Questions about wearing bronze

[Couchpotato]

My black bay bronze leaves a little bit of green on my skin if I sweat. Not much but noticeable. Personally I do like Tudor’s patina. It gives the watch a nice aged feel but not too much.

[jakjuventus]

https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/th...ack-bay-bronze


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[beer]

Thanks for all of the responses. Appreciate your time taken to post.

[raflunes]

I think that IWC bronze alloy is the same than Tudor…with aluminium incorporated. The patina goes to grayish style…





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[iLLGT2]

2 things...

If you dont like the patina, put it in a lemon juice/sprite bath to reverse patina

If you wind up not loving the watch, theres always a buyer out there... pick up a mint preowned original for 3 grand and some change, can always sell for the same

I have panerai bronzo and tudor BB, the panerai patina's way more, turns green etc from the cusn8 alloy

The tudor really just gets a deep brown patina i haven't seen any green really even living across from and go to the beach almost daily

Nothing really to lose by trying it out if bought right

[AkshayArgade]

Originally Posted by iLLGT2

2 things...

If you dont like the patina, put it in a lemon juice/sprite bath to reverse patina

If you wind up not loving the watch, theres always a buyer out there... pick up a mint preowned original for 3 grand and some change, can always sell for the same

I have panerai bronzo and tudor BB, the panerai patina's way more, turns green etc from the cusn8 alloy

The tudor really just gets a deep brown patina i haven't seen any green really even living across from and go to the beach almost daily

Nothing really to lose by trying it out if bought right

that bronzo looks beautiful-- panerai bronze is the best-- ive got a oris bico-- it does patina but not as good as the bronzo

[BoilerRxZ06]

Since picking up the Shinola Bronze Monster last summer, I’ve been wanting to go for a full bronze piece. I really like the Tudor Boutique watch, but availability and pricing turned me away.

Then, Oris, a brand I love, came out with these full bronze Big Crown Pointer Date pieces and I knew I had to have one. Picked it up last week and I’m loving it.

[samson66]

Originally Posted by BoilerRxZ06

Since picking up the Shinola Bronze Monster last summer, I’ve been wanting to go for a full bronze piece. I really like the Tudor Boutique watch, but availability and pricing turned me away.

Then, Oris, a brand I love, came out with these full bronze Big Crown Pointer Date pieces and I knew I had to have one. Picked it up last week and I’m loving it.

Great looking watch. That one caught my attention too. Please keep us updated on the patina over time. Like others have said if is starts to look unpleasant just give it a lemon juice bath and some scrubbin'

[BoilerRxZ06]

Originally Posted by samson66

Great looking watch. That one caught my attention too. Please keep us updated on the patina over time. Like others have said if is starts to look unpleasant just give it a lemon juice bath and some scrubbin'

Thanks! I'm looking forward to seeing how this one ages. The Shinola hasn't done much yet.

[Scott_]

I don’t yet have a Tudor bronze watch, but here are my Christopher Ward and Yema bronze watches, both around the $1k price range.

I’ve had the Christopher Ward for a bit more than two years, so it has more patina than the Yema.

[donas]

Originally Posted by fsprow

I find it rather humorous that some watch enthusiasts here can’t stand the thought of a hairline scratch on their bracelet but like the heavily oxidized (patina?) look of bronze.

No accounting for human nature.

I highly doubt the same collector fits into both categories.

OP, I own two bronze watches, Oris and IWC. Both of them have a stainless case back, so no issue of green wrists and no smell of any nature. I looked at the Tudor when it was released and didn't buy it because of the alloy mix not being able to develop patina like other bronze watches. Personally, I enjoy a natural patina, but not into the rushed patina that some do with various chemical concoctions.

[wesdaniel]

I have the Tudor Black Bay 58 Bronze boutique edition - just got it this past week. I've worn it only twice, so not enough to have any patina on the watch, but, after wearing it today, my wrist is black/green on the inside.

I am still enamored with the watch - I think it's a beautiful timepiece. I don't think I'll like the patina'd look, so, I will undoubtedly be keeping it clean. But, I'm not crazy about my skin being discolored.

[GGGMT]

Originally Posted by beer

I have been keen to add a bronze watch - preferably Tudor or Panerai - for a while now. However what put me off was lack of a metal bracelet. I like straps but prefer at least the option of a bracelet. The new BB58 bronze seems to fit the bill.

I've been told bronze jewelry has a few flaws - it will tarnish, make your skin go green, and smells bad - but depends on the alloy? I read that the Tudor uses a different alloy to "regular" bronze so just wondering if this will be any better?

Is the Tudor likely to tarnish/smell of old pennies?

Anyone with an "older" Bronze Tudor, how has it held up? I know only the new model has a bracelet so I won't get any experience of bronze Tudor bracelets yet but just looking to get any ideas at all r.e. the Tudor alloy

Also, from anyone who happens to wear/has worn any other bronze jewelry, experiences would be welcomed.

Looking forward to hearing from those more knowledgeable than me.

thanks!!

Bronze and it’s tarnish is one of my faves. Do it! No smells. No green skin.





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[DoricSpiker]

The top above is after 4 months of intermittent wear. Bottom is Xmas day. I love the patina, it’s not dirty it’s just part of the watch.
The smell I think is a you tube talking point more than a real world problem. If someone smells it they are too close to your wrist. You will never smell it in normal circumstances.
Never had a green stain however I got this at Xmas and it’s been cold in London and France, the two places I have been with it. Taking the watch to Dubai next week so interested to see how it goes over there!


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[cari66ean]

Got a few bronze and brass watches and here is my knowledge I gathered over the years:

• Will it tarnish?
  Yes, the development of patina is a natural property of copper and alloys such as bronze and brass that in turn protects the metal below from further oxidation. Essentially it develops its own protective skin if you want, which is pretty cool if you think about it.
• Can you prevent it from tarnishing?
  Yes, if you keep it coated in something like wax or lacquer. However, that's not necessarily what most people are after. The patina gives each watch its own character and can look amazing.
• Will all bronze and brass pieces patina the same?
  No, there are many factors involved in the speed, color tones and effects (shininess, uniformity, verdigris, etc.) that the patina will develop. It depends on the specific alloy used, its purity to some extent and all the many elements it is exposed to (in the air, weather, humidity, salts, other chemicals, etc.). Yes, technically your patina can go from matte brown, to a shiny almost PVD black to bright green, blue, yellow or even red.
• Does it smell?
  A little maybe if you sniff it up close or rub it with your fingers but nothing you'd notice other than up close.
• Can it leave green marks on your arms?
  Depending on the humidity and/or how you sweat it's indeed possible. That's why many bronze watches e.g. have stainless case backs. But I haven't found it to be much of a problem personally.
• Can you remove the patina?
  Yes, by polishing it or with all kinds of chemicals like acids such as lemon juice or vinegar. Bear in mind however, that you are essentially removing or dissolving a very thin layer of the metal each time, that was meant to protect the metal beneath from further oxidation. The more developed the patina is, the more protective against further changes it becomes but also the thicker the layer that you would be removing as well. It can even lead to pitting (tiny holes in the surface) if done often or if its been very developed like e.g. having lots verdigris (those green spots). To be fair however, the more developed the patina gets the more stable and resistant it becomes to the elements as well. Again it's good to know and maybe a reason as to not chemically force on patina and then remove it on a regular basis on an expensive piece but it shouldn't be much of a concern for regular use or the occasional removal or polish.

Some of my babies:

[samson66]

Originally Posted by wesdaniel

I have the Tudor Black Bay 58 Bronze boutique edition - just got it this past week. I've worn it only twice, so not enough to have any patina on the watch, but, after wearing it today, my wrist is black/green on the inside.

I am still enamored with the watch - I think it's a beautiful timepiece. I don't think I'll like the patina'd look, so, I will undoubtedly be keeping it clean. But, I'm not crazy about my skin being discolored.

That's why most bronze watches come on straps and have a non-bronze case back. A typical bronze watch on a strap with a SS case back will have very little if any of the actual bronze touching the skin. The blackening of the skin is just a price to be paid with a bronze bracelet.

[inadeje]

Originally Posted by beer

I have been keen to add a bronze watch - preferably Tudor or Panerai - for a while now. However what put me off was lack of a metal bracelet. I like straps but prefer at least the option of a bracelet. The new BB58 bronze seems to fit the bill.

I've been told bronze jewelry has a few flaws - it will tarnish, make your skin go green, and smells bad - but depends on the alloy? I read that the Tudor uses a different alloy to "regular" bronze so just wondering if this will be any better?

Is the Tudor likely to tarnish/smell of old pennies?

Anyone with an "older" Bronze Tudor, how has it held up? I know only the new model has a bracelet so I won't get any experience of bronze Tudor bracelets yet but just looking to get any ideas at all r.e. the Tudor alloy

Also, from anyone who happens to wear/has worn any other bronze jewelry, experiences would be welcomed.

Looking forward to hearing from those more knowledgeable than me.

thanks!!

Hi OP, I have both the Panerai Bronzo and the BB58 Boutique Only Bronze. The Panerai I’ve had for several years. The BB for a few months. Here goes with your answers.

* I've been told bronze jewelry has a few flaws - it will tarnish, make your skin go green, and smells bad - but depends on the alloy? I read that the Tudor uses a different alloy to "regular" bronze so just wondering if this will be any better?

Yes, the metal patinas over a period of about a month. Turning from a rich gold color which to the untrained eye could be gold, to a gradually dulled and darker tone. The jury is out on this matter, some love the patina and grade how amazing theirs has patinated, while others like me simply give the watch a bath (see link below) every month or so which brings it back to new again.

Removing Patina - https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=846251

Neither of the two watches have ever left green residue on my wrist.

I cannot smell anything strange on these watches.

There doesn’t seem to be any difference as to how long the Panerai takes to patina compared to the BB. It’s about a month for both and at that stage it’s very light but noticeable (when compared to new)

*Is the Tudor likely to tarnish/smell of old pennies?

As I said, I haven’t noticed this trait. If it exists then it could be that it isn’t strong enough odor for my smell senses.

*Anyone with an "older" Bronze Tudor, how has it held up? I know only the new model has a bracelet so I won't get any experience of bronze Tudor bracelets yet but just looking to get any ideas at all r.e. the Tudor alloy

I don’t have experience with the previous BB, but I have a long term with the Panerai. Frankly, I don’t notice one accelerating patina more than the other. They’re about the same. But its so simple to remove the patina that its a non issue.

Hope this helps

[Traveling]

Wow! Awesome folks!!!

[samson66]

Originally Posted by inadeje

Removing Patina - https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=846251

Great information, thanks for posting