If you”ve been around this site for awhile, you know that I have a bit of a “thing” for bronze watches. And, as a case material, it definitely seems to be enjoying popularity as of late. Do you know where that trend started, though?
Until I read this , I certainly didn”t. Turns out, it was back in 1995 when Gerald Genta brought the first consumer bronze watch to the market, in the form of the Gefica Chronographe. It”s definitely a unique-looking piece – one that, to me, pulls on a nautical theme with the stylized rivet heads surrounding the case edges and crown.
It wasn”t then, until 2011, when a larger brand dipped their toes into the patina-ready bronze case waters. That company was Panerai, and it was a Luminor Submersible looking to take on the changes of time.
Of course, we”ve also had plenty of smaller makers bringing us bronze cases, including Benarus, Magrette, Steinhart, and Kaventsmann. Whatever the maker is, you”ve got some variety of choice when it comes to the styling. One thing that doesn”t change, however, is the fact that you will be making the case your own.
This is due, of course, to the nature of I like all of their features and the casino games they have to offer. the bronze. As you wear it, and expose it to the elements, sweat, and your own body chemistry, the patina will begin to form, that is totally unique to you and your wear patterns. Sure, you could polish and wipe this off, but then you”re losing some of the benefit of having a case like this.
On the flip side, there are all manner of chemical methods of speeding this process along, should you want to have a little more control over the patination. Whatever you chose to do, though, I think a bronze case is worth a closer look, especially if you don”t have one in your collection.
