Bronze Watches Gain Something That Money Cannot Buy

With time and exposure, bronze watches gain something that money cannot buy.

- Celine Yap

Patina is the layer of tarnish that forms on the surfaces of some materials, giving them a weathered look that changes slowly but surely. Time and the elements are the two ingredients needed for patina to occur. In bronze for instance, the metal evolves from a warm caramel brown to a rich, powdery green such as that seen on the Statue of Liberty in New York. This ever-changing quality of bronze is what makes it so intriguing and thus sought-after in luxury haute horlogerie.

Bronze is denser than steel and almost as heavy as gold. This ancient material was commonly used in the maritime world because of its ability to form a patina. When exposed to saltwater, its surface begins to oxidise. When the surfaces are fully oxidised, however, the patina layer protects the material from further oxidation and the bronze becomes stabilised.

It was introduced to luxury watchmaking by brands that have deep ties with the ocean. The Italian company Anonimo, which is now defunct, was one of the first to use bronze for its watches. When polished and given the right treatment, even this utilitarian metal can appear luxurious.

Because bronze is so dense, modern watchmakers tend to pair it with lighter materials such as titanium in order to maintain the wearability of the timepiece.