Green Bronze?

I have 5 bronze watches ,the oldest being about 6 years old. One has the slightest tinge of green inside a lug but nothing that will turn me green. The mega green you see on many bronze watches are a result of those crazy science projects some like to call forced patina.

I’m wearing my bronze watch right now. I have a Christopher Ward Aquitaine in bronze that I bought when they released in May ‘22, so approaching 2 years old. It has patinated a fair amount, no greening on the case. On my skin it did leave slight staining, especially when it was new and less patinated and even more so when I’d sweat. Those greenish stains on my skin were subtle and quick to wipe off but they were real. I’d love the look of a bronze bracelet but I worry it would be a big stain on my arm.

If I’m not sweating the watch is great, and since it’s heavily covered in a patina it really doesn’t leave a stain at all anymore. I doubt all bronze cases are created equally so my experience with CW is not necessarily what another brand like Oris per se would do with their bronze. I love me bronze watch and I’m glad I got one but I don’t know if I’d buy another.

The green is sulfur and bronze will attract it. Get some clear finger nail polish and paint the underside places that are bronze and can touch skin with it. The case back will be stainless so don't paint that. Water , hydrogen peroxide and citric acid can clean it up to a shine without scratching it.

Bronze watches tend to look ok on a bund. 🤷

Green 💚

I've never had a problem with a watch turning green, regular wear just creates a nice patina, that said yes, my wrist has been turned a little green before if I'm particularly sweaty, but it's never been anything a simple hand washing didn't remove. Nearly every brand has their own blend of bronze, some patina almost overnight and some maintain their brilliance for ages, I'd narrow down a few watches I liked and ask specifically about how they age, you should get a lot of strong opinions!

My C65 Christopher Ward bronze diver has a stainless steel caseback which stops that from happening.

I was wondering what would happen if you applied a ceramic coating to the whole case. I detail my cars and there are coating designed to be applied to metals. It’s counter intuitive considering the so called charm of a bronze watch is it to patina up. Me, I would polish that sucker right up haha

Buenas, si el tema de la oxidación del cobre es el problema con el contacto con la piel una simple nato pasante bund solucionaría tu problema, otra forma de hacerle una patina verdosa y que no se va fácilmente, es la siguiente dejarlo en una campana sin que la pieza tenga contacto con 🥚 duros rotos y 🔥 el vapor de sulfatos se adhieren al metal haciéndolo tono verdoso pero menos aspecto de musgo

I can definitely smell bronze corrosion.

And I remember the smell of incessantly polishing brass on my cadet and reserve uniform and kit.

I like the look of bronze though.

Bronze

I don't have a bronze watch as the colour and patina doesn't really appeal to me but I will let you know that the Titanium Boderry voyager I have is a fantastic watch for the money and I imagine the bronze one will be just as nice!

Thanks! I do have a titanium Voyager in the Noir Edition (actually have it on now) and do love it.

Thanks for the info!

Most bronze watches have steel casebacks.

I have the Claret 😁

Thank you for the advice. I had a hat I got a few years ago that I coated the grommets in a nail polish to prevent the bronze from having any similar reaction. I wasn't sure if bronze watches were a different grade of bronze or suffered from such issues.

Thanks again! I really appreciate it.

Good idea! Thanks.

Thanks!

I have seen cars with that ceramic coating. I had not considered it, but an intriguing idea! Thanks

Gracias. Te lo agradezco.

That's rough. That's why I'm always hesitant about bronze. I like the look and even like the cool patina it can obtain. It's just the corrosion that puts me off from it.

Oh that is a nice one! I don't often see that dial shade . It's a great contrast against the titanium. I might have to go with that one if I pick up another Boderry. Or maybe I should say when 🤔🤔🤔😂

I’ve had only a couple occasions when I had green oxidation on my skin. Only where the sweat concentrateed by the lugs. Minor…but it does happen on occasion.

Thank you!

It also depends on the alloy, the ratio of some of its component will prevent the patina from developping a green color such as the Cusn8. (That can be found im CW watches as well as tudor etc)

Thanks for the info!

My first bronze watch, had to change strap because this one was extremely quick to patina. Made wrist green after wearing a few hours, but no problem now 😉

Have another 4 bronze watches, including a San Martin, Tudor with bronze strap and 2 Boderry 🙂