I would love to try it first though.
If you see yourself as cleaning the patina off, then I would suggest not going the bronze route. It will just keep you busy trying to avoid the inevitable. In most aspects bronze is a negative unless you like the aesthetic and the patina. It’s heavier, softer and tarnishes all on its own. That said I have three bronze watches, love them and just ordered two more this morning. 😉
If you’re set on the IWC and would like to see a sub-40mm, make sure you try to check out the 39mm Spitfire in bronze. I saw this piece in person and it was amazing.
Bronze interested me in my watch collection journey. My first was an Oris Big Crown with full bronze bracelet. Unfortunately, the bracelet turned my skin green. So I opted to change from a full bracelet to a bronze case only. I picked up a Tsg Heuer Autavia in bronze, but it didn’t get much wrist time. Next bronze watch is my favorite: Montblanc Geosphere Limited Edition in Bronze and green. That I use to travel and go on adventures with. My most recent bronze is a Tudor BB Bronze, the largest at 43mm. It’s my workhorse, and I do swim with it on occasion.
Unfortunately because of childhood trauma of polishing Grandma's old bronze betel nut set
and the dinky pot and cups with Brasso, I have developed a... Disdain of bronze watches. The smell, ugh.
So no, bronze watch is beautiful to look at but it does not bring me joy.
The dreaded thing. Trust me, that coin smell you get from polishing that much bronze and brass is enough to deter me from wanting bronze things
IWCs are a dream watch for me, that bronze is stunning!
Very nice
Not an endorsement. Just saw and read this article before reading your post. This new Yema Bronze Superman is going $999 from 11/10-11/17, with deliveries next year April/May 2024.
https://www.ablogtowatch.com/yema-superman-bronze-cmm-10-limited-edition-watch-debuts-yemas-new-manufacture-caliber/
Jomashop is selling the IWC Spitfire at 18% off. New with the caveat of a 2 year Jomashop warranty. Good luck and happy hunting.
I just ordered parts to build a watch from AliExpress, and the cornerstone of it is a bronze Seiko Turtle case. Been wanting a bronze watch for a couple of years too, and finally doing it!
I'm gonna make your life that much more difficult by suggesting this one. To me it's the most beautiful bronze watch out there. The only problem is, I cant handle the patina... Otherwise I'd own one already.
I think that IWC looks great allthough my experience with these huge onion crowns is that they can hurt the wrist. You mentioned you would also consider a cheaper piece to get the feeling, what about this Phoibos? I think it looks great! Good luck, in the end it is all "luxury problems" 😉
It's good to have a process.
If you don't then you end up like this...
That’s…. A lot of bronze watches
I'm gonna make your life that much more difficult by suggesting this one. To me it's the most beautiful bronze watch out there. The only problem is, I cant handle the patina... Otherwise I'd own one already.
Time to add another one to the list. That’s a beautiful chronograph. I’m a sucker for them.
I think that IWC looks great allthough my experience with these huge onion crowns is that they can hurt the wrist. You mentioned you would also consider a cheaper piece to get the feeling, what about this Phoibos? I think it looks great! Good luck, in the end it is all "luxury problems" 😉
For the big Pilot 43, they actually addressed the issue with the onion crown. It sits slightly higher, so taller and closer to the sapphire crystal. So it doesn’t dig into the wrist as much as the big Pilot 46.
Thanks for the recommendation! I’ll check em out!
Bronze patina smells like a rainy day at the cemetery. I can't wear the stuff.
the Oris Big Crown Pointer Date in full bronze is my favourite of all the bronzes I've seen. The ones with the green and oxblood dial really do spark immense joy. I happen to have an Oris boutique where I live, I'm gonna pop by one day and have a look.
Another one I love is Cristopher ward C65 Dune, also with a bronze bracelet, also in green, albeit with a brighter more reflective dial. This one is also cosc certified.
Bronze + Green dials really is the perfect pairing. Really need to get my hands on one.
I love your process! It's very thoughtful. I love bronze watches because of the patina and they're just slightly 'off', if you know what I mean. I have these two and the Tudor is my favourite.
When my father retired, I got him a distressed dial, bronze case Laco. It being a midranged option from a brand he’d always loved but never owned it was a win win. For me, the concept of the bronze aging with him now that he’s free to focus on the desires of his heart in his later years was a very special symbol. I find the patina on wrist watch to be a very romantic thing. Big fan.
It's good to have a process.
If you don't then you end up like this...
Oh, my...
I like your process: thorough and patient. I am typically only thorough...
I don't have any bronze watches, so I can't comment on that part beyond saying that a lot of these look really nice...and new. How about someone showing one with an infamous patina?
Sorry I got distracted by Maria Kondo she is my kind of alright and keeps an ocd tidy happening like yours truely .
It's good to have a process.
If you don't then you end up like this...
Maria would she approve 😂 some nice watches :)
Maria would she approve 😂 some nice watches :)
Thanks!
I wonder would omega make bronze watch the money watch eh, that would be so interesting