Bronze watches. Yay or Nah
What is this hype around bronze watches. Well all of us know they can patina quite bad over time. This is neither a 'you love it or hate it', clearly I don't know. #bronzewatches #general
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Rahul Rajan
Watch Maven. Ardent fan of Hodinkee & Bark&Jack. "As a realist, you must give me the watch and not the time." Twitter : @NairInsights
Bengaluru
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Last active: 4 months ago
I think it is the patina that is the appeal, it will be unique to your watch based upon the use. It’s not for everyone.
I'm absolutely in favor of a bronze case. The patina is great and if you don't like it, it can always be polished. That's what I do with mine from time to time. I'll let it oxidize, wear it as is, then polish it later and wear it like that.
The Rado Captain Cooks in bronze are probably the best ones on the market (in my opinion). I recently saw the Hamilton field mechanical and the Pilot Pioneer in bronze and to be brutally honest they do leave something to be desired :/
It's all about the patina. I love the look of natural patina. Every watch is different and unique. I let nature take it's course and have never altered the natural progression of my bronze watches patina.
I'm absolutely in favor of a bronze case. The patina is great and if you don't like it, it can always be polished. That's what I do with mine from time to time. I'll let it oxidize, wear it as is, then polish it later and wear it like that.
Oh I didn't know about the optional polishing.
I don't have one, but want one now. Great photos.
Oh I didn't know about the optional polishing.
I think the Watch Advisor YouTube channel did it on an episode.
I would need to see others doing it before I committed to ANY polishing! 😂
Oh I didn't know about the optional polishing.
Yes sir. I use Cape Cod Polishing Cloths. Actually, I use them for all my precious metals and watches. They work great.
Polishing a patinated bronze case will bring it back to its original state.
It's all about the patina. I love the look of natural patina. Every watch is different and unique. I let nature take it's course and have never altered the natural progression of my bronze watches patina.
These are all great pieces @foghorn!
I don't have one, but want one now. Great photos.
Buy one. You won't regret it.
Yay! My personal favorite: IWC Spitfire (Chrono) Bronze
I like them, and love my IWC spitfire chrono. It feels very unique as they all will patina differently. That said I do really love the fresh color of bronze and wish the patina would be more gradual. Here it is with a solid patina.
The Rado Captain Cooks in bronze are probably the best ones on the market (in my opinion). I recently saw the Hamilton field mechanical and the Pilot Pioneer in bronze and to be brutally honest they do leave something to be desired :/
I'm hit and miss on the bronze watches. I find some appealing and others horrible, like the Hamilton's. The Rado is amazing and probably one of the best, in my opinion.
I don't like the tactile feel of bronze. Also, doesn't work with my skin - upon contact with the slightest bit of sweat it leaves stains of blue/green-ish filth on me.
I'm hit and miss on the bronze watches. I find some appealing and others horrible, like the Hamilton's. The Rado is amazing and probably one of the best, in my opinion.
The Rado is the one that works the best, particularly the blue version
I like bronze. I've owned several, but my favorite at the moment is the Cotton Candy Oris.
I can tell you though as far as bronze goes, the Zenith Type 20 was the best.
Yah only if it does not turn to green in 3 months. 😂
I was hesitant, but decided to try one about a year ago. I went with a CW C60, and absolutely love it.
A couple of points about Bronze:
I think it's worth owning a bronze watch, there is a nice warmth to the look. I do not think it's worth paying a premium for one, you won't get your money back on the used market unless the watch is still on the hype train.
two years ago i got really exited about bronze. while searching for bronze watch i found this beauty second hand.i didnt force patina i didnt "reset" it.
bronze as material is "organic",always changing,cant say it is all about patina.
I think it's worth owning a bronze watch, there is a nice warmth to the look. I do not think it's worth paying a premium for one, you won't get your money back on the used market unless the watch is still on the hype train.
I agree on the warmth, it doesn't look quite like anything else. My bronze watch has a very "cool" dial to offset the warmth of the bronze, but I'd be tempted to pick up another that has a "warmer" dial to match the bronze as well.
Only have one bronze but absolutely love it , its a reactive metal which instantly makes it my most unique watch, the crown does occasionally wanna turn me into the Hulk when in contact with my skin too long 😆
I like them, the patina that forms is pretty unique watch to watch.
What a great thread.
The Rado is exceptional, as are many of the other watches shown here.
Great job, Crunchers! 👍
I like bronze. I've owned several, but my favorite at the moment is the Cotton Candy Oris.
I can tell you though as far as bronze goes, the Zenith Type 20 was the best.
That Zenith looks so good with the patina!
An other explanation to the hype for bronze watches (the first explanation is the patina) is the reputation of this metal. It's one of the three famous metals : Gold, Silver and Bronze. For very attractive prices, you can have a watch in one of these "precious" metal.
it is the hype now, but it may not last. it is just a trend. .