Questions about wearing bronze

[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!!

[Miguel:]

following...

[Brew]

Love my Heritage BBB. It went through some gangly "teenage" years, but now that the patina has mostly evened out, I think it just keeps getting better and better looking. I would love to have it on a bracelet, and a bit smaller. Tudor heard me, I guess, but didn't realize I live in the US.

[kirksingleton]

I have looked into them a few times. The Panerai is apparently the one to get but difficult to find and expensive. The patina is what people want and why they buy them. The Tudor doesn’t patina nearly as well as the Pam. There is a lot of info about these on the web if you look.

[aayates]

I have a bronze ORIS chronograph. I can confirm they (bronze watches) will tarnish / patina relatively quickly unless polished (talking about Brasso hand polish, not machines). I never noticed an odor or any skin reaction, but I suppose this depends on the wearer as much as the watch. I guess you could put some kind of laquer or other coating to prevent the patina, but I think most want the weathered/ antique look the bronze delivers on a new, robust timepiece.

[Oxfordian]

Any chance that those with the bronze watches could post some patina shots please.

Ideally a new out of the box shot followed by the current patina, this would allow people to see how the patina evolves.

Thanks in advance.

[Stealthdriver]

Teddy put up a video last week or so that showed the Oris Cotton Candy divers with patina. I thought they looked good
https://youtu.be/2ZePnERKJJU

[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.

[Loevhagen]

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.

[AJMarcus]

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 suspect these are typically not the same type of watch owners.

[kieselguhr]

Originally Posted by Stealthdriver

Teddy put up a video last week or so that showed the Oris Cotton Candy divers with patina. I thought they looked good
https://youtu.be/2ZePnERKJJU

Tudor uses bronze alloy with aluminum incorporated. Won’t be exactly the same as Oris

[Brew]

Originally Posted by Oxfordian

Any chance that those with the bronze watches could post some patina shots please.

Ideally a new out of the box shot followed by the current patina, this would allow people to see how the patina evolves.

Thanks in advance.

Then


Now



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[Oxfordian]

Originally Posted by Brew

Then


Now



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Wow, that has changed, how often is the watch worn, daily or on rotation and how long have you had it. I know that bronze changes colour dependent on the users activities, that patina is awesome.

Thanks for posting.

[Brew]

Originally Posted by Oxfordian

Wow, that has changed, how often is the watch worn, daily or on rotation and how long have you had it. I know that bronze changes colour dependent on the users activities, that patina is awesome.



Thanks for posting.

The watch was purchased new in 2017. Worn daily initially, but now infrequently. I'll revise this post shortly with a better pic. brb

[Oxfordian]

Originally Posted by Brew

The watch was purchased new in 2017. Worn daily initially, but now infrequently. I'll revise this post shortly with a better pic. brb

What are your thoughts on the bronze patina debate, if you could zip back in time and buy the watch again, would you?

[Brew]

Originally Posted by Oxfordian

What are your thoughts on the bronze patina debate, if you could zip back in time and buy the watch again, would you?

I love it now, but early on it was ugly. I think this dial is as beautiful as Tudor or Rolex make. I would not buy this watch again, though, because I prefer bracelets and smaller watches these days.

I would buy the new bronze BB58 in a heartbeat! If they make that into a GMT, they'll be printing $$.

[BoilerRxZ06]

I'm pretty intrigued by these bronze watches, myself. But I went a cheaper route and picked up a Shinola Bronze Monster to experiment with and see how it ages. If it's something I enjoy, I'll perhaps consider upgrading to a Tudor or PAM.

[Steponyoo]

I’m in the same situation

[Oxfordian]

Originally Posted by Brew

I love it now, but early on it was ugly. I think this dial is as beautiful as Tudor or Rolex make. I would not buy this watch again, though, because I prefer bracelets and smaller watches these days.

I would buy the new bronze BB58 in a heartbeat! If they make that into a GMT, they'll be printing $$.

I am considering a bronze watch so you provided a great insight into owning one, thanks for your thoughts.

[Brew]

Originally Posted by Oxfordian

I am considering a bronze watch so you provided a great insight into owning one, thanks for your thoughts.

You're welcome.

FYI, I do wonder if/how this new Tudor's bronze allows for a bracelet. My understanding was that the "old" bronze did not react well against skin, so a colored ss case back was used. I assume they mixed the alloy differently, but haven't seen anything about this yet.

Good luck with your considerations. Happy to follow up later, if you like.

[enjoythemusic]

Originally Posted by kirksingleton

I have looked into them a few times. The Panerai is apparently the one to get but difficult to find and expensive. The patina is what people want and why they buy them. The Tudor doesn’t patina nearly as well as the Pam. There is a lot of info about these on the web if you look.

That's the conclusion I came to, so am waiting on the new Panerai 42mm boutique limited edition Bronzo (delivery near Xmas time). The Tudor looks great and look fwd to how the bracelet patinas.

[JSolution]

Originally Posted by Oxfordian

Any chance that those with the bronze watches could post some patina shots please.

Ideally a new out of the box shot followed by the current patina, this would allow people to see how the patina evolves.

Thanks in advance.

I’d be interested to see this too.

Actually spoke to my AD today and I like the look of the new Tudor bronze on bracelet he told me it will patina very quickly, which I never knew. Definitely not something I would be interested in !

[therealpetrolhead]

Can’t post a picture because apparently you need 10 posts before one can attach pictures.

I prefer the Bronze on the nato/leather strap. Suits the rugged look much better than a bracelet.

I’m biased but I initially looked into the Panerai as well. I personally couldn’t justify the price tag for the original bronzo, given that a bronze watch is an occasional watch anyways (at least in my case).

The Quality of the Tudor is excellent, winding it feels just like a Patek

I also got a neat 20% discount for this discontinued model, so there should definitely be some wiggle room for a good deal if you go for it.

Lastly, it might be hard to source from an AD brand new because the first tudor bronze (as in the pics of the other user - same like mine) has been discontinued since 2018 I think.


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[rmagoo57]

Originally Posted by BoilerRxZ06

I'm pretty intrigued by these bronze watches, myself. But I went a cheaper route and picked up a Shinola Bronze Monster to experiment with and see how it ages. If it's something I enjoy, I'll perhaps consider upgrading to a Tudor or PAM.

Let’s see that Shinola!!! I remember seeing that when it came out and saying hmmmmm. Great watch thread gents!

[TswaneNguni]

Sprite Zero + few drops of lemon juice ,immerse for 15 min ,wash off,dry ...looks like new .

[Loevhagen]

Thanks for the topic, OP - and thanks to those posting images and video links to show the patina over time. Conclusion: I will not buy a bronze watch any time soon as the "bronze patina" looks awful.

[sambb]

I have the slate dial BB bronze. It is really a great look as it ages, and can always be wiped clean with some lemon juice in minutes. There are videos on youtube that show the process of it aging over time also.

Overall, i think it is a really nice weekend piece, at a good price too, if you like that "aged" look.

[BoilerRxZ06]

Originally Posted by rmagoo57

Let’s see that Shinola!!! I remember seeing that when it came out and saying hmmmmm. Great watch thread gents!

Here ya go! It's still pretty "bright" as I've only had it for about 40 days now and haven't worn it much, but I'm excited to see how it ages.

[samson66]

Originally Posted by Brew

The watch was purchased new in 2017. Worn daily initially, but now infrequently. I'll revise this post shortly with a better pic. brb

This looks great

Didn't think I liked the patina look until seeing this.

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[Brew]

Originally Posted by samson66

This looks great

Didn't think I liked the patina look until seeing this.

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Thank you. It’s not for everyone, but if you like a little imperfection on your watch…


I love what it does to the bevels.


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